{"id":3924,"date":"2020-08-22T15:19:08","date_gmt":"2020-08-22T14:19:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/?p=3924"},"modified":"2020-08-23T15:21:31","modified_gmt":"2020-08-23T14:21:31","slug":"no-3-august-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/no-3-august-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"No 3 \/ August 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

BACK IN ACTION!<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

There\u2019s a bit more to smile about since the last newsletter in May, firstly with the reopening of Carsington Water to visitors in early June (albeit with restrictions), and along with that the resumption of bird recording by our faithful band of observers \u2013 though we do also remain indebted to John Matkin and his team of Severn Trent rangers who kept a note (reported in the last newsletter) of what they were seeing during their guardianship of the reservoir during the early stages the Covid clamp-down, between March and May.<\/p>\n

A number of the site\u2019s facilities are also now up and running; including the restaurant and snack outlets for those planning to make a day of it cycling, walking or, indeed, birding around the reservoir.\u00a0 The Wildlife Centre has reopened, complete with knowledgeable volunteers on certain days, although anyone wanting to visit there must wear a face mask and follow a one-way system for the time being.\u00a0 A few of the activities are also resuming, including the Birdwatching for Beginners walks (just as much fun for non-beginners!), which are led by STW volunteers but I usually pop along to help out.\u00a0 The first of these should be on 6 September.<\/p>\n

Best of all, we are proposing a resumption of some of our own regular club activities, including the autumn\/winter indoor meetings programme … though, importantly, we have negotiated a change of venue as the Henmore Room was deemed much too small and constricted to accommodate the typically-sized audience in comfort bearing in mind current Covid regulations.<\/p>\n

Instead, we have negotiated with New Leaf Catering to use the site\u2019s restaurant; this relatively huge space \u2013 with its high ceiling and airy environment \u2013 will offer an area that meets and beats the current Covid regulations (even with just one person or a couple at each of the well-spaced tables or fixed-point booths). \u00a0We are not planning to serve drinks and biscuits, so we suggest attendees bring their own refreshments; bring along face masks, too, if you wish.\u00a0 The first meeting is on 15 September (see \u2018dates\u2019 panel below for details).<\/p>\n

We also plan to hold an autumn club trip to old favourite Old Moor, the RSPB\u2019s South Yorkshire reserve that invariably yields a good array of birds, and the odd surprise, particularly during migration.\u00a0 Toilets and some hides at this reserve will be open, so we should enjoy a productive day \u2013 that day being 20 September.\u00a0 Come along if you can; and please let Chris Lamb know if you intend to do so.<\/p>\n

Gary Atkins<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Below are the dates of upcoming events; all indoor meetings begin at 7.30pm:<\/em><\/p>\n

** TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 **<\/strong> \u2013 Talk: We have Ian Newton travelling north from his home patch to tell us about the wildlife highlights of Lesvos, the Greek island that is a true birding haven.<\/p>\n

** SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 **<\/strong> \u2013 Outing: After a 12-month absence, club trips resume with a short journey to the RSPB reserve at Old Moor, generally an excellent site with a good range of birds and the occasional surprise.\u00a0 Meet 10am and bring own refreshments.\u00a0 If you intend to come along, please inform Chris Lamb (phone 01629 820890 or by e-mail at cflamb@yahoo.co.uk<\/a>).<\/p>\n

** TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20 **<\/strong> \u2013 Talk: Our annual joint meeting with DOS will feature a fascinating talk by on the creation and maintenance of a private wildlife sanctuary, along with some of the delightful creatures he has attracted there.<\/p>\n

** TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17 **<\/strong> \u2013 Talk: Nigel Slater returns to describe his visits to the Scilly Isles and show us some of fabulous wildlife he has encountered during island-hopping sorties.<\/p>\n

RECORD-BREAKING MONTHS FOR SIGHTINGS AS SITE REOPENS<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

When Carsington\u2019s car parks reopened to the general public in early June, the wildlife might have been expected to keep a low profile having roamed the site pretty much unseen and unhindered for over two months, but not so.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As the hoards of cyclists and walkers quickly resumed their massed perambulations of the reservoir (on good weather days, at least), so did the regular recording by CBC\u2019s dedicated band of observers, and what they experienced were two record-breaking months in June and July, and a healthy start to August.<\/p>\n

Both of the new records topped the 100 mark and, while there were no more Spoonbills (one of numerous species recorded by Severn Trent staff during the lockdown), a Great White Egret was seen in July and there were plenty of Little Egret records, showing the continuing drift northwards of these attractive white herons.\u00a0 Meanwhile, Grey Herons logged another landmark when a pair raised young for the first time at the Carsington site (see separate article on next page<\/em>).<\/p>\n

Two summer plumage Black-necked Grebes were rather a surprise on 7 July, joining briefly a healthy flotilla of up to 55 Great-crested and 22 Little Grebes.\u00a0 By August, the slow build towards the usual autumn influx of wildfowl was underway, with 107 Teal, 218 Tufted Ducks, 183 Mallard and 557 Coot counted, and much smaller numbers of Shoveler, Pochard and Wigeon.\u00a0 Eleven Common Scoter viewed on two dates in July was another duck highlight.<\/p>\n

On the water\u2019s edge, waders were well represented during mid and late summer with single Avocets seen on 10 and 19 June, Whimbrel noted on five dates across July and August and Common Sandpiper seen in various quantities each month.\u00a0 Black-tailed Godwits showed up on several dates in June and July, when Sanderlings were also recorded, Ringed and Little Ringed Plovers popped in fairly regularly, while a Greenshank called in on 12 June, two Turnstones on 30 July and a single Green Sandpiper was logged in both July and August.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been a relatively quiet time for gulls, the main highlight being a trickle of single Mediterranean Gulls through and two on 16 July, two Yellow-legs on several dates, and a Caspian type 3rd<\/sup> year specimen in August.\u00a0 The maximum number of Lesser Black-backs was 375 during this period, with similar numbers of Black-headed Gulls around \u2013 including a sizeable proportion of young birds of which 300 had been counted on Millfields Island in June.<\/p>\n

Other breeding was mixed as 12 Mallard, 11 Great-crested Grebe and 10 Canada Goose broods represented the most successful breeding species until mid-August, though eight Greylag Goose and Coot, five Little Grebe, four Moorhen, Gadwall and Tufted Duck and single Barnacle Goose families were also being raised.<\/p>\n

There had been signs of Oystercatcher, Redshank, Lapwing and Little Ringed Plover broods, too, but in the final event these species seemed to have failed.\u00a0 The cause was thought most likely to be predation by corvids or gulls.<\/p>\n

Red Kites seem to be an increasingly regular sight in the vicinity of Carsington, with several records over the summer, while Ospreys called in on two dates in June and another in July.\u00a0 A Hobby was around on 20 June, two more were seen on 2 August, and one individual was speeding through on the 17th<\/sup>.\u00a0 Other raptor sightings centred mostly on the more common Kestrel, Buzzard and Sparrowhawk, though Peregrines also showed up on several dates, including two young birds on one day when they chased Lapwings (catching but then losing one which wisely dropped into a bush!) then each other.<\/p>\n

Away from the water, passerine species have been busy breeding, too, and as many as 10 Spotted Flycatchers were counted in late July, and up to 40+ Chiffchaffs, 17 Blackcaps and single figure numbers of Willow, Garden, Sedge and Reed Warblers have been recorded daily, along with nine Redstarts, including young, that are often viewed in fields fringing Wildlife Centre creek.\u00a0 Earlier, the haunting reeling call of a site-scarce Grasshopper Warbler was heard on 21 June.<\/p>\n

Another scarce visitor to the site is Green Woodpecker, but one of these attractive birds was encountered on dates in June and August.\u00a0 Tree Pipit was noted on three dates in July and another in August, as many as 60 Pied Wagtails have been seen at one time, along with five Grey Wagtails on several dates and three Yellow Wagtails were around on 14 July.<\/p>\n

Hirundines have been evident in some profusion over the summer, as up to 100 House Martins were skimming the water in early June, more than 200 Sand Martins were counted a month later, and 200 Swallows were observed on 4 August.\u00a0 A healthy number of 105 Swifts were also recorded moving through on 26 July.<\/p>\n

Twenty-two Ravens seen on 10 July was a highly impressive sight, and the occasional visits of Crossbills \u2013 often heard rather than seen \u2013 continued with a maximum of four logged on 14 July.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

HERONS BREED FOR THE FIRST TIME<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

A particular\u00a02020 Carsington\u00a0\u201cfirst\u201d,\u00a0now\u00a0firmly\u00a0proven, had begun with some random observations before and during the Covid alert that restricted access to the site for over two months.\u00a0 As time went on, however, the evidence grew that Grey Herons were nesting and raising a brood for the first time on site.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While not on the immediately accessible circuit around the reservoir, the secretive herons chose to build their nest in a tree on Severn Trent land only about 50 metres or so from the main path though largely obscured from general view.\u00a0 The first hint that something was afoot came in early February when a heron was seen carrying a stick, and the observer (one of the club\u2019s regular recorders) wondered if this could indicate nest building.<\/p>\n

On closer inspection of the area ten days later, herons were observed on the nest and, the following day, one was viewed laying flat on the nest.\u00a0 Did this indicate the parent was incubating eggs?\u00a0 A week later a single heron was once again seen sitting, then three weeks later, during the second week of March, the club\u2019s observer returned and \u2013 though good views were limited \u2013 he believed there to be young in the nest.<\/p>\n

The site then closed and travel was not permissible, but by early April Severn Trent staff (having been tipped off about the earlier sightings), who remained working on site throughout the initial lockdown, visited the location and confirmed that there were three young herons in the nest.\u00a0 Twelve days later, they returned and found that the youngsters had fledged.\u00a0<\/p>\n

So, even Covid could not prevent nature continuing to do its thing \u2013 nor allow the story to be told by meticulous observation, interpretation and communication through the joint efforts of CBC and STW personnel.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

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

KNOW YOUR COMMITTEE<\/strong> \u2013 Here are the club officials and their contact details\u2026\u2026..<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

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

\n

Committee Post<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Name<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Telephone<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Email Address<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Secretary<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Peter Fletcher<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

01332 383682<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

petefletcher1@hotmail.com<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Treasurer \/ Membership<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

John Follett<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

01332 834778<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

johnlfollett@virginmedia.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Recorder<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Clive Ashton<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

01629 823316<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

cliveashton@btinternet.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Publications \/ Indoor Meetings<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Gary Atkins<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

01335 370773<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

garysatkins@aol.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Events co-ordinator<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Chris Lamb<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

01629 820890<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

cflamb@yahoo.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Ex-officio<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Roger Carrington<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

01629 583816<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

rcarrington_matlock@yahoo.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u2026..and the website address\u00a0\u00a0 –\u00a0\u00a0 http:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Webmaster<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Richard Pittam<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

n\/a<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Contact Richard via the website<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

BACK IN ACTION! There\u2019s a bit more to smile about since the last newsletter in May, firstly with the reopening of Carsington Water to visitors in early June (albeit with restrictions), and along with that the resumption of bird recording by our faithful band of observers \u2013 though we do also remain indebted to John […]<\/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-3924","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\/3924","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=3924"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3924\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3924"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3924"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3924"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}