NBC Car trip

New fen viewpoint.    David Arden

The 24th saw BC Members descend at Lakenheath RSPB reserve.

Once the habitat for Golden Orioles, Lakenheath about an hour and a half from Northants.
Its a premier site for observing Bittern, Frequently seen flying across the fen and skulking at
the edge of the reed beds, giving good photographic opportunities.

Bitterns breed here and two or 3 youngsters could be seen from Mere hide whilst mum
was away feeding.

David Arden

Bittern youngster David Arden

Kingfisher can also be seen from Mere hide, normally at distance but can show well
in front of the visitor centre.

David Arden

For those interested in insects today was particularly good for Longhorn beetles especially
for Golden-bloomed Grey with Bob Gill finding a dozen or so individuals.

Golden-bloomed Grey Longhorn. Agapanthia villosoviridescens Bob Gill

 
Variable and four banded longhorns were also found.

Variable Longhorn Bob Gill

A great many Dragonflies were on the wing, Broad Bodied Chaser, Four-spot Chaser etc

along with numerous Damselflies including Variable and Banded Demoiselle.

Only a single Hobby was seen hawking.

Hobby David Arden

A very warm day but still very pleasant, sadly the Bearded Tits refused to show well but I'm

sure Richard (barford) will catch up with them soon.

Bob Gill

Thanks Mark for taking us.

Summary of Indoor Meeting 6th June

Hello

Elis and Rick Simpson provided the club with a presentation this evening associated with a love of plovers. Elis is the photographer of the team and the presentation contained many images of her work from all over the world. They are certainly a very well travelled couple! Rick presented the subject, explaining that as a boy he had always wanted to see a Lapwing, and to this day it is probably still his favourite bird. To Rick's mind it should have been the Lapwing and not the Robin recently voted as the nation's favourite bird!

He then provided an overview of what a plover is and where it sits in the complex classification world, and without being too scientific describing that behaviour plays a big part in assessing what really is a plover and not something similar. Using birds familiar with British birdwatchers, such as Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Dotterel etc, he provided photographs of birds allied to the 'British plovers' and gave examples of behaviour, migration strategies etc.

I didn't know that the collective name for a group or flock of Lapwings was a 'deceit of Lapwings' and Rick introduced some theories as to how this may have come about. A group of plovers on the ground is apparently a 'congregation' and when in flight it is a 'wing of plovers'. He also explained that some birds where 'plover' is in their name in fact are not plovers at all - the most obvious perhaps being the Crab Plover which may actually be closer related to gulls than waders!

Rick clearly researches his subjects very intensely, but doesn't insist that his message is an absolute and offers his conjectures in a personable but convincing manner.

Like most families or orders of birds there were examples of species that were struggling, mostly due to human influences on the world, but also examples where species have exploited areas such as the Southern Lapwing in South America and where human communities or islands have influenced the status and breeding success of rare or vulnerable species with deliberate pro activity providing great success.

The talk ended with an excellent cross section of many of the plovers, lapwings and dotterels of the world and a summary of what Waderquest seeks to achieve very much on a world stage - all very impressive and driven by a determined, talented and committed naturalist duo. They deserve our respect and our support!

Regards

Neil M

American Golden Plover.

African Wattled Plover and
African Rock Python!

Indoor Meeting 6th June

Hello

This coming Wednesday's Indoor Meeting (6th June) sees the return of Waderquest's Elis and Rik Simpson. Following the success of their introductory talk last year they return to present 'A Plovers Lover's World of Delight' which no doubt will concentrate on one family or group of world-wide wading birds.

As usual the meeting starts promptly at 7.30pm at The Fishing Lodge, Pitsford Reservoir just outside the village of Holcot and there will be the customary announcements, raffle and hot drinks and biscuits. In the event of the car park around the Lodge being full, please consider parking down by the fishing boats.

Everyone welcome!

Neil M

Oriental Plover

Long-toed Lapwing.