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newsletter

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The RSPB Chichester Local Group

Dear Members, February 2015

This newsletter will reach you as the evenings begin to lighten and the mornings bring us the song of the birds “strutting their stuff”. Our membership now currently stands at 185. We have lost quite a few members this year for one reason or another, so I now need you all to help the group with a recruitment drive. Please all invite a friend or neighbour to one of our talks or walks – the walks are free but if they would like to come to an evening meeting, the first one is free – and they will get a cuppa and biscuit – what more can we offer.! You will see there is an exciting array of talks and walks for the next few months. Our next newsletter won’t be until the end of August as, in line with other local groups, we are cutting the newsletter down to two a year – Royal Mail has yet again increased postage charges and other costs have also gone up. A majority of our members do now receive the newsletter by email - (and these are in glorious colour) - we do appreciate all the support of our postal members but I am sorry costs now prohibit a three yearly newsletter. Our coach trip is on the 22nd April - we will be going to – The HAWK CONSERVANCY TRUST –so please book as soon as possible. I went there some five years ago and what a great day I had. I am looking forward to my next visit. On the birding front – the garden this winter has been busy feeding an array of birds - for the first time I have had large flocks of goldfinches. The blackbird numbers have been swollen by their continental cousins and the herring gulls have learnt to steal the fat balls! I have also had regular visits from a male blackcap. I look forward to this spring bird watching – Medmerry last year was rapidly developing into a very interesting reserve – what will be a ‘first’ sighting this year? Meanwhile down at Pagham Spit – I watch the onslaught by the tidal scour – what will happen there? If the harbour does eventually close up it will dramatically change things for the wildlife there. With best wishes to you all, Kerry Jackson chichesterrspb@aol.com 01243 265783

An extra date for your diary: March 8th – Brownsea Island

See website for full details

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From the Newsletter Editor If it’s not too late - a Happy New Year to you all. I hope you all enjoyed the festive season and found some time to get out and about looking at birds and other wildlife. We are so lucky to live where we do – two very different habitats - the sea and the Downs very close by. On Boxing Day just as friends and I were sitting down to lunch one of the friends was staring out into my garden wondering what was sitting on the fence. It was a sparrowhawk, a bird that I can only remember once before seeing in the garden. It spent several minutes sitting very still before swooping down into the garden and then flying off to my neighbours. A much more interesting sight than the local cats that often parade on the fence, however hard I try to dissuade them. The following day I was very pleased to see ‘my’ 2 very friendly robins, several blue tits and blackbirds were still quite safe and were feeding happily on the feeders. Later on in this Newsletter John Kelsall has written about how he got into birding. Reading the item makes me realise how attitudes have changed in one person’s lifetime. John makes a passing comment about his computer skills. I think the way he keeps the web site up to date and interesting is a great compliment to him. I was astonished to see the outdoor meetings listed until January 2016! John has again tested us with a recognition competition at the recent Members Meeting. I hope you all took part in the RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch – over the 24th and 25th January – and didn’t forget to upload your results to the RSPB web site - www.rspb.org.uk/Birdwatch Diann Berry

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Please send any reports and

interesting items about wild-life to:

John Kelsall on:

john@johnkelsall.wanadoo.co.uk

and

Diann Berry on:

diannberry@btopenworld.com

Important note for Mac users: It would greatly assist the Editor if articles prepared on a Mac computer were sent as ‘Microsoft WORD compatible’ as we are unable to open (or convert) documents with a .pages extension. On a Mac, documents can be exported as WORD compatible by selecting FILE, then EXPORT, then choose WORD format.

Prizes for Rodney’s

are always needed

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DATE FOR YOUR DIARY – PLEASE BOOK

NOW

Coach Trip to:

THE HAWK CONSERVANCY TRUST,

ANDOVER, Wednesday 22ND April 2015 (Full-day)

Our next coach outing is to the Hawk Conservancy Trust, who gave us an evening talk in September 2013. They have worked in the field of raptor conservation, education, research and rehabilitation for many years. There is lots to see; bird-of-prey flying demonstrations, the national bird of prey hospital, great bustard aviary, feeding times, viewing hides, nestbox cameras and 6.5 acre wildflower meadow. They have over 150 birds of prey on view from owls to eagles. (For more information www.hawkconservancy.org ) The Trust has good facilities including a shop and 2 restaurants (serving anything from full meals to cream teas, tea/coffee and snacks). Or take a packed lunch - there is a lovely picnic area. The coach will leave West Meads car park, Bognor Regis PO21 8SB at 8.00am sharp (entrance in Queen’s Fields West, free parking all day) with brief pickups en route to West Meads at East Wittering Coop at 7.40 and the Lively Lady (now Doms) Bracklesham Bay a few minutes later. There will also be a pickup in Chichester from the lay-by in Oaklands Way at 8.30am traffic permitting. (Just outside Northgate car park, at the opposite end to the Chichester Festival Theatre, near the public toilets). The coach can’t stop there for long, so please be on time. We will have a short comfort stop at Sutton Scotney Services a little over halfway (the coach also has on-board ‘facilities’). Journey time approx. 2 ½ hours. We will leave the Hawk Conservancy at 5.30pm, returning via Chichester Oaklands Way to West Meads car park at approx. 7.30/8.00 Cost will be £28 per head inclusive of travel and entrance fee. To book please complete the form below and hand to me at one of our evening meetings or post WITH CHEQUE payable to RSPB Chichester Local Group to Sue Phillips, 44 Church Road, East Wittering, Chichester, West Sussex PO20 8PS By March 27th RSPB CHICHESTER GROUP – BOOKING FORM Please book me………………..places at £28 per person Name(s)………………………………………………………………………………. Tel………………………………………….Mobile…............………………………. Email (if confirmation of booking required) ………………………………………… I / we will be joining the coach at Wittering / Bracklesham / Bognor / Chichester (please delete)

(PLEASE NOTE - It may not be possible to make refunds for late withdrawals) Sue Phillips tel: 01243 673383

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John Kelsall – How I got into Birding I am a country boy at heart, being born and bred on a farm in North Lancashire – close to what is now hen harrier country. Roaming the countryside as kids in the forties we knew where birds were nesting but there was no thought of conservation. Birds were everywhere and just part of the living world. We did once find a lesser redpoll nest which was swiftly robbed and I remember that that did upset me. Then it was on to school, University and work. Work was Civil Engineering, building roads and bridges which involved ripping the countryside apart with little thought for the wildlife. Although it meant being in different locations there was little time for sightseeing. Computers came next onto the work scene which was mostly desk bound. But, by then I had a family and leisure pursuits of sailing, cricket, squash and horses seem to take up all the time there was available. So it was only when I retired that I had the time to take up something that has always been there in my mind to take part in. So I joined the RSPB and found out about the local Group and joined just as David Hart took over as Group Leader. I remember the first walk, led by the late Ray Rowsby, at Pagham where we had great views of a water rail – a bird I did not know existed, never mind recognised!!! Since then my knowledge, helped by the many experts in our Group, has increased so that I now know the difference between a song and a mistle thrush and can recognise a few others. My computer knowledge, at the request of David, got me into setting up the website which led on to writing reports and eventually being considered knowledgeable enough to take on leading walks. All this made me brave enough to take on 10 tetrads for the BTO’s four year survey for their Bird Atlas (mostly on the Downs), a farm survey for the RSPB’s Farmers Alliance (both with Bob Coyne) and a private farm bird survey at West Dean (first with Bob Coyne and now Chris Vine). So I am now spending a lot of time wandering the countryside looking at birds – back to my roots! Editor – Looking at the website John has also learnt a lot about photography. Some of the images he uses are RSPB images others are his own taken on walks.

Advance notice for your diaries:

Wildlife Garden Visit – near Petworth, West Sussex – 30th September

Solar Boat Trip - Chichester Harbour – 18th November

further information in the next Newsletter

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A Personal Account of Avian Invasion Venue: Lenzspitze, Saas-Fee, Switzerland. Date: June 2013. Event: On descent. Abseiling down a 300 foot vertical rock

face on my descent from a successful solo climb of the Lenzspitze NE face, I heard cries for help somewhere to my left; there caught on a ledge was a somewhat portly gentleman with an awful lot of camera equipment. I traversed over to help him down and he turned out to be an ornithologist monitoring the success of a Swiss Lammergeiers project. On the return trek to Saas Fee he showed me his digital pictures of birds he had photographed; and looking back, that was when I got hooked! I could not believe how beautiful these birds were, birds I had no doubt encountered in my many years of mountaineering, but I'd never SEEN them. A small bird appeared on a rock near us - I asked him what it was; he looked through his bins and then his scope to photo it for me. On his screen, the size of a mini-iPad, was a black-eared Wheatear. It just blew me away!! Such a beautiful creature with such fine markings.

Back in the UK after several more mountain exploits abroad, I decided to look into this birding pursuit. So

Fast Forward: Venue: North Harbour Wall, Pagham RSPB Reserve. Date : November 2013. Event : On retreat! Took a pair of bins out with me and decided to try bird-watching on my own. Saw lots of birds but

couldn't tell a mallard from anything else. Then on the harbour wall as, despondently, I returned home I met a group of RSPB members led by Kerry Jackson and I told her my tale. Within minutes she sorted me out! Join the RSPB and local group and sign up with John Herring for his series of beginners’ classes on bird ID. Terrific! All I needed to know from someone who does know an awful lot. The seminars were amazing as were John Herring's field trips; not just about birds but all things connected with natural history and ecosystems.

Sadly, the next four months saw three more of my colleagues killed in mountain accidents and I began to

think that it might be time to hang up my own ice-axes. Well, I haven't quite done that yet, but with each month that passes I am doing more bird-watching and less mountaineering. Kerry recommended Kaye Optics at Hunston to me and I have now acquired a really good scope from them; it's transformed my abilities. So I'm out now three or four times a week on my local patch - Pagham Harbour - honing my skills. The local RSPB group has helped me enormously with their patience and friendship as a complete novice, so I thank you all for that.

It's true to say my life has had a total avian invasion; in a world drowning in solipsism, the local RSPB group seems like a real breath of fresh air. Thank you all.

Tony Morris P.S. I've started dreaming about birds - is that dangerous?

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Postcard from the edge – from Rob Yarham

For about 20 years now, I’ve spent quite a lot of my free time in or around the Arctic Circle, answering the call of “the North”, which is, on the face of it, an odd thing to do. (“Iceland, again?” friends ask with incredulity, rolling their eyes. “Probably an interesting place to go once, maybe, but why go back?”) And as someone who loves wildlife, perhaps returning time and again to some of the least biodiverse, most wildlife-bereft habitats on the planet is, indeed, odd. Not for me the forests of Costa Rica, dripping with a bewildering number of species of every shape, hue and genus. Oh no. Give me a windswept tundra with the optimistic chance of spotting a gyr falcon briefly. Once every two weeks. If you’re lucky. So what keeps pulling me back? Is it the rarity, the hardiness, the capacity of some species to cling on in some of the most inhospitable places on our planet? All of that, certainly – we birdwatchers recognise the charisma of a creature that is hard to see – but also, I believe, such species represent the true essence of wildness – of something that is “not us”. The wilds of Iceland have recently featured in many films requiring a backdrop of uninhabitable wilderness – including some you may have seen over Christmas, such as Prometheus, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and Oblivion – as well as the forthcoming Svalbard-based TV series Fortitude, to name just a few. But even here, a new land which is still “under completion”, the landscape and wildlife have been affected by human intervention. Arctic foxes and sea eagles, for instance, are now scarce and still hunted by farmers for fear they will kill birds and livestock – except in the reserve area of the north-eastern fjords, where hunting them is forbidden. Icelanders still notoriously eat whalemeat (actually, not many do, really – they mostly make a buck by selling it to tourists). But many do still eat puffins – typically about 200,000 each year. Nesting seabirds have always been the exception to the rule of wildlife scarcity when it comes to Arctic cliffs in summer, with an estimated breeding population of five million puffins alone – the majority of the world’s population of Atlantic puffin. With these sorts of numbers, the hunters’ argument goes, harvested birds won’t be missed. But there’s been a change. That population of puffins has declined from eight million to five in just 10 years. As has been monitored at many Scottish colonies, puffins are now struggling to find food, thanks to a massive and sudden decline in sand eels. The problem is so acute, especially in the south – in the puffin-hunting stronghold of the Westman Islands, which holds half of the Icelandic numbers – that previously vibrant colonies of puffins and other seabirds have seen virtually no successfully fledged birds for 10 years. And this trend is now evident in the north of Iceland. I witnessed this myself on the tiny island of Flatey in Brei∂afjör∂ur last year; the previously vibrant, raucous puffin colony was silent. Neighbouring Arctic tern colonies had also failed. What’s going on? Well, of course, research is underway to try to find out, but the finger of blame is pointing to five possible causes: overfishing outside Iceland’s fiercely defended (currently non-EU quota) fisheries, where the puffins fly to feed; pollution of the ocean by chemicals, including fertiliser run-off from the US and Europe, PCBs and mercury (some Icelandic scientists now consider seabird eggs too dangerous to eat); and the movement to the North Atlantic of huge numbers of mackerel as sea temperatures further south are on the rise, resulting in pressures on the local sand eel populations (in other words, climate change). Ocean temperatures around Iceland have been recorded as rising by between 1–1.5°C in the last 20 years, changing ocean salinity and ecosystems. We’ll see what the research concludes. As we all know, such catastrophic news is becoming all-too-familiar. Just before Christmas, a report published in the scientific journal Nature highlighted the threat of a sixth “great extinction” – 13% of birds alone are expected to disappear, even within the next 100 years, depending on extinction rates. And in the week that I write this, another two studies have warned of the threat to all life on Earth – including us – as a result of our own activities. Of the nine global processes that support life, four were considered to have exceeded safe levels: climate change, loss of biosphere integrity, change in land systems, and concentrations of phosphorous and nitrogen in the oceans from fertilisers.

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How can we possibly turn this around? Well, we do need to learn to live differently. It is not going to be easy, and will need massive, coordinated action by all of us – often in the face of resistance from the public, corporations and politicians. I’m running out of space to begin a discussion of this here, and I’ll write about them in my next piece, but I don’t think it’s impossible. So what gives me – of all people – cause for such optimism? Well, there is one bird you become aware of virtually everywhere you go in Iceland, however remote you are – the raven. It is Iceland’s only crow, so when you see a large black bird, you know what it is. These birds are the essence of wildness and yet, like all crows, they are smart and opportunistic, and can benefit from sympathetic land management. And now, if I had to pick one defining personal memory of 2014 for my Sussex birdwatching, it would have to be the return of the raven – a welcome reminder of my trips to the North. In the last six months, I’ve regularly heard their distinctive croaking calls over woods, I’ve seen more than a dozen cavorting on the Downs (someone recently reported sighting around 50 birds at one downland roost), and I now see them where I walk more often than not. And yet, like the red kite, 10 years ago, I rarely saw them in Sussex at all. That’s why I believe in conservation and what can be possible. For the Norse peoples, the raven has always been associated with life and death – always at a distance, yet always present. Norse mythology had Odin (often referred to as the “raven-god”) accompanied by two ravens – Huginn (meaning “Thought”) and Muninn (“Memory”) – whose wings take them around the world every day, to report back everything they see and hear. In one ancient poem, Odin expresses his fears for the birds: I fear for Huginn, lest he not return, But my fear for Muninn is even greater. It is always possible for nature to come back, if we keep it in our thoughts and remember it. Rob Yarham @wildaboutsussex

Flatey in Brei∂afjör∂ur

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Outdoor Meeting Reports New Forest – 7th September Leader: Tony Nevard Seven members met at the Shatterford National Trust car park near Beaulieu Road railway station. We started a roughly circular walk of about 4km to the south and east. The weather was rather misty, quiet and still and our first birds were 20 or more twittering house martins, presumably feeding around the tall pine trees. We walked over the heath south to the footbridge across the railway line. Tree pipit, coal tit and a redpoll were seen in the trees in the railway cutting. Further on the sun started to break through and we had very good views of whinchats and stonechats. After much perusing the books we distinguished females and first year birds. A Dartford warbler made a brief appearance but despite a long wait it decided not to show itself again. By coincidence we arrived on the first day of the forest pony round up and watched the proceedings with a local farming family. Further on we stopped at a pool in the boggy stream valley where there were a few dragonflies and a good array of water plants, but few birds. From there we followed the forest edge where the trees are well spaced and include some fine old oaks. A passer by pointed out a tree creeper. Lunch stop was on some conveniently felled branches under one of the old oaks. After lunch we found the previously missing birds, in a wet area with stunted and dead trees. Here were maybe, a dozen spotted flycatchers flying out from low branches of the trees. With them were mistle thrushes, finches, blackcap, whitethroat, chiff chaffs, nuthatch and a great spotted woodpecker. A little disappointing that the only birds of prey seen were a pair of buzzards; no redstarts but never the less some quality birds and a very pleasant walk in beautiful surroundings. Tony Nevard Pulborough Brooks – 17th September Leader: Rob Yarham

Although some were delayed by traffic problems, a group of 12 members assembled by

the Visitors Centre on a close but misty morning. After a quick look from the viewpoint by the pond, spotting the dark fallow deer and Canada and graylag geese out on the South Brooks, we descended the path by the “zigzags” and were soon watching beautiful male, female and young bullfinches in the bushes. They were joined by the usual goldfinches and greenfinches, and a bright, spotty song thrush. A male and female blackcap were among feeding groups of blue tits and great tits further down the hill, linnets and a chiffchaff put in a brief appearances, and a green and great spotted woodpeckers were seen wafting away. House martins and swallows soared high above us. Closer to the ground a beautiful clouded yellow butterfly was flitting across the flowers. Foraging jays seemed plentiful around the footpaths along the Wetland Trail, and we settled down for what was expected to be a very brief stop in West Mead hide, where recent earthworks and a lack of rain meant the usual pools were completely dry and unlikely to hold much interest. Several lapwing, a pheasant and a distant buzzard sitting on a post were nice surprises, but then another bird of prey appeared, flying low behind the cattle, carrying prey – a young ‘cream-crown’ marsh harrier. We watched the bird intermittently for 20 minutes or so before walking on to Winpenny hide. The marsh harrier could again be seen occasionally in the long grass, along with a kestrel, and a small, unidentified mouse put in a brief appearance across the floor of the hide! We made our way round to the Hanger, from where we watched a good variety of waterbirds, including grey heron, mute swan, common gull, cormorant, wigeon and shoveller. Waders including snipe, greenshank, and adult and juvenile green sandpiper and four ruff. After lunch, with the sun rising into the sky and burning through the dense cloud, and with more insects including dragonflies such as emperor and common darter, we hoped for more interesting birds. We were rewarded at the Hanger with a good view of a dashing hobby catching a hirundine in the bushes in front of us, followed immediately by a startled sparrowhawk rising up out of the same spot! Walking back round the path, we stopped to watch some of the hedgerows for straggling migrants and were delighted to be able to watch a spotted flycatcher, flitting back and forth from the hedge to catch insects. A lovely bird to end another great walk around Pulborough Brooks. A total of 53 species were seen during the day. Rob Yarham

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Burton Mill Pond – 27th September Leader: Chris Vine As 20 of us gathered in the car park by Burton Mill we were greeted by singing robins and wrens and the call of a nearby nuthatch. Crossing the road to the bank of the millpond we were able to see coot, moorhen, tufted duck, shoveler and pochard. A great crested grebe was fishing whilst its mate was sitting tight on its nest in the middle of the pond, presumably keeping its offspring warm. Cormorant and mallard were also present on the pond. Moving through the woods we saw jay, wood pigeon, goldfinch, blue, great and coal tits. Once through the woods and looking over the fields opposite Burton Park House we were able to see pheasant, jackdaw, crows, rooks and starlings feeding in the grass. From the newly built dam at Chingford Pond Canada geese, teal, little grebe and gadwall were seen on the water while above us were buzzard, swallow and house martin with a quick fly by from a green woodpecker. The new dam will allow the Chingford Pond to be raised to its original level, by 200 millimetres a year to preserve the habitat of a rare snail. Through the woods to the south of the pond we came upon a beautiful caterpillar clinging to a piece of pine bark. It turned to be the lava of the pale tussock moth. Other birds recorded included great spotted woodpecker, dunnock and long tailed tit. However, the bird of the day was probably the kingfisher, seen briefly by some in the group whilst we were on our way to the mill side of the pond. Chris Vine Farlington Marshes – 5th October Leader: Roger Morris It was a lovely sunny day and 21 members met at the reserve for the walk. Fortunately the large fire in a scrap yard in Portsmouth, although clearly visible, did not deter anyone. The first sightings were of a willow warbler and we heard Cetti’s warbler. On some of the ponds and ditches there were moorhens, teal and little egret. Walking along the sea wall a small flock of brent geese flew overhead and a couple of wheatear, stonechat and a wren were seen nearby; bearded tits were heard in the reed beds. Out in the harbour there were good views of sandwich tern and great crested grebe. Everyone was

delighted to see about 30 little egrets in one of the ponds. Poppy, Ella and Samuel came with their parents and enjoyed the walk and the birds – I do hope they will join us again in the future. An enjoyable morning with 51 species seen and heard. Roger Morris Church Norton – 15th October Leader: Kerry Jackson Fifteen people gathered at Church Norton car park on a grey damp morning and were met by a mistle thrush. Due to the tide we started out over the fields and through the woods to the beach. We soon added red legged partridge, greater spotted woodpecker, green woodpecker and sparrowhawk to our list along with flocks of linnet and meadow pipit. As we approached the beach we watched a short eared owl being mobbed by crows before it made off to the east. On the beach were several flocks of grey plover along with turnstones and a peregrine falcon. We noted a considerable movement of brent geese along the shore. Two kestrel were over the field behind the beach. In the harbour were curlew, whimbrel, teal, pintail and wigeon. A lone wheatear was spotted along with reed bunting. A few late swallows were overhead. A total of 45 different species were identified on what turned out to be a very good morning birdwatching despite the grey conditions. Our thanks to Kerry the walk leader. Ted Mayhew Blashford Lakes – 25th October Leader: Chris Vine Eleven intrepid travellers made it to the car park by the Tern Hide at Blashford Lakes reserve on what turned out to be a sunny, warm autumn day. A brief visit to the Tern Hide produced coot, little and great crested grebe, mute swan, grey heron, Egyptian goose, cormorant and tufted duck. Also seen from the hide were wigeon, gadwall, lesser and greater black back gull, pied wagtail, mallard and lapwing. Walking through to the woodland lakes we saw wren chaffinch, blue tit, siskin, greenfinch, goldfinch, long-tailed and great tit. Green

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woodpecker was heard and nuthatch was seen on the woodland hide feeders along with collared dove, great spotted woodpecker and coal tit. On leaving the woodland hide we came across a gentleman photographing some wild fungi which turned out to be a variety known as earth star. Lakes in the woodland area produced shoveller and for the lucky few a kingfisher. On returning to the Tern Hide for lunch we discovered that a large flock of greylag geese had arrived and with them a solitary bar headed goose. After lunch we made our way to the Goosander Hide where, surprise, surprise we saw a flock of six goosanders, including a magnificent, pristine drake. Also from this hide we were able to see teal, little egret, pochard and 3 ruddy duck so, they haven’t shot them all yet. On the way back to the cars we were lucky enough to see firecrest and treecreeper, making a grand total of 52 species for the day. Chris Vine The Burgh – 2nd November Leader: David Hart The weather forecast was not good for the latter part of the morning but promised us a small window of fine weather for the beginning of our walk. Nine hardy souls gathered and started by putting on every piece of water proof clothing they had! A few common birds were seen before we set off but the first birds of note were a covey of grey partridge and a charm of goldfinch gradually moving along the hedgerow. Sparrows were chattering amongst the wild flower heads, red kite and buzzard occasionally putting in an appearance, the kite coming close enough for us to fully appreciate its splendid feather markings. On reaching the grain barn, the heavens opened. On taking shelter we noticed an owl box and much time was taken looking for owl pellets, if only to ignore the rain – no pellets were found. We plodded on in steady rain for the next hour, seeing very little past the new dew pond and up to The Burgh where it finally stopped raining. Our luck changed somewhat and we saw, or heard, greenfinch, chaffinch, skylark, jay, kestrel, pied wagtail and wren. A total of 23 species were seen, or heard – not too bad for a very wet Sunday morning! Heather Hart

Charlton Forest – 12th November Leader: John Kelsall

A round dozen keen members met at Charlton cross roads, in very wet conditions, for a mid week walk in Charlton Forest. Initially the group had to shelter from the rain before the walk could progress along the footpath at the start of a circular route. Once underway we hadn’t walked far before the rain began again in earnest. We all agreed that the likely hood of a large count was most unlikely. Initial birds close to where we parked were house sparrows, crows and rooks in a nearby field and overhead jackdaws were very vocal. As we trudged upwards along the path we soon heard and saw chaffinches and robins. The weather didn’t seem to dampen their spirits as much as ours although we were hoping for a break in the weather at some stage. Looking back towards the Trundle didn’t exactly look promising what with poor visibility and clouds coming from the south. As we approached an area of open fields we had to make way for a convoy of vehicles that had been out on a shoot but had abandoned things due to the lack of pheasants. There were dozens of pheasants on the ground; they were presumably, unwilling to fly in the heavy rain. The tail end members of our group noted a mistle thrush flying over. The hedgerow held a fair number of birds, considering the conditions, and the number noted creeping up with greenfinches, long tailed, great and blue tits, the odd wren, blackbirds, a few redwing and an obliging goldcrest that ignored us and merrily searched for insects. A lone pied wagtail briefly was seen working in and out of a muddied area where the cows had been. At this point one of our members who wasn’t quite as well equipped for the wet conditions as the rest of us called it a day, bade us farewell and returned to his car. As we approached the woodland area we were amazed at the number of wood pigeons flying backwards and forwards along the tracks……there were literally hundreds if not thousands of them. Several jays were heard calling and a small number of them were spotted here and there. One keen eye picked out a pair of buzzards sitting on a distant tree. We took turns looking at them through the only scope there was – thanks to Chris Vine for not charging us too much to look through it! At long last the rain slowly lessened and finally the sun broke through. As we dried out and the

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warmth of the sun could be felt we heard the calls of buzzards and soon had counted 4 or 5 making the most of any rising warm air currents. Somewhere overhead through the trees a raven could be heard cronking as it flew by. The better weather brought out more birds. As we approached another open area a raven was seen flying overhead and we caught sight of a magnificent red kite working a distant tree line and slowly got great views as it came our way. We could see how it suddenly changed direction using its forked tail like a rudder. This was definitely our bird of the day. Other birds either seen or heard were magpies, a herring gull, starlings and a nuthatch. The total number of birds recorded was a mere 26 but considering the conditions we felt it was a fair accomplishment and worth the effort. Thanks to John Kelsall for what was a damp but a good walk.

Graham Whitehead

Thorney Island – 6th December Leader: Chris Vine

A decent turnout of 18 of us met at the Thornham Lane car park on a bright chilly morning for a walk out to Pilsea and back. Two brave members even went the whole hog and walked all the way around Thorney Island, and that’s about 7 miles. The birds started appearing before we had left the car park with a kestrel on the wires and a flypast by snipe. As we walked down the lane we found buzzard, redwing, curlew, goldcrest and mistle thrush. Out in the fields there were Brent and Canada geese while on the Great Deep there were pintail, wigeon, mallard, lapwing, little egret and shelduck. In the Thorney channel we recorded cormorant, little grebe, teal, redshank and blacktailed godwit. A Kingfisher flew by quickly and in the hedgerows there were reed bunting, yellowhammer, meadow pipit and song thrush. On the sea once again there were great crested grebe, red breasted merganser and on the mud were turnstones, dunlin and oystercatcher. Out at Pilsea we were treated to the sight of three spoonbills together and a flock of about 30 knot. On the walk back we found a flock of avocets, but the real surprise of the day was a female common scoter floating down the channel on the falling tide. A nice day, a good walk and a grand total of 73 species of birds – is this a record? Chris Vine

East Head – 17th December Leader: David Hart On a damp, drizzly morning 12 of us joined David Hart in the hope that the forecast of ‘dry by 10.00’ was true. The forecast proved to be spot on and we all enjoyed a dry walk (overhead anyway, underfoot was another matter!) with even a touch of sunshine later. Before we had parked up and gathered we had brent geese, med gull, ringed plover, redshank, oystercatcher and meadow pipit from the parking field. As we scanned the harbour we added black tailed godwit, grey plover, lapwing and shelduck. But, the bird (or birds) of the day appeared once we reached Snowhill Creek. Two large white birds were spotted flying around with another in the nearer pool. They were spoonbills! All were busily feeding with the sweeping motion of their bills and gave everyone a great view. No rings were seen so it was not possible to ascertain whether these three were the same ones seen at Pagham Harbour recently. We also added teal, moorhen, mallard and wigeon from the creek. Back in the harbour dunlin, curlew and turnstone were spotted while in the hedges were dunnock, robin and wren. A raptor was spotted perched on a fencepost a long distance away and after several straining of scopes was identified as a male sparrowhawk. While this was happening a kestrel hovered directly overhead together with a flypast of goldfinches. Down Ellanore Lane we had a flypast of fieldfares (with the odd redwing) magpie and 3 members of the tit family, blue, great and long tailed. Also seen were house sparrow, robin and collared dove. Once we reached the harbour again we added merganser and great crested grebe although these were difficult to see through the choppy waves. Also on the shoreline were a flock of sanderlings. A pair of stonechats was seen as we splashed through the footpath puddles and by the time we reached Snowhill again the spoonbills had finished feeding and were lined up with their beaks well tucked in. A very enjoyable walk unexpectedly not interrupted by the weather and well led by David. A total of 51 species seen with the spoonbills being the stars. John Kelsall

~ 12 ~

Dell Quay – 27th December Leader: Roger Morris Nineteen members met at the Quay, but there was a very cold and strong northerly wind blowing. Whilst we took refuge from the wind red breasted merganser, little grebe and turnstone were seen. From there we went out onto the Quay; with the wind still blowing very strongly we did find gadwall, lapwing, little egret and grey plover. On making our way along the harbour footpath we saw a spotted redshank, greenshank and golden plover. At this stage of the walk the wind was getting the better of us so we started walking back to the cars – oystercatchers, greater black backed gulls, 6 pintails and a large flock of brent geese kept us going. At the end of

the walk a grey wagtail was found feeding alone along the shoreline and 6 goldeneye were found in the harbour. A very enjoyable walk, apart from the wind, with 39 birds seen. Roger Morris

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To keep up to date and to see reports of the latest walks,

visit our excellent website:-:

www.rspb.org.uk/groups/chichester

We welcome the following new members:- Keith and Linda Coles

Ray Daines Peter Murphy Chris Dring

If you receive this newsletter by email – thank you.

But if you don’t, and should you now wish to – please let us know and you will see the pictures in glorious colour!

Pictures by kind permission of Dorian Mason, see more great pictures at http://www.dorianmason.com/

Red-breasted Merganser Firecrest

~ 13 ~

INDOOR PROGRAMME – February 2015 to May 2015

Meetings are held at The Pallant Suite, Masonic Hall, South Pallant, Chichester

on Thursday evenings at 7.30pm

26th February Birds & Wildlife of Spain by Andy Tucker 25th March # English Wildlife, Spring & Summer by David Kjaer (# Please note this March meeting is on Wednesday and not Thursday) 23rd April Origin & Evolution of Birds by Tim Sellar

All welcome - local members £2.50 - visitors £3.50, includes refreshments

21st May * AGM followed by a welcome return visit from Peter Holden MBE

- Born to Travel (a migration of birds and animals theme) Free Entry – donations welcome After our summer break the indoor meetings will resume on September 24th with a talk by Neil Gartshore on the bird life of Japan.

* Important Notice about the AGM Because of the timing of the Newsletter please accept this as formal notice of our AGM - 21st May – 7.30 pm at the Pallant Suite. It is normally a short meeting followed by a speaker. This year we are pleased to welcome the return of Peter Holden MBE. If anyone has any matters they wish to raise at the AGM please let me know in writing within 14 days before the AGM.

Please support the AGM – there is no entry charge.

Thank you, Kerry

HELP STILL NEEDED

We would like a volunteer (s) to help with the teas/coffees at our meetings to allow Diana a

break. No washing up or having to buy supplies - just help with pouring and tidying up!

~ 14 ~

RSPB is a voice for nature - complaints against us rejected

A Message to you all from Mike Clarke

As you know, towards the end of last year, we came under concerted attack from some quarters in the national press and from 'You Forgot the Birds' - a newly formed organisation linked to shooting interests and fronted by Sir Ian Botham. The complaint against us as been rejected

'You Forgot the Birds' and the Countryside Alliance made separate formal complaints to the Charity

Commission about our charitable work. Neither complaint has been upheld by the Charity Commission.

Nor was the RSPB subject to any formal investigation.

The Charity Commission invested time in examining our processes and activities in the light of the

complaints they received. And they are clear that we have not breached charitable regulations or

guidelines, or our own charitable objectives, on any of the issues raised.

As a charity, we operate in an open and accountable manner, and will continue to do so.

You can read an article on the homepage of the RSPB website about the allegations, how we responded

and what the Charity Commission has said and done. Please read it.

These challenges highlight the importance of the sound science and evidence which informs our work,

the importance of our systems and ways of working, and the importance of our trustees and the fantastic

support they give us. We know that certain interest groups and sections will continue to challenge and

attempt to use the media to undermine us. This will not stop us from continuing to campaign for nature

and speaking out against wildlife crime.

And, together, we will win - keep up the great work!

Mike Clarke

Chief Executive

http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/388840-complaints-against-the-rspb-rejected

and finally, the next four pages are our Outdoor Programme from February to September (an email showing this was sent out earlier and I know that some of the dates have now passed). A big “thank you” is due to Chris Vine and his band of Walk Leaders – old and new – for putting together such a varied and interesting programme. Do come and join them.

~ 15 ~

OUTDOOR PROGRAMME – February 2015 to September 2015

Sunday, February 1st Half-day walk THORNHAM LANE & GREAT DEEPS

Location: Grid Ref. SZ 756049. Turn left off A259 Chichester-Emsworth just before entering Emsworth,

on to unclassified road s/p Thomey. Pass Emsworth marina entrance on right then take turning off to left

after approx. 100 yards into Thornham Lane. Park immediately on verge at left.

Leader: Tony Nevard

Time: 10:00 am (half-day)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wednesday, February 11th Full-day walk BLASHFORD LAKES (New Forest)

Location: Meet at Chichester Marina car park, Birdham to share cars.

Travel south from the Stockbridge roundabout on the A27 s/p Witterings etc. Continue out of town for

about 2 miles then turn right into Marina private road. Car park is on right just before the boats. (don't

forget your lunch!)

Leader: Krys Furlepa (full-day)

Time: 9:30 am at Chichester Marina. Share petrol costs

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Saturday, February 21st Half-day afternoon walk PULBOROUGH BROOKS

Location: Grid Ref. TQ 059165. Take A27 east, then left at Fontwell on A29. At Whiteways roundabout

take second exit, B2139 s/p Amberley. After about 4 miles turn left on to unclassified s/p Rackham. At T-

junction at end (about 2 miles) turn right and take next left. Turn left on to A283, and the Reserve is

immediately on the left.

Leader: Rosemary Marshall (half-day)

Time: Meet for sandwich lunch at 1:00 pm. 1:30 pm for walk

Free for RSPB members, small charge for non-RSPB members.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sunday, March 1st Half-day walk WEST DEAN WOODS

Location: Meet at Trundle car park at 9:30 am to share cars as parking limited at West Dean woods.

Leader: Graham Whitehead

Time: 9:30 am at Trundle car park (half-day) Note: longish walk with many ups and downs.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wednesday, March 18th Half-day walk DELL QUAY

Location: Grid Ref. SU 835029. Turn right off A286 Chichester-Witterings about 1 1/2 miles from A27,

s/p Dell Quay & Apuldram. Go to end and park on roadside.

Leader: Carole Griffiths

Time: 10:00 am (half-day)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Saturday, March 28th Half-day walk THE BURGH

Location: Park at Grid Ref. TQ 042096 Take A27 east through Arundel, turn left immediately after railway

bridge. Go through Wepham to Burpham village, at sharp left just before the village proceed straight up

the hill to park at T-junction.

Leader: Krys Furlepa

Time: 9:30 am (half-day)

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~ 16 ~

Sunday, April 12th Half-day walk around PAGHAM HARBOUR

Location: Grid Ref. SZ 856967. From A27 bypass take B2145 s/p Selsey. The Reserve is just after

Sidlesham on left.

Leader: Chris Vine

Time: 10:00 (half-day)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wednesday, April 29th Half-day walk PULBOROUGH BROOKS Location: Grid Ref. TQ 059165. Take A27 east, then left at Fontwell on A29. At Whiteways roundabout

take second exit, B2139 s/p Amberley. After about 4 miles turn left on to unclassified s/p Rackham. At T-

junction at end (about 2 miles) turn right and take next left. Turn left on to A283, and the Reserve is

immediately on the left.

Leader: Rosemary Marshall

Time: 10:00 am (half-day)

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Wednesday, May 6th Early morning walk KINGLEY VALE

Location: Meet at West Stoke car park - Grid Ref. SU825088.

Take the Old Broyle Road leaving Chichester. Just past Brandy Hole Lane, take the right fork on to West

Stoke Road. After about 1/2 mile straight across Hunters Race. After about 1 mile turn left towards West

Stoke. The car park lies just through West Stoke on a sharp right-hand bend.

Leader: Krys Furlepa

Time: 8:00 am (half day)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wednesday, May 13th Full-day walk THE NEW FOREST

Location: Meet at Chichester Marina car park, Birdham, to share cars.

Turn south at Stockbridge roundabout on the A27 s/p Witterings etc. After about 2 miles turn right into

Marina private road. Car park is on right just before the boats. (don't forget your lunch!)

Leader: Krys Furlepa

Time: 9:00 am at Chichester Marina car park (full-day) Share petrol costs

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Saturday, May 23rd Half-day walk CHURCH NORTON

Location: Grid Ref. SZ 872956. . From A27 by-pass take B2145 s/p Selsey. After about 6 miles on a

sharp right hand bend turn left into unclassified s/p Church Norton. Park in church car park at end.

Leader: Carole Griffiths

Time: 10:00 am (half-day)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Saturday, May 30th Full-day walk BURPHAM

Location: Grid Ref. TQ 038089. Take A27 east to Arundel. Take first left after mainline railway station

bridge into unclassified s/p Warningcamp. Stay on main road to end (approx 2.25 miles), park behind

George & Dragon pub.

Leader: Krys Furlepa

Time: 10:00 am (full-day) (so BRING LUNCH, finish about 3:30pm)

~ 17 ~

Sunday, June 7th Full-day walk WOOLBEDING COMMON

Location: Meet on the road extension of Westgate, Chichester. From the Fishbourne roundabout on the

A27 take the A259 route into Chichester (Cathedral Way) with the Tesco supermarket on your left. At the

next roundabout turn left. At the next mini roundabout turn left into Westgate towards the Level Crossing

and rear entrance to Bishop Luffa School. Park along here to share cars (don't forget your lunch!)

Leader: Chris Vine

Time: 9:15 am at Westgate, Full-day 10:00 am at Woolbeding, finish mid-afternoon

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Wednesday, June 17th Evening walk LAVINGTON COMMON

Location: Grid Ref. SU 952187

Take A285 towards Petworth. Go through village of Duncton and take the first left to Selham/Graffham.

About 1 mile further on there is a large car park on the right hand side after a bend in the road.

Leader: Rob Yarham

Time: 8:00 pm Beware MOSQUITOES!!!!!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Saturday, June 27th Half-day walk HAYLING ISLAND

Location: Grid Ref. SU 717029. Take A27 west and turn left on A3023 s/p Hayling Island, Soon after

bridge, park behind Esso s/s on right.

Leader: John Kelsall

Time: 10 am (half day)

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Sunday, July 5th Full-day trip TITCHFIELD HAVEN

Location: Grid Ref. SU 532024. Meet on the road extension of Westgate, Chichester. From the

Fishbourne roundabout on the A27 take the A259 route into Chichester (Cathedral Way) with the Tesco

supermarket on your left. At the next roundabout turn left. At the next mini roundabout turn left into

Westgate towards the Bridge Crossing and rear entrance to Bishop Luffa School. Park along here to

share cars (don't forget your lunch!) There is a cafe situated on the reserve offering a variety of

refreshments.

Leader: Chris Vine Hants.C.C.Reserve - £3 to enter reserve

Time: 9:00 am at Westgate (full-day)

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Wednesday, July 15th Half-day walk EBERNOE COMMON

Location: Grid Ref. SU 975278. Take A27 east and turn left on to A285 s/p Petworth. Continue through

Petworth, and after 3.5 miles turn right into unclassified s/p Ebernoe. After 1.5 miles turn right 20 metres

past a telephone box into narrow lane leading to Church car park. A walk mainly to see the butterflies

and flowers of Ebernoe Common, along with summer woodland and farmland birds

Leaders: Molly and Denis Pooley

Time: 10:00 am (half-day)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sunday, August 2nd Full-day walk THURSLEY COMMON

Location: Meet on the road extension of Westgate, Chichester. From the Fishbourne roundabout on the

A27 take the A259 route into Chichester (Cathedral Way) with the Tesco supermarket on your left. At the

next roundabout turn left. At the next mini roundabout turn left into Westgate towards the Level Crossing

and rear entrance to Bishop Luffa School. Park along here to share cars (don't forget your lunch!)

Leader: Chris Vine

Time: 9:00 am at Westgate (full-day). Share petrol costs

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~ 18 ~

Wednesday, August 12th Evening walk NORTH WALLS and PAGHAM LAGOON

Location: Grid Ref. SZ 880976. From A27 bypass take B2145 s/p Selsey. At first roundabout take first

exit B2166 s/p Bognor. After about 2.5 miles, at T-junction leave B2166 by going straight ahead on to

unclassified s/p Pagham. Continue by holiday camp into Church Lane, park on verge at end.

Leader: Kerry Jackson

Time: 5:00 pm (evening) Note: There may be stiles to cross

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Saturday, August 22nd Half-day walk THE DOVER

Location: Grid Ref. SU 061064. Take A27 east past Arundel, and take the second turn left off the new

dual carriageway unclassified s/p The Dover. Park at far end.

Leader: David Hart

Time: 10:00 am (half-day)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sunday, September 6th Half-day walk FARLINGTON MARSH

Location: Grid Ref. SU 679044.Take A27 west. Take exit for A2030, and at end of slip road at

roundabout turn very sharp left into unclassified, back alongside the slip road. Park at far end of the lane.

Leader: Graham Whitehead

Time: 9:00 am (half-day)

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Wednesday, September 16th Full-day walk PULBOROUGH BROOKS

Location: Grid Ref. TQ 059165. Take A27 east, then left at Fontwell on A29. At Whiteways roundabout

take second exit, B2139 s/p Amberley. After about 4 miles turn left on to unclassified s/p Rackham. At T-

junction at end (about 2 miles) turn right and take next left. Turn left on to A283, and the Reserve is

immediately on the left.

Leader: Rob Yarham, RSPB Reserve. Free for RSPB members, small charge non members

Time: 9:00 am, finish about 3:30pm. (full-day so bring lunch)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Saturday, September 26th Half-day walk BURTON MILL POND

Location: Grid Ref. SU 979181. Take A27 east, turn left on A285 s/p Petworth. A mile past Duncton turn

right on to unclassified, s/p Burton Mill. Park in car park nearest to Mill.

Leader: Chris Vine

Time: 10:00 am (half-day)

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Spoonbills at Snowhill Marsh, 17th December 2014 - John Arnott

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

Scotland no. SC037654