{"id":1303,"date":"2011-08-30T16:36:10","date_gmt":"2011-08-30T15:36:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/?p=1303"},"modified":"2011-08-30T16:38:16","modified_gmt":"2011-08-30T15:38:16","slug":"aug-2011-newsletter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/aug-2011-newsletter\/","title":{"rendered":"Aug 2011 Newsletter"},"content":{"rendered":"

No 3 \/ August 2011<\/span><\/p>\n

CHAIRMAN\u2019S THOUGHTS<\/strong><\/p>\n

As I write this, the sun has come out again after a heavy shower of rain.\u00a0 We keep being told it\u2019s been a poor summer, but it certainly seems to have been pretty dry \u2013 as demonstrated by the low water levels at Carsington Water. \u00a0The bonus of this has been an extended, deeper shoreline attractive to a wider than usual range of waders and Little Egrets.<\/p>\n

A whiff of autumn is already around and the first birds are back on the reservoir in the form of Pochard and Teal. I read recently an estimated quarter of the world’s bird species migrate \u2013 and we have abundant chances of seeing this avian strategy working on the reservoir. \u00a0That same article also revealed some ‘weird demises’ that came to light as a result of research through ringing: BTO recoveries included a Mute Swan killed by tigers at Chester Zoo, a Reed Warbler found dead in a spider’s web and an Osprey ringed in Strathclyde that was found in the stomach of a crocodile in the Gambia!<\/p>\n

Nothing so dramatic at Carsington Water, hopefully, but this year sharp-eyed bird-watchers there have seen rings that unmasked a real ‘wild’ Barnacle Goose among our escapee flock and an Osprey that was a Scottish bird (explaining why it chose not to stay long, dashing our hopes of breeding on the new platforms dashed).\u00a0 Behind such sightings there might be an interesting story, so keep watching our site and recording what you see.<\/p>\n

Moving on, do you know when the first non-folding telescope and tripod combination became available to birdwatchers or when the first Act of Parliament was passed fully protecting birds and their nests? \u00a0If not, may I recommend that you come along to our first indoor meeting of the new season \u2013 on Tuesday 20 September<\/span> \u2013 <\/strong>and hear about ‘The History of Birdwatching from 1939 to the Present Day’. \u00a0The following month (on 18 October) the BTO\u2019s Graham Appleton will be talking about \u2018Four Years of Atlas work\u2019, which was completed this year and details the most up-to-date information on wintering and breeding birds of theBritish Isles.<\/p>\n

We were on tenterhooks this summer after an Osprey threatened to stay on the new platforms built to entice them to breed. \u00a0It didn’t happen but it gives us hope! \u00a0If you want to know more about this project come along to Hognaston Village Hall on 15 November to hear David Bennett talk about ‘The Osprey Project’.<\/p>\n

In December, I\u2019m hoping our Christmas party can be ‘home-grown’.\u00a0 I have recently been to \u2018Pecha Kucha\u2019 evenings at the Quad in Derby. \u00a0This is a new worldwide phenomenon that challenges speakers to put up 20 slides and talk about each for 20 seconds: that\u2019s a six-minute 40-second presentation. \u00a0Could we interest a handful of members in doing this at our party? \u00a0Let me know soonest (but certainly by November) if you\u2019re up for it, then send me 20 pictures \u2013 on any subject of your choice \u2013 and I\u2019ll put them on my computer, ready for a quickfire presentation though my projector.\u00a0 We wouldn’t stick rigidly to the time limit, though it might be fun to do so!<\/p>\n

Peter Gibbon<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

IMPORTANT NOTICE:\u00a0 TRIP CANCELLED<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

For anyone who booked or was planning to do so, please note that our proposed September club trip to the <\/em>Wash<\/em> and Frampton Marsh reserve has been cancelled.\u00a0 This was due to a misunderstanding with the company organising the <\/em>Wash<\/em> cruise.\u00a0 This would have been the centrepiece of the event for most people, so club officials decided it would not be sensible to rearrange it on any lesser basis.<\/em><\/p>\n

Peter Oldfield has returned monies to those who had already booked, and notification of the cancellation appeared on the website some weeks ago \u2013 but we realise not everyone has a computer so this is to flag it up to anyone not \u2018online\u2019.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

LOW WATER MEANS LOTS OF WADERS \u2013 AND IT\u2019S A RECORD JULY<\/strong><\/p>\n

As autumn approaches, with the usual build-up of waterfowl and gull numbers, Carsington Water can look back on a productive breeding season, and unusually high species records during the summer months.\u00a0 The 95 species logged in June was the best for that month for several years, and 105 the following month was the best July tally ever since records began at this rich birding site in 1992.<\/p>\n

Breeding had its ups and downs.\u00a0 Coot, Tufted Duck, Moorhen and Gt Crested Grebe were well down on the previous year, but six Lapwing broods represented an increase, two three-strong broods of Little Ringed Plovers was excellent to see, and two Oystercatcher and three Redshank pairs also successfully bred.\u00a0 Black-headed Gull nests failed at Sheepwash \u2013 possibly due to fox predation \u2013 but there were 19 chicks from several nests on the tern raft andHorseshoeIsland, with further young possible onFlatIsland.<\/p>\n

Eighteen House Martin nests were counted around the perimeter of the Visitor Centre, where Swifts were also seen feeding young.\u00a0 Over in the Hall Wood area, at least two Raven and two Buzzard young were raised.<\/p>\n

The very dry conditions saw the reservoir water levels sink which was, at least, good for waders and no fewer than 20 species had been seen during August alone \u2013 including Whimbrel, Curlew, Turnstone, Dunlin, Knot, Little Stint, Ruff, Sanderling, Greenshank, Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Common and Green Sandpipers, and Black-tailed Godwit.<\/p>\n

Peregrines seem to be getting more and more regular, with sightings on many days and as many as three seen at any one time.\u00a0 Two Red Kites were viewed at the end of July, an Osprey kept up this species\u2019 excellent 2011 attendance record with another sighting in June, while there were two Hobby sightings in late August.\u00a0 One or more Sparrowhawks were observed carrying prey into the same piece of woodland on several dates throughout June and July, and as many as six Buzzards were seen aloft at one time.\u00a0 Similar numbers of Ravens were also seen soaring on warm days.<\/p>\n

One of the highest numbers of Yellow Wagtails seen at one time at Carsington \u2013 19 \u2013 were noted in late August, a family group of Grey Wagtails (hard hit during the last tough winter) were singing on Stones Island in June, while as many as 91 Pied Wagtails were recorded on the same day.\u00a0 Redstarts have been a rare sight at Carsington in recent years, but a family group was regularly noted, often near the Wildlife Centre. \u00a0Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Spotted Flycatcher and Willow Tit pairs bred as, for the first time, did a pair of Reed Warblers.<\/p>\n

Little Egrets have become a more regular sight since June, and as many as four were seen together in August. Gull numbers are now on the rise, with up to 800 Lesser Black-backs counted in mid-August.<\/p>\n

One far less welcome visitor is the predatory Yellow-legged Gull that seems to find plenty of warm-blooded food around the reservoir:\u00a0 already this year it has been seen to take a rodent and another Little Grebe, seemingly and sadly its favourite prey last year.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

BIRD OF THE ISSUE: LITTLE EGRET<\/strong><\/p>\n

The sight of these beautiful small white herons is becoming increasingly common around the coasts and now also inland in the UK.\u00a0 Yet there is evidence to show that Little Egrets (Egretta Garzetta<\/em>) were relatively common inBritain up to mediaeval times, even in territories much further north than Derbyshire.\u00a0 Overhunting and a mini ice-age saw them disappear, and for a long time they were considered a \u2018continental\u2019 bird.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

They eat fish, insects, amphibians, crustaceans and reptiles \u2013 so Carsington Water is a good hunting territory for them.\u00a0 And with the lower water levels, widening the wading area and making some stretches of water much shallower than usual, this summer has been a good time for Little Egrets (as reported above).<\/p>\n

They are distinctive birds of the heron family, with attractive white plumes on head, back and chest, jet black legs and yellow feet \u2013 quite different from anything other than the Great White Egret (or Heron), which is much larger, and Cattle Egret, with lighter legs and orange-buff crest and back, which is a much rarer sight in the UK.<\/p>\n

Little Egrets have only been reappearing in theUKin good numbers for around the last 20 years, with the first pair breeding inDorsetin 1996.\u00a0 There are now around 150 pairs breeding in the UK, with another 1,500 overwintering, so they\u2019re becoming a much more familiar sight as they spread around the coasts and estuaries of southern England, Devon, Cornwall, Wales and East Anglia, and gradually push further north.\u00a0 Long may it continue.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

NEW LOOK TO CBC WEBSITE <\/strong><\/p>\n

The website has been completely re-written, for easier maintenance and to enable web postings to be pre-prepared and then scheduled to appear at specific dates and times. \u00a0It will also enable a more flexible approach to editing of web content.<\/p>\n

Despite its new look, it continues to provide all the familiar features people seem to enjoy, such as the on-line sightings board and Roger Carrington\u2019s excellent monthly round-up of bird sightings at the reservoir. It also has the ability to allow users to catch-up on any content missed at publication time, such as newsletters or features, which are stored as \u2018blog posts\u2019 \u2013 so, if you missed a post, or would just like to look at previous postings, simply click on \u2018Archives\u2019 and review them month by month, or find them by the online search facility.<\/p>\n

Selecting the \u201cCategories\u201d link on the right allows users to focus the content to a particular subject matter, such as Newsletters or News. There are over 12 categories ranging from CBC information, to special features, to details of where to stay and what to do when visiting Carsington Water.<\/p>\n

There is also a word \u201ctag\u201d list down on the right-hand-side. This allows users to find a page or pages which have a particular word or phrase: for example click on \u201cOsprey\u201d to locate some content containing that word.<\/p>\n

Wherever you find yourself on the website you can always return to base by either clicking the \u201cHome\u201d button at the top, or by clicking the \u201cCarsington Bird Club\u201d header text.<\/p>\n

The website has also been written to be accessible by most Android Smartphones, Apple iPhones and iPads, and the like. The web pages automatically format themselves for the mobile you are using, so you need never be far from the information you require!<\/p>\n

Have a look round and if you\u2019ve any questions, please ask (via the \u2018contact us\u2019 page) – we value your feedback.<\/p>\n

Richard Pittam \u2013 Webmaster <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

CLUB WALK BAGS 48 SPECIES<\/strong><\/p>\n

For the club\u2019s June walk \u2013 a more ambitious effort than usual \u2013 leaders Roger Carrington and Peter Gibbon set a target of 50 species, but fell just tantalisingly two short.\u00a0 After meeting at Millfields car park, the small group was ferried up to Hopton Arm and then took three hours to meander back to their vehicles along the eastern shore of the reservoir, assembling plenty of highlights on the way.<\/p>\n

These included a close-up and personal view of a female Sparrowhawk preening, a Willow Tit group going about their family business, an Oystercatcher on a nest, and two families of Moorhens.<\/p>\n

The other species recorded were Gt Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Buzzard, Coot, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Common Tern, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Gt Spotted Woodpecker, Swallow, House Martin, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Reed Warbler, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Bullfinch and Reed Bunting.<\/p>\n

There were no walks in July and August, reflecting the invariable shortage of both birds and people to spot them!<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

HELPING TO HALT THE MALTESE SLAUGHTER<\/strong><\/p>\n

We are lucky enough to have somewhere inMaltawhere we can work and stay, so we usually visit two or three times a year.\u00a0 The island is located on the central Mediterranean migration flyway betweenEuropeandAfricaand should be a great place for birding, but in fact it is notorious for the annual slaughter of thousands of birds by shooting and trapping \u2013 not for locally important economics or profit; but simply for amusement.<\/p>\n

The sound of distant \u2013 and often not so distant \u2013 illegal gunfire signals the reality of what is happening. Walking around the hunting grounds, as they are called, with literally thousands of spent shotgun cartridges at your feet is one of the most depressing sights imaginable.\u00a0 As was the long-eared owl we came across when walking with friends: it had been shot and had a badly-damaged wing.<\/p>\n

We were surprised to discover an Important Bird Area existed right in the centre of the capital, Valletta.\u00a0 This winter roost of white wagtails could, we read, contain as many as seven thousand overnight in the mature ficus <\/em>trees by the cathedral.\u00a0 It was difficult to believe, so we decided to watch the next day. \u00a0As we headed for the location in the late afternoon we saw birds coming in from all directions, largely unnoticed by the tourists and shoppers. The noise level grew as the trees filled with birds, and we sat until it grew dark when the calling finally subsided.<\/p>\n

When we visited in March this year we were horrified to see that the trees had been cut back. We discovered that they had been were pruned without a permit and that the workers continued to cut the trees, even while police were asking them to stop. In November the birds were observed trying to land on what foliage was left and flying around looking for an alternative site. \u00a0We have not yet been able to find out just how successful they were.<\/p>\n

All is not bleak, though, and there are many people working to change the culture, and educate the future generations to appreciate nature, and not seek to destroy it. \u00a0After all, things have not always been so good here in theUK.<\/p>\n

There are now two wetland nature reserves, one of which is right opposite the largest tourist beach in Mellieha.\u00a0 This year Black-winged Stilts bred successfully there \u2013 a first forMalta. \u00a0At the weekends the reserves are open to the public and we have spent many happy hours there. \u00a0Dedicated volunteers work in their own time to run, maintain and, importantly, protect the reserves, which also provide a focus for education.<\/p>\n

One of the most important tasks is taking school parties around and showing them how the birds live \u2013 and this is working. One of the volunteers told us that children are now putting pressure on their fathers and uncles to stop hunting, and that he personally knows of at least one hunter who has given up. \u00a0More will follow.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s refreshing to see that most of the Maltese you meet in the hides are young. \u00a0One day we were watching a lone drake swim slowly into view: neither of us reacted to the bird as we recognised it, but a group of teenagers in the hide exploded with excitement \u2013 yelling \u2018Pochard, Pochard!\u2019, taking pictures and calling their friends to come and see this rare bird.<\/p>\n

It was a touching moment, and one that shows the tide is turning. \u00a0We were more excited by our first, fleeting view of a Little Bittern from the same hide. \u00a0The teenage wardens obviously learn fast, too, for as we spoke to one about what we\u2019d seen he was at first very cautious about confirming the known presence of the bird.<\/p>\n

As we chatted, he then told us about a website he and his friend were building on birding in Malta. We checked it out and were really impressed. It\u2019s well worth a look – www.birdinginmalta.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the key organisation on the island is BirdLife Malta(www.birdlifemalta.org<\/a>) which, among other things, manages the two reserves and holds spring and autumn camps to record both the migrations and the illegal activities of the hunters.<\/p>\n

Sue and Dave Edmonds<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WHAT\u2019S ON<\/strong><\/p>\n

Our Chairman Peter Gibbon will be first up during our 2011-12 indoor season, at Hognaston Village Hall, when he delivers \u2018part two\u2019 of his History of Birdwatching on Tuesday, 20 September.\u00a0\u00a0 The full CBC events<\/strong> programme up to the end of the year is as follows:<\/p>\n

20 September<\/strong> – Indoor meeting: \u2018The history of birdwatching (1939-present day)\u00a0\u00a0by Peter Gibbon –\u00a0Hognaston Vill Hall (7.30pm)<\/p>\n

18 October<\/strong> – Indoor meeting: \u00a0\u2018Four years of Atlas work\u2019 by Graham Appletonof the BTO \u00a0– \u00a0Hognaston Vill Hall (7.30pm)<\/p>\n

15 November<\/strong>\u00a0– \u00a0Indoor meeting: \u2018The Osprey Project\u2019 by David Bennett, STW\u00a0\u00a0volunteer ranger –\u00a0Hognaston Vill Hall (7.30pm)<\/p>\n

\u00a020 December<\/strong>\u00a0– CBC Christmas party – Hognaston Vill Hall (7.30pm)<\/p>\n

For most Severn<\/strong> Trent Water events<\/strong> at Carsington Water, it is advisable to book through the Visitor Centre reception (01629 540696).<\/p>\n

The programme for the rest of 2011 is as follows:<\/p>\n

First Sunday of each month – Birdwatching for Beginners (enjoy a gentle two-hour walk led by experienced\u00a0 STW volunteer David Bennett) –\u00a0Meet Visitor Centre 10am<\/p>\n

2 September – Wildlife Discovery Room with STW and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust –\u00a0Wild Fridays (fun-packed day for families with young children in Visitor Centre (11am-4pm)<\/p>\n

3 September – Bat Safari (\u00a32.50 \u2013 book; bring stout footware and warm clothing) – Millfields car park (8.45pm)<\/p>\n

14 September – Optics demonstrations (guidance on binoculars\/telescopes) – RSPB shop (10am-4pm)<\/p>\n

8-9 October – Derbyshire Beekeepers Association annual honey show and sale – Visitor Centre (1.30-4pm)<\/p>\n

14-15 October – Optics demonstrations (see earlier entry for details)<\/em><\/p>\n

30 October – Halloween family fun day in Wildlife Discovery Room – Visitor Centre (evening)<\/p>\n

16 November – Optics demonstrations (see earlier entry for details)<\/em><\/p>\n

20 November – Learn about wildlife in winter, and make a garden bird feeder at\u00a0the Open Door Day in Wildlife Discovery Room \u00a0–\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Visitor Centre (11am-4pm)<\/p>\n

2-3 December\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Optics demonstrations (see earlier entry for details)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

No 3 \/ August 2011 CHAIRMAN\u2019S THOUGHTS As I write this, the sun has come out again after a heavy shower of rain.\u00a0 We keep being told it\u2019s been a poor summer, but it certainly seems to have been pretty dry \u2013 as demonstrated by the low water levels at Carsington Water. \u00a0The bonus of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[246,28,254,25,252,251,253,179,143,150,87,18,255,64,258,125,32,259,8,256,257],"class_list":["post-1303","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-cbcnewsletters","tag-appleton","tag-atlas","tag-barnacle-goose","tag-bto","tag-chester-zoo","tag-dry","tag-gambia","tag-hognaston","tag-kite","tag-little-egret","tag-mute-swan","tag-osprey","tag-pecha-kucha","tag-peregrine","tag-pied-wagtail","tag-pochard","tag-reed-warbler","tag-stones-island","tag-teal","tag-waders","tag-yellow-wagtail"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1303","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1303"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1303\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1303"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1303"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1303"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}