This newsletter is co-edited by Peter Reed (01904 492494) and Chris Lloyd. Views expressed, or advertisements

contained in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the RSPB or the York Group Committee. www.rspb.org.uk/groups/york

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no.SCO37654

Group Leader: Barry Bishop

DECEMBER 2017 NEWSLETTER

In this issue

It’s that time of year

Note from the Editor

LG Trip to Picos de

Europa, Spain 2018

Membership renewal

York Parakeets and

Hawfinch invasion

Leader’s notes and

Sponsorship for 2018

Contact with RSPB

Hartlepool Birding

and Barnacle Geese

Library, Garden

Wildlife Health and

Back from the Brink

Local walk and trip

reports

Winter programme

and Day trip venues

Coach booking form

Barry and all the

members of the

committee wish you and

your families a

Very Merry Christmas

and a

Happy New Year IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR Don’t forget Val and Larry have a large selection of bird food for sale at very competitive prices. Do have a look at their selection during the indoor meetings….

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR Just an update on the option of receiving this newsletter by email if case you have missed or forgotten about this new option. The number of

members who have signed up to this is rising and as a result our printing and postage savings grow. All such savings mean that we are able to donate more money to national and local RSPB causes. Your support is greatly appreciated. If you would like to take up this option, or try it out, please let me know, copied to Lynne Borthwick. In this edition I would like to thank all contributors particularly Ken for his trip reports and Barry for his historic account of Birding in the Hartlepool area. If you have any other suggestions on the content or would like to provide a photo or article etc. please let me know. Peter Reed LG TRIP TO PICOS DE EUROPA, SPAIN IN 2018 Places are still available for our York LG’s exciting trip next spring – details are in the flyer or attachment with the last April newsletter. Please apply direct to Bird Holidays or contact them for further details at: 0113 3910 510

__________________________________________________________

RSPB YORK LOCAL GROUP

__________________________________________________________

2

Local Group Membership Renewal

At this point in the year your membership of the York Group is due for renewal. Thank you to

those who have already renewed either by standing order, cash or by cheque. Your continued

support is very much appreciated. Your membership card and programme for 2018 is included

with this copy of the newsletter. Those of you who receive the newsletter by email should have

received this - and an electronic copy of the 2018 programme - by now, or will do in the very near

future.

For those of you who haven’t renewed your membership yet, but intend to, please do so at the

earliest opportunity. Membership remains great value at only £4 per household. Please send a

cheque, payable to RSPB York Group, to Lynne Borthwick, 29 Whin Road, York, YO24 1JZ. If

you do not wish to renew your membership please do let me know. My email address is

lynne.borthwick@btinternet.com If we hear nothing from you by the end of January 2018 your

details will be removed from the database and your membership cancelled. We appreciate the

support you have given over the years and hope we might be able to welcome you back

sometime in the future.

Lynne

Ring-necked parakeets in York - an Update

Back in the spring I reported that a pair of ring-necked parakeets were regularly visiting our

garden on Rawcliffe Lane. By April we had noticed that the female had stopped visiting and I

speculated that she may be nesting. The male continued to visit and after a long wait we first saw

a single juvenile on the 20th June, perched rather precariously on next door’s roof. With help from

Professor Google and BirdForum, I learnt that the juveniles are like adult females, distinguished

by a shorter tail and a yellower shade to the green of the head and body. The head marking and

neck ring of the adult male doesn’t fully develop until the 2nd or 3rd year. I haven’t managed to

photograph the juvenile but if you are interested there is a good photo of a young and an adult

(taken in Northern India) in the Opus section of BirdForum.

The family of three have continued to visit throughout the summer and autumn, feeding mainly on

peanuts. They have had the odd peck at apples on our trees and clearly enjoyed the fresh seeds

on the ripe sunflowers, but they remain welcome visitors rather than pests; (certainly less of a

pest than our urban foxes who have learnt to climb trees and scrump our pear crop! – but that’s

another story).

There is a couple of months to go before they complete their first year in York, and this winter

may well be harsher than the last, but I, personally, hope they will succeed and become

established here. Robin Ball

Have you caught up with any hawfinches…?

What appears to be a major event this year is an exceptional

irruption of hawfinches into the country. First noted from early

October onwards, single birds and even flocks began to be

observed well away from traditional breeding sites and coastal

watchpoints. The first major flock in our area was at Castle

Howard Arboretum (right) where up to 68 were present in late

November. Keep your eyes and ears open in areas of with

mature trees. Peter Reed Maria Sitnikova

3

From the RSPB York Group Leader

Welcome to the last newsletter of 2017 which I hope you

will enjoy reading. Included with this newsletter is the

programme of events for next year and we have

introduced some changes. The coach trips that we

organised this year were successful, and we have decided to arrange more to some different

venues and I hope that you will be able to join us.

You will also see that the monthly outings have changed. Ken and Helen have kindly changed

some of the events so that they last all day. Please note that you will need to arrange your own

transport for these events and it may not be possible to join at the second venue.

This autumn has been quiet on the bird migration scene, possibly due to the wind direction. There

has been the odd highlight and lots of birders have been to see the hawfinches at Castle Howard.

Last winter was good for waxwings in York, will we see large numbers again this year?

At the end of January, we will be holding events at two venues across the city to mark Big Garden

Birdwatch on 27-29. These events are designed to give people who don’t have a garden to take

part in the survey and also to help people identify the birds in their garden. If you would like to

help please let me know.

I was at Fairburn Ings with a school party in November and we were

watching willow tits come to the feeders (right). I was explaining to

the students about how the willow tit is the only member of the tit

family to excavate a new nest hole every season rather than using

existing cavities. They are not in the same league as woodpeckers

for making holes so they prefer to hollow out old rotting stumps which

is a more manageable alternative for them. Willow tits have declined

by 97% since 1970 due to loss of habitat. Luckily they are one of the

species on the “Bring back from the Brink” list (see page 7).

At this time of year we all receive lots of cards and letters with stamps on as opposed to franked

mail. Can I ask you to save your stamps and bring them along to one of our indoor meetings? We

send them off to H.Q. where they are sorted and the profits go towards saving the albatross.

Please note my email address for RSPB purposes is now leaderyorkrspb@outlook.com and

telephone number is 0774659669.

Many thanks for your support in 2017 and I look forward to

seeing you in 2018.

Barry

Sponsorship for 2018

The RSPB York Local Group is very grateful for

sponsorship of the printing of the 2018 programme from

Bird Holidays of Yeadon, Leeds. They are taking us to the

Picos de Europa next year. Please visit their website and

mention the RSPB York Local Group if you are joining any

other of their holidays!

Barry Bishop

4

We have been asked by The Lodge to include the following reminder about ‘opting in’ for information from the RSPB, if you have not already done so:

Let’s keep in touch on your terms

“Saying yes will keep you in touch with everything you love about the RSPB’s work and our cause”

RSPB Chief Executive Mike Clarke

The RSPB has a fantastic track record of achieving amazing results for nature. And we couldn’t do this without the tremendous support given and actions taken by our members and supporters. This includes you, our fantastic Local Group members. Together, we do great things for nature. Now we’re asking our members and supporters to “Say Yes to the RSPB” and opt in to hearing from us on their terms. It’s about them having more control over their relationship with us. It’s about strengthening our connection. We need existing members and supporters to opt in before May 2018 (when new rules come into effect) and give their express permission for us to contact them. If they don’t, we won’t be able to keep in touch directly about our work and developments, about getting involved, and about supporting the RSPB in other ways – for example, through volunteering, supporting an appeal or taking part in an activity or campaign. We will be able only to contact those people about their membership and/or in their existing role as a volunteer. As a member of a Local Group, your support is invaluable to the RSPB. We’d love you to “Say Yes” and tell us how you want to hear from us in the future. Were we unable to contact you or ask for your help when nature needs it, our ability to work for nature would be greatly diminished. If you’re an RSPB member and receive winter’s Nature’s Home, make sure you read the letter from Mike and make your opt-in choices online, via our dedicated phone line or by filling in and returning the paper form. If you’ve already made your choices, thanks very much. If you aren’t a member, as an active supporter you can make your opt-in choices now. Go to rspb.org.uk/yes or call 0300 777 2610 (open Monday-Friday, 9am-8pm, calls charged at standard rate). Please also help us by encouraging family and friends who are RSPB members or supporters to make their choices too. The passion and commitment of our members and supporters keeps the RSPB going in our work for nature. Saying “Yes” will keep us strong. And please do the same for all those other nature conservation charities you might support. We need to stay together to help save nature. Thank you! Photo credit: Kingfisher “Yes” image by Andy Astbury/Fotolia

5

Birding around Hartlepool

I have been visiting the “Seal Sands” area since the 1970’s, long before RSPB Saltholme existed.

In those days my visit would be in winter and I would spend time looking for geese grazing on the

brine fields, snow buntings on the beach and long-tailed ducks on the sea.

The day before a visit I would check the tide tables and then plan my route accordingly. If high

tide was about 10am then my first stop would be to see the seals that were sleeping on the

mudbanks near Greatham Creek. There were usually lots of waders such as curlew, redshank

and dunlin and of course these days you can also

expect to see little egrets.

My next stop would then be the car park at

Newburn Bridge. In front of the car park at high

tide I would expect to see dunlin, sanderling,

ringed plover, redshank and turnstones. Godwits

can now often be seen here and a Mediterranean

gull (right).

Hartlepool Headland was my next stop and I

would visit the Old Cemetery. In autumn I have

seen birds such as wheatears in the cemetery

and, on the nearby rough ground, snow buntings

and shore larks. I would then drive and park near the Heugh Battery, which is now a museum.

Teesmouth Bird Club often have sea

watches here when various skuas and terns

can be seen flying past. There are several

parks and gardens in the area and over the

years I have been lucky enough to have

seen wryneck, thrush nightingale and

various warblers.

A walk near the fish dock in winter (left)

could often be rewarded with views of red-

throated divers and glaucous gulls (below).

Ward Jackson Park is now a place I visit

often, Chris Downes took me here a few

years ago to see the ringed-necked

parakeets. Chris and I have spent many a New Year’s Day in the Hartlepool area, getting our

year list off to a good start with 70 plus birds.

A regular stopping place was along the road

that leads to the North Gare car park. In small

pools I would often see curlew, wigeon,

shoveler and lapwing. Stonechats would

often be perched on fence posts and skylarks

could be seen feeding in a corner of the car

park. Just before the junction with the main

road can be a good spot for short-eared owl.

Very close is Zinc Road from which you can

walk out to Seaton Snook which can be a

good place to see twite. Just opposite RSPB

Saltholme is Dormans Pool. There is now a

hide there, whereas in the good old days you had to watch from your car at the viewing point.

Barry Bishop

Barry Bishop

Barry Bishop

6

South Gare is a short drive away and can be a very good place for birds. On past visits with Chris

I have seen wryneck, roseate tern, red-backed shrike, booted warbler and red-breasted

flycatcher.

The group are having an outing by coach to the Hartlepool area next autumn so why not join us

and find out for yourself what the area has to offer?

Barry

Record number of barnacle geese arrive in Dumfries & Galloway

A record number of barnacle geese (above) have been recorded at RSPB Scotland's Mersehead

reserve in Dumfries & Galloway this autumn, rising from a peak count of 10,035 last year to

11,070 in October. The numbers are a great sign that the Solway population of barnacle geese is

continuing to recover, after reaching a low point of only around 400 birds just after the Second

World War.

Barnacle geese are delicate black and white birds with a call a bit like a dog barking. They winter

at sites around the Solway before returning to their Arctic breeding grounds 2,000 miles away in

Svalbard in the spring. Eagle-eyed nature lovers may also spot one or two white geese in with

the flock at Mersehead. These are barnacle geese with a condition called leucism. Similar to

albinism, these leucistic birds have extremely pale, almost white plumage, but unlike true albino

birds, which are extremely rare in the wild, they have black eyes, beaks and legs. Only two

leucistic barnacle geese have been seen at Mersehead this autumn, though in previous years up

to four have been recorded.

Rowena Flavelle, RSPB Scotland warden at Mersehead, said: “It’s great to see all the geese

back, and fantastic to see the population doing so well. We always look forward to seeing them

on the reserve, and when you hear them coming in, you know that autumn has well and truly

arrived. We see the leucistic geese every year, and although they’re in very small numbers, they

really stand out. We get loads of questions from our visitors about them, and people often think

they’ve seen snow geese. They’re very beautiful, and it’s a real treat to spot them.”

Also flying in to Mersehead this autumn have been over 5,000 pink-footed geese, along with

hundreds of pintail ducks, oyster catchers, golden plovers and whooper swans.

For a chance to see the leucistic barnacle geese, as well as the amazing autumnal spectacle of

wetland birds, Mersehead is open until dusk each day. For more details, visit

www.rspb.org.uk/mersehead/

By Louise Cullen, from

https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/about-the-rspb/about-us/media-centre/press-releases/

7

Reminder about the York RSPB Local Group Library

As you may know I look after our LG library which has a wide range of books available to

members to borrow for a £1 suggested donation plus a £1 returnable deposit.

Due to the size and weight of the library it is not possible to bring it all to the indoor meetings each

month, so if you think you are interested in borrowing any of the following, please let me know

and I will bring it along to the next meeting:

New Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain & Ireland 1988-91.

Rare Data Birds in Britain, 1990 Eds. LA Batten et. Al., NCC/RSPB.

Wildfowl of Europe by Myrfyn Owen, plates by Hilary Burn, and signed by them.

Birds of the Selby Area 1980-2000, by Derek Cooper.

Birds of the Lower Derwent Valley by Craig Ralston.

Garden Bird Songs and Calls (CD) 60 mins

Philip’s Guide to Birds of Britain & Europe by Delin and Svensson

RSPB Handbook of British Birds by Holden and Cleeves 2nd Ed.

Field Guide to the Birds of West Africa, by Serle, Morel and Hartwig.

The following are ‘my own’ but can be borrowed on the same terms:

Helm ID Guides: Seabirds; Shorebirds; Wildfowl; Pheasants, Partridges and

Grouse. A Birder’s Guide to Florida by Bill Pranty, Guide to Birds of Thailand by

Lekagul and Round.

We also have a full set of nine volumes of the ‘Handbook of Birds of Europe, the Middle East and

North Africa’ (example above). (Otherwise known as ‘The Birds of Western Palearctic’ or ‘BWP’

by Cramp et al.). These classic volumes give almost everything you would need to know about

any species, with detailed colour plates. If you do not know which volume you need, a simple

internet search should find this out, or send me an e-mail. For their size and value these volumes

each have a suggested £2 donation and £5 returnable deposit.

Please take advantage of this resource and contact me for further information or to arrange

exchange at an indoor meeting. Peter peter.pj.reed@talk21.com or 01904 492494

Garden Wildlife Health (GWH)

Garden Wildlife Health (GWH) is a collaborative project between the Zoological Society of London

(ZSL), the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), Froglife and the Royal Society for the Protection of

Birds (RSPB) which aims to monitor and identify treats to the health of British wildlife. A particular

focus is on garden birds, amphibians, reptiles and hedgehogs. For this it will count on the help of

the public to submit reports of sick or dead wildlife and to submit samples for analysis. If you are

interested, have a look at their site at:

https://www.gardenwildlifehealth.org/

Back from the Brink

November 15 saw the official launch of one of one the most ambitious conservation programmes

in England - Back from the Brink. This programme aims to bring 20 species back from the brink

of extinction. The project has been made possible thanks to £4.6m funding, awarded by the

Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

This is the first nationwide coordinated effort to bring a wide range of leading charities and

conservation bodies together to save threatened species. It will also help a further 200 species

that are under threat including the grey long-eared bat, pine marten, willow tit, lesser butterfly

orchid and hedgehog.

Read more at https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/about-the-rspb/about-us/media-centre/press-releases/back-

from-the-brink-off-to-a-tree-mendous-start/#5tV7zCIxy7Mm9kUw.99

8

Local Walks and Day trip reports September – October 2017

3 September Potteric Carr A car trip to this Yorkshire Wildlife Trust reserve in South Yorkshire. It was a fine but cloudy day as we gathered in the new visitor centre overlooking an attractive new pond. Reported sightings from previous days included great white egret, osprey and hobby and so we decided to head for the blue trail in the hope of seeing some of the more unusual visitors to the site. Along the path we saw and heard willow warbler, goldcrest and blackcap. From the hides we saw the great white egret flying to another part of the reserve and abundant swifts, swallows, sand martins and house martins attracted a hobby, which some of us saw. Black-tailed godwits were busily feeding on one lagoon and two red-crested pochard were on another, before flying off before some of us could catch up with them! Later blue tits, great tits and a willow tit (right) were feeding on the nuts etc. in the feeders. There was also still a good showing of wild flowers and quite a few fish in the river flowing through the site. At the end a Kingfisher was seen by a lucky few by the new pond by the visitor centre.

Peter Reed 24 September Nosterfield On arriving at Nosterfield Local Nature Reserve we were delighted to find so many had made the car trip to this rather distant location for a morning walk. The party numbered 17 as we set off to visit the more distant parts of the reserve away from the main hides. Several common water birds were soon seen and many small birds were also recorded, including whitethroat, blackcap and

bullfinch. After a short walk we reached Nosterfield Quarry reserve where Lingham Water held numerous waders including golden plover, ringed plover, dunlin, ruff and little stint. Moving on to the Flash Lake we saw Canada and greylag geese along with great crested grebe and several species of duck. We then went in search of little owl in trees where they had been last year, but sadly no sign this year. However, a stunning display of red admiral butterflies lit up the ivy in the sunshine and a blue fleabane plant found (left) was quite unusual. After scanning Kiln Lake (below) - which didn’t hold any new species - we proceeded over three stiles into Nosterfield, an interesting village with well stocked gardens: many well-stocked

fruit trees looked ready for harvesting. After re-entering the nature reserve, a small group of us made a diversion to another hide not visited on our way earlier, to find a bar-tailed godwit feeding alongside a curlew. From the car park several of the group went to the reserve’s main hide with their packed lunches. More birds were found here including buzzard and snipe, bringing our total for the day to 54 species seen plus one (Jay) heard. Ken Searstone 14 October Crayke A buzzard drifted overhead as 10 members gathered on the steep road leading to St. Cuthbert’s Church in the attractive village of Crayke. The church, built in 1436 and modified at various times up to present day, is believed to be on the site of the original (c. AD685). Cuthbert, the Abbot of Lindisfarne, was given land around Crayke to provide a safe stopping place on the way to York. Our circular “Millennium” walk of 2-3 miles was created following agreement with landowners and the Countryside Stewardship Scheme to provide an amenity for local people and visitors. The paths were good, taking us through farmland and a small wood where the usual common species

Barry Bishop

Chris Brookes

Chris Brookes

9

were seen. Pausing near the entrance to a farm a group of partridge was spotted which the telescope revealed to be 12 grey partridge, an unexpected but welcome sighting. The route took us past the Dutch House garden and coffee shop - worth a visit on another occasion. The circular route eventually revealed a fine view of Crayke Castle and its commanding position on the hill top in front of us (right). A flock of long-tailed tits mixed with other tits and goldcrest delayed us on the path back into the church grounds. A nuthatch was heard but not seen as we stopped to chat with locals who had been cleaning and decorating the church for harvest festival. We had 25 species seen and one heard during the walk. Ken Searstone 24 October Gibraltar Point, Lincolnshire Our second coach trip of the year found 31 members on the coach to this national nature reserve managed by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust on the north-west ‘corner’ of The Wash. On arrival we found it lived up to the reputation of its neighbour Skegness, with a ‘bracing’ westerly wind! However, fortified with coffee and tea from the spectacular new visitor’s centre, we set off to the hides overlooking the fresh marshes, where about 150 pink-footed geese, 12 curlew and many brent geese were grazing or flying about in the sunny conditions. Twelve little egrets, at least 30 black-tailed godwits, 10 snipe and avocets, wigeon, shelduck, mallard and teal were also present on the pools there.

We walked back to the Wash Viewpoint (Lil’s Hut) to sit outside for lunch (left). However, The Wash was so far out due to the low spring tides it didn’t really live up to its name. However, we could make out GBB, LBB, herring gulls and hauled-out common seals, plus two old military ships used as targets on the aircraft weapons range. In the afternoon we continued past the bird observatory and along the shore to Mill Hill finding a nice grey plover, tufted ducks, gadwall and at least 10 little grebes on The Mere. However, the strong wind was keeping down any migrants and we did not see much in the sand dunes and associated scrub. Some had a greenshank on

Tennyson's Sands (right) and others a nice great-spotted woodpecker in The Plantation area. While reviving from the increasingly strong wind in the café in the visitor centre, we were entertained by a pair of stonechats and a passing little egret which gave us 39 species for the day. The visit was of particular interest to the writer who had only visited the reserve once before - 51 years previously almost to the day, on a Cambridge Bird Club trip by coach costing 10 shillings. No posh visitor centre, toilets or anything much then, though his tatty notebook (below) records c. 1,000 pink-footed geese, c. 50-100 snow buntings and c. 500-1000 fieldfares – such high figures compared to these days – or maybe just the exaggerations of a keen teenager?! Peter Reed

Ken Searstone

Barry Bishop

Peter Reed

10

Winter programme of events – January – April 2018

Note all evening and afternoon meetings are now held in Clements Hall, Nunthorpe Rd, York and details of its location and other information can be found on the website and programme.

JANUARY

Wed 17 at 7.30pm EVENING INDOOR MEETING – Professor Sir John Lawton “Birds,

Ecology and Climate Change”. Sir John Lawton, CBE, FRS, is an RSPB Vice President and a former Chair, now President of the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. He has previously been a trustee of WWF UK and Chief Executive of Natural Environment Research Council and was the last chair of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution. He was knighted in 2005 and was awarded the RSPB Medal in 2011 for his work in conservation and the environment. His most recent work in a report to Defra in 2010 (Making Space for Nature, sometimes referred to as “the Lawton Report”) has had a profound influence on nature conservation strategies throughout the UK and now more widely in Europe. We are anticipating a typically insightful and thought-provoking talk on the vitally important topic of climate change and its effects on bird populations.

Tues 23 at 2.30pm AFTERNOON INDOOR MEETING – Terry Weston “Wildlife of the East

Coast”. Terry is well known as a Local Nature Reserve manager and well-travelled photographer. Tea and/or coffee included.

Sat 27 at 10am MORNING WALK at Yearsley Wood. Meet at car park.

OS Ref. 583752 N54.169294 W-1.1084811 Sat 27- Mon 29 RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch.

FEBRUARY

Thurs 15 at 7.30pm EVENING INDOOR MEETING – Mark Pearson “Filey International;

arrivals and departures at North Yorkshire's Bird Observatory”. Fasten your seatbelts! Migration never stops at this East Coast hotspot - and neither does Mark in his pursuit of its wonders. Let him take you on a whistle-stop tour through four seasons of high drama at his beloved Filey Bird Observatory. Mark has shone the spotlight on this idyllic corner of Yorkshire through his very popular series of articles in Birdwatch magazine and BirdGuides, his radio and television contributions (including co-presenting a recent feature from Filey for BBC Springwatch with Michaela Strachan) and his ongoing work celebrating the remarkable adventures there.

Sun 18 at 10am MORNING WALK at Appleton Roebuck. Meet roadside near Roebuck Inn

OS Ref. 552422 N53.873077 W-1.1619408

Tues 20 at 2.30pm AFTERNOON INDOOR MEETING – Louise Bentley (RSPB Volunteer

Swift Champion) on “Swifts”. Tea and/or coffee included.

MARCH

Sun 18 at 10am MORNING WALK at Studley Royal. Meet car park by lake.

OS Ref. 280693 N54.118810 W-1.5731276

11

Tues 20 at 2.30pm AFTERNOON INDOOR MEETING – Norman Adcock, South Lincolnshire

Group on “RSPB Wash Cruises”. Tea and/or coffee included. Please see below

Wed 28 at 7.30pm EVENING INDOOR MEETING – Stephen Martin “North Cave Wetlands;

a win-win for all”. Steve Martin has led the group of local residents who have been working to create this Reserve over the last 20 years. His talk will cover the history of the site since the original site was secured for Yorkshire Wildlife Trust in 2000, the development and extensions of the wetlands and the remaining plans; and he will, of course be showing us some of the 214 species of birds who visit North Cave.

APRIL

Sun 15 at 10am All-day OUTING to North Cliff Woods and North Cave Wetlands. Meet

roadside at North Cliff Woods. OS Ref. 860374 N53.82578364 W-0.69495845

Tues 24 at 7.30pm EVENING INDOOR MEETING – Members presentations and the A.G.M.

DAY TRIP VENUES January – April 2018

Please book these trips directly with Barry either by telephone (0774659669), email (leaderyorkrspb@outlook.com) – note new contact details - or in person at meetings, mentioning if you would like a lift or are able to provide one. Strong shoes or boots will be required on all the trips as well as a packed lunch. Please tell Barry as early as possible and note we will never pass on your contact details to anyone else. Don’t forget your RSPB or YWT membership cards if necessary.

Saturday 20 January 2018. Wheldrake Ings by car. Meet at Bank Island Car Park O.S. 691447 at 9am, or 8.30am for Number 18 bus from Merchantgate for those without a car/lift. Saturday 24 March 2018. Early Spring along The Humber by coach. Leaving from Scarcroft Road at 8am. Cost £18, but does not include any access charge for Far Ings. Please book with Barry using the form on page 12 or from the LG website. Advance Notice of a York LG Wash Cruise on Monday 20 August 2018: How about seeing about 75 to 80 species of birds in one day? The Wash Cruises: The South Lincs. RSPB Group organise cruises out of Boston onto the Wash throughout the summer. Their top species total is 84, and on a recent cruise 83 were seen - everyone was trying desperately to find a couple more. Norman Adcock, who has organised the trips on behalf of the group for some years is coming to speak to our afternoon meeting on 20 March 2018 and will tell us more. BUT... we have a provisional booking for 25 seats on the Boston Belle on Monday 20 August 2018 for a York Group Outing. We have also booked a coach for that day to take us, and the combined cost will be £36.50 per person. This is a special cost for RSPB members - should you wish to bring a guest who is not a member, the cost will be £39. This date is determined by the time of the tides that will allow us to make the trip in one day. Michael Cruchley will be co-ordinating this event for us, so please let him know of your interest and your provisional booking - mjcruchley@btinternet.com More details in due course.

The RSPB is the country’s largest nature conservation charity, inspiring everyone to

give nature a home.

12

RSPB York Local Group

Outing by coach to The Humber

Saturday 24 March 2018

The Humber is a very important place for wintering birds and also a popular east west fly route for

migrating birds. The date of the trip has been chosen to give us an opportunity to see the last of our

winter visiting birds and the first summer arrivals. We will visit Far Ings Nature Reserve and also

walk alongside the Humber looking for birds.

The cost is £18 per person, payable in advance.

Far Ings reserve is managed by Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and an admission fee may apply.

The coach will leave Scarcroft Road at 8am and return about 6pm.

Car parking is available in Millthorpe School for a £1 donation to charity, payable on the day.

There are also bicycle sheds on the school site.

Please make cheques payable to RSPB York Local Group.

NAME

ADDRESS

Telephone number

I wish to book … places at £18 each

Email address for confirmation of a place.

If you wish to park your car at Millthorpe School please provide your car registration number

Please return the form and your cheque to

Barry Bishop, 18 Jennifer Grove Holgate, York. YO24 4DZ.