NBC Car Trip

Otmoor, was the venue for this months trip. I can hardly believe it's been a year since club member's last visited. Alas time flies.
This lovely valley is always worth visiting, although the skies were grey the day as always is made up of good company and the expectancy of something unusual.
Leaving the car park we missed a Barn Owl showing 10 minutes after we passed the fields. Reaching the ridge the evocative calls of Curlew, Redshank and Oystercatcher could be heard. A Cetti's Warbler sang with near deafening volume, so we ignored it.
Today (Sunday) was the day volunteers were counting Hares so inevitably we didn't see many as they had all run off. Normally this is a great place for Hares and I was hoping to see a bit of boxing.




Reaching the hide, a flock of Reed Buntings, Linnets, Goldfinch and Yellow Hammers etc, were coming to seed on the ground, but the local Sparrow Hawk terrorised the small passerines although after several sorties we didn't see any success by this aerial commander.







Wendy called a Grey Heron catching a frog on the other side of the hide, I Just cannot imagine what it must be like going down that long throat alive !



The local Corvids were also hanging around with menace and intent, their huge bills can be formidable.



After a short time, a Little Egret flew in commencing to fish in the near water,








I suspect he could have done with some chips with that. Moving on Bob needed a pee and went off piste, typically seeing a Kingfisher for his troubles, it didn't stop tho' as I think the perch was too short.

Grass Snakes had been seen but we didn't manage it, again this is a good place to find them, I have seen them entwined half way up the fencing sunning themselves




Around here we met Steve Bennison and Martin Swannell, both NBC member's. They regaled to us about a pair of Peregrines they had observed earlier.



We were without our chief spotter Mark today but Wendy soon stepped into his shoes, finding a very distant Bittern camouflaged on the edge of the reed bed



We headed onward to the screen hides both Marsh Harrier and Red Kites quartered the reeds.





Water Rail squealed and a wonderful pale Buzzard caused a bit of conjecture.



We retraced our steps heading back to the car park.










Back at the feeders a Great Spot raided the peanut feeder.



Reaching the car park for a welcome cup of coffee as we chatted to Martin and Steve who had a similarly wonderful day.

Getting home to watch the race, Bugger, Vettel stole the win from Lewis.

Proposed fencing at Earls Barton GP

A message from Alan Smith at the Wildlife Trust...

Mary’s Lake and Moon Lake form part of the Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits, a series of pits that are of international importance for overwintering waterbirds, and which has been designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA). Mary’s Lake and Moon Lake, along with Summer Leys Nature Reserve, sit within one of the most publicly-accessed units of the SPA, with a good network of Rights of Way, permitted paths and informal access.

The lakes are regularly visited by good numbers of overwintering birds such as Gadwall, Wigeon, Pochard and Tufted Duck. Public disturbance and lack of management have been identified as the main threats to the wildlife of the sites. Moon Lake is the least-visited of the lakes in this area, as there are no Rights of Way around the lake and access is not possible all the way around. There is a large area of grassland around the lake which has been covered in scrub in recent years, meaning it is less-suitable as grazing habitat for the waterbirds using the lake.

The Wildlife Trust is working with Natural England, Wellingborough Council and the landowner to address the disturbance and management issues on the site. The aim is to allow management, through scrub clearance and grazing, and provide an undisturbed area of open water at Moon Lake.

It is therefore proposed to construct a fence line, as shown below, to create a grazing unit around Moon Lake and create an undisturbed area for birds. The fence line will not impact on any of the current Rights of Way and access will be possible along the western edge as shown.

Should you wish to comment on this proposal please contact the Wildlife Trust on 01604 405285 or email Northamptonshire@wildlifebcn.org

We will also be on-site to explain the project and answer any questions on Thursday 22/03/18, between 9-30am and 12-30pm, and again on Monday 09/04/18, between 1 and 4pm, at the Moon Lake Fisherman’s car park ( see above for location ).

We are also aware that the Angling Club is considering putting an otter fence around Mary’s Lake itself. Whilst this is their own project we will be liaising with them to ensure that no Rights of Way are affected and that signage and footpath surfaces are improved around that lake.

Alan Smith 
Planning and Biodiversity Officer 

Direct line: 01604 774046
Office: 01604 405285

Tweet: @wildlifebcn
Like: /wildlifebcn
Visit: www.wildlifebcn.org 

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire & Northamptonshire
Lings House, off Lings Way 
Billing Lings 
Northampton 
NN3 8BE 

Petition to ban driven grouse shooting

A message from Dr Mark Avery...

This is a note to many of the groups to which I have spoken in the last few years about the problems associated with driven grouse shooting - environmental damage and wildlife crime.

To cut to the chase - there is another e-petition putting pressure on this government to act on this matter, and I am trying to give that e-petition some help in reaching a good target.  It's already at over 36,000 signatures, and although 100,000 looks impossible, a good showing somewhere between 40,000 and 50,000 is possible.  It closes on 2 April.

This is the link to the e-petition to ban driven grouse shooting https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/201443

Thank you.

Dr Mark Avery

Red Grouse
courtesy of Dave Jackson.

Merlin
courtesy of John Gamble.

Club AGM and Indoor Meeting

Hello

This coming Wednesday evening (7th March) is the club Annual General Meeting, followed by a presentation by Gary Prescott 'the Biking Birder'!

The AGM is traditionally a very short meeting as presided over by our Chairman Bob Gill. Club accounts will be available for perusal and it is a time to elect or re-elect members for the committee and to perhaps reflect on the past year as well as the future.

Gary is a very keen birdwatcher who has successfully utilised pedal power to see birds all over the UK and beyond. He has raised huge amounts of money through sponsorship for conservation and next month embarks on his next big challenge - Peru!

The meeting starts promptly at 7.30pm as usual at The Fishing Lodge at Pitsford Reservoir and hot drinks and biscuits will be available during the evening. We look forward to seeing you there!

Neil M

Fieldfare.
Courtesy of Dave Jackson.

Goldcrest.
Courtesy of Robin Gossage.

Frampton and the Beast. NBC Car Trip.

View over the marsh.

To be fair it wasn't much of a beast, the sun broke thro' early and remained all day although it was bloody cold.
It's amazing what you find when having a waz, in this instant Bob saw the only Merlin of the day but paid the price of ripping his winter trousers on a barbed wire fence.

So us  retirees and Mark began our meandering's around the reserve, thats the only way when you've retired.

Wigeon

Greenfinch

Starling

The reception centre is always good for a few Goldfinch, Greenfinch, and Sparrow shots, as they have some feeders just outside. Lots of waterfowl were on the move, flying Wigeon, Cormorants and flocks of Brents.

Brents

Head on Mute.

Sitting in the hides Dunlin, Redshank and Curlew all seen, but typically in a lull  looking at my images I missed a Spotted Redshank, must be a lesson there.

Shelduck.

Dunlin

Blackwits

Ambling back to the car park for a bit of snap we then headed back out  toward the Saltmarsh hoping for a Hen or Marsh Harrier or even another Merlin . Distant views were had of Marsh Harrier and Grin'.

Photogenic Canada

Brent

Walking along overlooking the Salt marsh to our right by channel, a Water Rail searched the edge of the reeds, then swam across and searched the other side.

'Green' Plover.

As we approached a reedbed on our way back the calls of Bearded Tits could be heard, stopping to try and photograph them soon attracted several other photographers.

The wind blew the reeds constantly, the birds moved constantly, keeping to the back of the reed bed,
but still we tried, the sound of some guys shutter going hundreds to the dozen spurred us on although we couldn't see what he was firing at.
Still we carried on,  I had to wonder what we were doing with the odds stacked against us, but hey who worries about shutter counts .

Gotchya

Frampton is fast becoming the new Titchwell if only for us old buggars I mean retired folk, a lot of effort and strategies have been implemented to make it a wonderful place for birds. Long may it be.

My gratitude goes to Bob Gill for supplying all the accompanying images on this blog, thanks mate.

YOU MUST BE HAVING A LAUGH !

After the furore  of last Wednesdays competition one of the best moments of the evening was the Captioned Pics category. These are not judged in any way except by the audience reaction on the night
Causing quite an amount of laughter, I thought I'd reproduce them here so we can  all enjoy them once again.

In Gambia,  Mark haggles over the going rate

Yes smells like a Dusky

Supposed to be a night Heron here ?

Phone Home

I've Picked up my Penguin 

Oh no ! I'm going Bald

Hope you all have a good chuckle at these, thanks to all those  submitting a Captioned Pic.


On a more serious note someone entered this image in the Mammals category, when it clearly
should have been in  Other Vertebrates !




Hope you enjoyed,    Cheerz for now Rob.

HE CAME, HE SAW and HE CONQUERED.

So the battle commenced at 7.30 pm sharp, by 10.15 pm the battle had ended and it's fair to say that Dave Jackson had emerged victorious .
That's not to say that the battle was not intense,  exactly the opposite, there was some very fierce fighting encounters.
I would say that 2017 had arguably the best set of images entered over the years.
I would like to Thank all the photographers who entered, spending vast amounts of time, energy, and money to present their images.
As always a big Thank you goes to John Showers for getting it all together for our delectation, no mean feat.
The audience plays a crucial part in the evening simply by turning up and voting in return for the Bird Club's efforts, as they say it's not what your Bird Club can do for you, but what you can do for your Club so thank you, to all those members and visitors who stayed for what was a long evening's entertainment.
Lastly, THANKS to Sarah for all her hard work behind the scenes.

So for the 3rd time in a row DJ pulled the rabbit out of the hat and won the GRAHAM SODEN SHIELD. Graham was an all round good naturalist, photographer and nice guy, a competition involving all aspects of nature is his legacy to the Northants Bird Club.

I guess rather I know, as always there will be great debates until next year on the images presented, but this is all part and parcel of a competition, at least there are no blurred entries ... God forbid, who'd be a judge eh !
So it falls to me to congratulate Dave on a battle well fought and have the Graham Soden shield engraved for presentation next meeting........Well Done Dave .

All the images received will be on Competition header along with all the winners 1, 2, 3 in each category) separately......

Overall Winner, Black-headed Gull. Dave Jackson

Club photograhic competition

Hello

Wednesday 7th February sees the return of the annual club photographic competition. Members have submitted their images from the last twelve months and these have been judged by an independent professional photographer.

The meeting commences promptly at 7.30pm and following notices we will immerse straight in to the images which are placed in a variety of wildlife categories (it's not just birds) for our perusal. Our judge has selected his personal favourites and members will be asked to vote on the overall winner who will then receive the Graham Soden trophy.

The venue will again be the Fishing Lodge at Pitsford Reservoir and of course hot drinks and biscuits will be available. Come along and enjoy!

Neil M

Nuthatch.
Courtesy of Dave Jackson.

LAGOONS GALORE

A change is as good as a rest is the old expression, so for a change the Bird Club trip visited Rutland Water.


Rutland Water Nature Reserve is managed by the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust in Partnership with Anglian Water.
Created in the 70s it is an important wildfowl reserve, and is a credit to all involved.
Over the years the sanctuary has evolved for not only the wildlife but also those who wish to enjoy it. Comprising of around a thousand acres the lagoons have been purposely made with the wild life in mind. There are nearly 30 hides in which to view the area, not including the visitors centre.

Sunday turned into a gorgeous day weather wise, a welcome relief for those who have been suffering from SAD so long.
The usual guys Bob, Mark, Wendy and myself met our good friend Tim Newton and later Richard Barford joined us.

Tree Rat

Brown Tree Rat

Adjacent to the Visitor's Centre is a bird feeding area this is the best site for Tree Rat along with various other passerines. A Muntjac quietly moved around but disappeared as the lady came to refill the feeders. This area also had a purpose built photography hide, not a bad idea when you consider how many Trust Members carry a camera these days.

Redhead Smew

Male Smew

Tim was paid large sums of money, we are talking footballer numbers here, as our team leader. Slowly we made headway to the Sandpiper hide overlooking lagoon 4. A treat in the bright sunshine were a party of Redhead Smew supplement by several  iconic males absolutely wonderful ! I guess these were the highlights of the day.

Shoveler

Male and female Pintail

Now I don't know how Mark does it, but he has the knack of finding a needle in a haystack, lucky for us, with  great number's of waterfowl mulling here there and everywhere Mark found the only American Wigeon on site, Well Done.
Eurasian Wigeon, Shoveler, Goosander and Pintail all made an appearance along with Sparrowhawk and Red Kite.

First Primrose for the year

One of a party of Siskin

We  ambled around many of the hides picking only the best as advised by our expensive trip leader. We were seeing lots of incidental stuff and I could not help but feel a yearly pass would be very beneficial.

Robin

It's no doubt that good weather helps to make a nice day out but good friends both human and feathered make an exceptional day out.

Post meeting synopsis - The Gambia by Dave Jackson.

Hello

The first indoor meeting of the year was held on Wednesday 3rd Jan when we were privileged to enjoy Dave Jackson's presentation and take on the Gambia, that fabulous little country on the west coast of Africa. The Gambia, now an independent country once 'owned' by Great Britain, provides an excellent opportunity for the wildlife enthusiast to sample a little of the African experience. Although there is little in the way of free-ranging mammals these days, there are still plenty of birds and an opportunity of seeing reptiles and insects too.

Dave provided plenty of high quality digital images depicting much of the bird life on offer, and also ensured that the cultural aspects of this small country were illustrated too. It seems that over the years there has been some development with improved roads and other infrastructure with investment from overseas but the general easy going and friendly character of this country remains.

During our winter months the Gambia plays host to quite a number of birds that during the summer can be found in Europe, making it even more interesting to find and identify wintering migrants among the often more exotic African residents! I particularly marvelled at Dave's Abyssinian Roller images, somehow capturing the poise and action of this charismatic and beautiful subject and also the incredibly bright azure colours of the flight feathers. The presentation was made all the more enjoyable with stories of ventures that went according to plan and also those that went not so well, such is the nature of this vibrant little country entirely surrounded with the much bigger and French-dominated country of Senegal!

A well crafted and vivid presentation that provided plenty of information and expectations to anyone planning to go to the Gambia, and bringing back some fabulous memories for those that have already ventured and enjoyed the charms of this tiny African nation. Thank-you very much Dave!

Regards

Neil M

Violaceous Turaco.

Back from the brink project

Hello

A message from Susannah O'Riordan...

I’m one of the Project Officers working on Back from the Brink, an initiative supported by The National Lottery which has 19 projects across the country working towards saving a number of rare and threatened species.  I’m based in Rockingham Forest, leading the ‘Roots of Rockingham’ project which is focused on improving woodland habitats in Rockingham for 15 priority and 11 secondary target species including birds, plants, moths, butterflies, bats and reptiles.  5 of our 15 priority species are birds, namely Willow Tit, Marsh Tit, Lesser Redpoll, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Spotted Flycatcher.  You can find out more about the project here https://naturebftb.co.uk/

To gain a better idea of the distribution of the target species and to monitor the impact of habitat management work being carried out, we are aiming to survey as many of the target woodlands as possible and are looking for willing volunteers who’d like to get involved in this work.  We’ve got a couple of training workshops coming up soon that will inform people about the target species and how we are going to survey for them, and allow people to sign up to help. These are being led by one of our project partners, the RSPB. I’ve attached information on these workshops to this email and they can also be found on our website https://naturebftb.co.uk/news-events/?category=events

If there are people that would like to get involved in the bird surveying but can’t attend either of the workshops, they can contact me directly as we could still use their help.  

If you’d like any further info, please let me know

Thank you

Best wishes Susannah O’Riordan  Rockingham Forest Project Officer - Back from the Brink Tel 01780 444067 Mobile 07483 039324 (limited reception) Based at: Forestry Commission Office, Top Lodge, Fineshade, Corby, Northamptonshire NN17 3BB Butterfly Conservation, Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset BH20 5QP

Company limited by guarantee, registered in England (2206468). Charity registered in England and Wales (254937) and in Scotland (SCO39268). naturebftb.co.uk @naturebftb