New birds added to Frampton's list

FIVE new species have been added to the list of birds found in the parish of Frampton Cotterell in the last 14 months, giving a total of 124 species now.

In February last year, a male teal was found on the River Frome during a wetland bird survey organised by the British Trust for Ornithology.

Teal is the smallest species of duck in the UK, and while a relatively small number of pairs breed, the majority visit here from northern Europe for the winter.

Then in April this year an amazing total of five species were added.

First, a cattle egret was found standing in a field at Black Rocks. Similar to the regular little egret, but with an orange bill rather than black, cattle egret is one of the most widespread bird species ranging across most of the globe, following one of the fastest expansions of range of any bird.

It is now starting to colonise the UK, having been an unusual visitor from the continent before they bred for the first and second times in 2008 and 2017.

Next, a great crested grebe was found on the lake at West Country Water Park on a morning visit. As this is the only large lake in the parish, and this species is a lake specialist, it was pretty much guaranteed that this location would be where it would be found, but the site is very under-watched, being away from local housing.

Then two greylag geese were seen to fly over Black Rocks. These geese are mainly a feral species in our part of the country – they have originated, a long time ago, from escaped birds but now have a selfmaintaining population in the wild.

Also in April, an osprey flew low over Frampton Cotterell, heading north east.

These birds of prey spend the winter in Africa and this one would have been journeying to its breeding site to the north: most in the UK live in Scotland.

The local gulls sounded its presence by squawking loudly and mobbing the bird, as they do all raptors that fly over - usually buzzards or sparrowhawks, but it is always worth listening out for their cries, and looking up!

The full Frampton Cotterell species list now stands at 1,145 species, with new species being found and added regularly.

The list is available on our Facebook group and there are photos of many of the species on our website.

If you see anything interesting locally then please let us know!

Peter Hazelwood

n WHAT'S ON

June 17 n ST PETER'S CHURCH SUMMER FAIR, 2-4.30pm, Bridge House, Rectory Road, Frampton Cotterell. Land rover and train rides, stalls, games, tea, coffee and ice cream. Admission free.

June 17 n ROCKHAMPTON FOLK AND WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL, from 2pm. Wide variety of music from Scotland to the Balkans and Africa, participation workshops and street art sessions. More information and tickets are available from rockhamptonfolkfest.org.uk.

June 30 n MASH IN THE MEADOWS outdoor festival for Acton Aid, Iron Acton Parish Meadows. Gates open 6pm. Mix of rock and pop music, led by Queen tribute band Flash and 10-piece funk band Joey the Lips. Tickets in advance only. More details at www.actonaid.org.uk.

July 1 n MUSIC IN THE MEADOWS with Russell Watson & Guests, Iron Acton Parish Meadows. Gates open 6pm. UK’s best selling classical artist with the Bristol Millennium Orchestra. Tickets in advance only. More details at www.actonaid. org.uk.

Regular Events

n MONDAY: WINTERBOURNE n MONDAY: FRAMPTON n MONDAY: WINTERBOURNE n TUESDAY: WINTERBOURNE n TUESDAY: SUNRIDGE GOLF

FLOWER CLUB now meets at WADCA in Watleys End Road, Winterbourne. Meetings are on the second Monday of the month between 2pm and 4pm. Call 01454 776753 for details.

SINGALONG meets on the first Monday in the month at Crossbow House, School Road, Frampton Cotterell, 2-3.30pm. Live music from The Jays & The Rosettes. £5, refreshments included. Carers free. All profits to UNICEF supporting children affected by Ukraine war. More details 07515 351 813.

DOWN LADIES PROBUS CLUB meets at 2pm on the third Monday of each month at All Saints Church Hall, Winterbourne Down. Talk followed by refreshments, £3.50 visitor, £25 annual membership. Call 01454 773647 for more details.

DOWN METHODIST CHURCHDrop in for free cup of tea and chat or play board games, every Tuesday from 2-4pm.

CROQUET CLUB meets on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons in Coalpit n TUESDAY - CRAFTING: Come and join our group of crafters on the first Tuesday of every month in the Red Brick Annexe, Manor Hall, Coalpit Heath, BS36 2TG from 2-4pm. Bring your own project. n WEDNESDAY: GENTLE SHIBASHI n WEDNESDAY DOWNEND n THURSDAY: WINTERBOURNE WINDS, a friendly amateur wind band who play a wide range of music including pop, musicals and classical, rehearse at Frenchay Village Hall from 7.40-9.30pm. New members are welcome. For more information email winterbournewinds@yahoo.com. n THURSDAY: COELIAC UK LOCAL CAFÉ MEET-UP, every third Thursday of the month, 10-11.30am, at Iron Acton Garden Centre cafe. Join us to share experiences of living gluten free. For more details email volunteering@coeliac.org.uk. n THURSDAY: CROSSBOW CAMERA CLUB meets every Thursday evening at 7.45pm at Crossbow House, School Road, Frampton Cotterell. Small friendly group who enjoy looking at and taking pictures. Call 0789 026 6650 or just turn up for free taster sessions. n FRIDAY: FROME VALLEY ART GROUP meets at the Greenfield Centre, Winterbourne each Friday 2-4pm or 7-9pm. Thriving club with demonstrations and workshops from visiting professional artists. More details online at winterbourneart.uk or email fromevalleyartwinterbourne@ gmail.com.

Heath and has players at all levels. Learn how to play, club equipment is available to use. Contact croquet@ wilko.eclipse.co.uk or call 07977 201440.

£4 per session: Kay 07792189276.

TAI CHI AND RELAXATION, accessible to all, 10.30-11.30am and 11.45am-12.45pm, Winterbourne Medieval Barn, Church Lane, Winterbourne. Contact Jenny on 07855 560257or jksmith@blueyonder. co.uk for more information.

FLOWER ARRANGING CLUB meets at 7.30pm on 1st & 3rd Wednesday each month from September to June at Lincombe Barn, Overndale Road. Call Genise on 0777 245 1217 for information.

Winterbourne Library

WINTERBOURNE Library staff thank everyone who helped create the library's community bunting and decorations, baked cakes and came to the Coronation celebration, with a particular thank you to Winterbourne Flower Club for their floral display.

The library is now looking for friendly and enthusiastic volunteers, aged 14 and over, to join the team running the children's Summer Reading Challenge 2023.

Volunteers will support children, talk about the books they are reading and help with activities.

The closing date for applications is June 23 - ask in the library, email libraryvolunteers@southglos.gov.uk or visit southglos.gov.uk/libraryvolunteers for more details.

Coming soon: The Travelling Library of the World, a display celebrating ethnic diversity and showcasing stories from around the world, June 27-July 14.

Lego club next meets on June 10, from 10am to 11am – for children of all ages.

Storytime sessions, on term-time Fridays from 9.30-10am, are suitable for children aged 18 months to four years.

Regular Rhymetimes take place on Wednesdays, 9.30am-10am. Suitable for babies aged up to 18 months.

An adult craft group meets on June 17 and 24, from 10am-noon: join a friendly group of crafters to do your own work and chat – refreshments available.

A digital champion can help people get online, use a PC or phone. The volunteer is available on Fridays from 10am-noon: booking is essential.

Computer classes are held on Thursdays (term time only). Enrolment required with SGS College - for more information call Cindy on 0117 909 2296 or email cindy.corbett@sgscol.ac.uk.

The library is open and staffed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am-5pm, and on Saturday from 9.30am-12.30pm. Open Access seven days a week between 8am and 7.30pm.

For more details of events or bookings, visit the library, email Winterbourne.library@southglos.gov.uk or phone 01454 868006. More information is available online at www.southglos.gov.uk/libraries or from library staff.