N B C Monthly Trip

Sunday 25th September, Bob Gill kindly took Mark, Dave J, Wendy and myself to RSPB Titchwell
on the east coast.
Although the winds did not perform as we would have liked, the prospects of a few nice migrants
was enticing.
As always we missed most of the rain and had a typical autumnal day out, although Bob had a
change of clothes after being totally soaked emptying Pitsford moth traps at 5.30am. (don't laugh you
haven't seen his haircut yet).
One of these days we will find that elusive Woodcock on route to reception. Jack snipe had been reported from Patsy's pool, we saw Common Snipe, Wendy picked up a largish well marked male Sparrowhawk.

We then made our way around the relatively new track called the Autumn trail, at the end we had distant views of Spoonbill.
Walking back along the Meadow Trail the resident invisible Cetti's sang. Onwards to Island hide
picking up a couple of Beardies and Marsh Harrier. The water on the Fresh water marsh was quite low but held numbers of waders, mainly Ruff and Reeve, with Dunlin, Curlew Sandpiper, Grey Plover, Godwits, etc.

Off to the beach visiting Parinder on route, a lone Turnstone was feeding on the near tidal marsh.
A vagrant Pectoral Sandpiper was seen on the Volunteer marsh.

A fair bit of stuff was seen from the beach including Red-necked Grebe, G N Diver, Sandwich Terns
Gannet, waders etc. Dave built a sandcastle and tried to frame Sanderling in his camera, they were having none of it.............I lied about the sandcastle, but he did bring a plastic bucket and spade.

Back to the car for a drink and some nosh. We then had a little foray further down the coast having some nice views of Turnstone then back to Titchwell.

Back to look for the ever elusive Jack Snipe, while Wend and I made our way back towards Island Hide the others looked for and found Yellow-browed Warbler with Dave getting some great pics.

Walking back along the West Bank path we met up with bird club member Alan Coles who along
with his wife Jackie were spending a week in Norfolk.
Whilst Wendy found a Chinese Water Deer a male Scaup emerged on the Reedbed pool opposite.

All of a sudden time had overtaken us and it was time to return home.

Titchwell in autumn always holds that expectation of something unusual, we had a great day out.
Bob, Dave and myself must have looked strange as we walked together down the West Bank Path
each one of us limping for one reason or another.
Thanks go to our personal chauffeur Bob, great drive.

Migfest 2016

Hello

Last week-end saw the fourth annual celebration of bird migration at Spurn on the east coast of Yorkshire, known as Migfest:-

www.spurnmigfest.com/

Nine of us trundled our way north on either the Friday or Saturday and despite the continuous rain on the Saturday, thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. A visit on the way to Alkborough Flats in North Lincolnshire was called for, this comparatively new and extensive reserve hosting a rare Purple Swamphen (or Purple Gallinule if you prefer). Eventually this bird put in an appearance and the shallow wetland attracted a wealth of other birds including 550 plus Avocets, large numbers of common waders, eight Spoonbills, a couple of Marsh Harriers and Peregrine and Hobby.

At Spurn the wind was really in the wrong direction for any rare passerines, but the waders put on a tremendous show and many provided excellent views including Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Wood Sandpiper and even a Kentish Plover. Passing sea-birds involved Arctic Skua, Great Skua, Manx Shearwater, Sooty Shearwater, a variety of terns and ducks and plenty of Red-throated Divers.

Visible migration was very evident on the Sunday with thousands of Meadow Pipits flitting southwards supported by smaller numbers of hirundines, wagtails, Reed Buntings, Tree Pipits and others. Quality birds in the bushes included Redstart, Pied and Spotted Flycatcher and plenty of common warblers and chats.

The event celebrated migration and there were demonstrations of bird ringing, visible migration watching, moth traps and tips on sea-watching and other field work skills including art, digi-scoping and species identification. Open access was provided to all the main birdwatching sites and there was a procession of talks and presentations to support the event as well as plentiful refreshments.

Local birder and NBC member Jacob Spinks was one of four young birders nationally to be recognised for their talent in birdwatching skills and during the event was presented with a trophy and a selection of quality books. Well done Jacob!

It is hoped a more in-depth account will feature in our newsletter soon but I would like to record my thanks to committee member Mark Williams in organising our excellent long week-end away which will surely be repeated in future years.

Regards

Neil McMahon

Convolvulus Hawk-moth
on Migfest baseball cap!

Hobby

Mediterranean Gulls were in
good numbers around the Spurn area...

A rather soggy Wheatear on the Saturday!

Juvenile Swallow.

PHOTOGRAPHIC WINNERS - UPDATE

Hi, Just to let you folks know, that the winners of the NBC Photographic Competition in 2015 (2016)
has been updated, not before time I hear you cry.

All top 3 positions in all categories are now posted, however for the sake of  completeness
would the photographers involved please let me know which photo's have not been acknowledged
correctly, so I can do so.

Thanks and enjoy. Contact Robin Gossage. robin.gossage@sky.com

Next Indoor Meeting - Wednesday 7th Sept

Hello

A reminder to members and invitation to non-members that our next indoor meeting will be this coming Wednesday (7th Sept) starting at 7.30pm prompt. As usual our venue is the Fishing Lodge at Pitsford Reservoir, just outside Holcot village on the Brixworth road (NN6 9SJ).

Our popular speaker is Tim Newton who will be presenting 'An Introduction to the world of Parasitic Wasps'. Anyone out and about during the summer months will see a myriad of flying insects, and looking just a little closer will identify groups or families of insects. We enjoy good numbers of these parasitic wasps locally and Tim will provide an insight in to their identification and behaviour.

We will begin the meeting with notices and any announcements and then it is over to Tim to deliver his presentation.

As usual hot drinks and biscuits will be available throughout the evening. 

I hope you enjoy your evening!

Neil McMahon

WINTER DRAWS ON

Hello everyone, I  cannot believe how quickly this year is disappearing.

Three quarters into 2016 and I'm thinking maybe I oughta' start organising some images
for the N B C Photographic Competition.

Being the judge for the last 3 years I've looked in awe at some of the images presented in that time.
Every year the images  have been steadily getting better and with more photographers entering the overall standard just gets higher.

The digital revolution has helped in many ways, I can  remember when birds in flight was once the domain of only a few photographers, but now with Auto Focus etc we all routinely take such pictures.
But having the best gear does not, by any means guarantee you a winning image, of course not.
That can only be done by yourself !

I guess entering any photographic competition is not for the faint hearted, after all, having your
own images displayed for all and sundry to see and criticise is a little daunting.
I personally love to see other members pictures and I'm certain everyone else does too, that's what makes the Competition evening one of the best meetings during the year. I maintain that I've never taken a great image and I'm sure you will agree, but I love to strive and try.

Now after 3 years of not being able to enter I look at my images so far for this year wondering how they might compare?
But the truth is, that it really does not matter,  if  you like your images and enjoy taking them, then
that is surely what counts.

My good friend Graham Soden bequeathed a wonderful photographic shield to the Bird Club
last year.
Given to the overall winner, decided on the night, by the audience.  A great way to support your favourite shot.
Last year Dave Jackson was that winner not only taking the shield home for a year but having his
name engraved upon it.
Mind you it was a brilliantly close fought battle with Nikon guru Dave Thomas and deservedly so.

There are lots of wildlife categories in which you can enter and it does not need to be a rarity or some far flung exotica to stand a chance.

Remember though you do not stand any chance of winning if you do not enter and all you need to enter is to be a Northants Bird Club member.

Take the Bull by the horns and enter your favourite shots and be damned.

You never know the Judge may take pity on you and award a category winner...... please!