2023 CHOG CALENDAR

ONLY £9.99 INCLUDING DELIVERY

The 2023 CHOG calendar has been produced from stunning pictures taken by CHOG members of some of the 180 species which have been recorded in the Christchurch Harbour area over the last 12 months.

The profits raised from sales of the calendar will help towards meeting a variety of CHOG’s aims, including promoting and conserving the birds and wildlife of the Christchurch Harbour area, which includes Hengistbury Head, Stanpit Marsh and Wick Fields. At a very reasonable price the calendars are lovely colourful gifts to give as Christmas/birthday presents for all your family and friends. Visit: www.chog.org.uk

Bird Watchers For Beginners

This year CHOG have had a few events aimed at beginner birdwatchers. There was the very successful Peregrines event at The Priory where many members of the public were able to see the Peregrine chicks through telescopes. On 8th May some members organised a Warbler Workshop at Hengistbury Head helping people learn how to identify warblers by their songs and by sight. CHOG further organised a walk for BCP Council aimed at beginner birdwatchers on 11th September and Richard Cordery was supported by Roger Howell, David Taylor and Greg Lambe in leading the group out onto Stanpit Marsh looking for waders which moved towards them as the tide was rising. Good views of Bar- and Black-tailed Godwits amongst other waders were enjoyed and a www.chog.co.uk

Cattle Egret dropped in, which was exciting for beginners. On Crouch Hill 6 Wheatears and 10 Yellow Wagtails were seen feeding up before their long southward migrations.

All outdoor meetings are suitable for birders of all abilities including complete beginners. The leaders enjoy helping people to find and identify all species and are not all experts just looking for rarer species, although it is always exciting when something unexpected is seen! Blackwater Arboretum is always a favourite outing and took place in mid-November and the final outing of the year is on Saturday 10th December 2022 where mince pies and warm drinks are enjoyed by members.

If the interest is there, but mobility is an issue, CHOG have several indoor meetings a year, based at St. Nicholas’ Church Hall, The Broadway, Hengistbury Head. Forward planning includes the aim to have hybrid meetings that people could attend online or in person.

Also, the CHOG website is full of interesting bird facts and CHOG Online provides a growing library of online resources which you can discover in the comfort of your own home at a time convenient to you.

To join please visit www.chog.org.uk

By Valerie Kelly

TALKS are held on the 1st Tuesday of the month, September to June inclusive, at the Christchurch Junior School, Clarendon Road, Christchurch.

All talks start at 7:30pm | Parking on Site | Coffee Break Members £2.00 | Visitors £5.00 | Students £2.00

December 6th Tucktonia - The largest Model Village in the World with - Alex McKinstry

Occupying four acres of the Tuckton Golf and Leisure Park, this remarkable attraction opened in May 1976 by Arthur Askey. Alex’s talk will explore the early days, how it developed and what happened next.

January 3rd - The making of films of local interest with - Patrick Kemp

Patrick shares his passion for making is own films with this illustrated talk. Filmed in and around the local area, it features some of the interesting people he has met, the places he has been and the funny things that have happened. Short relevant excerpts of film re shown.

February 7th - Fairgrounds at war 1939 - 1945 with - Kay Castleman

This second talk by Kay will cover the fairgrounds managed under the restrictions of WW2. From the blackout to the limitations on travelling, food supplies including coconuts for the shies!

March 7th - Life in a Medieval Village with - Mary Harris, Chairman of Romsey Local History Society

Mary’s talk is based on research and Studies of the Medieval documents - rentals, custumals and court records held by Winchester Cathedral for the estate of Michelmersh. Custumals: A written account of the custom of a manor or other local community.

April 4th - Christchurch Twinning with - Howard Piper, Chairman of Christchurch Twinning Association

Christchurch Twinning Association was formed in 1982 in response to the formal Town Council Mayoral links with St. Lo the previous year. Howard’s talk will cover how other towns joined; Christchurch (New Zealand), Aalen (Germany), Saint Lo (France) with Tatabanya (Hungary) joining in 2013. Also, what the future may bring to the Twinning Towns.

May 2nd - Aviation around Poole Bay 1910 - 1926 with - Kevin Prentice

A sixty-year odyssey of the important part of Poole Bay and its surrounds played in the story of aircraft and the men who flew around this part of Dorset between 1910 and 1976.