{"id":1655,"date":"2012-02-29T08:33:57","date_gmt":"2012-02-29T07:33:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/?p=1655"},"modified":"2012-02-29T09:36:57","modified_gmt":"2012-02-29T08:36:57","slug":"newsletter-no1-february-2012","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/newsletter-no1-february-2012\/","title":{"rendered":"Newsletter – No1 \/ February 2012"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

*\u00a0 *\u00a0 *\u00a0 *\u00a0 Membership renewals are due for 2012\u00a0 *\u00a0 *\u00a0 *\u00a0 *<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

If you have already renewed your subscription for the current year, stop reading this message now … We have included a renewal slip along with the newsletter (or sent an e-mail reminder) for those who our records indicate are yet to confirm their 2012 membership.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

Please complete and return these slips to enjoy the full benefits of CBC membership.\u00a0 Happy birding!\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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

A good audience at last month\u2019s AGM, plus some interesting post-presentation discussions, showed how strong we are after 20 years. \u00a0The talk itself (see article on page 2<\/em>) was both a history and celebration of the Bird Club, its worthy role in wildlife conservation and recording at Carsington Water, its links with other groups and a look-back at the varied catalogue of events enjoyed by its members over the years.<\/p>\n

Membership may not be as healthy today as at its early peak, but is still substantial for an ornithological society based on a single site, and our financial funds have remained healthy throughout the two decades.<\/p>\n

By consistently following a well-practiced philosophy of working in collaboration with other organisations for the good of the birdlife, we\u2019ve helped to build a site full of good habitats for conservation. The end product of this effort is an amazing species list now numbering 222 and a breeding population of 2116 pairs counted between 2002 and 2007. \u00a0This is made up of 80 species proven to have bred and another 15 thought to have done so.<\/p>\n

How can we know so much and produce such an excellent report (brilliantly illustrated by skilled artists, notably Steph Thorpe\/Hicking) year after year? \u00a0Quite simply because of consistent research and reporting.<\/p>\n

The five-year breeding bird survey, organised and executed at Carsington byRoger Carrington, was a brilliant piece of research worthy of any professional organisation. The next BTO national Bird Atlas will have our area fully covered thanks to a full set of wildfowl counts over two decades, begun by Ian Stanley 20 years ago. \u00a0Our annual reports are regarded as authoritative reference documents, with a set now sitting proudly on the shelves of the BTO library.<\/p>\n

Since 2004, bird sightings have been more regularly reported \u2013 and more instantly displayed \u2013 courtesy of the brilliant website designed and maintained by Richard Pittam, while members have quarterly news updates via Gary Atkins\u2019 newsletter, which summarises sightings, reports on past events and lists future activities.\u00a0 This agenda has been thinning out in recent years, unfortunately, and there were no trips at all last year.<\/p>\n

Our well-established and positive reputation has resulted in strong bonds with local organisations such as DOS, professional bodies like the BTO and private organisations, notably Severn Trent, while the expertise and knowledge of its members is sometimes drawn on by planners involved in new ventures and pressure groups like the Carsington opponents to the wind turbines.<\/p>\n

All this goes to show that after 20 years we remain a vibrant and experienced natural history club … but we must keep changing and adapting, which leads us to a survey of opinions we are running to help us gauge members\u2019 views and thoughts on various aspects of the club (see article at bottom of page 2<\/em>). A questionnaire is included with the newsletter; please return it so we can register your feedback and use it to help mould the club\u2019s development.<\/p>\n

\n

*******<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0<\/em><\/strong>See you at the next meeting<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0*******<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The club\u2019s next meeting will be at Hognaston Village Hall at <\/em>7.30pm<\/em> on Tuesday, 20th<\/sup> March.\u00a0 The speaker is Dave Goddard and the subject is dragonflies.\u00a0 So often we catch the briefest of glimpses of these majestic stately insects while birding, but never have the chance to identify them or find out more about them.\u00a0 Well, now you can \u2013 courtesy of Dave\u2019s interesting talk and amazing illustrations.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Finally, on behalf of the membership, I\u2019d like to recognise and thank the club officials whose hard work has helped guide the club so far.\u00a0 They, together with their years of service (in brackets), are as follows:<\/p>\n

Chair <\/strong>\u2013 Peter Oldfield (7), John Butlin (2), Tony Jackson (2), Sandra Neep (3), Dorothy Evans (1), Peter Gibbon (5); Secretary<\/strong> \u2013 Kate Hazell (3), John Hazell (2), Sheila Jackson (3), Dorothy Evans (4), Peter Johnson (2), Paul Hicking (6); Treasurer<\/strong> \u2013 Maurice Plater (2), Jackie Bird (2), Tony Jackson (4), Sandra Neep (2), Pam Levers (4), Peter Gibbon (5); Recorder – <\/strong>Ian Stanley\/Jonathan Bradley (1), Eddie Walker (11), Roger Carrington (8); Publicity <\/strong>\u2013 Brian Woods (1), Gary Atkins (9); Indoor Meetings <\/strong>– Keith White (2), Mel Bird (2), Catherine Brooking (3), Paul Hicking (2), Howard Evans (2), Dorothy Evans (1), Eddie Walker (4), Peter Gibbon (3); Trips organiser<\/strong> \u2013 Peter Oldfield (10); Social\/website \u2013 <\/strong>Dorothy\u00a0 Evans (4), Webmaster <\/strong>\u2013 Richard Pittam (5); Membership <\/strong>\u2013 Maria Harwood\/Pat Wain (6), Sue\/Dave Edmonds (2); Projects Officer <\/strong>– Eddie Walker (1), Alan Betts (6), Paul Hicking (2); Committee <\/strong>\u2013 Richard Bacon,Alan Betts, Pam Price (3), John Butlin(3), Jonathan Bradley (2), Sue Wilde (3), Paul Stanley (2), Jim Rhind (2), Howard Evans (2), Peter Oldfield (2), Brian Woods (2), Steph Thorpe\/Hicking (8), Charles Woodwiss (2), Gary Atkins, Pam Levers, Peter Johnson (2), George Reilly, Carol Wragg, Sandra Neep.<\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

TWO DECADES OF DEDICATION TO BIRDS \u2013 AND BIRD PEOPLE!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chairman Peter Gibbon used the first meeting of 2012 to reflect upon the history of the Carsington Bird Club since its inception 20 years ago.\u00a0 He painstakingly researched how the reservoir came into being, the job it was designed to do, and the wildlife its combination of habitats brought into sharp focus.<\/p>\n

Carsington Water was immediately a big draw for birdwatchers, not just locals but many from far afield.\u00a0 From such a clear body of interest the Carsington Bird Club was quickly born, and Peter showed some pages from early annual reports, recalling some of the key personalities of those days \u2013 some now gone or no longer with us, others still very much around, including first chairman Peter Oldfield, plus those that launched the club\u2019s exemplary reputation for recording, Eddie Walker, Jon Bradley and Ian Stanley.<\/p>\n

Many others have been involved in that vital activity since, notably Roger Carrington, our current recorder.\u00a0 Site species sightings have been summarised every month for two decades, and these comprehensive records are presented in the club\u2019s flagship publication, the annual report.\u00a0 This valuable bank of information is used not just locally, by Severn Trent, but also by representative bodies such as Derbyshire Ornithological Society (DOS) and British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), and by planning authorities and government officials needing to understand the effects of their decisions on local wildlife.\u00a0 The club\u2019s knowledge and expertise has also been used in local schools and for talks to other local organisations.<\/p>\n

CBC members have either led or assisted with Bird Atlas surveys for BTO, breeding bird surveys, the nest-box scheme with Severn Trent Water, wildfowl, wader and gull counts for WeBS, surveys of individual species such as Tree Sparrow, and even collated mammal, butterfly and dragonfly records.<\/p>\n

Indeed, collaboration has always been important, and club members worked with Severn Trent rangers and volunteers on a range of features like tern rafts, nest-boxes, a reed bed and a Sand Martin bank (another of which is being installed this year) to enrich the reservoir\u2019s habitats and attract species.\u00a0 A campaign ran for lottery funding for a new bird hide, and CBC\/DOS funds ensure regular bird feeding.<\/p>\n

During the first five years, Eddie Walker reported, 189 species were recorded.\u00a0 In the following 15 years, a further 33 have boosted the site\u2019s total to 222, which have included some rarities and surprises such as the Yellow-nosed Albatross, Osprey, Spoonbill, Great Skua, Manx Shearwater and Great Grey Shrike.\u00a0 Several years ago, the Great Northern Diver would have figured on this list, but this species seems to enjoy Carsington in winter, and has turned up each and every year since the mid \u2018noughties\u2019.<\/p>\n

Carsington has become nationally important for some species: the 2,185 Coot seen in November 2008, for example, made the reservoir the 14th<\/sup> most important site in the UK.\u00a0 In all, 95 species have bred.\u00a0 Habitat changes \u2013 and trends nationally \u2013 are reflected in Carsington\u2019s breeding records: While the previously regular Stonechat has not bred since 1995, and Linnet and Yellowhammer are increasingly scarce, the Tree Sparrow population has grown from one pair in 1995 to 30 pairs today, Ravens have bred each year since 2004, and Buzzards, with no sightings at all in 1992, are now seen daily and are known to have bred occasionally since 2004.<\/p>\n

All this worthy work \u2013 and the resulting statistics \u2013 would mean nothing without people, and the hard work and loyalty of club members.\u00a0 Seven indoor meetings have traditionally been held each year, together with local walks including the \u2018Dawn Chorus\u2019 event in May and day trips as far afield as RSPB Lakenheath and Gigrin Farm in Wales to see feeding Red Kites.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

MEMBERS\u2019 SURVEY WILL HELP TO GUIDE CLUB\u2019S FUTURE AGENDA<\/strong><\/p>\n

Those attending the bird club Annual General Meeting last month learned that a few things are set to change as a number of the committee declared their intention to give up their current duties within the next year or two.\u00a0 While new blood is always advisable in order to keep an organisation fresh, for CBC several new committee members must be found in the near future to ensure the club can function at and beyond today\u2019s level of capability and activity.<\/p>\n

Arguably some fundamental change is already evident, with no club trips taking place for the last year and a half, and this year there is presently no plan for a programme of spring\/summer walks because those who have traditional led the walks are not prepared to give up their time with the poor turn-outs they have witnessed over the past year or two.<\/p>\n

The winter season, too, is under pressure as there are not enough members turning up at Hognaston Village Hall to break even when speakers, refreshments and the hall booking fee are all accounted for.\u00a0 An expected move of meeting venue to the Visitor Centre at Carsington Water should help for the 2012-13 season, but quality speakers will continue to require expenses.<\/p>\n

In an effort to find out why participation in club events has declined \u2013 and discover what members want from the club in the future \u2013 a questionnaire is being distributed to survey opinions, ideas and options.<\/p>\n

We gave these out to attendees of the AGM\/January meeting, so have had some returns already, but if you have not yet replied, please do so.<\/p>\n

For those with internet access, there is an easily accessible online version on the front page of the club\u2019s website at www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

LOW WATER LEVELS KEEPS SOME BIRDS AWAY \u2013 BUT ATTRACTS OTHERS<\/strong><\/p>\n

The second highest annual total since formal recording began at Carsington Water 20 years ago was logged in 2011, with 169 \u2013 just four short of 2002\u2019s record.\u00a0 As ever, this included some unusual and rare sightings, and 2012 began in similar fashion with Caspian Gull, Snow Bunting, White-fronted Goose and our now faithful Great Northern Diver all figuring during January.<\/p>\n

The low water levels (which got close to 50 per cent late last year, but are now thankfully back up over 80%) had an up-and-down effect, with a greater diversity of waders, but numbers of some species were well down \u2013 notably Coot, usually in four-figure numbers but which have not topped 250 since mid-December. The gull roost was impressive in November, featuring 6,000 Black-headed and 5,500 Lesser Black-backs, but has shrunk dramatically, with hundreds rather than thousands using the reservoir to overnight.\u00a0 But again, gull variety has\u00a0 been good \u2013 with Yellow-legged, Herring, Greater Black-back, Mediterranean and a first-winter Little Gull all showing up, as well as the Caspian Gull and a Kittiwake surprising the spotters in January.<\/p>\n

Flocks of 25-30 Dunlin have been regular over the winter months, while up to 600 Lapwing and 360 Golden Plover have graced the foreshore; the variety of waders has also included Grey Plover, Sanderling, Bar-tailed Godwit, Greenshank, Redshank, Oystercatcher and Snipe.<\/p>\n

The WeBS counts have logged up to 322 Canada Geese, 80 Pink-footed Geese flew over in November, when both Whooper and Bewick swans were noted, while December included the first record of a White-fronted Goose since 1999.\u00a0 The conditions seemed to suit Teal, which hit an amazing maximum of 505 in January, but not Coot or Tufted Duck, both well below normal winter numbers, while Wigeon started poorly but \u2013 seeming to track water levels \u2013 had increased to 170 earlier this month.<\/p>\n

Sparrowhawks and Peregrines were regularly seen, and created some dramatic moments for bird-watchers who witnessed close-up views of the moment of truth for their prey.\u00a0 Up to nine Buzzards were seen in the air at the same time, Tawny Owl calls were heard, but recorders went one better with Barn Owls that were seen quartering their hunting grounds in both January and February.<\/p>\n

Meadow Pipit numbers have dropped since the rising water has covered most of the wide expanse of mud they seemed to enjoy, but a few are still around with the Pied Wagtails.\u00a0 Flocks of up to 100 Linnets have been seen on a few occasions, and 63 Tree Sparrows were counted at the ranger base feeding station in November, when 13 Crossbill were sighted at Sheepwash.\u00a0 A single Black Redstart on the dam wall was only the fifth site record of this species, while another attractive bird, the Snow Bunting, made only its third and fourth site appearances ever in November and January.<\/p>\n

It seems Carsington Water may also provide game birds with a safe haven from the hunting fraternity, with a Grey Partridge surprising bird-watchers onStonesIslandin November, its Red-legged cousin turning up and Pheasants seen more regularly than usual. \u00a0Next, we should all be keeping our eyes open for early spring arrivals.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

RETURNING SAND MARTINS SET TO FIND A NEW HOME!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sand Martins are among the earliest springtime arrivals to UKshores, and this year those arriving at Carsington Water will find \u2013 courtesy of the site\u2019s band of volunteer rangers \u2013 the added attraction of a special sandbank designed as a nest site for these acrobatic and ceaselessly active hirundines.<\/p>\n

The idea of an artificial Sand Martin bank with retaining wall came from a visit by volunteer ranger Neil Burns to Brockholes nature reserve, and a subsequent meeting of the rangers late last year sanctioned Neil to undertake further research.\u00a0 \u00a0He approached people involved in similar projects and, drawing on their advice, came up with a design incorporating the best features of such a construction and then spoke to two builders merchants to obtain accurate costings.<\/p>\n

Following the successful completion of the Osprey platform project, this latest facility to attract a specific bird species to the reservoir is being built with the help of funding from local residents in Ashbourne (thanks to the Waitrose charity scheme) and the Greenwatch Grant managed by Derbyshire Country Council.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had already agreed that savings we had from a donation would be used if necessary, but that still left a shortfall of \u00a3430, which was met after we applied for the Greenwatch Grant,\u201d said Neil.\u00a0 \u201cMeanwhile, Kath Cartlidge, wife of our treasurer, told us about the charity funds given to three local causes each month by the Waitrose supermarket in Ashbourne; there\u2019s usually a long waiting list for these, but because the sandbank project had a specific timescale, it was chosen as one of the three January causes and, thanks to the generosity of local shoppers, our share of that was \u00a3494.\u201d<\/p>\n

The project is due to begin construction in early March, with completion by early April \u2013 just as the Sand Martins wheel in after their long journey from Africa, looking for suitable nest sites.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VOLUNTEERS SPRUCE UP SITE FOR WILDLIFE<\/strong><\/p>\n

As well as the Sand Martin bank project (see above<\/em>), the Severn Trent Water volunteer rangers have been tasked with three main areas of activity to improve the environment for wildlife at Carsington Water.<\/p>\n

Groups have been dead-hedging to restrict visitor movement and protect the shoreline opposite the Visitor Centre, around Stitch Plantation, and around a new education area onStonesIsland.<\/p>\n

The volunteer rangers also improved their dry stone walling capabilities thanks to two days of intensive tuition from a qualified practitioner \u2013 and then used their newly-honed skills to undertake a sizeable amount of restoration of the dry stone walls along the site boundary at the top of Hall Wood.<\/p>\n

The new year also brought the task of felling and clearing trees and scrub onWaterSportsIsland. This work was required for safety purposes \u2013 to improve the visibility of the water sports team in monitoring and observing what\u2019s going on out on the water \u2013 and to enhance performance since trees on the island had provided too much shelter, which impacted particularly on the windsurfers.<\/p>\n

But the prime concern of this work was habitat management as the islands at Carsington are unique, and Severn Trent has a responsibility to manage them as islands under the Stewardship Scheme with Natural England.\u00a0 Before the recent work,Water Sports Island was neither an effective woodland nor suitable for ground nesting water birds.<\/p>\n

The long-term plan is to get the tree\/scrub level as low as possible and manage the island for grasses, sedges and wild flowers.\u00a0 Birds benefit, too, for by removing elevated perches it will have a positive impact on reducing the chances of predators such as corvids to pick off the eggs and chicks of any birds that do successfully breed on the island.<\/p>\n

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

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

The bird club\u2019s winter programme concludes in March with Dave Goddard\u2019s talk on dragonflies – 20 March 2012 – 7pm – Hognaston village Hall.<\/strong><\/p>\n

For Severn Trent\u2019s spring programme below, it\u2019s often sensible to book a place with the visitor centre (on 01629 540696).<\/p>\n

First Sunday of \u00a0each month<\/strong> – Birdwatching for Beginners (enjoy a gentle two-hour walk – \u00a0led by experienced\u00a0 STW volunteer David Bennett) –\u00a0Meet Visitor Centre 10am.<\/p>\n

Last Saturday\u00a0of each month<\/strong> –\u00a0\u00a0 Sheepwash spinners (learn about traditional wool spinning,\u00a0with demonstrations, from fleece to gifts and garments) –\u00a0Visitor Centre (11am-3pm) \u00a0.<\/p>\n

18 March<\/strong> – \u00a0Mother\u2019s Day in the Wildlife Discovery Room – Visitor Centre (11am-4pm)<\/p>\n

3 April<\/strong> – \u00a0Bat Safari (join a ranger to learn more about these often misunderstood creatures \u00a0(\u00a32.50, under-16s to be accompanied)\u00a0 \u00a0– \u00a0Ask for details when booking.<\/p>\n

17 April<\/strong> \u00a0– Wagtail Wander (a gentle stroll with volunteer ranger David Bennett to identify summer migrants including yellow wagtails) –\u00a0\u00a0 Meet Visitor Centre 6pm.<\/p>\n

22 & 27 April<\/strong> – Vistas of Carsington Water (6-mile walk; U-16s with adults) \u00a0– \u00a0Visitor Centre (10.30-4.30pm).<\/p>\n

6 May<\/strong> – Wildlife on Wheels (cycling safari to learn about water wildlife) \u00a0– \u00a0Visitor Centre (10.30-4.30pm.<\/p>\n

19 May<\/strong> – Carsington Water 20th<\/sup> anniversary celebrations (fun day with\u00a0\u00a0 Around Visitor Centre \u00a0stalls, games, activities and food for all the family).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
KNOW YOUR COMMITTEE\u00a0 \u2013\u00a0 Here are the club officials and their contact details<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chairman & Treasurer<\/td>\nPeter Gibbon<\/td>\n01629 534173<\/td>\npeter.gibbon@w3z.co.uk<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Secretary<\/td>\nPaul Hicking<\/td>\n01773 827727<\/td>\npaulandsteph@hicking.plus.com<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Recorder<\/td>\nRoger Carrington<\/td>\n01629 583816<\/td>\nrcarrington_matlock@yahoo.co.uk<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Publicity\/Newsletter editor<\/td>\nGary Atkins<\/td>\n01335 370773<\/td>\ngarysatkins@aol.com<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Outdoor trips organiser<\/td>\nPeter Oldfield<\/td>\n01629 540510<\/td>\npeter-oldfield2011@hotmail.co.uk<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ex-officio<\/td>\nSteph Hicking<\/td>\n01773 827727<\/td>\npaulandsteph@hicking.plus.com<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Membership secretaries<\/td>\nDave and Sue Edmonds<\/td>\n01335 342919<\/td>\nsue@axgb.com<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
CBC Website address:\u00a0\u00a0www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0(maintained by: \u00a0Richard Pittam\u00a0\u00a0richard.pittam@ntlworld.com<\/a>)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

*\u00a0 *\u00a0 *\u00a0 *\u00a0 Membership renewals are due for 2012\u00a0 *\u00a0 *\u00a0 *\u00a0 * If you have already renewed your subscription for the current year, stop reading this message now … We have included a renewal slip along with the newsletter (or sent an e-mail reminder) for those who our records indicate are yet to […]<\/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":[5,12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1655","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-carsington-bird-club","category-cbcnewsletters"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1655","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=1655"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1655\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1655"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1655"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1655"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}