blackbird, more redpoll but this time by the dozen, more siskin, coal tit,

goldfinch and also sightings of green. woodpecker, reed bunting and long-tailed

tit.

We decided to take our lunch by Ibsley Water, the Tern Hide in fact, as

we had seen so much thus far a quiet lunch would be good. Not a chance. Now it

was the water birds to marvel at. There were wigeon, shoveler, mallard, gadwall,

teal, pochard, tufted duck, goldeneye and goosander and a red headed smew,

again stunning views, again marvellous. Great crested grebe, coot, cormorant,

Canada and greylag geese were also seen. We also had a fly-over of two Bewick

swans.

It was time to go back to the mini-bus to travel on to Blackwater

Arboretum in the New Forest seeing deer and a pig on the journey. From the car

park it was a short walk to a clearing where we waited. After about twenty

minutes they arrived, flying around a couple of times before landing in the tall

trees. The birds in question were hawfinches, plenty of them and they were

joined by crossbills, bright red in colour, again fantastic.

On the journey back I asked the group “what was the star bird seen to-

day?” and it was agreed there were too many to mention . . . it was a star day.

Grahame Woodberry

Friday, 24th February - YEO ESTUARY

Eleven members joined John and Trevor for a visit to the seawall on a murky

overcast “November style” morning.

Lots of shelducks were evident immediately and in the mist black headed

gulls were initially mistaken for avocets! The curlews though were real enough

and then hundreds of dunlin packed on the seawall with some grey plovers which

were just about discernible through the mist. A brighter, or should that be less

gloomy interlude brought singing skylarks - that raised our spirits and they flew

very close to us. A kestrel was seen hunting and then a mystery raptor, probably

another kestrel, but somehow appearing larger in the white light. As we neared

the estuary a couple of oystercatchers showed well, along with some teal, lots of

wigeon and a little egret. At the reserve the

party split and between us we added:

sparrowhawk, snipe, Cetti’s warbler,

redwing, fieldfare, reed bunting, bullfinch

and a couple of water rails heard.

Suitably refreshed we headed back

with a few meadow pipits and excellent

views of turnstones on the exposed sea

weed.

Thanks to Don and John for taxi

duties and to John for leading. Trevor Riddle

Newsletter Edited and Produced by Eric Allcock, Santa Claus Productions - 01934 418162

WATER RAIL

The RSPB speaks out for birds and wildlife, tackling the problems that threaten our environment. Nature is amazing - help us keep it that way

The RSPB is part of BirdLife International, the global partnership of bird conservation organisations

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity:

England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654

WESTON-SUPER-MARE

AND DISTRICT LOCAL GROUP

NEWSLETTER

SPRING and SUMMER 2012

A million voices for nature

SNOW BUNTING on Burnham Beach - 2nd January - Les Mears

COMMITTEE COMMENTS . . .

Firstly I would re-iterate the above comments and say that the Group is

continuing to function but we do need a Leader. If you have any ideas please

speak to me or any member of the Committee.

We have enjoyed some excellent evening meetings including the

December social, which we hope to repeat next season. The coach trip to the Exe

Avocet Cruise was very well supported which is gratifying for the organisers and

it produced a wealth of birds. This was followed by perhaps the best trip ever to

Blashford Lakes - lots of close birds and bittern, smew, hawfinch and crossbill

amongst many other species.

Meanwhile, Don reports in excess of £2,000 collected from pin badge

sales so far this financial year. He has also given nine RSPB slide show

presentations, since April 2011 and this winter he has arranged and led three

Birdwatching for Beginners walks at Cheddar Reservoir following the success of

this venture in the past, as well as organising and leading a long week-end (in

mid-week) to Hampshire. Thank you Don, the RSPB, the beginner birdwatchers

and the week-enders are all very grateful.

The AGM is on the horizon and there is currently a vacancy on the

Committee. Anyone who would like to help us will be warmly welcomed—

please speak to any Committee member for more details.

Trevor Riddle

2 2

A message from the RSPB Regional Office regarding the Group Leader vacancy . . . For those of you who have email, you will probably have received a recent correspondence about the Local Group Leader vacancy. As yet, there has been no response from this email which is really disappointing. We are still keen to find someone to join our supportive committee as leader and we would be keen to hear from anyone who would like to find out more. You, as members of our Local Group can help enormously by asking any friends and family who might be interested in the role. The best way of recruiting volunteers is by asking. You don’t know unless you ask. How many times have we heard that old phrase, ‘But you never asked!’. Another way in which you can help is by coming up with some ideas on where we can advertise the role. This is your RPSB

Local Group and the committee would welcome your ideas.

Sunday, 12th February – BLASHFORD LAKES and BLACKWATER

ARBORETUM

After a very cold and snowy week we were

blessed with a relatively dry but cold day.

After leaving Weston the trip was pretty non-

descript until it was pointed out to Rod who

was our driver that we were going via Zig-

Zag hill on the way to Sixpenny Handley.

Well seeing as we were all strapped in it was

quite an exciting road and the views at the top

of the snow covered hills were wondrous.

From a birding point we had seen on

the way down a field full of lapwing, a kestrel

hovering and a female bullfinch.

On arrival at Blashford it was coffee time but before that could happen

we watched goldcrest and great spotted woodpecker, then several of the party

turned their ears to the trees. Question - Was this a lesser spotted woodpecker?

No was the answer. Then on for coffee where we came across a feeder with

redpoll, goldfinch and chaffinch, blue tit, great tit, nuthatch and male and female

siskin.

After coffee we visited the Ivy North Hide and in front of us about 30

feet away or less was a bittern, clear as day was the view, not hiding but

absolutely brilliant views, in fact the best ever for me. Joining this bird in

skulking were a water rail and a moorhen.

At the next hide it was as if all your members’ gardens had been thrown

together as one. There were tree creeper, collared dove, dunnock, wren, robin,

19

COLLARED DOVE

REDPOLL

18

Cash boost for top Devon wildlife site Thanks to money from Viridor Credits Environmental Company, through Pennon Environmental Fund, the RSPB has been able give a facelift to visitor facilities at its popular Bowling Green Marsh Nature Reserve in Topsham, Devon. The nature reserve, home to thousands of waterbirds in the winter months, attracts wildlife enthusiasts from across the UK. Sally Mills, RSPB Site manager said: “The money from Pennon has enabled us to really update our visitor facilities, for which we are very grateful. “The installation of the new disabled parking space has been well received and it is excellent to see that it is very well used. There is hardly a time I go down to the reserve and not see a Blue Badge holder using the space. “And now that the reserve has got better links to the national cycleway we’ve installed new and splendid looking bicycle racks in the shape of lapwings. “In addition we also have several new signs that guide people around and provide information on the estuary and its wildlife. Pennon Environmental Fund also paid for a new path to the viewing platform over the River Clyst – this means visitors no longer get wet feet during the winter! And on the platform itself, the rough surfacing has been replaced with recycled plastic giving a very durable, maintenance free and non-slip surface.” Viridor Credits, via Pennon Environmental Fund, are also providing funds to invest in the RSPB’s neighbouring Exminster Marshes nature reserve. Here there are plans to install a new viewing screen, bicycle racks and signage which like Bowling Green Marsh will greatly enhance the reserve and improve the visitor experience.

3 3

The AGM will be held at St. Paul’s Church Hall

Walliscote Road, W-s-M on Thursday, 5th July, 2012

at 7.30 p.m.

Items for the Agenda and nominations for the Committee to Eric Allcock please by 8th June. After the meeting there will be a short talk - full details not available at the present time.

4

FORTHCOMING FIELD TRIPS

Monday, 7th May – WESTHAY MOOR - Dawn Chorus at Westhay meet

at car park (ST 456437) at 4.45 a.m. followed by breakfast at Sweets Tea Rooms.

Cost of breakfast about £6. Booking for this is essential please, to Grahame

Woodberry on 07766 636481

Wednesday, 16th May – SAND POINT - Please note:- This walk is

dependent on good weather and could be postponed to the following week, so

please ring Rosina the night before if conditions are questionable.

Meet 11 a.m. At the National Trust car park at the end of Sand Bay road

(ST 330660). We will be looking for birds and butterflies on this spring walk -

last year we found the rare Glanville Fritillary. Bring a packed lunch as the

expected finish time will be mid-afternoon. Leader: Rosina Robinson 01749

672749 or 07964 360696. Mid-week walk

Sunday, 27th May – RSPB DINAS RESERVE - Mini-bus trip to central

Wales to see our summer migrants in full swing. Bring packed lunch. Cost

around £12. Bookings essential to and full details from Grahame Woodberry on

07766 636481.

Friday, 15th June - HAM WALL - Meet at 7.30 p.m. at the Ashcott Corner

car park on the road from Ashcott to Meare (ST 449397). Please car share if

possible. The RSPB will provide a leader for a walk around the non public area

of the Reserve. We hope to see cuckoo, hobby and if we are lucky bearded tits

and barn owl. Contact: Don Hurrell on 01934 842717. Mid-week walk

Sunday, 24th June – RSPB OTMOOR RESERVE - Mini-bus trip to

this popular reserve to find possible turtle doves but in song along with other

birds of the reedbeds and marshy fringes. Bring packed lunch. Cost around £12.

Bookings essential to and full details from Grahame Woodberry on 07766

636481.

Thursday, 5th July – AGM - not a Field Trip – but please come along – full

details on page 3

BOOKABLE TRIPS - If you book a place to go on a field trip

where numbers are limited, but have to cancel nearer the date, please let the trip organiser know. There is usually a reserve list and someone may be pleased to go in your place.

17

Then it was back to the farm where we were met by Damon Bridge and an

RSPB film crew for a short drive to Aller Moor, where we were filmed by the

film crew as we watched the flock of 33 released cranes plus one wild bird that

had joined them. We enjoyed excellent views whilst Damon and Amy answered

our many questions. A lunch break followed before several of us met at Greylake

to see very close snipe and water rail on our way home.

Many thanks to Dion, Nigel, Amy and Damon for ensuring that we all

enjoyed a great day and to Rosina for organising the trip. Trevor Riddle

Sunday, 22nd January – EXE BOAT TRIP

The weather forecast for the day was better than expected for a cold January

morning as we all assembled around the Weston area for a trip down on the

River Exe. The journey down was smooth and fairly quick, seeing on the posts

various Buzzards and a Kestrel over the motorway. It was decided to stop for a

comfort break so we were all raring to leap off the coach but there appeared to be

a problem with the front door. When we came back we saw a black headed gull,

a pied wagtail and then a sparrow. I mention these as the door could not be

closed, so these could have beeen the only birds seen for the day. After lots of

head scratching we were off and Louise put the coach into rally mode to get us

down to Exmouth in double time, brilliant. We boarded the boat quickly and set

off on the next leg.

The first sightings of birds were a razorbill, then oystercatcher and Brent

geese out feeding on the eel grass. As we went further up-stream we bottomed

out a couple of times as there was not enough water underneath, but this only

made for better watching to see greater, herring, lesser, common and black

headed gulls. Some were seen dropping the whelks and cockles onto the rocks to

obtain the delicacy from within.

On we went coming across huge flocks of Brent geese taking to the air

and flying over and around, then those wonderful waders the avocets and on the

other side both godwits, black and bar tailed. There were a few teal there for the

winter and also some wonderful mergansers, fantastic birds. In all we saw about

35 species out on the estuary. A very good day. Grahame Woodberry

If you require more information about the Group or

details of forthcoming events

RING Eric Allcock on 01934 418162

or look on the Group web site:

rspb.org.uk/groups/westonsupermare

16

Sunday, 18th December – PORTBURY WHARF

A bright but very cold start, still frost on the ground. 14 turned up for this new

walk. We started with kestrel and bullfinch.

We met up with Steve the Warden who guided us around the reserve.

Many common birds were seen with plenty of redwing and fieldfare. From the

hide which looks out on the river we were able to see redshank, dunlin, little

egret and teal. To finish off the walk on the way back a barn owl was seen on a

post near to the bottom path. Grahame Woodberry

Tuesday, 10th January – WEST SEDGEMOOR

16 members including some new faces met at Dewlands Farm on a benign winter

morning where we were met by our volunteer guides, Dion and Nigel for the

Wildfowl Spectacular. And wildfowl spectacular it was but more wader super

spectacular! The sky was black with lapwings, estimated by Dion and Nigel to

be at least 30,000! Golden plovers weighed in at 10,000 and with all the wigeon,

teal, shoveler and a few pintail there were 50,000 birds on the Reserve.

It was unsurprising therefore that between us we saw at least three

peregrines, a hen harrier (possibly two) and a marsh harrier. There was so much

action, it proved difficult to drag us away from the windows for the

refreshments. Nigel eventually located the black-tailed godwit flock, a mere 150

strong!

WIGEON

5

Saturday, 7th July – WESTHAY MOOR – followed by a Buffet at the

Fox and Goose, Brent Knoll. This will be a late afternoon walk around

Westhay starting from the reserve car park (ST 456437) at 3 p.m. – looking for

birds, butterflies and dragonflies – followed by a buffet. We envisage the buffet

to cost around £6.95 per person. Assemble at the pub at 6.30 p.m. The contact

for the buffet is Denise Budd who can be contacted on 01278 784117. If you

only wish to go the buffet that’s fine but please contact Denise. Leader:

Grahame Woodberry on 07766 636481.

Wednesday, 11th July – CHEDDAR VILLAGE - Meet by the mini-

roundabout (at the bottom of the Gorge) at 10 a.m. For those of you with bus

passes who wish to avoid parking charges there is a 9 a.m. bus from Weston and

similarly a bus from Wells. The plan is to search the ponds for water voles and

we will also hope to see grey wagtail, perhaps kingfisher and if we are really

lucky dipper. Leader: Trevor Riddle on 01934 835208. Mid-week walk

Sunday, 22nd July - THE GREAT BUSTARD PROJECT - Mini-

bus trip - it will be an 8.30 a.m. start as we shall visit another site on the way.

Whilst at the site we may see stone curlew and some other farmland birds. Bring

packed lunch. Cost around £18.50 which includes £10 entrance fee to Bustard

Project. Bookings essential to and full details from Grahame Woodberry on

07766 636481.

Thursday, 16th August – HERONS GREEN, CHEW VALLEY

LAKE - Meet at 7 p.m. in the lay-by at Herons Green on the road from Chew

Stoke to West Harptree (ST 558540). This is a social occasion mixed with a bit

of birdwatching (we have seen barn owls in the past) and an opportunity to

collect your Newsletter for the new season starting in September. Leader: Trevor

Riddle on 01934 835208.

TURTLE DOVE

Seen on last visit to

Otmoor

News from Ham Wall

Management.

It’s late February as I write this and so we have all but finished our habitat

management work for the year. Despite the odd colder day, there is now a definite

feeling of spring in the air – with bitterns (maybe as many as five) grunting (not

quite a boom) in the reedbeds and many birds in full song.

Staff and volunteers have been busy scrub cutting in various areas of the

reserve. Several work parties have been held around Waltons, where we also built

a small willow screen. None of us have done anything like this before, so it was a

bit of an experiment. Hopefully, it will end up as a living structure too and

although it’s nothing as fancy as the new screen at Greylake, we are quite pleased.

Trees have also been cut back along the railway line and the edges really

opened up. With extra light coming in it will be interesting to see any effects on

the plant life and it should have a knock on effect for butterflies and other insects.

The Truxor machine was hired in once again this year. This is an aquatic

reed cutting machine, which can access areas of the reserve where the Softrak

can’t go. It is particularly useful for clearing channels and opening up pools in the

middle of the reedbed, where birds such as bitterns can feed in security.

We have also made a new tern raft out of some of the floating pontoons

that we use to make bridges, to enable the Softrak to access the reedbed across

water. It’s been placed in front of the first viewing platform and so is in a great

position for visitors to watch for any signs of breeding terns.

Wildlife

There seems to have been plenty of interesting sightings at Ham Wall over the last

couple of months. Four short eared owls were flushed from the area in front of the

second viewing platform a couple of weeks ago. Bitterns are certainly more active

6

VACANCY FOR GROUP LEADER

Following Don’s retirement the Group is in need of a new Leader. Anyone who would like to understand more about the role or wishes to put themselves forward should in the first instance speak to a member of the Committee. Group Leaders are formally appointed by the RSPB. In the interim the Committee will run the Group, although the RSPB has made it clear that this situation cannot continue indefinitely.

SO . . . WE DO NEED A GROUP LEADER

15

of it after that, but had a sufficient view to see the ‘W’ markings on its wings.

We heard the murmuration of another starling roost as we went over the

bridge on our departure from Ham Wall: these birds had gone in to the Godwin’s

reedbed.

Thanks to Chris for his starling talk – and for finding the little gull! Rosina

Robinson

Sunday, 20th November – LLANELLI WWT

The weather the night before turned out to be wet, but as we all gathered at the

relevant departure points it remained gloomy.

Heading up the M5 towards Bristol it brightened a little, a good omen I

thought, then turning west and heading towards west Wales the weather got

better.

On arrival it was sunny but bright and time for coffee and pastries.

Ah! yes, the birds. Our first glimpses were from the cafe at the feeders,

sighting blue tit, great tit, chaffinch, greenfinch and a squirrel. From here we all

set off in different directions. Down at the pools we came across curlew, godwit,

redshank, lapwing and snipe. Duck species seen were wigeon, shelduck, mallard,

shoveler, tufted, pintail, teal, pochard and gadwall.

A couple of other species of note were sparrowhawk and kestrel with

a display by two or three great spotted woodpeckers.

But the delight of the day must go to the family group of whooper

swans, most impressive.

I was exhausted after another good day. Thanks Rod for the safe

journey. Grahame Woodberry

WHOOPER SWANS

14

Other birds on the walk around the lanes included blue tit, great tit,

robin, goldfinch, long-tailed tits and house sparrows in a hedge at the end of the

lane. We also saw three roe deer and three grey squirrels. Thank you to Rosina

for leading us on an enjoyable walk. Sue Chapman

Tuesday, 6th December – STARLING ROOST, HAM WALL

Any initial worries I had about the car parking quickly evaporated when I arrived

to find only four cars in the car park; thus everyone parked with ease and there

was not the mass exodus as can be expected with the starling roost these days.

We enjoyed a gentle stroll along the track at Ham Wall, stopping at the

first viewing platform for shoveler, gadwall, wigeon and teal, also little grebe,

then up to the second platform, where it started to rain, but after the waterproofs

were wrestled with and adorned, it stopped. Three great white egrets were

spotted over on the reedbed, two of them interacted for a decent length of time,

giving everyone a chance to see them. After which, Denise found an adult male

marsh harrier, quartering along the back: we all picked out its colouring in some

late afternoon sun. A mixed flock of siskin, goldfinch and redpoll flew into the

nearby alders affording somewhat silhouetted views.

Arriving back at the first platform in anticipation of the starling ‘show’,

Chris Griffin (RSPB) was there to give us a talk about the birds and during his

commentary the first flock of birds to appear were a ribbon of lapwing, snaking

their way along in the dwindling light, then there were about 30 snipe and a

sizeable flock of fieldfare. Again we saw the marsh harrier, only this time closer

and again we marvelled at its colours.

Two starlings appeared to start with, then a flocklet and very soon we had

a good number in front of us. A sparrowhawk swept through at reed top height

causing the birds to swirl about as they took action to avoid capture.

After a few minutes the birds started to funnel down into the reeds, so

we knew that there would be no more displaying tonight. We could see large

flocks heading off over to Meare Heath and Chris told us that at present there

were six separate starling roosts.

Although still just light, the moon was already up over Glastonbury Tor

and we were thinking that was it, when there was an unexpected bonus: in the

form of a first winter little gull which flew in and landed on the water in front of

the platform. It drifted in the current for a few minutes then lifted off and flew in

our direction and over the track and screen hides behind us. We didn’t get sight

REMEMBER

to save your used stamps and bring them to the next Indoor Meeting

and we should soon have plenty of booming males to report – the early signs are

looking good.

Marsh harriers are being seen on a daily basis, with the male, in particular,

offering great views from the first platform. Merlins have also been seen from

time to time with a pair being seen together from the first viewing platform last

week.

The great white egrets are also still present and seen daily. There have

been as many as eight reported locally – could this be the year they breed? Watch

this space. There has been one with rings seen frequently – ringed in the Loire

Valley in France.

A male smew stopped briefly in front of the viewing platform recently but

moved on very quickly and the same day seven drake goosander were seen in

Waltons where there were over 50 pochard last week. Pintails have been seen from

the viewing platform most days, with three males there currently. Also present are

wigeon and teal although not in huge numbers.

Woodcock have been seen at least twice lately and I nearly trod on one

myself just last week in one of our woodland rides – that’s about as close as you

can get.

Other recent sightings from the last week or so include: peregrine,

kingfisher, treecreeper, stonechats, green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker,

glossy ibis seen flying over on a few occasions, ruff also flying over and several

sightings of bearded tit.

If you want to keep up with the latest sightings at Ham Wall and other

news take a look on the internet on the Ham Wall Community page where I write

a blog on a weekly basis with a sightings update and other news as and when it

occurs. Just type in Ham Wall community into your search engine and you should

get there.

Steve Couch

7

PURPLE SANDPIPER -

Anchor Head, W-s-M

15th January

WE NEED YOUR VIEWS!

The RSPB is proposing to increase the available parking and improve the

facilities for visitors on Ashcott road

In recent years the existing car park has been unable to cope with the

number of people now visiting Shapwick Heath and Ham Wall nature reserves.

This has led to parking issues on the road causing problems for local residents

and businesses.

We are now starting to draw up initial designs for a potential new car park

to cater for the current visitor numbers. It would also include some additional

visitor facilities such as a small welcome building, toilets, a wildlife discovery

area for families, and new pedestrian access to the nature reserves.

For more information contact the Ham Wall office 01458 860 494, email

ham.wall@rspb.org.uk, or post your comments on the website.

Steve Hughes

8

OPTICS and ACCESSORIES for sale at the AGM on 5th July A number of items have been bequeathed to the Group by Audrey Obourn a long standing member who lived in Wells. All items are boxed and in Very Good or Mint condition.

The items are:- OPTRICON HR60R telescope with W22X and zoom 20 x 60 eye pieces - £150 OPTOLYTH 10 X 40 ALPIN BINOCULARS - £100 OPTOLYTH. 7 X 50 ALPIN BINOCULARS - £100 VELBON VICTORY 460Q tripod - £25 OPTICRON UNIVERSAL MOUNT (hide clamp) - £25 MP4 MONOPOD - £10

Any unsold items will be offered for sale at the September meeting and any remaining thereafter will be passed to the RSPB for overseas guides. In the event of there being more than one prospective purchaser for each item a ballot will be held. The Group is very grateful to Audrey for her generous bequest and an obituary will appear in the next newsletter.

13

FIELD TRIP REPORTS

Tuesday, 22nd November - CHEDDAR RESERVOIR

A group of 22 met at Cheddar Reservoir on a misty but mild autumnal morning.

We were delighted when the sun shone soon after our arrival and we enjoyed a

view of 10 red-crested pochard on the reservoir. The plumage of the males

looked magnificent in the sunshine. There were large numbers of coots - was

anyone intrepid enough to count them?! Other birds on the reservoir included

pochard, tufted duck and a group of 23 great crested grebe. As we continued our

walk on the path around the reservoir a male goldeneye was spotted at the far

end of the reservoir but as usual he was more ‘down than up’.

We enjoyed a coffee stop sitting on the side wall of the reservoir. Some

of the great crested grebes kept us entertained by swimming around in a circle.

“I do hope we find some more birds for the report!” said Rosina as she

led us through the lanes and paths at the base of the reservoir. We were not

disappointed and soon saw a little egret with a grey heron and mallard. A green

woodpecker and water rail were heard but unfortunately not seen. However a

redwing was spied shortly after and as we walked on further we saw a flock of

approximately 20 redwing perched in a tree with a jay. We had good views of

the flock through the ’scopes. Towards the end of the walk a great spotted

woodpecker put in an appearance and perched on a tree which had fortunately

already lost all its leaves.

GREAT CRESTED GREBE

12

And rarely smells the new-mown hay,

And the cock hath sung beneath the thatch,

Twice or thrice his roundelay,

Twice or thrice his roundelay,

Alone and warming his five wits

The white owl in the belfry sits”.

The sense of the owl’s membership of an enduring world all his own, detached

from man’s activities, is avoked.

This sense is even more acute in Tennyson’s poem The Eagle:

“He clasps the crag with crooked hands;

Close to the sun in lonely lands,

Ranged with the azure world, he stands.

The wrinkled sea beneath him crawls,

He watches from his mountain walls,

And like a thunderbolt he falls”.

You could scarcely put it better!

Stan Radcliffe

* * * PRINTER CARTRIDGES * * *

PLEASE NOTE – If you currently recycle ink cartridges

by giving them to Rosina at the indoor meetings, the re-cycling company will now only accept genuine cartridges from Hewlett Packard. There are no longer facilities for disposing of Epson cartridges or compatibles, nor those which have already been recycled. Mobile phones should be fully charged (complete with battery), but please remove all SIM cards.

New boost for England's wildlife as nature

areas are unveiled

From the crowded Thames Estuary – home to thousands of wildfowl and

wetland birds – to the spectacular downlands of Wiltshire and the wild landscape

of the Peak District, this announcement identifies iconic landscapes where

government investment will reap benefits for nature.

The 12 Nature Improvement Areas (NIAs) will build on a growing

approach to conservation on a landscape scale, which also has benefits as larger

landscapes can buffer people and wildlife against the impacts of climate

change. They complement work already being carried out by conservation

groups, including the RSPB's own Futurescapes programme.

Martin Harper, RSPB Conservation Director, said: 'Nature reserves are

fantastic places for wildlife – but without action beyond their borders they will

struggle to conserve our native species which face a range of threats.

'We need to expand our horizons, looking at the needs of nature across

whole landscapes. This is something many conservationists have been saying for

a long time, and today the Government has shown its commitment to that

approach. Without such efforts to restore lost habitat, our wildlife will continue

to decline.

‘It's only with conservation groups, government agencies, farmers,

businesses and local communities working together that we can ensure these

wildlife-rich areas continue to be home to a wide range of species and habitats

for people to enjoy.

‘In these cash-strapped times it is reassuring to know that ministers have

recognised that investing in nature returns significant benefits to the economy.

As partners in several of the projects announced today we are looking forward to

working with Government and others to improve these areas for wildlife and

people.’

Twelve Nature Improvement Areas have been announced today. The

RSPB will be involved in nine of these projects, leading on: the Dearne Valley

Green Heart NIA; and the Dark Peak: Public and Private Lands Partnership.

The RSPB is involved as a partner in other projects, including: Greater

Thames Marshes NIA; Humberhead Levels NIA; Meres and Mosses of the

Marches NIA; Morecambe Bay Limestone & Wetlands; Nene Valley NIA;

South Downs Way Ahead NIA; and Wild Purbeck.

The RSPB's Futurescapes programme is working in 34 key wildlife areas

across the UK to improve the conditions for wildlife and people. These sites

include: Morecambe Bay, the Inner Forth, the North Wales Moors, and Lough

Neagh and Loch Erne Basins.

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10

TENNYSON’s BIRDS

Alfred, Lord Tennyson, is a name we all know. The author of many works including The Lady of Shallot and the Arthurian Idylls of the King, he was appointed Poet Laureate in 1850 following the death of Wordsworth: he became a Baron in 1884. Birds play only a small part in Tennyson’s verse, and very much in “support roles”, though in the vast quantity of verse that he produced they do make an appearance from time to time. Perhaps the most familiar occurrence is in the opening line of the poem The Brook:

“I come from haunts of coot and hern” - hern being a dialect form for heron, and obviously chosen to rhyme with the following “fern”. The brook seems to have sustained no more birds (only fish - “Here and there a lively trout, and here and there a grayling”).

But in the poem O Swallow, Swallow flying south birds get more of a look in. Tennyson takes up the folksong tradition of the bird carrying a message to a distant loved one:

“O Swallow, swallow, if I could follow, and light Upon her lattice, I would pipe and trill And cheep and twitter twenty million loves. O Swallow, flying from the golden woods, Fly to her, and pipe and woo her, and make her mine, And tell her, tell her that I follow thee”.

Not much close observation here, but a touching declaration of sentiment. A moralising note is struck in the poem The Blackbird, where Tennyson

welcomes the bird into his garden, to take whatever it chooses of his fruit:

“O Blackbird! sing me something well:

While all the neighbours shoot thee round,

I keep smooth plats of fruitful ground,

Where thou may'st warble, eat and dwell.

The espaliers and the standards all

Are thine; the range of lawn and park;

The unnetted blackhearts ripen dark (=cherries)

All thine, against the garden wall . . .”

Then comes a reproach:

“Yet, though I spared thee all the spring,

Thy sole delight is, sitting still,

With that gold dagger of thy bill,

To fret (=eat) the summer jenneting (=an early apple)

A golden bill! The silver tongue,

Cold February loved, is dry:

Plenty corrupts the melody

That made thee famous once, when young :

And in the sultry garden squares,

Now thy flute-notes are changed to coarse,

I hear thee not at all, or hoarse . . .”

The charge that blackbirds go off-song in summer is ill-founded, and employed

as a warning not to waste, or be debased by, the fruits of good fortune - a very

Victorian message.

A more objective note is sounded in the nicely formulated The Owl:

“When cats run home and light is come,

And dew is cold upon the ground,

And the far-off stream is dumb,

And the whirring sail goes round,

And the whirring sail goes round,

Alone and warming his five wits

The white owl in the belfry sits.

When merry milkmaids click the latch,

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