No4 / November 2008

CHAIRMAN’S THOUGHTS

I imagine many of you feel, like me, that the year has once more flown by, and the weather as I write is decidedly wintry – but there are plenty of compensations in the bird world.

I have read on our website that Great Northern Divers are back again (read the reservoir report below for a lot more highlights over the autumn).  It’s also great to see flocks of winter passerines moving in – like Redwings, Fieldfare, Siskin and Redpolls – and there are signs that it may prove to be another Waxwing year, which would be fantastic.  Does anyone recall the large Waxwing flock opposite the Whitworth Institute in Darley Dale some years ago, the same year, I think, when I went on to Carsington to see the long-staying Great Grey Shrike.

There is also Cromford’s Hawfinch bonanza, which gives it national status, and there definitely seem enough large flocks of Starlings for another Kirk Ireton-like show this year!  And finally, with the clocks going back, I have been able to combine dog walking with Barn Owl watching around 5pm; on one evening an owl fly just ten feet above my entranced dog … definitely one of the benefits of the shortening days!

After such cheer I will come down to earth and mention our own continuing credit crunch.  I have never been good at creative accounting but I have had one revenue-raising idea (that my fellow committee members usually pass off with a laugh or two), which I am bringing up now – during the pantomime season!  I am serious, though, when I say I’d like to see a CBC team on the TV quiz show, ‘Eggheads’?  I’ve not watched it that often, but there’s always one of the resident ‘experts’ whose face carries a smirk I’d love to wipe off!  And on the rare occasions the challengers are successful, they do walk off with thousands of pounds.

It would seem appropriate for a club of birdwatchers to take on the ‘Eggheads’, so would any members fancy joining me in assembling a team to see if we can put some additional finance back into our coffers?  !  If I can find another four members who would like to give it a go, I can investigate what’s involved.  And even if we didn’t win, it would give the club some great publicity.

Finally, I hope to see you at our Christmas Party night on 16 December, which will feature Nick Brown (an officer with the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust) talking about the Derby Cathedral Peregrines.  But if I don’t see you then, may I wish you all a happy Christmas and good New Year on behalf of all the committee.

Peter Gibbon

 

SUMMER VISITORS DEPART, WHILE OTHERS (DIVERS INCLUDED) START WINTER HOLIDAY

The best September species total for several years included a Honey Buzzard flying over Sheepwash car park – part of a large movement throughEnglandaround that time – a Grey Phalarope which touched down briefly and a pair of juvenile Shags that stayed around for 2-3 weeks.

A single bird made it three months in a row for Black Tern, and 41 Pink-footed Geese were seen flying north-east on 23 September.  The highest count of Coot reached 1,292 on the 14^th.

Another bird displaying large movements from the continent is Waxwings, and while only one has been noted at Carsington – on 16 November – we can hope for a treat if they increase their numbers in Derbyshire.

Among long-staying migrants, the prize goes to two Chiffchaffs on 21 October, though House Martins, Swallows and Wheatear were all noted earlier that month, and two Willow Warblers were recorded as late as 19 September.  The autumn/winter movements brought both Yellow and White Wagtails to their favoured spot – the dam wall – along with Rock Pipit, Lesser Redpoll, Brambling, Linnet and Siskin, while the flocks of roosting Starlings are steadily growing in size (recalling memories of the massive roost at Kirk Ireton two years ago).

Great Northern Divers seem to pop up at Carsington most years, and they duly returned in October.  They often stay around a fair while, too, and between two and four were noted at various times right through to late November.   A juvenile Gannet – not recorded since 2000 – flew through on 29 October, and winter visiting ducks have so far included Common Scoter (up to eight in early November), Goldeneye and Red-breasted Merganser, while Gadwall, Pintail and Shoveler are recorded regularly among a good variety of waterfowl.

Waders seen during this period included Ruff, Curlew, Knot, Common Sandpiper, Dunlin, Redshank and, during October, both Golden and Ringed Plovers.  The sizeable gull roost (up to 3,000 Lesser Black-backed and 1,200 Black-headed) has included some rarities, including an adult Ring-billed Gull on several evenings in November, when five Yellow-Legs were also recorded and a Mediterranean Gull twice reprised a single appearance in October.

After an excellent raptor month in September – when Merlin, Osprey and Hobby joined the more regular Kestrels and Buzzards – October was quieter, though Peregrines were often seen and are joining the ‘regular’ band.

 

CLUB MEMBERS ‘TRAVEL’ THE WORLD TO SEE FANTASTIC BIRDS!

Club events have seen both real and virtual journeys around some of the most interesting birding territories.  The real one was just a few days ago – to the Wildlife and Wetland Trust’s Welney site in The Fens, when 20 members were rewarded after enduring six hours on the road and a bitterly cold day with 48 species including one of Welney’s stars, the Whooper Swan, plus two glimpses of a more unexpected visitor, a Hen Harrier.

The virtual trips to more exotic locations were made during the first three indoor meetings of the year.  Firstly, Paul Bingham took us toSouth Africain September, and then Andrew Sherwin came along to Hognaston Village Hall in October to describe – and show – the wide diversity of bird life on show inGoaonIndia’s west coast.  And earlier this month, Susan and Allan Parker displayed their considerable photographic talents with a thorough look at the birds encountered on the nearer-to-home (and slightly less exotic) northNorfolkcoast.

Further south inNorfolkis where to find Welney.  Snow had fallen overnight on 23 November when the travellers set off, but not enough to affect the trip, which turned out to be something of a ‘curate’s egg’.  While it was disappointing that three of the main hides were out of commission due to flooding (including one at the far end of the reserve, the area where Bewick Swans were most likely to be found), there were some interesting wetland (and other) birds on show – including Black-tailed Godwit, Golden Plover, Pintail, Pochard, Goosander, and Stonechat, not forgetting the harrier and swans in good numbers.  And the day was topped off with the sight of a collection of ducks and swans in a feeding frenzy at dusk in front of the main observation hide.

 

CLOSE DOS LINK BOOSTS WINTER FEEDING FOR BIRDS

Derbyshire Ornithological Society (DOS) are the county bird club and are one of the organisations with which we work closely.  Many CBC members are also members of DOS and, likewise, several DOS committee members have been CBC members since the club’s earliest days.  As well as holding an annual joint meeting, we have a nominee (Paul Hicking) on the DOS Committee and both clubs are represented on the Carsington Water User Liaison Committee.

In 2006, DOS allocated some funds to a winter feeding programme and ran a successful pilot scheme at Hilton Nature Reserve (a Derbyshire Wildlife Trust site). Last winter, they extended the pilot to include similar arrangements at Carr Vale, Drakelow and here at Carsington Water.  We utilised their grant of £75 towards our feeding station adjacent to the Paul Stanley hide.

In the present economic situation, any and all funding is most welcome and we are delighted that DOS would again like to assist us during the coming winter.  CBC and DOS share the view that conservation bodies stand a much greater chance of making a difference for wildlife and wild places by working together – and this is a good example of the benefit of such collaboration.

 

SLEEP WELL, HEDGEHOGS!

With a duty of care to wildlife around the site – and hedgehogs now officially listed as a species needing greater protection and conservation – Severn Trent Water’s ranger team has launched enthusiastically into a programme to provide houses in which these endearing mammals can successfully hibernate and breed.

The work began at the suggestion of Rose Day who, after a ‘hog’ sighting on StonesIsland, co-opted the help of volunteer rangers to fill the gap in the hedgehog housing market by building some starter homes for the delightful creatures that do so much good as natural pest controllers.  However, starter homes were not good enough either for Carsington Water’s Erinaceus europaeus population or for the volunteers.

Instead, they believed what was needed was a design for an up-market, insulated, air conditioned home, of wooden construction, suitable for hibernation and family life that would attract even the most particular of potential occupants!  This was Rose’s cue to trawl the worldwide web for best-practice advice: each box (she read on expert websites) should be positioned ideally facing south or south-east, to avoid cold winter winds, and sitting on roofing felt to stop rising damp. It should be provided with newspaper, straw and leaves inside for insulation and comfort and finally covered with straw and leaves topped with a layer of felt to keep it dry.

The result was a high-quality solution, well in advance of the original starter-home concept.  And five of these boxes have now been made and placed in various ‘hidden’ locations around Carsington Water to encourage safe sleeping for hedgehogs wintering on site.

If you happen to see any hedgehogs while visiting Carsington Water please report sightings, either to Rose Day via reception in the visitor centre, or by calling 0121 702 5040.

Hog Log:  What you need to know…

There are about a dozen species of hedgehog spread through China, south-east Asia (including New Zealand where it was introduced), Africa and Europe. The hedgehog we see in Britain is the European species which, like its cousins, is part of an ancient family going back perhaps as much as 15 million years.

An adult hedgehog is between 20-30cms long and weighs up to 650g. Their surprisingly long legs (about 10cm) allow them to run as fast as we can walk, and their defining feature is, of course, the spines – actually modified hairs around 3cm long – of which they have between 5,000 and 7,000!

They are mostly nocturnal and eyesight is poor, so they rely on excellent senses of smell and hearing during night-time sorties of up to 3km searching for beetles, caterpillars and earthworms (though slugs, snails, insects and even birds eggs feature in a broad diet).  During exceptionally bad weather humans can supplement a hedgehog’s diet with cat or dog food and fresh water – but, remember, never cow’s milk.

Apart from the mating season, hedgehogs lead solitary lives and the female has to raise her 2-6 hoglets by herself from May to September; when they are about six weeks old they leave the nest and go their own way.  Life expectancy is around 4-5 years but they may grow as old as 10.

Winter conditions and the increasing lack of food triggers hedgehog hibernation (anytime from November to April) when they breathe only once every few minutes, their heart rate drops from about 190 to just 20 beats per minute and body temperature plummets from a normal 35ºC down to 10ºC – clearly the most dangerous time for hedgehogs.

Anyone wanting further expert information or advice, or details on making your own hedgehog box, should contact The British Hedgehog Preservation Society (Hedgehog House, Dhustone, Ludlow, Shropshire SY8 3PL … Tel: 01584 890801)

 

WHAT’S ON …?

Carsington Bird Club’s programme of indoor meetings programmes at Hognaston village hall will continue with our Christmas party on 16 December, when a buffet is being provided and guest speaker will be Nick Brown of the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, describing Derby Cathedral’s nesting Peregrine Falcons.  The club’s AGM (followed by a talk) follows in January, with a very varied programme of illustrated talks then continuing through to the spring. The full programme (all at Hognaston village hall, starting at7.30pm, unless otherwise stated) is as follows:

16 December    Christmas party (Inc buffet and talk by Nick Brown – entry £2.50)

20 January ‘09  CBC Annual General Meeting (followed by talk on the birds     Hognaston Village Hall (7pm)

                         of Poland by Peter Gibbon)

27 January        Committee Meeting                                                                   Visitor Centre (8pm)     

17 February       Talk by Phil Straton (Severn Trent’s fishery officer at Carsington)

on ‘Life Under The Surface’

17th March       Talk by Danny Green (2007 International Bird Photographer of

the Year): ‘Going North’ – a Journey fromScotlandto theArctic’

Booking often proves essential (c/o  01629 540696) for Severn Trent Water’s busy schedule, which is as follows:

Every Tuesday   Aren’t birds brilliant! at Carsington Water:  Learn about the site’s         Wildlife Centre (10.30-15.30)

and Sunday      exciting wildlife; just turn up and use the scopes/bins provided            

29 Nov-24 Dec  Christmas lunch is served! (call 01629 540363 for more details)   Mainsail Restaurant

6-7 December   Christmas at Carsington (family fun: watch out for Santa, along          Visitor Centre

with Sheepwash Spinners, festive food, crafts + more – charge)

7 December     Birdwatching for Beginners (free guided tour; first come, first    Visitor Centre (10am-noon)

served; bring boots, suitable clothing, binoculars + notebook)

4 January ’09    Birdwatching for Beginners (see entry above for more details)

17/18 January   RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch (join in this national project – free) Wildlife Centre (10.30-15.30)

1 & 15 February Birdwatching for Beginners (see entries above for more details)

8 February         Trees without leaves (free guided walk to identify trees in winter)          Sheepwash car park (10.30)

15 February       National nest box weekend (make your own nestbox – drop-in            Visitor Centre (11.00-15.30)

workshops, various charges)

 

ABB! UPDATE: GOOD LUCK, AMANDA – AND WELCOME, CHRIS

RSPB Aren’t Birds Brilliant! project officer Amanda Lynnes recently left to have a baby – and her replacement, Chris Johnstone, is now getting his feet wet (often literally) in this challenging role.  Here are his initial thoughts …

It’s true what the rangers told me: The sunlight reflected off the water does make you smile each morning – even if you are heading to work! I’ve been the ABB project officer barely a month, but I’m already getting hooked.

As a youngster, I set up nature trails in my (modest sized) back garden and would show neighbouring kids of about my age around, pointing out worms and beetles, moths and spiders’ webs I’d previously noted the locations of.  Telling my visitors interesting facts I’d gleaned from books and magazines gave me real pleasure. (that, and the income I made from a 5p entry fee!).  Now, part of my job is to show people wildlife and to inspire them about the partnership between the RSPB and Severn Trent Water at Carsington. A stroke of luck if you ask me!

With an extensive number of species to show visitors, it is difficult to find yourself without something to talk about during an ABB event. What’s more, local birders bring a wealth of knowledge that I’m just beginning to tap into. Carsington Water seems to have a definite air of magic and rarely disappoints, no matter what the weather.

What makes this fantastic occupation so rewarding is my genuine belief of the value in working in conservation. Describing the RSPB’s campaigns and associated conservation work never gets boring; I’ve never had a job in which I have believed so strongly in the topics and issues at hand – both locally and globally. Local environments depend on thousands, if not millions of tiny interacting factors. These, in turn, link into global environments and it quickly becomes apparent that working to save a species in a far-off country is something to care about.

In the meantime, I intend to be humbled by the ever-changing wildlife and the work carried out at Carsington Water and the input from volunteers and local groups.  I must thank Amanda, of course, from whom I’ve inherited a strong foundation and partnership ethos.  Her team of award-winning volunteers have ensured the ABB! project here at Carsington has moved from strength to strength.  I know how much time she dedicated to her work and how lucky the project is to have so many active volunteers and supporters. It’s my aim to maintain this momentum and to increase awareness of this fabulous site and its wildlife.

 

DID YOU KNOW?

The club website, administered so ably by Richard Pittam continues to make great strides, with ‘hits’ during the three months from August to October totalling more than 14,000 – up 17 per cent since the same period last year.  Most popular is the current sightings board, which rose 26 per cent to reach 5,404 – people really want to know what’s around before they trek to the reservoir itself – and the other highest percentage increases were the newsletter (up 56 per cent, and now being accessed online by members and non-members alike) and the definitive bird list – up a massive 72 per cent (due, Richard believes, to increased awareness of the page and links provided to bird descriptions).

*                              *                       *                       *

At this hungry time for birds, one of our members is recommending Johnson-Ladygrove Ltd of Two Dales, near Matlock as an outlet from which to buy bird food economically (and even more so with the 10 per cent discount available to CBC members).  Peanuts, fat balls, sunflower hearts and a range of seeds are available, we are told, at prices up to 50 per cent cheaper than most on-line stores.  To enquire, call 01629 733342.

*                              *                       *                       *

And away from Carsington, national papers reported a concern by experts at St Andrews University that songbirds living in cities may die out because they are having to compete with deafening noise, or opting to sing after dark when they become more ready prey to predators: singing (too loudly or at night), it seems, can damage your health … if you’re a Robin, that is!  Meanwhile, a female Goshawk is going against the grain and saving birds’ lives: a very lifelike robot UAV (or unmanned air vehicle) with a six-foot wingspan is proving successful in scaring birds away at airports, thereby saving any birds that may get sucked into aircraft engines – and, more importantly, improving safety for the travelling public, too!

No3 / August 2008

 CHAIRMAN’S THOUGHTS

In this edition, I’d like to report back on an important wildlife issue – the appeal lodged by Carsington Wind Energy Ltd (formerly West Coast Energy), which is looking to overturn an initial rejection by Derbyshire Dales District Council of its proposal to site a wind farm on the pastures above the reservoir.

The company’s appeal was heard atMatlockTown Hallon 1 July, and I attended with the intention of underlining information on birdlife in and around Carsington Water.  On the first day the names of those wanting to speak were taken, with any written evidence submitted for printing on that day.  I gave a two-page document showing bird movement statistics recorded over 15 years by Carsington Bird Club members.  While clearly I was not empowered to speak on behalf of the whole CBC membership (many of whom may well be in favour of green energy initiatives such as this), the committee felt someone should speak on behalf of the birdlife in and around Carsington, so that’s how I approached it.

This seemed even more important after both English Nature and the RSPB withdrew their objections as a result of an ornithology report commissioned by the energy company and undertaken by Atmos Consulting. It summarised 72 hours’ monitoring (over eight months from September 2007) to assess the probable impact on birds of the proposed wind turbines, and was evidently considered thorough enough by other expert bodies.

The appeal opened with the two sides agreeing on areas of ‘common ground’ – including impact on wildlife.  So, with the respective briefs working for the council and the company agreeing up front not even to debate this topic, so long as certain guidelines were followed, the subject of birdlife was already deemed to be of no further concern.  As no-one else seemed set to put up a case for bird conservation, I (encouraged by nods of support from local citizens) asked if I could return on the Friday to put my point of view.

On the day, even though I had been recognised as a speaker, the Inspector then almost overlooked me – signalling he was about to adjourn for the weekend – but I intervened and was allowed to give my presentation.  My essential argument was that surely 15 years of detailed records kept by CBC members – and published in comprehensive form in the club’s annual report – were likely to be of more value in judging the impact on birdlife than a 72-hour survey.  I also aired three papers, presented to a BOU conference in 2005, about renewable energy and birds.  These had to be printed off for all parties, so a coffee break was called, after which I was rather disappointed that the council’s barrister failed to return and listen to my testimony.

I presume he felt I was dealing with a ‘dead duck’ as the issue had already been jointly sidelined as incontestable ‘common ground’.  Yet I felt the Atmos report was selective and, in parts, misleading, with conclusions such as “given the wildfowl resource at Carsington Water and the small numbers recorded it’s unlikely any development would have a significant impact on the integrity of the local population”!

My evidence included several observations each year over the period in question of large skeins of geese flying north of the reservoir and in the vicinity of the proposed turbine site.  I also highlighted raptor evidence, the height at which different species fly, the different types of migration patterns and the impact of variable meteorological conditions.

But I still had one important final point to raise, as I had noticed that the addresses of the wind farm company and Atmos were virtually identical – and found a satellite image showing them as part of the same isolated farm complex – which meant the company hired by the wind energy company to do the ornithological surveys was right next door!

I felt this brought the report’s impartiality into question and said as much, at which point the barrister for the company went on the defensive and asked who was I to challenge something that was good enough for English Nature and the RSPB, suggesting that surely it was beyond suspicion!

We now await the appeal result on 12 September.  If the initial decision was to be overturned I would convey my concerns to both English Nature and the RSPB regarding the apparently close working relationship between the energy company and Atmos Consulting.  I would also query why they didn’t think our comprehensive records over more than 15 years were worth looking at!

Peter Gibbon

 

SPOONBILL ‘FIRST’ IS SNAPPED BY VOLUNTEER RANGER

Perhaps the single highlight of the last three months was yet another Carsington first – a Spoonbill, which dropped in for just half-an-hour on 29 May, but was ‘shot’ (by the camera of volunteer ranger Jim Craw) in that brief time … and the resulting pictures can be found on the website (www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk).

May’s total of 113 species seen was the best since 2004, and also provided the surprise of a Turtle Dove, spotted on feeders at the wildlife centre – the first Carsington record of this increasingly rare UK species for 12 years, and a cuckoo, once a common sight and sound in spring but not seen since 2004.

The focus in June and July was breeding, which saw variable success.  The number of Moorhen and Little Grebe broods was lower, and waders had difficulty because of the high water levels, while broods of geese (including five Barnacle broods totalling 18 young), ducks and Coot were closer to usual.  Twenty House Martin nests were counted in and around the Visitor Centre buildings, while a pair of Swallows successfully bred – twice – in the stone shelter beyond Millfields.  A Reed Warbler was singing at Hopton Pond for most of the spring and early summer, and may well have bred, while a family group of Spotted Flycatchers was viewed in Hall Wood.

Up to 27 juvenile Black-headed Gulls were counted in mid July, and it has been a good period for terns, though only two Common Tern chicks were raised at the Wildlife Centre – and only one of those remained by late July.  Black Terns were seen in both July and August, while Common Terns numbered as many as 26 on 29 July.

More recent wader sightings include Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwin and Greenshank, while the ‘local’ Oystercatchers and Redshank had mostly moved away from the reservoir by mid-late July.  A Little Egret was recorded on 23 August, and Shelduck were seen in both July and August.

Among raptors, the most exciting records have been an Osprey in late August, a Red Kite (which seem to be seen increasingly regularly in Derbyshire), and each month there are several sightings of Peregrine Falcon.  After the close-up views of a Long-eared Owl in the spring, there were also clear sightings in June of a Tawny Owl on the memorial at the end of the dam wall and a Barn Owl carrying prey at dusk around Sheepwash.

NB: It’s worth noting that many of the passerines visiting Carsington (like the Turtle Dove above) are tempted to come – and to return – by the bird feeders positioned strategically around the site, so thanks (from us and on behalf of the birds!) should go to the Derbyshire Ornithological Society and to Severn Trent Water for ensuring the feeders are well stocked.

 

SOUTH AFRICA PICKS UP WHERE NIGHTJARS LEFT OFF!

As we reluctantly leave the summer (did we actually have one?!) behind, the club’s events programme moves back indoors in September with the 2008/09 series of illustrated talks at Hognaston Village Hall.

Kicking off with Paul Bingham’s look at the wildlife of South Africa, another talk destined to warm our blood, in October, will be Andrew Sherwin’s view of Goa, the attractive province on India’s west coast.

A highlight of the recent outdoor season was the sparsely-attended trip to Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire to view one of the UK’s most elusive and best camouflaged birds, the Nightjar.   Expertly led by Paul and Steph Hicking, the few other members who attended in July were entranced to see several Nightjars on the wing and one that landed on a tree branch only 30 yards from the observers and, even though it was dusk, offered fantastic detailed views.  A small group of Woodcock were also seen at close quarters as they sped past, too fast to train binoculars on but so near identification was easy.

Unfortunately, the only planned trip during the last quarter – targeting two sites in East Anglia – had to be cancelled due to the lack of people applying to go, which made it uneconomical.  Another trip is, however, planned for November to see wetland wildfowl (see ‘What’s On’ below and the cut-off slip at the end of this newsletter).

 

NEW FEATURES RAISE GAME FOR CBC WEBSITE

For those who are not regular visitors to the Carsington Bird Club website, be assured it’s well worth a ‘surf’ – with an increasingly mature content and new features appearing regularly, courtesy of webmaster Richard Pittam.

In recent months, Richard has added a CBC Forum page, where people can exchange information and comments; just register online and join in the conversations.  An impressive and well-ordered image gallery has over 100 photographs arranged into five categories – Birds, Flora, Fauna, Insects and Landscapes.  A CBC Blog page is where the committee can inform members of updates, stories and information relating to Carsington Water, and there’s another ‘blog’ link that keeps a diary of events and sightings at the nearby Derbyshire Wildlife Trust site at Wyver Lane, Belper.  Richard also encourages us to step out of our parochial setting from time to time, with UK Bird News and World Bird News pages that speak for themselves.

Another new feature is the Definite Bird List that presents the bird records from 1991 to 2007 in a range of digestible ways.  It includes links to web pages describing identification and factual information on common species and is, says Richard, another resource that’s meant to be of educational benefit – particularly for the younger bird-watcher.

All this is in addition to the well-established pages that keep any keen member right up-to-date with sightings and happenings around the reservoir – including site’s biggest “hit” register, the sightings page (and the opportunity to post your sightings), and also club recorder Roger Carrington’s monthly report, back copies of the CBC newsletter, and a range of background information on both the Carsington Bird Club and the reservoir itself.

From April to July this year, there were more than 23,000 ‘hits’, around 9,500 of which were for the basic index, but another 9,000-plus wanted to investigate the latest sightings, and over 1,000 to look at the Definitive Bird List.

 

CARSINGTON VOLUNTEERS BOOST BENEFITS OF AREN’T BIRDS BRILLIANT!

The past year has been another incredibly successful one for the RSPB’s Aren’t birds brilliant! (Abb!) project, thanks largely to the team of outstanding volunteers.

The main benefit is the number of visitors who have had a fantastic experience at Carsington Water, been inspired by the wildlife and learned about the conservation work undertaken on site.  Through the Abb! initiative I, as project officer, and volunteers have been able to change opinions about Severn Trent Water and raise awareness and support for the RSPB.

This excellent work is underpinned by help from Carsington Bird Club by way of the club’s precise wildlife recording, its informative annual reports, with planning proposals, and by guiding Abb! volunteers on walks and providing public information (particularly through the excellent CBC website).  We greatly appreciate this support, so a big thank-you from both Severn Trent Water and the RSPB!

Many visitors to the Wildlife Centre said they felt it had been brought to life by the presence of volunteers and many more reported that while they had visited Carsington Water many times, they had never been to the Wildlife Centre until directed there on an event day.

Forty-five per cent more people were met by the volunteer team in the past year than had been during the first, and the number of Abb! events held grew by 36 to 126.  There were more guided walks and illustrated talks, and the volunteers logged 30 per cent more hours ‘on duty’.  All this helped increase RSPB membership, which is good for conservation, and the only area not increasing was name gathering (which helps in STW/RSPB marketing), and an extra effort is to be made during 2008/09 to ensure as many visitors as possible sign the visitors book.

The third year of the project will also seek to build on the increasingly-solid foundations by maintaining its strong presence at Carsington Water, increasing the number of event days where possible and expanding activity to other sites where relevant.  Abb! children’s activity sessions will be introduced, with encouragement to families to take part in fun, hands-on educational sessions aimed at learning more about wildlife on site.

As for me, I am due to go on maternity leave in early November and will, in the meantime, be replaced by someone brimming with enthusiasm and fresh ideas … Watch out for that new face!

Amanda Lynnes, Abb! Project Officer

 

WHAT’S ON …

Carsington Bird Club’s indoor meetings programme is almost upon us: beginning next month, the talks take place at Hognaston Village Hall and all begin at7.30pm.  Anyone wanting to pop along to a CBC committee meeting (dates listed below) to get a flavour for what activities the committee undertake, feel free to do so.  After the last coach trip was cancelled, hopefully the current offering will prove more popular. Full event details:

16 September     First indoor meeting: talk by Paul Bingham on South Africa               Hognaston Village Hall

23 September     CBC committee meeting                                                    Visitor Centre (8pm)

21 October         Talk by Andrew Sherwin on Goa                                                      Hognaston Village Hall

18 November      Talk by Susan and Allan Parker – Birding the North Norfolk Coast     Hognaston Village Hall

23 November      Trip to the WWT Welney Wetland Centre reserve (see cut-off slip on page 4)

25 November      CBC committee meeting                                                    Visitor Centre (8pm)

16 December      Club’s Christmas Party (entertainments to be arranged)                    Hognaston Village Hall

Booking is often essential (c/o  01629 540696) for Severn Trent Water’s busy events schedule, which is as follows:

Every Tuesday    Aren’t birds brilliant! at Carsington Water:  Learn about the site’s       Wildlife Centre

and Sunday        exciting wildlife; just turn up and use the scopes/bins provided           (10.30am-3.30pm)

6 September       Wateraid Raft Race (charity donations; cheer on STW staff and         Visitor Centre (11am-3pm)

contractors  – also family activities/barbeque)

7 September       Birdwatching for Beginners (first come, first served to maximum         Visitor Centre (10am-noon)

of 25; bring boots, suitable clothing, binoculars and notebook)

5 October           Birdwatching for Beginners (see September’s details above)

Carsington Duathlon (contact James Cresswell 01332 513299 or www.punishingevents.com)

 

11/12 October     Honey Fair (Derbyshire beekeepers explain why bees are                  Henmore Room (from1pm

declining in number and how honey is made; free entry)                    Saturday, 11am Sunday)

25/26 October     RSPB Feed the Birds Day (fun ideas for how to help birds survive       Visitor Centre and Wildlife

                         the winter; also view some of our autumn/winter visitors)                    Centre (10.30am-4pm)

30/31 October     Aren’t birds brilliant! children’s activities (hands-on sessions,             Education Rm (10.30-12.30)

                         outdoor if possible; bring willies/waterproofs … £3.50 per child)

2 November        Birdwatching for Beginners (see earlier entries above for more details)

8/9 November     Car washing for Children in Need (min £4 donation, please!)  Visitor Centre main car park

 

LOCAL PRIMARY SCHOOLS AMONG LATEST CBC MEMBERS!

While membership hovers around the 170 mark (some of those families, of course), one of the more satisfying recent developments is that two schools have joined under the newest CBC membership category.   Since the brainchild of Chairman and former teacher, Peter Gibbon, was advertised,BonsallPrimary SchoolandBrassingtonPrimary Schoolhave both joined – and hopefully will generate an active interest in birds among both the pupils and their parents, as well as give teachers the potential to include the subject in schoolwork.

No2 / May 2008

CHAIRMAN’S NEWS AND VIEWS

A recent Guardian newspaper article – headlined ‘Green v Green’ – reported on the dilemmas faced by objectors to planning applications that have an impact on the environment.  Its main thrust was to highlight ‘how environmentalists are lining up against each other in countryside battles’.  Only the day before this I had an e-mail from the RSPB’s Planning and Local Government Officer forCentral England, Colin Wilkinson, saying the RSPB would no longer object to the proposed wind farm on Carsington Pastures when an appeal to the original negative decision is heard in July.  After being notified of the appeal, I replied to Colin’s e-mail with a list of my continuing concerns about this project and how I thought nothing had really changed.  For the RSPB they obviously have, however, so I phoned him to express my concerns, which prompted him to write a letter.  I thought it worth sharing this with you – the CBC membership, many of whom are also RSPB members – so that, ahead of the appeal, you can see for yourselves the reasons for the RSPB’s change of mind.

Such predicaments are becoming increasingly frequent, according to the Guardian, which illustrates the point by detailing a much bigger wind farm scheme on the Isle of Lewis.  ‘What is clear’, the newspaper says, ‘is that all energy-generation technologies have an impact on the environment and environmentalists are going to have to think more deeply about what their hierarchy of priorities is.’  I think this is obvious to everyone concerned in such projects.

The RSPB is now satisfied by further ornithological survey work and, more critically, its limited resources mean only some ‘contests’ can be taken on.  In the scale of environmental controversies, Carsington is not that important in national terms and the RSPB is a national body.  Carsington Bird Club, however, has local concerns at its heart, so I think we should continue to take interest and, if needs be, still oppose it. I will bring this up at the next committee meeting and would like to hear from anybody with views about the appeal.  I will go to this hearing and will speak if appropriate – but only after thinking more deeply about it.

In the meantime, here is the letter – and, as I say, any views from members are welcome …

 

Carsington Pastures Wind Farm – the RSPB’s view

Dear Members —  You probably know that West Coast Energy wants to build four large wind turbines at Carsington Pastures, a mile north of the reservoir. The RSPB objected to the planning application, which was refused, but we are now withdrawing our objection and we will not be offering evidence at the Public Inquiry scheduled for early July. Your chairman has kindly offered me a chance to explain the RSPB’s views on a case I am sure is of great interest to many of you.

The RSPB objected because of the completely inadequate effort made to survey wintering birds flying over the site. The consultants completed only 14 hours of observations, in just two months out of the normal 6-month winter period for this kind of work. This fell far below standards of best practice, and the RSPB could not be certain there would be no impact on Carsington Water’s bird populations. The Council refused the application for six different reasons, including the lack of information about wintering birds. The RSPB agreed to present evidence at the Public Inquiry unless the appellant produced additional survey data to a specified standard and we could conclude there would be no significant impact on birds.

On17 April 2008, the appellant sent us the results of 72 hours of additional surveys of wintering birds, completed between September 2007/April 2008. Added to the work done previously, this is more than double what the RSPB asked for. Although they did not use that data to complete a collision risk assessment, we decided that the numbers of birds recorded were so small that any risk assessment would show an insignificant level of risk for bird populations at the reservoir. It would have been perverse for the RSPB to carry on pressing the appellant to complete a risk assessment under these circumstances, as well as diverting the Society’s resources when defending several internationally important sites from damage by wind farms both in the region and nationally.

The basis for the RSPB’s objection therefore no longer exists, and it is no longer appropriate for the RSPB to appear at the Public Inquiry. Several other reasons for refusal of this application (notably, landscape impacts) still stand. Other organisations are preparing to give evidence for the Council on these matters, including the Peak District National Park Authority. However, because visual impacts do not have any effect on bird populations, the RSPB is not able to give evidence on this issue.

I hope this open letter explains why we have taken these actions. Even though we are no longer objecting to this proposal, we have won an important concession from the developer, just in terms of the quality of the environmental assessment. The RSPB is involved in over 1,000 planning cases annually to protect important wildlife sites, and the need to base decisions on good environmental information is often a critical issue in those cases.

Colin Wilkinson – Planning Officer, RSPB Midlands Region

 

SUMMER VISITORS ARRIVE – ACCOMPANIED BY FIRST-EVER AVOCETS

The period since the last newsletter has been that joyous time when our summer visitors arrive; it’s always fun to see how early the newcomers drop into the Carsington site.  Swallows were ten days earlier than ever recorded before, on 15 March alongside Sand Martins – and a pair of Avocets, the first formal record at the reservoir of the RSPB’s insignia species.

House Martins and Wheatear arrived at the end of March, while Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs noted in early-mid March could have been over-wintering birds, but the real rush came in April, with greater numbers of those warblers, plus in chronological order Swift (5^th), Yellow Wagtail (11^th), Grasshopper Warbler (14^th), Tree Pipit (19^th), Lesser Whitethroat (23^rd), Sedge Warbler and Whitethroat on the 24^th, and Garden Warbler and Reed Warbler the following two days.  Pied Flycatchers arrived in early May, and that archetypal spring bird the Cuckoo was logged on 4 May, the first Carsington record since 2004.

Monthly species counts have generally been up on the previous few years, and other significant highlights have included the long-staying Great Northern Diver which had gained summer plumage by April.  Having graced Carsington for the first time in March, Avocets reappeared in April (see photos on website), and Ospreys were seen briefly on two occasions – firstly in March when this stately bird was mobbed by Oystercatchers.  A Red Kite was seen in early May, and Peregrines are becoming increasingly regular visitors, while during the spring Barn, Little and Long-eared Owls have all been recorded.

In fact, a Long-eared Owl roosted onStoneIslandin such an obvious position it delighted many walkers before deciding it was too public a position to get any rest!

While the gull roost diminished, terns arrived in good numbers during April with up to 18 Arctic Terns noted on both the 20^th and 24^th, while a Black Tern passed through on 8 May.  Little Terns were also recorded in April, when this theme continued as Little Egret and Little Gulls turned up.  Waterfowl highlights included a Pink-footed Goose among the ‘locals’, Whooper Swans in March, plus Common Scoters and Red-breasted Mergansers.

 

VENTURING OUTDOORS – TO A QUIETER-THAN-USUAL DAWN CHORUS

After the final indoor meeting of the year, in March, when the ever-entertaining Mick Muddiman themed his talk and slides around ‘Within these Shores’, we moved outdoors and risked the cool, damp spring weather.  On 15 April, 19 people, led by recorderRoger Carrington, set off aroundStonesIsland.  Between hail storms, the group located two Yellow Wagtails and a distant Great Northern Diver, also enjoying close views of a singing Willow Warbler and, from the shelter of the Wildlife Centre, a trickled arrival of Curlew totalled 15 before the light went.

Twenty hardy souls braved this year’s Dawn Chorus walk, starting as4.30am.  It was a beautiful morning – calm, clear, and becoming warm – but despite 42 species logged, there was a lot less singing than usual for this time of the day (and year). Those who did add to the chorus were Wood Pigeon, Robin, Wren, Song Thrush, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Reed Bunting and Blackbird – the latter also heard ‘mocking’ something.  On investigation this turned out to be a tawny owl deep in foliage, which quickly flew off.  Another highlight, seen from the Wildlife Centre over breakfast was a first summer Little Gull.

 

RESCUE RANGERS!

On 24 May, Severn Trent rangers were super quick to respond to an alert that a Mallard duck was in distress – caught up in the netting provided to keep predators off the ‘tern rafts’ in front of the Wildlife Centre.  It was very, very windy and the bird had probably been blown into it and become entangled.  Within 10 minutes a rescue boat was dispatched from the Watersports Centre, and it was quite an audience in the Wildlife Centre that witnessed the dramatic rescue as the boat eased slowly towards the rafts, coming round the long way, so as not to disturb any breeding birds.

As they approached the left hand raft, the rangers spotted the distressed bird and carefully cut away a section of the netting, allowing them to lift the Mallard onto the boat.  After a few minutes of diligent disentangling, the rangers had freed the duck from the nylon mesh, and pronounced the temporary prisoner fit and well.  The male bird was then deposited on the edge of Horseshoe Island and waddled off, none the worse for his ordeal.

“It may all be in a day’s work for the rangers, but those of us who witnessed the rescue were impressed at how quickly they responded; the children in the hide were particularly pleased their injured duck was safe and well,” said Richard Pittam, clubman and CBC webmaster, who was among the onlookers in the Wildlife Centre.

 

POLAND OFFERS UNIQUE LANDSCAPE – AND LOTS OF SPECIAL BIRDS

Anyone wanting to see a great variety of special birds and unique countryside should visit north-east Poland– around three hours drive north of Warsaw, and an area I’ve wanted to visit since a boy.  In early May, I stayed for four nights in the vicinity of the Biebrza marshes and another four nights in the Bialowieza primeval forest, seeing or hearing 156 bird species together with regular views of Elk, Red Squirrel and a close-up of a Beech Marten among other mammals.

The marsh area is the most intact floodplain left in centralEuropeand comprises dense flood forests, mysterious alder woods, flowery river dunes and open sedge marshes.  Cranes were seen every day and their call is a constant sound there at this time of year.  So too were the large numbers of the three marsh terns, especially the very attractive White-winged Black Tern, plus three species of goose, twelve duck, a Black-throated Diver and all the Grebe species, while three Harrier and three Eagle species gave great views throughout the week.  During one stop alone, we saw 15 White-tailed Eagles, an Ortolan Bunting and the most obliging Black Woodpecker ever, which decided to pop its head out of a nest hole in a classic pose just as we took our morning coffee break, prompting a rapid volley of photos.

Other stars were Ruff, with the males in wonderful breeding plumage, Yellow Wagtails galore and Great White Egrets.  Fieldfare are the most common form of breeding thrushes, with fully fledged young and Thrush Nightingale seem the most common singing bird, though that may be because of the power of their voices.

There was no shortage of Bitterns booming, Corncrakes ‘crex-crexing’ and Spotted Crake ‘whisping’ – but no sightings despite diligent watching.  Cuckoos were also everywhere and seen several times.  Despite all these gems the two stars had to be two very small birds – Penduline Tit and Aquatic Warbler.  We saw the tit’s incredible nest half built, then returned to the same spot three days and were rewarded with close-up views of the birds putting the finishing touches to the nearly-complete nest.  Meanwhile,Europe’s rarest breeding warbler gave us a supreme show at dawn when several sang atop foot-high sedges.  At the same spot, an hour from our hotel, we saw no fewer than five elk (moose, inAmerica) grazing in the bog.

Onto Bialowieza: with its larger extension inBelarus, this is the last remnant of the primeval forest that once covered a large part of centralEurope.  We stayed in a village that typically had large numbers of nesting Storks including a pair beginning their nest outside our rooms; there were also Hawfinch in numbers, Whinchat and Rosefinch sang, and a single Barred Warbler and Icterine Warbler arrived on our last morning.

But the forest itself is the star and, as a ‘strict reserve’ must be seen courtesy of a compulsory guide.  At one stage we stopped to see a pair of White-backed Woodpeckers – the largest of the black and white species – fly from their nest hole to a nearby branch to mate.  ‘Collared’ are the common flycatchers, with only a few Pied seen, and the white-headed version of Long-tailed tit is even cuter than our own.

A late evening trip to a marsh was organised to see the display of Great Snipe.  Though we saw them only fleetingly after negotiating a knee-deep slog, it was all worth it, with much better views of Pygmy Owl and Hazel Grouse.  The mammalian stars, though – the last European Bison and Beaver – eluded us.

On the final day we visited a large reservoir only a mile from theBelarusborder: Our target was a Citrine Wagtail at the western edge of its range. One was soon found close to the path, and the wonderful male kept coming back to the same low bush for the next hour.

My boyhood dream fulfilled – and it certainly didn’t disappoint – I’d urge people to go sooner rather than later, for while it’s currently largely unchanged, agricultural changes may well occur now Poland is in the EU.

Peter Gibbon

 

SEVERN TRENT DRIVES PENN CARR IMPROVEMENTS

The area around Penn Carr, near Millfields, has been undergoing a facelift.  Survey work indicated the bridge there was in a poor state, so it was removed and replaced by a stone track, which is much more user-friendly, particularly for horse riders, and involves much less maintenance for the rangers.

Two pools have been created next to the new track.  Don’t worry if you sometimes see them drying out, as this is not always a bad thing.  It may not be generally understood, but a large number of sometimes rare invertebrates and molluscs depend on such conditions, in which other creatures higher up the food-chain, such as predatory fish, cannot survive.

In addition, a number of male and female Black Poplar trees have been planted – both at Penn Carr and a number of other areas around the reservoir.   Courtesy of Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, cuttings were taken from Hilton Gravel Pits and grown on by the rangers for two years.  Black Poplars are one of the country’s rarest trees, so it’s hoped they will do well.  Other hedging plants – hawthorn, holly and hornbeam – have also been added, along with some oak trees, all grown from seed on site.

A mix of woodland flowers such as bluebells and ramsons has been seeded alongside the new track, and on the bare ground where the bridge was; it will be fascinating to see how this area develops.

It has been great to hear site users’ positive feedback.  The team has had many questions about the woodland work undertaken during the winter to address where trees originally planted 20 years ago less than a metre apart were struggling to survive.  Such dense planting was making them weaker and more prone to disease and infection, while little ground flora was able to develop as not much light reaches the floor.

Thinning them out by around 20 to 30 per cent allows greater competition, a varied age structure, and increased chance of ground flora, which means more nectar for invertebrates – which in turn means more food for the birds on site and an all-round healthier woodland.   This work is done in direct consultation with the Forestry Commission and I hope we will all see the long-term benefits of this work in the coming years.

Keep recording the birds and help with the breeding bird surveys so, together, we can ensure Carsington Water continues to be a success – and thank you for this invaluable support.

Ben Young (Severn Trent Site Manager, Carsington)

 

WHAT’S ON …

Carsington Bird Club’s summer walks are under way, mostly around the reservoir, though a short trip toClumberPark is again being arranged to see nightjars.  There is also a coach trip in June.  Full event programme is:

17 June             Evening walk from Sheepwash car park                                                 Starts7.30pm

21 June             Coach trip to Lakenheath Fen/Weeting Heath (see enclosed booking slip)

15 July               Nightjar walk atClumberPark, Nottinghamshire (make own way       Starts8pm

and meet in National Trust car park)

16 July               CBC committee meeting                                                           Visitor Centre,8pm

19 August          Final summer evening walk from Visitor Centre                                      Starts7pm

16 September   First indoor talk:  South Africa by Paul Bingham                          Hognaston Village Hall

(7.30pm)

Booking is often essential (c/o  01629 540696) for Severn Trent Water’s schedule of events, as below:

Every Tuesday   Aren’t birds brilliant! at Carsington Water:  Learn about the site’s         Wildlife Centre

and Sunday      exciting wildlife; just turn up and use the telescopes provided (10.30am-3.30pm)

8 June               Aren’t birds brilliant! Family Fun Day (everything from quizzes    Visitor Centre (10.30am-4pm)

mask-making to bird-watching/pond-dipping – some charges)

Marvellous Moths (close-up views of those found around res)   Wildlife Centre (1.30pm)

21 June             Sheepwash Spinners: Local experts demonstrate traditional wool         Education  Room, Visitor spinning, an important industry for Derbyshire                            Centre (11am-4pm)

6 July                 Birdwatching for Beginners (first come, first served to maximum            Visitor Centre (10am-noon)

of 25; bring boots, suitable clothing, binoculars and notebook)

20-25 July          NSSA national junior sailing regatta (for info see www.nssa.org.uk)

26 July               Sheepwash Spinners (for details see June’s event above)

3 August           Birdwatching for Beginners (for details see July event above)

Open Day withEnglandLadies Fly Fishing Association               For info call 01629 540769

9 August           Bat Safari (Derbyshire Bat Conservation Group leads an evening          Millfields car park (8pm)

stroll in search of these unique creatures – £2.50, free parking)

30 August          Sheepwash Spinners (details as above – but in Henmore Room)

6 September     Wateraid Raft Race (charity donations;  cheer on STW staff and           Visitor Centre (11am-3pm)

contractors  – also family activities/barbeque)

 

FURTHER REMINDER – 2008 MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS DUE

Renewal forms were sent out to the full 2007 membership with the last newsletter.  Many have renewed, but there are still quite a few that have not.  Please check with our membership secretaries (see contact details in the committee ‘box’ below) if you’re not sure or need to alert them to your wish to renew.   Those who’ve not confirmed their membership before August will not receive that month’s issue of the newsletter.

 

NEW MEMBERS

Welcome to all new members who have joined since the New Year – namely:  Andrew Brown, Weston-on-Trent; Chris Moult, Stoke-on-Trent; John & Fay Follett, Derby; Sally Packer, Alton; Dr John Payne, Holloway;Gillian Pittam, Swadlincote;  Niall Sinnott, Matlock;  Chris & Jane Swann, Mackworth; and Dave Williams, Kirk Ireton