Merry Christmas!

Hello

As another year draws to a close we can reflect on the wildlife highlights and look forward to what 2020 reveals.

A new programme for the next year of speakers for our indoor meetings can be found on this site and of course we look forward to the upcoming photographic competition. We will keep our venue at the Fishing Lodge at Pitsford Reservoir for our monthly meetings, run car trips most months and our foreign tour for 2020 is to northern Poland in May.

Our next indoor meeting is on Wednesday 8th January 2020 when our chairman Bob Gill takes to the stand and his presentation is on The Camargue in South France. This was the destination for the 2019 club foreign tour and Bob will be using wildlife images from a variety of club members.

The Northants Bird Club Committee would like to wish you a very Happy Christmas and an enthralling New Year!

Neil M

Robin.

Little Owl.

Indoor Meeting Wednesday 4th Dec

Hello

This coming Wednesday sees the return of Chris Ward as our key speaker for the next indoor meeting. Chris will be delivering Part 1 of a two part presentation on National Parks in the USA. Naturally he will be featuring the wildlife on show with a bias towards birds. Chris will return in May 2020 to deliver the second part.

The meeting will commence at 7.30pm at our usual venue of the Fishing Lodge at Pitsford Reservoir and there will be hot drinks and biscuits on tap. We welcome both members and non members to our meetings and look forward to seeing you there!

Neil M

Little Blue Heron.

NORTHANTS BIRD CLUB PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION 2019

Hello everyone,

Well it's getting toward that exciting time of the year for all the club's photographers to sort out their entries,

Again, Graham Soden's coveted award will be won and displayed on someone's mantle piece for a whole year, ooohh the kudos!

So to that end for anyone thinking of entering this years foray I would ask that the new
rules are read thoroughly.

There are a few slight changes including the closing date, so please go to the competition rules page on the blog for full information.

As stated earlier we have a new Judge (ANDY) for this year which always makes life exciting.

Any donations for the Gossage's poor fund can be secreted with the paper X-reference.
thank you in advance.

Good luck with that then !

Bird Cub Foreign Trip 2020

Hi all,

The committee is organising a members only bird watching trip to Poland
in conjunction with Naturetrek.

From the 17th to 24th of May, based on (Naturetrek's) POLAND in SPRING tour.

The cost of which is £1350.00 per person. £145.00 less than next year's advertised price.

More on the tour's itinerary can be found on the Naturetrek site or clicking the highlighted link.

So if you feel you might be an interested participant, please let me know before
the end of November so as to get an idea of numbers.


If you could contact me via e-mail at .....robin.gossage@sky.com with your interest.

Cheerz Robin.

Woodpeckers should feature well 

Indoor Meeting 6th Nov

Hello

The club's next Indoor Meeting is on Wednesday 6th November when club member Dave Jackson returns to deliver Part Two of his talk on the Birds of New Zealand. Plenty of excellent digital images assured!

The meeting will commence at 7.30pm with just a few notices and then it is over to Dave to showcase his time in NZ. The venue will again be the Fishing Lodge at Pitsford Reservoir and hot drinks and biscuits will be available during the evening. This is an open meeting to both members and non members alike and we look forward to seeing you there!

Neil M

NBC Car Trip Titchwell

Most folk know of Titchwell RSPB reserve, always worth a visit, so the usual crew downed their coffees and sandwich ready to make our way toward the beach.

Common Gull. RDG

It seemed that the beach was the "in"place with a good selection of telescopes trained on sea watching.













A good flow of Gannets intermingled with Bonxie and Arctic Skuas.




Red-breasted Merganser, Great Crested Grebe, Kittiwakes and the like kept viewers happy.

Gannet.   RDG.

The tide was fair way in, dainty Sanderling foraged and ran along the water's edge, whilst more robust Turnstones nosed under numerous shells and pebbles looking for a snack.

Sanderling in mid thrust. RDG.

Foraging Turnstone.  RDG.

The occasional Redshank and Avocet made an appearance . From the dunes I noticed a grassy hump thinking to myself this could be a good place to photograph from it suddenly moved and morphed into club member Matt Hazleton.........mornin' Matt.

Redshank   RDG.

Avocet.       RDG.

Walking back flocks of Golden Plover, Ruff and Godwits fed and rested on the marsh. Stopping near

Curlew.   RDG.

Parrinder hide, Curlew and Redshank were noted, on an RSPB sign a Blue Tit was investigating.

Blue Tit     RDG.

Back around the car parking area the trees and bushes were scanned in the hope of something good.

A continental Blackbird eating berries and Migrant Hawker were found.

Migrant Hawker     RDG.

As usual a nice day out with the weather keeping fine and good company.  Cheerz Robin.

Club Indoor Meeting Wednesday 2nd Oct

Hello

We look forward to this coming Wednesday evening when club member Dave Jackson presents the first part of his talk on the Birds of New Zealand. Dave spent some quality time in the land of kiwis and as always was armed with his cameras and lenses!

The meeting will start at 7.30pm and after a few notices Dave will take to the floor. Hot drinks and biscuits will be available during the evening and everyone is welcome!

Neil M

Wot's going on.

Well if you were my wife, she would say it's no good asking me....

Hi good people,


Well a couple of tit-bits, firstly I would like to inform you all, we have a new judge for the 2019 Photographic Competition.

Andy has kindly agreed to take on this difficult task, he has a love of most aspects in photography but especially indulges in wildlife, so many thanks to him for volunteering his services.

On that vain a couple of changes and reminders to all those who would like to enter images for this year.
The last date for getting the images to me will be the Christmas get together at the Spinney Hill public house (date to be announced).

This will allow a little more time for me getting things sorted. Strictly only images after that date may be used in the following year.

I would also ask that all entries are supplied with a paper back-up, having your name and a contact email. This should also list all the categories being entered along with the name of each specie in those category's. This is a great help in collating the images and the judge receiving a completely mixed up set of images. All images only need the species name appended (not numbered).

I will in due course amend these changes in the rules section.


 Just like to remind you all, that the Bird Club Blog has lots to offer and for members to make use of.

We have a For Sale and Wanted page, ideal to advertise any articles you may want or want to sell.
It can be anything as long as it's legal and not necessarily to do with birding.

We have a page to showcase your lovely images of Other Northants Wildlife, that includes all sorts
of Wildlife eg Reptiles, Plants, Fungi, Mammals etc.
So why not send a few images for all to enjoy.

We have Car Trips to various places most months, so why not join us on one, find a friend and share the driving. There's always plenty of fun and banter and some great birds. If you would like to participate just contact Bob Gill for more information.

Finally the very coveted Graham Soden Photographic Shield will be up for grabs again later this year, so why not enter some images !

AFRICA ?!! Nope not going!

Natural England again.

More outrageous stuff, from Natural England.

http://jasonendfield.weebly.com/home/removing-blind-nestlings-and-killing-songbirds-in-the-name-of-scientific-research

On another note......

Great Crested Grebe wins burping competition

Yellow-legged Gull claims he's innocent.

Fisheries Union meeting goes swimmingly 

Spose' it's my tern for the chip's then !

A little levity, Cheerz Robin.

Indoor Meeting Wednesday 4th Sept.

Hello

The next indoor meeting of the club will be on Wednesday 4th September when three members will each provide a short presentation on bird/wildlife related topics of their choice. Lynne Barnett will commence proceedings, followed by Pete Gilbert and then committee member Mark Williams.

As usual the meeting will commence at 7.30pm at our usual venue of the Fishing Lodge at Pitsford Reservoir (just outside the village of Holcot on the Brixworth Road NN6 9SJ). The meeting is open to members and non members alike and hot drinks and biscuits will be available during the evening.

These short presentation evenings have proved popular so be sure to be there a soon as you can to reserve your chair!

Regards

Neil M

Great Tit courtesy
of Cathy Ryden.

Stock Dove.

Peregrine.

Petition to ban driven grouse shooting

A message from Dr Mark Avery...

There is a new two week old, petition calling for a ban of driven grouse shooting 

The petition was set up by Chris Packham and had already gathered over 72,000 signatures in just over a week. That's good going. But time is short because we need to get past 100,000 signatures to trigger a debate in the Westminster Parliament to raise the profile of this issue. Although in theory we have until 13 February to get to 100,000 signatures it isn't that simple as, if a general election is called (as seems likely some time this autumn) then all petitions are closed and we'd have to start again!

So I am asking for your help, please, whether you agree with the petition or not, to spread the word to your friends and colleagues.

There are two ways that you can help, please:

• sign the petition yourself
• forward details to friends, family etc

I'd be very grateful, and so would Chris, for any support. 

Dr Mark Avery

Curlew.

Meadow Pipit.

Newly observed bird behaviour

Hi Folk"s thought you might like,

Cormorant eats cormorant !

Yum, yum !

Reverse hunting technique by Common Tern.






Great Crested Grebe, start's Taxi firm,

Holcot bay please.

Cheerz Robin.

Uganda - Pearl of Africa

Hello

Our next indoor meeting on Wednesday 7th August is an illustrated talk on Uganda by club member Paul Fuller.

'Uganda, well known for it's trips to see Gorillas but often overlooked by birdwatchers and general safari travellers in favour of other East African destinations, has snow-capped mountains, impenetrable forests, wetlands to dry savanna, good visitor facilities and friendly people giving much to offer any natural history enthusiast.

This illustrated talk shows some of the variety of birds and mammals to be seen in this fascinating country.'

The meeting will commence at 7.30pm with general notices and then Paul will provide his presentation, the venue being the Fishing Lodge at Pitsford Reservoir. Hot drinks and biscuits will be available free of charge. This meeting is open to members and non members, we look forward to seeing you there!

Regards

Neil M

Marabou Stork.

Saddle-billed Stork.

Impala.

UNBELIEVEABLE

I received this Email from a friend,


Natural England, caring for our wildlife. Our world seem's to have gone absolutely crazy.

Blue, Coal and other's with the penalty of death on their heads, Tree creeper's Sparrow's
etc under the same penalty.
Natural England has issued permit's for them to be killed, you just cannot believe it.
It's an absolute OUTRAGE !!

The very people empowered to take care of our declining and precious wildlife, it's immoral
Why would they give permission for this inexcusable attack on our wildlife...........

(You may need to highlight, right click, go to address, below)

http://jasonendfield.weebly.com/home/why-did-natural-england-approve-the-killing-of-blue-tits-theyll-tell-me-in-20-days-time

http://jasonendfield.weebly.com/home/why-did-natural-england-approve-the-killing-of-blue-tits-theyll-tell-me-in-20-days-time

I've done nothing !!

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST

In the words of Micheal Bolton, you aint got nothing if you aint got love.

Well, Bird club member Mark Williams has obviously found it with his lovely partner Kay.

Both Mark and Kay tied the knot and were married on Saturday  accompanied by their beautiful daughter Ellie.

I'm sure we would all like to give the happy couple  our hearty Congratulations and
very best wishes in the years to come.

Raise a glass to Mark and Kay.


For those of you concerned that this might impinge on Marks birding
activities, don't worry.
Kay said he can still go as long as she say's so.......

Well done to the happy couple.

Celebrating 50 Years of Pitsford Water Reserve

Pitsford Water Nature Reserve – Wildlife Week
Saturday 20th July to Sunday 28th July

Celebrating 50 years of The Wildlife Trust BCN managing this wonderful reserve in partnership with Anglian Water

Help celebrate this milestone by coming along to one of the events. There is something for everybody - illustrated talks, moth morning, wildlife photography exhibition, wildflower wander, family nature walks, art workshop, bird ringing demonstration and exploring invertebrate sessions. 

Come to one of the Meet the Wildlife Trust sessions, to find out more about the site, and how you can gain a permit to walk around the reserve.

For more information, please look at:
www.wildlifebcn.org/pitsfordwildlifeweek

Last of the summer wine

Hello

Last Wednesday was the Bird Club's summer outdoor meeting and Sarah Gibbs organised it for us to take a ride in a trailer down to the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Reservoir. Eighteen of us duly attended and after meeting David the local gamekeeper, we were driven down to the bay which is a section of the reserve that receives relatively little perusal these days. In fact speaking with some members it seemed that many years had passed since they had taken footsteps into the biggest bay on the reserve!

The evening was dry, sunny and remarkably warm as we embarked on our little adventure. We meandered along the mowed path and first stop was the Walgrave Hide where Pete Gilbert and Helen Franklin had hot drinks and biscuits organised for us! This was particularly welcome for those that had just come from work or a day out and hadn't time to refresh before the meeting.

Plenty of common birds were about including calling and singing Garden Warblers, a pair of Great Crested Grebes right outside the hide and quite a raft of ducks which included two drake Red-crested Pochard, a Wigeon and good numbers of Gadwall and Pochard. Common Buzzard and Sparrowhawk put in appearances and a Black-tailed Skimmer dragonfly showed nicely. Lots of insects about included the localised elongated Black Snail Beetle silpha tristis.

Further down and the Flowering Rush was exhibiting its pretty pink flowers and at least one Blue Emperor was on the wing; a quick-moving hawker dragonfly might have been a Southern but it and a couple of others remained unidentified. A Grasshopper Warbler sang from dense vegetation and showed itself briefly a couple of times as it flew towards us. A few Muntjac Deer sauntered just ahead of us. By the time we reached the small ponds the light and warmth was beginning to dwindle and we took a walk back the way we had come, but not before some of us took a rest stop at the Gerald Mead bench, in memory of a popular and talented birder from a couple of decades ago who loved birding this section of the reservoir.

On our walk back we counted at least nine Little Egrets roosting near to The Point. Shortly after this we boarded our return trailer and were driven regally back to our waiting vehicles. A very enjoyable little excursion made possible with the assistance of David from the Wilsons estate and organisation from Sarah.

Regards

Neil M

Black-tailed Skimmer.

Martin: "You know what I reckon there could be
a Red-breasted Fly around here somewhere?"
Laughter from Bob and Alan...

Colin: "What's this talk about a Red-breasted Fly?"
Alan:  "Well I can feel it in my water, I'm sure!"
Colin:  "Nah you've been drinking too much of the Bird
Club coffee again!"

Club Outdoor Meeting Wednesday 3rd July

Hello

The July meeting for the club is traditionally an outdoor field meeting and we start at 7pm this coming Wednesday (3rd).

The plan is to meet at the Old Walgrave Road at Pitsford Reservoir which is found off the minor road between the villages of Holcot and Walgrave. Here we will park our vehicles on some hard standing next to a barn and take a trailer ride down to the Walgrave Bay of Pitsford Reservoir. There will be cones/signs on the Holcot - Walgrave road indicating the turn.

The plan is to then walk down towards the back of the bay, perhaps making it as far as some small ponds which tend to be good for invertebrates. The usual refreshments will be on-site, perhaps using the Walgrave Hide as our base for hot drinks and coffee! After a couple of hours or so we will take a ride back up to the parked vehicles. We hope to see birds, insects and have an opportunity of speaking with Sarah Gibbs (senior reserve warden) about some of the woodland management and wildlife improvement plans for the site.

The weather forecast currently looks good so it should be a pleasant evening walk! All welcome!

Neil M

Common Terns.

Gadwall.

BEAR BLOGGER

Hi good people,

Bird club member Dave Thomas recently came back from a photographic trip to Finland.

Finland has always been a magical place to visit for bird watcher's, especially for European Owl's, Woodpeckers and lots of other scandinavian delights.
There are lot's of places to visit now, set up to see and photograph Bear, Wolf  and Wolverine.

Dave went with  Canon ambassador Danny Green, Natures images to Martinselkonen a guaranteed place to see Brown Bear, Dave seeing 31 animal's on the first night. WoW!

Staying in different hides every night from 4pm to 7am the next morning ! Dave managed lot's of  fine images, some of which are shared  below.

He also met an Owl guy, who tracks owl's earlier in the year  and provides suitable  tree stump accommodation .

Great Grey Owl

Just some of Dave's beautiful images, Many thanks.