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

Next Indoor Meeting and Happy New Year!

Hello

Our first indoor meeting of 2018 will be this Wednesday 3rd January when our very own Dave Jackson will be presenting on the birds and other wildlife of Gambia. Dave has visited this tiny country in Western Africa several times and made every effort to digitally record the fabulous birds and additional wildlife for our enjoyment. The club visited the Gambia as part of our international tours a few years ago and no doubt Dave's presentation will bring back some pleasant memories for many.

The meeting begins promptly at 7.30pm at our usual venue within the Fishing Lodge at Pitsford Reservoir and hot drinks and biscuits will be available - we look forward to seeing you there!

Happy New Year with Best Wishes for a successful birdwatching year in 2018!

Neil M

Spur-winged Plover.

Hammerkop.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND THOUGHTS

With the advent of the cooler weather we had a short time ago, I stocked up on bird food and feeders.
Thinking that the poor mites, after  freezing nights and cold days the very least I could do was to give them a helping hand.
 My Starlings and woodpigeons quickly ate the bulk of what I had put out, with my Tits, Robins and Wrens etc turning up too late to find the meal worms and suet that was meant for them gone.
Fat balls attracted several beautiful Blue Tits absolutely gorgeous in the cold sunshine, while the Robin braved conflict searching my food bucket as I was dealing with other items.
A lone male Blackcap knew I hadn't got my camera and posed in full view on the ivy covered Hawthorn and a band of nomadic Long Tailed Titmice descended upon the apple tree to glean
anything that was still available.
Goldfinch beauties,  Chaffinch and Greenfinches commandeered  the seed feeders. Blackbirds spent valuable energy chasing their counterparts around , a lone Redwing also paid a visit.
All was well, I felt good that in my own little way I could help these hapless little darlings, they must have realised it was Christmas time, my work was done I wished them well.

So it brings me nicely around to wish all our members and readers a Very Merry Christmas and a Healthy New Year and remember, giving brings its own rewards.

A Sparrow Hawk at Mcdonald's

Vinehouse Farm Birdwatch Events

Hello

We recently enjoyed a presentation from Nicholas Watts MBE, mostly associated with his wildlife-friendly farming business at Deeping St Nicholas in Lincolnshire. There are two 'Winter Birdwatch' events at the Vinehouse Farm complex early next year, Sunday 21st January and Saturday 3rd February. Tickets are available at £5 each and can be booked by 'phoning 01775 630208 or on-line -

Vinehousefarm.co.uk.

Regards

Neil M

Tree Sparrow
courtesy of Robin Gossage.

Reed Bunting.

Post meeting synopsis

Hello

On Wednesday we were well entertained by Chris and Caroline Ward with their presentation of the birds and wildlife of Australia (Part 1 Queensland). Judging from the comments, plenty of the audience had been to the same part of the world and were able to relate to many of the images and the dialogue delivered by Chris. 

Their trip to Australia had been a three month extravaganza all accommodated cost-wise because they completed a short term house and vehicle swap. So while they were enjoying the sunshine of Australia, an Australian couple were enjoying the delights of Milton Keynes. I think I know where I would rather be of the two!

As always Chris presented some stunning images of the colourful birds of 'down under' and some of the endemic mammals too, all well-researched and put into context in the way that Chris being a perfectionist always manages.

Chris and Caroline return to the club in April 2018 when they will present the second part of their adventure. It was an excellent turn-out of both members and non-members on Wednesday evening and I'm sure the same will happen again in April!

Regards

Neil M

Indoor Meeting 6th Dec

Hello

Our last indoor meeting of the year will be this coming Wednesday (6th December 2017) when we will enjoy a presentation from Chris Ward on the birds and wildlife of Australia. Chris is a regular visitor to the club and his presentation is in two parts with Part 2 due to be delivered in April 2018.

The meeting will commence at 7.30pm at our usual venue of the Fishing Lodge at Pitsford Reservoir and hot drinks and biscuits will be available as usual. All welcome!

Neil M

Northants BTO Newsletter

Northants BTO Quarterly Newsletter - Autumn 2017 View this email in your browser

From Barrie Galpin and Ben Reeve, Regional Representative and Regional Ambassador for the BTO in Northants Hi all, We're proud to announce the release of the first of a regular quarterly newsletter for the BTO in the Northants region. The autumn edition includes an introduction to the regional team, information on the various BTO surveys undertaken in the county, a spotlight on Pitsford Water and other interesting information including BTO Training Courses and the brilliant BTO Bird ID videos. The newsletter can be viewed by clicking on the following link - Northants BTO Autumn 2017 Newsletter Or by typing the following web address in your browser -  http://bit.do/northantsbtoautumn2017 We do hope you enjoy the newsletter and if you have any feedback including suggestions for things you'd like to see in the the next newsletter we'd love to hear from you! All the best, Barrie and Ben. Barrie Galpin BTO Regional Representative for Northants 15 Top Lodge, Fineshade, Corby. NN17 3BB Email: barrie.galpin@zen.co.uk 01780 444351 07717 446417 Ben Reeve BTO Regional Ambassador for Northants 7 Rectory Close, Crick, Northants, NN6 7SY Email: benreeve@outlook.com Twitter: @NorthantsBTO Personal Twitter: @BeardWarbler 01788 824413 07961 038455

BIRD CLUB TRIP

Hi all,

This Sunday's (26th) NBC trip will be to Woodwalton Fen.

Woodwalton is a great place to spend a few hours rambling or sitting in hides.

A chance of Marsh Harrier, Short Eared Owl, Chinese Water Deer and Otter etc.

An outside chance of Long Eared Owl if we are very lucky.

So if you fancy the prospect and a bit of fresh air, why not give Bob Gill a ring on   07938680386.


Just a reminder PLEASE, NBC Subscriptions were due in March, so if anyone still needs to pay their subs would they do so to any Committee Member ASAP. Thanks !  

Top Hat Show

DJ

                                                       
I'm sure that everyone who attended last nights Members Evening could not have failed to have had an enjoyable evening out.

Neil Mcmahon, now a very widely traveled Point and Shoot Photographer,  began with a presentation, of Mammals, including some memorable images of Mustelids and Cetaceans.

Bob Bullock gave us a Bit of Everything, featuring some beautiful American Wood Warblers amongst a host of other fine images.

Lastly Dave Jackson gave us the A-Z of Waders and with a bit of poetic licence rounded off a well balanced and intriguing evening .

I'd like to thank all the above for making a great evening out for everyone, THANK-YOU.

Next year we would like to repeat the Members Evening and would like one more Photographer to participate.
The brief is it be of any WILDLIFE  photographed any where at any time.
It doesn't necessarily need to be on a theme and only requires an minimum explanation of the images portrayed, all lasting around 25 minutes.
So anything goes really,  if your interested or have any questions please contact either myself or any other committee member.

DJ

                                 
Ah ! so that was the Z wader.    Robin.

Wader Quest Newsletter

The October edition of the Wader Quest Newsletter is available to members.  A mega 30 pages covering:

• Five years of Wader Quest
• Wirral Wader Festival
• Latham's snipe project
• Red knot colour rings
• Waders in Big Apple
• Wader photo gallery.

Next NBC Meeting

November 1st is the date for our next club meeting.

It's another evening not to miss, posted as a Members' Night, Bob Bullock will be showing some of his many images from near and afar. Mackers will be giving a presentation, Point and Shoot and lastly Dave J will be showing The A to Z of Waders.

The evening promises to be one of sensory overload from our top photographers. I'm very much looking forward to the evening and racking my brain, which Wader begins with Z ?
All will be revealed on Wednesday 7.30pm at The Fishing Lodge. Tea and Coffee as always available.

Poo-Leaves.

Hi All,

You're asking the question, well if you had attended the NBC Photographic meeting you would know the answer.

I'm pleased to say we had a great meeting this morning, not withstanding a couple of gremlins first thing, the BIRDS IN FLIGHT presentation by Dave Thomas went down very well indeed.

Not only were we treated to a series of wonderful images from Dave, that was always going to be a given, but had a great insight on how superb BIF photo's could be achieved.

Super Squirrel, boozing Rock Martin, gorging Gannets etc, a refreshing change for a Saturday morning. I could sit through it all again.

Many thanks Dave for your work putting the presentation together and giving us a visual and informative treat.


On Another Note,

The Photo Club has been set up for all Bird Club members and photographers alike and presents a wonderful opportunity for like minded people to get together and enjoy a couple of hours of discussion and light hearted banter.
Although most attendees are regulars it would be nice to see some new faces, a lot of planning and effort goes into making a meeting, not least the help of Sarah and Mischa in affording their time and venue.

So, once in a while why not attend and make all the efforts worth while.

Robin.

Something Else,

Some time ago the membership was asked if or how they would like change to the way the Photographic Competition is to be Run.

As I remember there were a few grumblings but no one except me bothered to put pen to paper to the Committee. If no one bother's to contact the committee, then it of course assumed that most people are content with the way things are, one persons comments cannot afford changes if the majority are happy.

So even if your are happy with how things are or have some idea's that would appeal to all members and not just photographers then let the committee know or Email me so they can be evaluated and discussed.

Thanks Robin.

Reminder

Hi Guys and Gals,

Just to remind you all that if you have some images of Other Northants Wildlife that you would like to share, please forward them to me (robin.gossage@sky.com) and I will be only too happy to put them on the blog for you. Don't forget also with Crimble coming up, if you have any articles you would like to put up for sale, or may want, again please contact me to put it on the For Sale and Wanted Page.

These pages are for you so why not use them.

                                     

NBC Photographic Meeting.

Hi all

Saturday 21st October is the next date for our meeting, kick off at 10.15am at the Fishing Lodge, Holcot.

Top photographer Dave Thomas will endeavour to avail and enlighten ourselves of his vast knowledge and experience on ....Photographing Birds in Flight.

BIFs for short are a difficult category to acquire decent images, so if you would like to find out how best to accomplish such a feat why not come along. Dave J will be there also to lend a hand.

As all ways an informal and fun get together for like minded  photographers, tea, coffee and biscuits will be available.

So leave emptying the dishwasher and the drying up and come along.....See you there Robin.

Yellow Wagtail

Next Indoor Meeting 4th Oct

Hello

Our next indoor meeting and presentation will be on Wednesday 4th October when Nicholas Watts MBE visits the Bird Club and presents on 'Farming and Birds'.

Nicholas owns and manages a farm in Lincolnshire which is a conventional farm as well as growing produce specifically for bird food - hence Vine House Farms Ltd - 

https://www.vinehousefarm.co.uk

The presentation will provide photographic examples of appropriate farming methods for cultivating and providing high yields as well as maintaining space and opportunity for wildlife.

As usual the meeting will commence at 7.30pm at our usual venue of the Fishing Lodge at Pitsford Reservoir, Brixworth Road, Holcot and hot drinks and biscuits will be available.

All welcome!

Neil M

Tree Sparrow courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Barn Owl.

Both these species benefit from
wildlife-friendly farming methods.

The Bird Club Trip To Frampton Marsh RSPB Reserve

Frampton Marsh is a popular reserve for Northants birders as it’s relatively close to the county and has become a wader hotspot in recent years.

This Sunday’s trip didn’t disappoint as thousands of waders were present with large numbers of Black-tailed Godwits & Dunlin with smaller totals of Curlew Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank and Little Stint. Avocet, Knot and Common Redshank also made up the numbers. A lone Great (White) Egret kept its distance from the long lenses whilst the double figure counts of Little Egret barely get a mention these days. 

Newly arrived Brent Geese flocked in from the Wash and small parties of Pintail hesitantly dropped in to join the masses of Wigeon & Teal while a resident Whooper Swan with a damaged wing grazed close to the path. A juvenile Kestrel allowed close approach as it eyed up prey from a fencepost becoming the most photographed bird of the day by the Club’s keen shooters. A handful of Yellow Wagtails fed around the cattle as they disturbed insects from the short grass.

Three members decided to take a short walk to a nearby reservoir where Red-necked Grebe, Wood Sandpiper and Greenshank were observed at long range.

This was a day of two halves with the morning thronging with activity and much fewer birds after lunch as the tide turned exposing mud rich with worms, bivalves and other invertebrates, the favourite food for many waders. 

Nevertheless, the weather was perfect with sunshine until mid-afternoon when it was decided there was little more to be seen or photographed and we headed for home.

Please contact Bob Gill if you want to join future trips, space permitting.

Common Kestrel

Spotted Redshank

 Brent Geese

Yellow Wagtail

Little Stint

Meadow Pipit

Whooper Swan

Ruff

Pintail


As a footnote to Dave's article I thought I might share some distant images from a day spent earlier in the week at Frampton.
Frampton with all its waterfowl and waders has the ever presence of raptors. So when all the birds take to the air I immediately scan for a peregrine or some such, this time a low flying Sparrow Hawk was on the hunt.
After I had picked it up at some distance it grabbed a hapless Ringed plover  an inexperienced young bird. All the waders gave chase and called frantically but to no avail the poor bird was tightly held in sharp talons. It was carried some distance before being plucked whilst still alive, its sad to see the poor plover being  killed but nature is cruel sometimes.