The RSPB is the country’s largest nature conservation charity, inspiring everyone to give nature a home.

RSPB Huntingdonshire Local Group

Programme and Newsletter January to December 2020

Cuckoos and curious naturalists Nick Davies

Wildlife talk at St Ives Free Church

Wednesday 29 January 2020 at 7.30 pm

2

PROGRAMME FOR JANUARY TO DECEMBER 2020 Diary of Events

Date Type Details

Sun 12 Jan Car trip A chance to witness 'winter spectacles' as resident and visiting birds group together to face the challenges of the season.

Wed 29 Jan Indoor Cuckoos and curious naturalists Nick Davies

Wed 26 Feb Indoor The Great Fen Project, a future wetland and more Henry Stanier

Wed 25 Mar Indoor Garden wildlife Peter Holden

Wed 29 Apr Indoor Wader Quest Rick and Elis Simpson

Sun 3 May Car trip An all-day, reserve-based trip in search of the birds of early summer.

Wed 27 May Walk Wednesday Evening Wander

Wed 24 Jun Walk Wednesday Evening Wander/nightjar hunt

Wed 29 July Walk Wednesday Evening Wander

Wed 26 Aug Walk Wednesday Evening Wander

Wed 30 Sep Indoor AGM Green birding and the adventures of the biking birder Gary Prescott

Sun 4 Oct Car trip An all-day, reserve-based trip to look for winter migrants.

Wed 28 Oct Indoor Silent Spring Revisited - our debt to Rachel Carson Conor Jameson

Wed 25 Nov Indoor Woodland birds, science and conservation Paul Bellamy

Wed 16 Dec Indoor Christmas social

More information Car trips and Wednesday Evening Wanders - page 3 Indoor meeting talks and speakers - centre pages 10 and 11

Acknowledgements: Photographs are from www.rspb-images.com where indicated. Others are from local group members. Cover photo: Cuckoo artwork by Mike Langman (rspb-images.com)

3

HELLO AND WELCOME TO OUR NEWSLETTER... It contains the programme of events for 2020, reports of our 2019 field trips and community and fundraising activities, news from our local reserves, and more. The RSPB Huntingdonshire Local Group invites you all to attend our exciting range of talks on the subject of birds and wildlife; for this year, we’ve selected another range of presenters who are incredibly knowledgeable in their own field, and we’re confident that you’ll enjoy them in the company of those who share your values in supporting the RSPB. Local group members are entitled to free entry for the indoor meetings, and are also welcome to attend our birdwatching trips. For those trips, we offer car shares and split travel costs. For 2020, we’ll also be continuing our successful ‘Wednesday Evening Wanders’, which are visits to local reserves in the summer months when we don’t have indoor meetings. If you’d like to become a member, we’d be happy to welcome you! You can use the application form in this newsletter, or contact us via the local group’s website. The local group also raises funds for the RSPB through attending a range of events. If this is something you’d be interested in, we’d love you to join us. To stay in touch, we send email reminders before indoor meetings and we occasionally send additional news of events which might be of interest. You can also join and follow our social media pages to keep up to date with the group’s activities. In terms of publicity of the group, we’re always looking at new and innovative ways to reach a larger, more diverse audience. We continue to distribute posters widely and effectively, we're being featured in more local print magazines and we’re expanding our online platform. Alongside our website, we have a Facebook group that’s growing, and we’re putting steps in place to have an equally effective presence on Twitter. All the events and activities are organised by our committee. We’re always keen to encourage new members to join us here, in order to bring in a fresh perspective and some new ideas. Serving on the committee is rewarding, sociable, and gives you an interesting insight into how the local group and the RSPB are run. In today’s world, with ever larger collective concern for the future wellbeing of our environment, we want to encourage anyone with shared interests to come and join us and enjoy the programme of events. Jack Stevens, Committee Member

DAY TRIPS TO BIRDING HOTSPOTS We arrange car sharing trips that will suit all levels of bird watching experience. Although bird watching is our main area of interest we take enjoyment from all elements of the countryside. Suggestions for outings may be put to John Leach. The cost of each trip varies depending upon the venue and the distance travelled. Non-members are welcome, at the additional cost of £4 for each day trip. Entry fees may be payable at some reserves. Book in advance with John Leach, as early as possible following receipt of this newsletter, in order that drivers and car sharing can be organised. We take a packed lunch and all-weather clothing and have a lot of fun. Pick-ups are from Huntingdon and St. Ives bus stations or by arrangement with the drivers. Times are arranged on a trip by trip basis depending on daylight hours and destination.

WEDNESDAY EVENING WANDERS Monthly Wednesday Evening Wanders take place at local reserves from May to August. - look out for details on the local group’s website nearer the time.

4

CONTACT INFORMATION AND LOCAL RESERVES

WEBSITE www.rspb.org.uk/groups/huntingdonshire

Find up-to-date news about the local group’s activities including field trip reports and details of forthcoming events. Also see this newsletter in colour.

FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/groups/RSPBHuntingdonshireLocalGroup

TWITTER https://twitter.com/RSPBHuntingdon

RSPB HUNTINGDONSHIRE LOCAL GROUP DIRECTORY

Our group is run by a team of volunteers supported by the RSPB. Volunteering opportunities come in different forms, from assisting at events to joining our friendly committee. For more information on the opportunities available, please speak to a member of the committee.

RSPB Eastern England Regional Office Stalham House, 65 Thorpe Road, Norwich, Norfolk NR1 1UD

Tel: 01603 660066 The RSPB is a registered charity in England and Wales 207076, in Scotland SC037654

Patron Her Majesty the Queen, President Miranda Krestovnikoff, Council Chairman Kevin Cox, Chief Executive Beccy Speight

Bird Feeders Jenny Cant 01480 700698 jennycant@hotmail.com

Field Trips *John Leach 01480 462165 johnleach@waitrose.com

Fundraising *Sue Peacock 01480 458735 susanjanep12@gmail.com

Indoor Meetings *Gemma Wilkinson

01487 500114 spesh21@hotmail.com

Membership Secretary *Heather Twinn 01480 383103 heather.twinn@ntlworld.com

Newsletter Editor Heather Payne hjpayne42@gmail.com

Publicity *Jack Stevens 07715 125771 jack.stevens@rspb.org.uk

Treasurer *Heather Twinn 01480 383103 heather.twinn@ntlworld.com

Website Editor *John Cripps 01480 465774 john.cripps@ntlworld.com

Website Moderator *Jack Stevens 07715 125 771 jack.stevens@rspb.org.uk

Group Leader Vacant

Minuting Secretary *John Cripps 01480 465774 john.cripps@ntlworld.com

Newsletter Distribution Organiser

*Mervyn Vickery 01480 492519 mfvickery52@outlook.com

Bird Food Supplier Vacant

Raffle Organiser *Ursula Bulpitt 01487 814414 ujbulpitt@btinternet.com

Committee members shown by *

5

SOME LOCAL RSPB RESERVES

Details of what you might see at these local RSPB reserves, plus facilities and events are on the RSPB website - rspb.org.uk. Reports from some are included in this newsletter. Volunteering opportunities include helping with visitor experience, children’s clubs and groups, conservation activities and site maintenance. Arrangements and times vary for each reserve but most include weekdays and weekends. Contact the warden at the site that interests you via the email addresses below.

Fen Drayton Lakes - near Swavesey Fen Drayton Road, Cambridge CB24 4RB Grid ref: TL352680 Habitat - open water/wetland, grassland and scrub/woodland. Viewing points and hides - viewing screens, open viewing shelters and one hide. Email: fendraytonlakes@rspb.org.uk Tel: 01954 233260

Fowlmere - near Royston Mill Rd, Royston SG8 6EZ Grid ref: TL406461 Habitat - reedbed, fen, chalk grassland and scrub, a small rare chalk stream. Viewing points and hides - three hides Email: fowlmere@rspb.org.uk Tel: 01767 693013

Lakenheath - near Thetford, Suffolk Station Road, Lakenheath, Brandon, Thetford IP27 9AD Grid ref: TL724865 Habitat - reedbed, wet grassland and mature poplar plantations. Viewing points and hides - visitor centre, viewing points, open viewing shelters and one hide. Email: lakenheath@rspb.org.uk Tel: 01842 863400

Ouse Fen - near Needingworth/St Ives Bluntisham Rd, Needingworth, St Ives PE27 4TA Grid ref: TL348726 Habitat - extensive reedbeds, also open water and grassland. The Hanson - RSPB Wetland Project is working to transform a working sand and gravel quarry into Ouse Fen nature reserve. Viewing points and hides - one viewing screen and one viewing point. Email: ousefen@rspb.org.uk Tel: 01954 233260

Ouse Washes - near Manea Manea, Welches Dam, March PE15 0NF Grid ref: TL471860 Habitat - mainly wetland and washland (grazing pasture that floods in the winter). It is the largest area of washland in the UK. Viewing points and hides - visitor centre plus five hides. Email: ouse.washes@rspb.org.uk Tel: 01354 680212

The Lodge, Sandy - Bedfordshire Gatehouse, The Lodge, Potton Rd, Sandy SG19 2DL Grid ref: TL191485 Habitat - woodland, heath and acid grassland. Viewing points and hides - visitor centre, viewpoints along each trail, one hide. The shop is open every day (9am-5pm and 10am-5pm weekends and Bank Holidays) and has everything for people who love nature. Email: thelodgereserve@rspb.org.uk Tel: 01767 693333

6

UPDATE ON LOCAL GROUP PUBLICITY For those who don't know me yet, my name's Jack. I joined the local group in early 2019 and soon volunteered for the publicity role. I've also begun attending the committee meetings; the whole experience so far has been very personally rewarding and interesting. It's great to get involved with the local group in a direct, hands-on way. I thought I'd take this opportunity to make you aware of some plans for publicity of the group going forward. We're aiming to increase our distribution of posters for the indoor meetings; a wider catchment area will be addressed in order to raise awareness of what we do in general, and to potentially attract new members. Our Facebook group has had some recent changes; it's been linked to an official RSPB Facebook page, which should boost our exposure. We're also launching a Twitter handle, in order to reach another new audience. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to come and say 'hi' at any of the meetings. I'm the tall lad with brown hair and ear piercings. You're also equally welcome to email me at jack.stevens@rspb.org.uk.

Jack Stevens, Committee Member

We met, as arranged, in the town centre car park as dawn broke on a dry still and not too cold for January morning. They often say that the best birds are seen in car parks when you're not really looking for them but alas the black redstart that had been reported hanging around the bus stop for the last week or more decided not to show itself. Not too disappointed, we set off for Rutland Water and on arrival we spent a few minutes watching the feeders while we waited for the visitor centre to open. We were rewarded with views of garden birds and also moorhens, a great spotted woodpecker and a marsh tit Moving on to the reserve, we were welcomed at the gate by a splendid male bullfinch and shortly after a fine song thrush perched nearby. Rutland Water has many hides, some overlooking lagoons and some overlooking

vast expanses of the reservoir. The lagoons held almost all of the common species of duck with goldeneyes showing particularly well; a single smew drake was seen on the far side of the lagoon. Red- crested pochards and jack snipes were on the recent sightings list but unfortunately they were not showing today. A great white egret posed obligingly close to a little egret allowing helpful size comparison while just

behind, a curlew had a scrap with a feisty magpie. From the main hide overlooking the south arm of the reservoir, we soon picked out the lone great northern diver that had been reported. A harder task was searching the large rafts of tufted ducks for rarities but the more patient among our party were rewarded when they picked out a few scaups.

Trips like this never really get going until there is some argument over distant sightings that might or might not be some

Magpie Artwork by Mike Langman

(rspb-images.com)

Rutland Water Sunday, 6 January 2019

TRIP REPORTS 2019

7

For our spring birdwatching trip this year we chose to visit the RSPB reserve at Rainham Marshes which is adjacent to the River Thames and to the east side of London. This is a reserve with a variety of habitats with the added interest of the tidal river on its southern boundary. It was our hope therefore to see a good variety of migrant species. On arrival in the car park we were greeted by a blackcap in full song in the hedge just in front of the cars. We had arrived shortly before the reserve opened, and whilst waiting to enter, some fortunate members of the group saw a swift flying over the visitor centre. This was the first swift we had seen this year.

Fortunately before the day was out all of the group had managed to see swifts as there were a number of them circling around above the reserve for most of the day. Rainham Marshes is a former MOD firing range and as such is mostly a fairly level site but has been landscaped to have a number of pools and lagoons with scrapes to provide good habitat for waders and waterfowl. There is also an area of woodland plus large areas of reedbed. Getting to see the birds is quite easy as there are good open views across the reserve plus a number of hides. There is just one path, essentially a circular route

TRIP REPORTS 2019 (continued)

RSPB Rainham Marshes Sunday, 28 April 2019

unusual or interesting species. The birds in question are almost always a long way off, often amongst flocks of other birds and frequently lead to comments such as that's one, oh maybe not, now it's disappeared, it's dived, how can it stay down so long and so on. On this trip the controversial species were scaups, which kept disappearing into the tufted duck masses, and grebes which alternated between little, black-necked and Slavonian. After lunch we moved on to the north arm of the lake where we found goosanders, redshanks

and oystercatchers and yet more numbers of ‘tufties’. Driving on up to Hambleton the light was becoming flat as the day wore on but we were rewarded by excellent views of a pair

of red-necked grebes. Our final stop as the light faded was at the dam where we searched without success for the snow bunting and shag that had been reported. Thanks to John Leach for organising a very successful and productive trip to start 2019 and with such fine weather. John Cripps, Committee Member

55 species of birds seen: Red kite, pied wagtail, carrion crow, blackbird, magpie, blue tit, great tit, long-tailed tit, marsh tit, house sparrow, dunnock, moorhen, goldfinch, chaffinch, greenfinch, bullfinch, song thrush, great spotted woodpecker, pheasant, goldeneye, scaup, smew, tufted duck, mallard, teal, pintail, shoveler, pochard, gadwall, shelduck, Canada goose, Egyptian goose, greylag goose, collared dove, woodpigeon, robin, stonechat, reed bunting, great northern diver, cormorant, goosander, mute swan, curlew, little egret, great white egret, grey heron, little grebe, great crested grebe, red-necked grebe, black-headed gull, herring gull, great black-backed gull, oystercatcher, redshank, lapwing.

Oystercatcher Artwork by Mike Langman

(rspb-images.com)

8

TRIP REPORTS 2019 (continued)

around the reserve, and we chose to follow it in an anti-clockwise direction. Initially we were looking westward across the lagoons but we soon came to the woodland area. On the nearby lagoons were various waterfowl and waders including Canada geese, shelducks, lapwings, redshanks, little egrets plus other common ducks. There were also some reed buntings in the reeds around the lagoon. As we moved into the woodland area there were close views of a robin but there were also chiffchaffs, linnets various tits and the elusive Cetti's warblers which we could hear, but unfortunately not see. Moving on, we passed through a large area of reedbed in which there were numbers of both sedge and reed warblers, all in good voice and we got good, fairly close sightings of them. Looking towards the western side of the reserve a marsh harrier was seen quartering over a reedbed. As we progressed around the reserve we saw great crested grebes, little grebes, avocets, teals, kestrels, grey herons, pochards and a variety of other birds. Above us for most of the day were swallows, house martins and swifts. Some of the birds were easily visible from the path but it was necessary to view some from the hides. As we were coming to the final part of our circular walk we first heard a

cuckoo, then saw it land on a tree on the southern boundary of the reserve. For some of the group this was the first cuckoo of the year so the good views were really appreciated. After lunch we went back to the two hides which we had not visited during the morning. From the first we saw a lapwing chick in the company of its mother; from the second we had very close views of a reed warbler which kept coming

to the edge of the reedbed about 3 to 4 metres in front of the hide. We then went out of the reserve and onto the riverside path. By this time in the day the tide was well out exposing large areas of tidal foreshore. There were various gulls and waders on the foreshore with oystercatchers and whimbrels clearly visible. From the riverside path it was also possible to see skylarks flying high above the reserve. Having completely circumnavigated the reserve and had a walk along the riverside path, our day was now coming to an end.

Fortunately the weather had been mostly kind to us, albeit a little cold at times, but it had been overcast for most of the day. From a birding point of view it had been a good day with over 50 species seen or heard. All in all a good day had been had by all.

John Leach, Committee Member

RSPB Frampton Marsh Sunday, 13 October 2019

This final field trip of the year took place too late to be included in the newsletter, but the report is available on the local group’s website.

Great crested grebes courtship ritual (February)

Photo by Ben Andrew (rspb-images.com)

Canada goose Artwork by Mike Langman

(rspb-images.com)

9

TRIP REPORTS 2019 (continued)

For the last two years the Local Group has run a series of monthly Wednesday Evening Wanders from May to August when traditionally there are no indoor meetings. The 2019 season started on 29 May at RSPB Ouse Fen where the Assistant Warden and a colleague guided us around the reedbed area south of the Great Ouse, one of the oldest parts of the reserve. During the introductory talk, we had a close up view of a marsh harrier with gulls, common terns and some swifts flying nearby. Reed warblers were calling and yellowhammers were on the hedges. Cetti’s warblers were also heard calling from cover. After shaking off the attentions of a herd of curious cows, we were treated to the sound of bitterns booming. Nine have been heard across the reserve this year, some in parts of the reserve not previously colonised. Our next wander on 26 June was our annual trip to Dersingham Bog in Norfolk where we hoped to see nightjars. As soon as we arrived, we spotted a nightjar perched on a fencepost, churring and making short flights over the heath, each time returning to the same post. There was enough light to see its plumage and to pick out its white wing markings. Females were also flying and their calls to the males could be heard. We had the best views of nightjars that any of us could remember and for good measure, a woodcock flew up and down throughout. Late July can be a quiet time for bird watching so for our wander on the 31st we decided to visit Brampton Wood, which is a Wildlife Trust reserve. The wardens led the walk and told us that due to past mismanagement none of the trees there today is more than 70 years old. However, butterflies thrive in the wood and we were fortunate to see a male purple emperor, one of our most beautiful butterflies. Hazel dormice were re-introduced back in the early 1990s and today there is a thriving population throughout the wood. By the end of August the evenings are noticeably shorter and despite a prompt start at 7pm we only managed just over an hour for our wander before dusk. Godmanchester nature reserve has been under the management of the Wildlife Trust since the 1980s and is now designated a County Wildlife Site. As well as woodland birds, the lakes hold good numbers of lapwings, grebes and ducks, with sand martins, swallows and if you're lucky a kingfisher. Herons, lapwings and black-headed gulls were seen and a number of lesser black-backed gulls were also on site. Our thanks are due to the RSPB and Wildlife Trust Wardens, staff and supporters who led our wanders and provided a wealth of information making for great evenings out with nature. John Leach and John Cripps, Committee Members

Wednesday Evening Wanders

Woodcock Artwork by Mike Langman

(rspb-images.com)

Lesser black-backed gull Artwork by Mike Langman

(rspb-images.com)

10

INDOOR MEETINGS 2020 We invite speakers to entertain us at our monthly meetings, which are held at the Free Church, Market Hill, St. Ives on the last Wednesday of every month from January to April and September to November. The December meeting is a Christmas social held earlier in the month. If any speaker is unable to attend we endeavour to find a replacement. Start time is 7.30pm (door opens at 7.15pm).

Entry: non-group members including RSPB members £4.00, local group members free. Refreshments are available at all meetings.

Wednesday 29th January 2020 Cuckoos and curious naturalists - Nick Davies The sight of a little warbler or pipit feeding an enormous cuckoo chick is astonishing. Why are the hosts apparently so stupid? Field experiments have shown how cuckoos use remarkable trickery to beat their host’s defences. Nick is Professor of Behavioural Ecology at the University of Cambridge. He has studied cuckoos in the fens for the past 30 years. His research has been featured on BBC Radio 4 and as a BBC Natural World film. His recent book "Cuckoo - cheating by nature" is published by Bloomsbury.

Wednesday 26th February The Great Fen Project, a future wetland and more - Henry Stanier Dragonfly expert and bird ringer, Henry is the Great Fen Monitoring & Research Officer for the Wildlife Trust, with responsibility for tracking the success of the Great Fen; a fantastic legacy of the Rothschild family. With a diverse mosaic of habitats, it is developing as a bird-watching mecca.

Wednesday 25th March Garden wildlife - Peter Holden This talk looks at some of the fascinating wildlife that benefits from our activities, especially in our gardens. We will find out what scientists have discovered about some of our garden birds and other creatures, and we will consider some top tips for making simple improvements to our garden habitats. Peter Holden was on the RSPB staff for more than 40 years. Initially he ran the RSPB’s junior membership, during which time he devised the Big Garden Birdwatch For many years he advised Blue Peter and often appeared in their garden! In 1994–5 he joined Bill Oddie in a BBC 1 series called Bird in the Nest and he has contributed to Springwatch. Peter has co-authored more than a dozen books, including the RSPB Handbook of British Birds and the RSPB Handbook of Garden Wildlife. Peter was awarded an MBE for services to Nature Conservation in the 2009 New Year’s Honours List.

Cuckoo Artwork by Mike Langman

(rspb-images.com)

Robins fighting Artwork by Mike Langman

(rspb-images.com)

Marsh harrier Artwork by Mike Langman

(rspb-images.com)

11

Wednesday 29th April Wader quest - Rick and Elis Simpson The charity, Wader Quest, was created in 2012 to raise awareness and funds to protect waders worldwide. This talk introduces Wader Quest through the beauty and diversity of the waders around the world and emphasises the acute crisis facing them and how we can combat it. Husband and wife team, Rick and Elis Simpson dedicate their lives to promoting wader conservation. Rick is a lifelong birder, writer and artist and has worked as a bird guide. Elis is a keen photographer of birds and wildlife in general. Wednesday 30th September Annual General Meeting followed by Green birding and the adventures of the biking birder - Gary Prescott Green birding is a growing movement in birdwatching that involves birders being more aware of the worldwide environmental impacts of birding and taking action to reduce them. Gary is the only person to have cycled to every RSPB and Wildfowl & Wetland Trust nature reserve in the UK. He has also cycled in Peru, Spain, France and the UK.

Wednesday 28th October Silent Spring Revisited - our debt to Rachel Carson - Conor Jameson Conor revisited Rachel Carson’s 1962 book “Silent Spring” whilst investigating divided opinion on the reliability of J A Baker's classic book "The Peregrine". Conor asks if we have paid sufficient heed to the extraordinarily courageous voice of Rachel Carson, who stood up to the might of vested interest, when explaining the hundreds of bird corpses in the Essex countryside.

Conor has worked for the RSPB and BirdLife International for 25 years.

Wednesday 25th November Woodland birds, science and conservation - Paul Bellamy Paul’s talk covers the pressures and changes affecting woodland birds in the UK and current conservation action, highlighting hawfinch, willow tit, marsh tit and spotted flycatcher. Paul Bellamy is a Senior Conservation Scientist at RSPB’s Centre for Conservation Science with a national remit for research on declining woodland species, forest policy and management.

Wednesday 16th December Christmas social

Male Hawfinch Artwork by Mike Langman

(rspb-images.com)

Lapwing Photo by Graham Goodall

(rspb-images.com)

Corn bunting Artwork by Mike Langman

(rspb-images.com)

12

REPORTS FROM RESERVES

Ouse Fen Our biggest piece of news this year is undoubtedly the first nesting attempt on the reserve by a pair of common cranes. Pairs have spent time on the site in the past but have never stuck around long during the critical breeding period. Around February 2019 what appeared to be a new pair to the area began feeding in the drier parts of the reserve and returning to the reedbed to roost in the evening. Cranes are pretty intolerant of disturbance at the best of times, and can be scared away from a new potential breeding site very easily indeed, so we designated the northern two thirds of the reedbed off-limits to everyone (staff and volunteers included) and waited patiently. In early May sightings of both birds stopped, with reports instead of single-bird flights to and from the same part of the reserve suggesting that the birds were taking turns incubating eggs while the off-duty bird fed elsewhere. This was all very encouraging, and we eagerly awaited any evidence of the adults moving away from the nesting area with their flightless young in tow. However, the pattern of off-duty adults flying to and from the suspected nesting area continued for far longer than expected and we began to suspect that something was amiss. Eventually both adults were seen flying into the nest area together, more or less confirming that they did not have any young at that time. We subsequently visited the nesting area and found the nest but no other clues to what had happened, such as feathers or eggshell fragments. Still, there is plenty to be optimistic about; common cranes are long-lived, and this pair is still knocking around the site despite having failed to breed, strongly suggesting that they’ll try and breed here again next year. There have been a number of encouraging changes to patterns of breeding behaviour amongst the site’s bitterns this season; firstly, our number of booming males increased from seven last year to nine in 2019; secondly, nearly half (four) of these males set up shop north of the quarry conveyor belt (a large area of reedbed in which they had hitherto shown little interest); finally of 2019’s four nests (that’s double the previous year’s total), two were in the ‘new’ territory north of the conveyor. The takeaway message seems to be that breeding bitterns are finally starting to spread out across the wider site. Happily for visitors, the majority of the booming, courtship flights (up to five birds in amorous mid-air congas this year) and feeding flights continued to occur in the publicly accessible Cuckoo Fen at the site’s southern end. This concentration of breeding bitterns in Cuckoo Fen may diminish as, with time, the rest of the site becomes more to their liking, so, if it’s low-effort, multiple bittern sightings you’re after make sure to pay Cuckoo Fen a visit in April/May of 2020. Whilst dry winters and low river levels usually make for disappointing numbers of breeding waders on wet grassland sites, Berry Fen (our modest area of grazing marsh on the far side of the Ouse from the reedbed) has looked in better condition this season than it has for a number of years. Whereas high river levels and a leaky flood bank typically conspire to reduce the fen to a large, shallow lake until mid-June, lack of rain in 2019 meant that there was plenty of feeding and nesting ground to be had, with the waters gradually subsiding in a textbook-like fashion as the season progressed. First breeding attempts tended to stay inside our temporary predator fencing and, as the waters withdrew, lapwings and redshanks made subsequent attempts further and further out on the fen proper. Territorial snipe were heard drumming for the first time in a number of years and single pairs of little ringed plovers and avocets bred on the site as well (the latter sadly

Bittern Artwork by Mike Langman

(rspb-images.com)

13

REPORTS FROM RESERVES (continued)

failing at the egg stage). Passage birds made the most of the good feeding conditions with plenty of golden plovers, snipe and black-tailed godwits to be seen, as well as greenshanks, ruffs, wood sandpipers, ringed plovers, Temminck’s stints, sanderlings, knots and bar-tailed godwits. Whilst the site still had a reasonable amount of water on it (up until late April 2019) the dedicated duck enthusiast would have been delighted by the green-winged teal drake that took up residence for a couple of months. Favourable conditions and record (for Berry Fen) numbers of breeding waders may have had something to do with the group of up to 30 large, generally immature, gulls which moved onto the site for a month. Distress experienced as hapless, cute lapwing chicks were wolfed down by hungry gulls was salved somewhat by the fact that up to three of the predators involved were Caspian gulls. Breeding activity chugged along on Barleycroft lake in much the same way as usual, although with two notable changes: little egrets attempted to breed in amongst the cormorants on the main island (a reserve first) and our previous record for breeding common terns was smashed, with 37 pairs trouncing 2018’s total of 24. Finally, special mention to our greatest visitor attraction of the year so far – the ever-obliging great grey shrike that took up residence in May 2019 on the Hanson Aggregates compound fencing at Needingworth. It has been speculated that this was the same bird that had been seen sporadically in the general area between December and March. Whatever the case, the bird disappeared during the exceptionally wet week in June which, given its already rather odd behaviour for the time of year, might indicate a less than well bird finally succumbing to the conditions.

Richard Taylor - Assistant Warden, RSPB Ouse Fen

Lakenheath Fen newsletter - 18th August 2019 Hello, and welcome to the latest news from Lakenheath Fen. We’ve all been a little warm the last couple of weeks, which has been great for insects, but all the birds have gone very quiet indeed! It also hasn’t stopped the grass from growing, all of which has meant some very hot work party days spent strimming and raking! It has started cooling down a little now though, and we’ve had a good drench of much needed rain today! We’ve had a busy time over the last year with various projects, and have included some of the highlights in this newsletter.

Reserve management Winter 2018/19

Along with the usual routine winter jobs (fencing, cutting back reeds at viewpoints, and willow bashing), two major projects kept us occupied over the winter months. The first was the continuation of the annual programme of reed cutting, which last winter, focussed on New Fen South, which is the reedbed surrounding Mere Hide. By the Christmas break, about 5 hectares of reed and other fen vegetation had been cut using a tracked excavator with a Bradshaw bucket (a bucket with a cutting edge) and stacked in heaps. These heaps were duly burnt by staff and volunteers. All of the mature willows within the reedbed have also been cut down and the brash burnt. The area was then fenced, with the aim of lightly grazing it during the summer months. We plan to cut the reed again in the next few weeks.

Great grey shrike Artwork by Mike Langman

(rspb-images.com)

14

REPORTS FROM RESERVES (continued)

Poplar woods

The other major job involved the poplar woods. If you are a regular visitor to the reserve, you will have noticed that our poplar woods have taken a bit of a battering over the last few years, and many of the trees have come down during winter storms, particularly in West Wood (the furthest wood). With the canopy now being more open, we are trying to make it a bit more diverse to encourage a more interesting range of species (nightingales, lesser spotted woodpeckers, etc.), whilst still keeping it viable for any possible returning golden orioles. In February, to help with this diversification, and as part of mitigation for removing trees along the riverbank, the Environment Agency kindly provided 360 bare root trees, along with some fencing to protect the trees from marauding deer. A team of nine folk from the EA even came to help put the fencing up and plant the trees! West Wood now has two fenced plots, and one unfenced plot, each planted with a mix of nine different native trees and shrubs, including aspen, oak, blackthorn and hazel. Future plans include blocking up ditches to make some areas a bit wetter, more native tree planting, and removing some more poplars.

Summer 2019

As always, most of our work during the summer months entails keeping on top of rapid grass growth along the visitor trails and at viewpoints. This year has been no exception, and despite the dry conditions, we seem to have been strimming some areas more than ever! We’ve also been out pulling ragwort and fixing more fencing, two of our favourite jobs!

Staff

David White, our Visitor Experience Office for the past 10 years left us in June to take up a role with the BTO. We’re very sorry to see him leave (his blogs are being missed already!), but wish him all the best with his new role. We have recruited a replacement, Heidi Jones, who joined us in mid-August 2019.

Breeding birds

Our resident pair of cranes hatched a single chick, which we think fledged. We certainly didn’t see the family around for a few weeks. Despite trying to keep a close eye on them, they seem to have been more elusive than usual this year! As last year, bittern surveys have proved inconclusive, with only one probable nest being located, though there were some possible sightings of fledged young. The lack of nest flights is likely to be due to there being a good fish population so the adults don’t need to go too far to find lots of fish – why fly when you can walk?! Marsh harriers look as though they had a better year with about 10 nests recorded. Total fledging has yet to be confirmed. Barn owls definitely had a better year, with three pairs producing 12 chicks between them, including one brood of six! In 2018, no barn owls fledged from the reserve.

Other wildlife

Winter highlights on the reserve included yellow-legged, Caspian and Mediterranean gulls, and a roost of up to 170 whooper and seven Bewick’s swans. Two dunlins were

Common crane Artwork by Mike

Langman (rspb-images.com)

15

REPORTS FROM RESERVES (continued)

present at the start of December 2018. Our crane family spent most of the winter with the 40 other cranes making up the Fens flock over on the Nene and Ouse Washes. The marsh harrier roost had built up to an impressive 27, and 19 snipe and one jack snipe were flushed from one of the grazing marshes in January 2019. Up to four great white egrets were regularly seen in reserve reedbed. A pair of ravens flew over on several occasions. Spring and summer 2019 highlights were a bit thin on the ground. A few good records (not all on the same day) towards the end of March were up to four oystercatchers, seven curlews, seven little ringed plovers, four ringed plovers, seven redshanks and an avocet. A dunlin dropped in at the start of April, followed by three ruffs. The only excitement in May came from seven black terns over the washland, and up to two pairs of garganeys showing really well in the area of cut reed in New Fen South. A few highlights in June included ospreys and two Mediterranean gulls. July was great for insects. A marbled white butterfly seen near Mere Hide during July was a new reserve record. The hummingbird hawkmoth has been recorded several times on the reserve, and the buddleias outside the visitor centre were particularly attractive to various butterflies and the occasional Volucella zonaria (hornet mimic hoverfly). An unusual mammal sighting came from Suzanne, our administrator, who saw a hedgehog by the dipping pond at the end of May. As far as I know, this is the first record of a hedgehog here! To contact the reserve or for information about sightings and events see page 5. Hope to see you on the reserve soon! Cheers, Katherine Puttick - Warden, RSPB Lakenheath Fen

Fen Drayton Lakes Reserve management

The 2018-19 winter period saw us undertaking a range of habitat management work to maintain and improve areas for breeding and resident species in the 2019 breeding season. A large portion of this work was focussed on the removal of willow trees from the various reedbeds around the site. Willow grows and spreads quickly and, if left, will take over a reedbed and dry it out to eventually undergo succession into woodland. As reedbed is one of our most valuable habitats for species such as bittern and marsh harrier, it is important that we stop this from happening. With the help of our regular volunteer work party and larger corporate work groups we spent many a day out in Holywell reedbed or on the islands of Elney Lake removing the individual and clumped willow trees from within the reed, as well as cutting it back from around the border of the reedbed where it encroaches. Stumps were then treated to prevent regrowth. Another important job undertaken over the winter was in relation to the small, lightly vegetated islands on Moore Lake and Ferry Mere. These are used by a host of species including oystercatchers, lapwings, black-headed gulls, common terns and other wetland species all of which build nests directly on the ground. It is therefore important that we protect these islands as best we can to safeguard nesting birds from ground predators such as foxes. In 2017, a trial floating fence was installed around one of the main nesting

Snipe Artwork by Mike

Langman (rspb-images.com)

16

REPORTS FROM RESERVES (continued)

islands on Moore Lake. This consists of large wire mesh panels, extending above and below the surface, connected to floating booms encircling the island, and has proved to be a success. This fence was due some maintenance, so over the winter we brought it to shore to repair and clean up before returning it to position. In addition to the pre-existing anti-predator fence, following advice from one of our ecologists we constructed a new, much simpler and cheaper design to trial around another island on Moore Lake. It consists of small floats threaded onto a buoyant rope and looks much like a swimming pool lane divider. The theory is that predators won’t dive under the rope and won’t be able to gain a purchase to go over, or at least will be put off from trying, thereby preventing their access to the island. Time will tell if this theory is correct, although initial results appear to be promising with the vast majority of birds nesting on one of the two protected islands in 2019. Wildlife

Autumn 2018 made the reserve a great place to come and see herons with five different species being seen around the reserve. Numbers of grey herons and little egrets were still building up into their wintering groups; up to five great white egrets were present on Moore Lake and bitterns, although elusive, were being spotted in various locations with some regularity. The final species was a nice treat in the form of up to eight cattle egrets following the various herds around the reserve from Middle Fen to Drayton Lagoon. Fingers crossed for a repeat in the autumn of 2019, maybe with a sixth

species in the form of a purple heron. Fen Drayton Lakes provides winter feeding for a large number of wetland birds. Peak counts for the November to February period showed we were hosting 40 little egrets, over 1200 coots, nearly 1100 wigeons, 560 tufted ducks, 250 pochards, 50 goldeneyes and 100 mute swans; not to mention a whole host of other waterfowl. Additional highlights during the winter included several smews with a group of three (two drakes and a duck) hanging around for a few days before moving on, a pair of goosanders and up to three red-crested pochards. Away from the water, the berry-laden hawthorn bushes along the main access road and around some of the lakeside trails were filled with

feeding flocks of winter thrushes including blackbirds, redwings and fieldfares, whilst many other species, including a good number of bullfinches, were seen moving around the hedgerows. By April, our migratory breeding birds had started to arrive and join the resident species to fill the early morning air with the sound of birdsong. To our great relief our pre-dawn bittern surveys quickly picked up two booming males, an increase of two from last year. These kept going throughout April and into May, although we were unable to conclusively confirm if either had attracted a female to successfully breed. Whilst a pair of marsh harriers was seen on several occasions, sadly they did not appear to build a nest this year. Nightingales were also absent this year, but we are busy planning some habitat management and creation work for the 2019-20 winter period to hopefully attract them

Grey heron Artwork by Mike Langman

(rspb-images.com))

Fieldfare Artwork by Mike Langman RSPB (rspb-images.com)

17

REPORTS FROM RESERVES (continued)

Fowlmere The last couple of summers have shown us that water really is a precious resource, as we’ve watched the mere dry out two years in a row. Although we have managed to maintain water in the rest of the reserve, the mere is the main area where visitors can see ducks and waders feeding so we’re looking into ways we can hold water in the mere. Thanks to support from the Environment Agency which pumps water into the stream, the River Shep has kept flowing throughout the dry spell. The beautiful chalk stream is one of the rarest habitats on site and we’ve been doing some work opening areas up to let in more light, whilst also allowing visitors better views.

Our work party has also helped us to reinforce the banks whilst the ‘Friends of the River Shep’ have generously provided gravel for us to maintain the riffles. Riffles are shallow, gravel bottomed sections of the stream that brown trout use to lay their eggs in. Their breeding season stretches from November through to February, but the trout can be seen all year round. If you are walking along the edge of the stream it’s worth keeping an eye out for water voles too. The main focus of our winter work at the moment is to increase the variety in the age and structure of the scrub on site. We have a lot of tall, similar aged hawthorns, so we have been carrying out some coppicing and

pollarding work which creates a patchwork of different heights and ages. This work also opens up the canopy which we are hoping will encourage a more varied ground flora. The chalk grassland meadows are maintained with an annual mow and clearance of vegetation to help keep the low nutrient conditions which chalk species prefer. The yellow meadow ant nests can make this a tricky job as we have to cut around them! Our turtle doves gave us a brief scare in early 2019 when they appeared, then disappeared from the reserve, before being seen regularly from June onwards. The pair of spotted flycatchers were successful in raising a brood again. Despite scoping out a site

Brown trout Artwork by Mike

Langman (rspb-images.com)

Turtle dove Artwork by Mike Langman

(rspb-images.com)

back for next year. Turtle doves were heard once again, with the presumed same individual being heard in several spots around the main reserve. Black-headed gulls and common terns once again made good use of our renovated tern rafts and newly fenced islands on Moore Lake and Ferry Mere, with breeding numbers of both species up on last year. Two pairs of lesser black-backed gulls also nested, one each on Moore Lake and Ferry Mere, fledging two young. Waders also had a better year than 2018 with lapwings successfully fledging four young on Ferry Mere, oystercatchers fledging two on Moore Lake and redshanks fledging one on Ferry. If you visit the reserve and have any interesting sightings, please do email us. Contact details on page 5. Happy birding! Tim Fisher - Warden, RSPB Fen Drayton Lakes

18

COMMUNITY AND FUND RAISING EVENTS 2019

The local group is invited to many community events throughout the year and we try to attend as many as possible to meet people, talk about birds, nature and conservation and, where appropriate, to raise funds for the RSPB’s work. This year we took our stand to Huntingdon Riverside Gala, Huntingdon Carnival, Hinchingbrooke’s 30th Birthday, Summer on the Ouse at the Norris Museum in St Ives and More than just a plant sale at Great Gidding. As can happen in this country even in what many of us, especially the gardeners, remember as a dry summer, the weather played a big part and we actually had high winds and rain to contend with at all of these events. However, our volunteers braved the elements, made new friends and raised over £120 for the RSPB. Our main fund raising income came from the tombola with a good sum from donations for our ever-popular pin badges. Summer on the Ouse was a children’s fun event at which our stall featured cardboard swan masks prepared by committee members, Mervyn and Sue. The children had a

great time colouring them in or ‘fledging’ them with glue and tissue paper feathers. The children displayed remarkable concentration and no little artistic ability and were rewarded with copies of Wildlife Explorer magazine. At More than just a plant sale in Great Gidding we met villagers and discussed nature surveys. The local group entered a team for Huntingdon Community Radio’s quiz, which we won for the second time. We gave a talk about garden birds to residents at Field Lodge, St Ives in support of the Big Garden Birdwatch and we supported Hemingford Grey Parish Council’s project in which scouts built bird boxes for sites around the village. Our thanks go to all the local group members and supporters who helped make our community activities a success.

Sue Peacock and John Cripps, Committee Members

and being seen carrying material, the marsh harriers didn’t nest on the reserve in 2019, but regular sightings of the pair and a fledged juvenile suggest they did nest nearby – hopefully they’ll come back to the reserve in 2020. Silver-washed fritillaries have been recorded for the third summer running, using the glades opened up by the coppicing work, whilst out in the meadows the number of marbled white butterflies is growing year on year. Willow emerald damselflies are now seen from all the hides at the end of summer.

Our reception hut is manned over the weekends by our wonderful volunteers, who are happy to chat to visitors about what is about on the reserve, and Fowlmere Discovery Day will be making a return in 2020.

Beth Aucott - Warden, RSPB Fowlmere and The Lodge

REPORTS FROM RESERVES (continued)

John, Sue and Mervyn at Summer on the Ouse, St Ives

(Photo by Anne Meredith)

HCR trophy (Photo by Sue Peacock)

Please tick below if you are willing to help us support the RSPB [ ] by helping us to fundraise and promote the RSPB at local events

[ ] by delivering the annual newsletter to other RSPB members in your village/town or local area

[ ] by placing a tray of pin badges in a shop, office, waiting room or anywhere they might sell.

Change of address Please notify change of postal or email address to the Membership Secretary at the address overleaf or by email to heather.twinn@ntlworld.com. If you are an RSPB member you will also need to inform the RSPB at The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL. Tel: 01767 693680.

Why join our local group? For £14 you get:

free entry to all indoor meetings (7 with booked speakers) to meet people with the same interests to gain more knowledge/exchange ideas access to 3 car trips to look for seasonal birds and other nature (there is

an extra charge per trip) and 4 Wednesday Evening Wanders the opportunity to support the RSPB and wildlife conservation

You can collect your membership card at the door at an evening meeting. If you would like it to be posted please enclose a stamped addressed envelope.

You can pay by (please tick): [ ] Cheque/postal order payable to: Huntingdonshire RSPB Local group

[ ] Cash at a meeting (please do not post cash)

I enclose my (our) subscription(s) as follows

Adult £14.00 Child under 18 £1.00 Student (on production of a current student card) £8.00 Donation towards the RSPB’s Reedbed Project £ Total £

RSPB Huntingdonshire Local Group Membership form

Your data will be held by RSPB Huntingdonshire Local Group - contact Mervyn Vickery at mfvickery52@outlook.com. The RSPB Huntingdonshire Local Group may send you further information about group activities, events, products and offers, and the work of the RSPB by email, post, text and phone. If you no longer wish to be contacted by the group please contact us using the above details. Further information on how we use your personal data and your rights can be found in the RSPB’s privacy policy at: rspb.org.uk/privacypolicy

Please enrol me as a member for 2020

Name: ....................................................................... Address: ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... Postcode: ....................................................................... Telephone number: ....................................................................... E-mail address: ....................................................................... Age (if under 18): .......................................................................

Signed: .......................................................................

Please complete this form and either bring it to an evening indoor meeting or post it with your subscription (see page 19) to: Huntingdonshire RSPB Membership Secretary at: 55 Nene Road, Huntingdon, PE29 1RE

If you no longer wish to hear from the RSPB Huntingdonshire Local Group, please contact Mervyn Vickery at mfvickery52@outlook.com, confirming your name and address and stating that you wish to unsubscribe from the RSPB Huntingdonshire Local Group communications.