{"id":2743,"date":"2016-02-24T19:30:43","date_gmt":"2016-02-24T18:30:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/?p=2743"},"modified":"2023-05-31T13:23:02","modified_gmt":"2023-05-31T12:23:02","slug":"cbc-newsletter-no-1-february-2016","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/cbc-newsletter-no-1-february-2016\/","title":{"rendered":"CBC Newsletter – No 1 \/ February 2016"},"content":{"rendered":"

ANNUAL SUBS NOW DUE!! Could those of you yet to renew your membership for 2016, please send a cheque for the requisite amount (\u00a310 for family\/joint, \u00a37.50 single and \u00a31 for junior) as soon as possible to Peter Gibbon at 25 Church Street, Holloway, nr Matlock DE4 5AY. Thank you and have a very happy year\u2019s birding!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

CHAIRMAN\u2019S THOUGHTS<\/strong>
\nI have nearly finished reading a book called \u2018INGLORIOUS\u2019 by Mark Avery, who was Conservation Director of the RSPB for 13 years. The title is really a challenge to the \u2018Glorious\u2019 12th of August, the day each year when grouse shooting begins, with flocks of Red Grouse driven by lines of beaters so that they fly over lines of \u2018guns\u2019 that shoot the fast-flying birds. It is a peculiarly British field sport and one that is deeply rooted in the class system. It is a multi-million pound industry that dominates the hills of the north of England and throughout Scotland. The book is a considered review of the whole business and after many years of experience and \u2018soul-searching\u2019 Mark comes out in favour of an outright ban.
\nIn many instances this field sport has led to the illegal killing of wildlife such as Buzzards, Golden Eagles and, most egregiously of all, Hen Harriers. He says that it is, in the view of many conservationists, wrecking the ecology of the hills. He admits that it is economically important in rural areas and remains a longstanding British tradition. The book recognises this and the author talks to people on both sides of the debate. It also recounts his campaign alongside Chris Packham to publicise the effects of grouse shooting, which culminated in \u2018Hen Harrier Day\u2019, a celebration of harriers and other upland birds that was timed to coincide with the \u2018Glorious\u2019 12th. \u00a0I am writing this to coincide with information posted on the Derbyshire Police site on 3rd February headlined \u2018Reward offered as more birds of prey are illegally killed in the Peak District National Park\u2019. There is a \u00a31,000 reward for information about the killing last September of an Osprey that had both its legs broken, consistent with being caught in a spring trap. At the end of the same month a Buzzard was found shot dead not far away from where the Osprey was discovered \u2013 both in the Glossop area. \u00a0When RSPB published its annual Birdcrime list for 2014 it revealed Derbyshire as one of the worst places in the UK for bird of prey persecution. In that year the RSPB received 16 reports of incidents in the county including Buzzard and Sparrowhawk shootings, and an illegally trapped Goshawk. The posting also urges us to phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 if we have any information on such incidents. \u00a0Both the book and the Derbyshire police report show how difficult it is to stop. While there\u2019s no doubt that many birds of prey are shot on grouse moors, it is hard to prove when people close ranks. In 2007 the infamous case of two Hen Harriers seen being shot on the Royal estate of Sandringham, when no bodies were recovered, hit the national headlines. I think Mark Avery has written a superb, persuasive book and it deserves a wide audience.
\nPeter Gibbon<\/p>\n

CLUB TRIP TO THE DWT\u2019S WILLINGTON RESERVE \u2013 15 MAY (meet 9.30am)<\/strong>
\nContinuing our theme of visiting relatively local birding spots, we plan to see what we can find at the ever-reliable Willington reserve on the banks of the River Trent between Burton and Derby. This excellent reserve, which contains several viewpoints and viewing platforms, can usually boast plentiful waterfowl and waders, but in springtime is attractive to a good range of warblers (one star species being resident Cetti\u2019s) and other visiting migrants.
\nPlease make your own way to the reserve, park where you can, and assemble at around 9.30am at the entry lane just off the B5008 (Repton Road).
\nLAPWING FLOCKS DELIGHT, BUT IT\u2019S GULLS FOR REALLY LARGE COUNTS<\/strong>
\nAs we await our first spring visitor, usually a Chiffchaff, one of that species has already been spotted around the reservoir \u2013 in early January \u2013 showing the increasing likelihood of birds stopping over in Britain during the generally milder winters.\u00a0We ended 2015 with one new species, a Ring Ouzel, and two more awaiting ratification. If confirmed, the year\u2019s Carsington Water total would be 162 (and the site\u2019s overall total 228). \u00a0A regular winter highlight arrived back in November, as Great Northern Divers drifted in for their usual long stay. As many as six individuals have been noted, but the usual number often seen in any one day is three. Other wildfowl maximum counts have been rather higher, including 925 Coot, 276 Teal, 269 Tufted Duck, 184 Mallard, 88 Pochard and 79 Wigeon. A single Brent Goose contrasted sharply with its cousins as 110 Pink-feet were counted in December and up to 180 Canadas in January.
\nIn many cases these are lower numbers than usual, but variety has been good with smaller numbers of Pintail, Shelduck, Shoveler, Goosander and Goldeneye seen regularly, while two Scaup turned up on 17 December. \u00a0Lapwing flocks in the hundreds have been regular, with a peak count of 800 on 3 January. Snipe have been seen in good numbers, up to 39 in a single day, with a single creamy-coloured leucistic bird often (and rather easily) spotted. Up to three Jack Snipe have been seen, usually at Hopton End, where the reed bed has also seen a pair of Water Rails. Other waders have included small numbers of Curlew, Redshank, Dunlin and Woodcock, while three Oystercatchers returned at the end of January.
\nFor truly large counts, it\u2019s gulls that have taken the prize this quarter. Special efforts (involving early mornings and late evenings!) by a handful of dedicated souls made to record these birds \u2013 and up to 10,000 Black-headed Gulls are estimated to have roosted, along with 1,000 Common and Lesser Black-backs. \u00a0Easier to count have been the much smaller numbers of Great Black-backed, Yellow-legged and Herring Gulls, along with two Kittiwakes that showed on 26 January (and another on 9 February), an adult Caspian Gull on 3 December and a summer plumage Mediterranean Gull on 21 February.
\nBy comparison, raptors have been rather scarcer, though up to five Buzzards have been seen aloft at any one time, Peregrines have been reported each month, Kestrels are seen routinely over Stones Island, and Sparrowhawks are fairly regular sightings \u2013 including the one that was mobbed by a Great Spotted Woodpecker on 2 February. Meanwhile, two Tawny Owls were heard calling on 28 December, and another flew across the road near Sheepwash on 21 January. \u00a0Over 700 Jackdaws were recorded in a single viewing at the end of December, Redwings have numbered up to 270, flocks of up to 60 Siskin have been seen, and 34 Stock Doves were counted just before Christmas. Overflying Skylarks and Yellowhammers are a relative rarity, though seen more commonly not far from Carsington, and the exposed mud through low water levels have been an attraction for small groups of Meadow Pipits.
\nSeveral Brambling sightings were logged in December\/January, and good numbers of Lesser Redpoll (augmented by a single \u2018Mealy\u2019 variety) have been seen, often around Stones Island.<\/p>\n

GND<\/strong>
\nThe poem below was written by CBC member John Bland, who found the verse forming in his mind as he visited the reservoir and saw our most famous winter visitor \u2013 the Great Northern Diver….<\/p>\n

Seen today from Sheepwash
\nAnd from Lane End hide,
\nSpotted from the dam wall
\nAnd from Millfields side.
\nGreat Crested Grebes a-plenty,
\nIt wasn’t one of those.
\nDistinctive dive of Cormorant
\nEverybody knows.
\nRed-Throated’s beak points upwards,
\nBlack-Throated’s flank is white.
\nNeither of them showing.
\nI’m sure that I’m right.
\nIt’s big and long and heavy,
\nAt this range it looks black.
\nIt\u2019s fair to say, at Carsington,
\nGreat Northern Diver’s back.<\/p>\n

WATER, WATER … NEARLY EVERYWHERE!<\/strong>
\nIt\u2019s been a winter of unprecedented rainfall and unseasonably mild temperatures which have had a big impact on the site and its wildlife.
\nFew of us can recall a wetter winter and the continuous rain has left the ground saturated, making getting out on site to carry out winter work more challenging than usual, especially if the work involves taking the vehicles off the tracks. The heavier downpours have further complicated things by causing erosion and potholes on the tracks around the site.\u00a0With unprecedented rainfall and floods throughout the north of England it\u2019s perhaps no surprise that we\u2019ve spent much of this winter explaining why our water levels are down and reassuring visitors that we haven\u2019t sprung a leak. Those of you on site in December may have seen the reservoir as low as 72.6% in the middle of the month, draining the bays around the Visitor Centre and leaving many metres of exposed mud. \u00a0The reason for the falling levels is connected to our role in the water supply network. Carsington is a storage reservoir and typically we supply water at times of high demand and low rainfall, though we can also provide water when supply reservoirs are out of action. This was the case this winter as work took place at Ogston Reservoir meaning Carsington was called upon to supply parts of north Derbyshire. \u00a0Due to our high elevation and limited natural catchment, our water levels fell despite the downpours and, while visitors to Carsington had rarely seen it so low in winter, few visitors to Ogston had seen those levels so high! \u00a0Since the maintenance work at Ogston was completed our levels have slowly crept up, with the various streams and brooks around the site topping us up by around 1% per week. At the time of writing this article, in mid-February, Carsington is over 80% full and rising.
\nThe mild, wet weather appears to have had a big impact on the site\u2019s birdlife. Certainly the winter began with promise and an impressive count of Great Northern Divers but the mild conditions seem to have kept wildfowl counts down compared to previous years, good news for the birds themselves if not for birders.
\nOn the bright side the lower water levels seem to have benefitted some species with hundreds of Lapwing on site and some good counts of Common Snipe. Many of those counts are no doubt by birders hoping to spot the long-staying leucistic bird! \u00a0The recent water levels demonstrate that while water may be abundant in certain regions and at certain times of the year the amount we can store to carry us through the drier times is limited and I have no doubt that we\u2019ll find our levels going down again in the coming months.
\nNever one to miss an opportunity, over the last few weeks Severn Trent has handed out a surprising amount of free water saving gadgets and gizmos to the public \u2013 often doing so as they sheltered from the rain in the Visitor Centre!
\nJohn Matkin, Severn Trent Water<\/p>\n

ENTERTAINING TALKS \u2013 AND A GHOST STORY FOR CHRISTMAS!<\/strong>
\nOur Christmas talk last year was a first for the club when we had the same speaker for the second time in a year. Having earlier told us about RSPB Langford Lowfields, a new reserve established on a sand and gravel pit close to the River Trent, it was fascinating then to listen to Paul Bennett talk about his work at the RSPB\u2019s very different Coombes Valley reserve, a long established woodland valley.
\nPaul highlighted the different sets of challenges presented by two such contrasting eco systems and it was clear that RSPB wardens have to be adaptable and have a broad range of capabilities for whichever reserve they are asked to work in. Among his challenges at Coombes Valley he said was the takeover of large areas by Holly trees, which seemed very appropriate for the time of year!
\nFinding a solution wasn\u2019t easy as he found putting work out to tender was going to be very expensive. The restoration of or demolition of hides, the upkeep of access for the public, sustaining agreements and goodwill with surrounding land owners and most importantly the healthy state of the river that runs through the reserve are just a few of his new priorities. \u00a0Christmas would also not be the same without a good ghost story and he gave us a \u2018cracker\u2019 about the haunted house in the middle of the reserve. If you\u2019ve passed by when walking through Coombes Valley, you may have thought what a beautiful place to live … but Paul made it very clear why you wouldn\u2019t want to! \u00a0After the January AGM I spoke about Gannets after an inspiring day trip I enjoyed on Bass Rock, which contains the largest Gannet colony in the world and is described by David Attenborough as one of nature\u2019s greatest spectacles. I found the experience staggering but even more so when I read the facts and figures about this incredible species: Its unique biology \u2013 an exceedingly long neck with strengthened vertebrae and a skull that\u2019s nearly twice as wide as a heron\u2019s \u2013 enabling it to dive from heights of 25m and at speeds that may reach 100kms per hour. Underwater photos also showed how superbly adapted they are for catching fish. \u00a0Figures show that its breeding behaviour is currently working well in practically all its colonies. At Bempton, for example, 3,940 breeding pairs in 2003\/4 had increased to 11,061 pairs by 2012, while at Bass Rock itself, 49,098 pairs in 2003\/4 had become 75,259 by 2014! Three hours spent photographing this sight was truly unforgettable.
\nThough the world population of our Atlantic Gannet has been steadily increasing, it is still \u2018Amber\u2019 listed so it has to be carefully monitored. I ended my talk with an example of why its future is not assured. There are plans to build a huge wind farm at the mouth of the Firth of Forth and, while it was initially considered Gannets would not be affected as they fly low over water, but scientists then had second thoughts, realising the species actually fishes and scouts from higher up and could be in danger of hitting the blades. So such developments need careful watching. I enjoyed telling our audience was a fantastic place Bass Rock is: If you ever go to that part of Scotland, do take a look.
\nPeter Gibbon<\/p>\n

WHAT\u2019S ON<\/strong>
\nOur winter programme of talks is drawing to a close and the final one of the season is taking place on 15th March. See below for details, and for a couple of other events the club is staging \u2013 a \u2018wagtail walk\u2019 in collaboration with Severn Trent in April and, the following month, a trip to Willington Gravel Pits …
\n15 March? – Talk on \u2018Bats\u2019 by Bob Croxton of Sorby Mammal and?Henmore Rm, Visitor Centre (7.30pm)
\n26 April? – Wagtail walk (looking for elusive Yellow Wags)?Visitor Centre (6pm)
\n15 May? – Club trip to Willington Gravel Pits?Meet at reserve (approx 9.30am)?
\nOn site at Carsington, Severn Trent Water and the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust host a broader range of activities \u2013 some regular slots, some one-off events \u2013 and the programme below shows what\u2019s coming up in the next three months. Remember, some activities need booking, so always worth checking with the visitor centre reception, on 01629 540696, and if necessary get your name on the list:
\nFirst Sunday of month? Birdwatching for Beginners?Meet Visitor Centre (10am-12 noon)
\nFirst weekend of month?Optics demonstrations?RSPB shop, Visitor Centre (10am-4pm)
\nEvery Tuesday\/Sunday?Wildlife Centre volunteers on parade?Wildlife Centre (10am-3pm)
\nThird Saturday monthly?Family Forest School (charges apply)?Contact DWT to book (01773 881188)
\n7 March ?Nature Tots: Mad March Hares (charges apply)?Contact DWT to book (01773 881188)
\n9 April?Plant Hunters Fair?Visitor Centre (10am-4pm)
\n8 May?Sponsored walk for Ellen McArthur Trust
\n9 May?Nature Tots \u2013 another outdoor session?Visitor Centre (10.30am-12noon)
\n27 May?Wildlife Gardening Workshop \u2013 Bees (10.30-?Contact DWT to book (01773 881188)
\n?1pm … \u00a310)
\nKNOW YOUR COMMITTEE<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here are the club officials and their contact details\u2026\u2026..<\/p>\n

Chairman \/ Indoor Meetings \/ Membership
\nPeter Gibbon
\n01629 534173
\npeter.gibbon@w3z.co.uk<\/p>\n

Secretary
\nPaul Hicking
\n01773 827727
\npaulandsteph@hicking.plus.com<\/p>\n

Treasurer
\nJohn Follett
\n01332 834778
\njohn@jlf.demon.co.uk<\/p>\n

Recorders
\nDave Newcombe \/ Clive Ashton
\ndanewcombe@hotmail.co.uk
\nclive@ashton7906.freeserve.co.uk<\/p>\n

Publicity \/ Annual Report
\nGary Atkins
\n01335 370773
\ngarysatkins@aol.com<\/p>\n

Outdoor Trips
\nPeter Oldfield
\n01629 540510
\npeter.oldfield2011@gmail.com<\/p>\n

Ex-officio
\nJon Bradley – 01773\u00a0852526 –\u00a0jonathan.bradley4@btinternet.com
\nRoger Carrington – 01629 583816 –\u00a0rcarrington_matlock@yahoo.co.uk<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u2026..and the website address – http:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk<\/p>\n

Webmaster –\u00a0Richard Pittam –\u00a0Contact Richard via the website<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

ANNUAL SUBS NOW DUE!! Could those of you yet to renew your membership for 2016, please send a cheque for the requisite amount (\u00a310 for family\/joint, \u00a37.50 single and \u00a31 for junior) as soon as possible to Peter Gibbon at 25 Church Street, Holloway, nr Matlock DE4 5AY. Thank you and have a very happy […]<\/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-2743","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\/2743","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=2743"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2743\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2743"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2743"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2743"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}