Saturday 25 April 2020

BIG JAKE


It is with great sadness I have learnt about the passing of an old friend John Ward  'Big Jake' who passed away early yesterday morning .

Our thoughts are with his loving wife Ruth and family.

During the 80's Jake was highly regarded as a top birder not only in Northants but countrywide and will continue to be so.

He played and sang in a pop group during his earlier years and happily relived them until recently.

I shall miss the 'old boy' in many ways but also for  his intellectual wit, sense of humour and presence.

I never left Summer Leys without a smile on my face after conversing with him.

Rest in Peace mate.


Tuesday 21 April 2020

MEMBERS' ENTRIES BUMPER EDITION.


Hi all, welcome to the 5th edition  of members images from our 2019 Photographic Competition.

The following comprises of over 50 Top notch entries for you to savour and enjoy.


Puffin Matt Hazleton Skomer Island.
Common Kestrel Dave Jackson Frampton Marsh Lincs.
Redshank John Tilley Summer Ley
Brown Hare John Showers   MOD Yardley Chase.
Bittern  John Tilley Calvert Jubilee NR.
Black-headed Bunting Dave Jackson Bulgaria
Grey Plover  Bob Bullock   Holme Norfolk
Sally lightfoot Crab  Dave Thomas  Galapagos
Black-spotted Longhorn Beetle  Bob Gill Yardley Chase
Cormorant Clive Bowley Sywell CP
Greenshank John Tilley Saltholme RSPB.
Great Crested Grebe Robin Gossage Pitsford Res.
Lion's retreat Bob Mason  Masai Mara
Barn Owl  Martin Swannell  nr Moulton
Bearded Reedling  Bob Bullock  Stanwick GP.
Macrophya duodecipunctata Sawfly Peter Gilbert Bavaria.
Grey Plover  Matt Hazleton  Titchwell
Great Frigatebird  Dave Thomas  Galapagos
Coal Tit  Robin Gossage  Scotland.

Hornet Clearwing Moth   Bob Gill  Yardley Chase

Black Tern  Bob Bullock  Stanwick
Eurasian Sparrowhawk  Dave Jackson, Kingsthorpe.
Fallow Stag Martin Swannell  Bradgate Park.
Peregrine Falcon Bob Gill  Durlston CP.
Brent Goose Clive Bowley  Frampton Marsh.
Hazel Leaf-roller Weevil Bob Gill Yardley Chase.
Holly Blue John Showers  Engine pond  Castle Ashby
Kingfisher Alan Coles   Chard reservoir Sommerset
Red Kite  Robin Gossage  Pitsford Res.
Coal Tit  John Showers   Rothwell.
Chough  Bob Bullock  Cornwall. 
Duke of Burgundy Bison Hill Beds. Martin Swannell.
Calocera viscosa  Carol Wingate  Kings Wood Corby.
Short-eared Owl Martin Swannell  Cambs.
Mute Swan Summer Leys Matt Hazleton.
Norther Wheatear Alan Coles  Pitsford Res.
Common Darter female Carol Wingate Church Norton.
Little Egret   Clive Bowley  Summer Leys.
Marsh Harrier  Mark Williams  Titchwell.

Cheetahs Bob Mason Samburu Kenya.

Corn Bunting  Peter Gilbert  Camargue.
Kingfisher Dave Jackson  Brampton Valley Way.
Banded Demoiselle  Peter Gilbert  Camargue.
Common Tern  Mark Williams  Summer Leys.
Malachite Kingfisher Bob Mason. Masai Mara
African Fish Eagle  Bob Mason   Lake Nanaisha Kenya.
Eurasian Hobby Robin Gossage  Camargue.
Common Lizard Matt Hazleton  Glapthorn Cow Pasture.
Nightingale Alan Coles  Thrapston GP.
Pied Wagtail  John Tilley  Summer Leys.
Red Fox  Robin Gossage  Pitsford Res.


There is no doubting we have a fine set of accomplished photographers in the Bird Club !!

Please don't forget to send Nick or myself any images for our members' garden page,

Thanks Robin.