Wildlife East Anglia August 2014 by Norfolk Bird Fair

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Editors Letter Welcome to the second edition of the new magazine Wildlife East Anglia. There has been lots of positive feedback from the June issue, released at the Norfolk Bird Fair, and after a few suggestions on how to improve the format there has been a few changes to the layout. Currently we are looking for other writers and experts to help us with the magazine in the future so over the next few editions there will be new names to add to our small team. There have been lots of wonderful rarities in the counties since June including the Lovely Rose-coloured starling that has graced a garden in Suffolk for several weeks and the sudden discovery of the Scarce tortoiseshell butterfly (or Yellow-legged tortoiseshell) in East Anglia. This rare visitor, not seen in the UK since 1953, is thought to have followed the wind across from the Netherlands this Summer. Unfortunately we have not been lucky enough to find one yet but we hope you have been able to see one. It does seem to be heading for another record year for butterflies so keep alert. There has also been a lot of excitement over species not normally breeding in East Anglia that have had success, such as the Black-winged stilts discovered with 4 young near Cavenham. Hobbies involving wildlife are definitely on the increase with more and more people getting out and about and enjoying the countryside which is fantastic. There are drawbacks though, after visiting a site this weekend to see a rarity we did not expect to carry back two bags full of rubbish left by other watchers at the viewing point. Please remember many of these sites are off the beaten track so take your rubbish home with you and if you see some, how about picking it up and taking it with you to keep our countryside clean and our wildlife safe. We believe the site is being managed by the RSPB but it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean they have time to spare to clear up rubbish and dogs mess. Unfortunately after a period of stormy weather the Little Tern chicks have suffered badly in the wind and rain but hopefully the weather will now stay more settled. From now on we hope it will be a lovely summer so give yourself a challenge and go and visit somewhere you have not been before. East Anglia has a large number of excellent reserves and wild places to visit so donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t become creatures of habit with your same favourite reserves try a different county or a new reserve in your local area. If you have some spare time offer to help on a conservation day to get a true feel of the success of an area. It is always good news to hear of the opening of a new nature reserve so we would like to mention Taverham Mill just outside Norwich which is being managed by Anglian Water. There are three trails with walks from 0.5 to 2 miles in length. Have a lovely summer. Jill and Robert Wilson

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3. 5. 8. 10. 12. 15. 16 18. 20. 24. 27. 28. 30. 31. 32. 34. 36. 37. 40. 43. 44. 46.

Contents Page

Editors Page Titchwell RSPB. Identification. Redshank, Greenshank and Spotted Redshank Alien Invaders, Himalayan Balsalm. Wildlife Artist. Russ Heselden. Bee or Wasp? Waveney Valley Hogspital Blast from the past. The status and Recovery of the Otter in te British Isles Wildlife Abroad, North Norway Puzzle Page The Norfolk Bird Fair Did you know? Taking care of wildlife. Water UK Nature Reserve. Padley Gorge Part two bird list Norfolk Starting out in Bird and Wildlife Watching Wildlife Events Monumental Peregrines Readers Page Rare Bird News Subscription and Contact page

Contact: Wildlife East Anglia 3a St Johns Close, Norwich NR1 2AD 01603 219119 We strive to make articles as accurate as possible at the time of writing

Front cover. Goldfinches by Russ Heselden

Titchwell RSPB

Titchwell Marsh is

situated on the beautiful North Norfolk coast with access from the A149, 11 minutes from Hunstanton. The site is around 379 hectares of varying habitat including reed bed, sandy beach, dunes, salt water lagoon, scrape, fresh water lagoon, dyke and a small area of woodland near the visitor centre. The privately owned mudflats to the side of the reserve are also easy to see from the elevated footpath and offer great views of egrets, swans, wildfowl and sometimes short-eared owls. The site is free to enter for RSPB members with a card displayed in the windscreen but non members only need to pay £5 for the car park. There is easy access to the reserve as the main path is a public footpath, used to get to the glorious beach as well as for reserve visitors. The main hides are alongside the footpath overlooking the lagoons and are in two blocks, one by the freshwater lagoon and the second straddling the bank between the saltwater and freshwater lagoon. The new Parrinder Hide, designed by Cambridge architect Patrick Ward, was built as part of the climate change/flooding prevention work carried out in 2010 and 2011. Another smaller hide can be found in the reeds overlooking a small scrape Page 5

and there are several screen hides on the new path which goes into the reed beds. There are visible signs on the reserve of its long history and archaeological importance. Artifacts from the site have been found to date back to the Mesolithic period and along the foreshore there are tree stumps and peat areas dating back to the

time the area was wooded and stretched much further out in to the North Sea. It is thought that it may have been possible to walk almost to Denmark from the beach here. On the beach you can find remnants of both World Wars. There is still brickwork from a WW1 Military hospital and pill boxes from WW2 along with two Cov

enanter tanks that can sometimes be seen in the sand at low tide. During WW2 the marshes were used as an armoured vehicle firing range. The banks that are still visible today were built up for that purpose and these now support the diversity of life on the reserve. Military action continued in Wall Brown Butterfly

the area between 1950 and 1959 with the RAF using it for bombing practice. The next important point in its history was in 1973 when the site was purchased by the RSPB for £53,000. Since then a car park and visitor centre have been built offering a small cafe and shop. The RSPB’s success started with the return of breeding Avocets in 1984. The reserve is a great place to visit

in the autumn as with both regulars and migrants it is fairly easy to spot 20 species of wader in a day. Birds such as Curlew sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit and Little Stint pass through from their Northern breeding grounds towards their destinations in Africa. Wildfowl are always on the lagoons with large flocks of Wigeon, Teal, Shelduck, Shovelor and Brent Geese. This year’s juvenile Bearded Tits tend to be more visible from July through to September so listen out for their distinctive

The RSPB class Marsh Harrier, Bittern, Avocet, Bearded Tit, Redshank, Spoonbill and Brent Geese as the stars of the reserve. Marsh Harrier can be seen all year round but are more visible when feeding young in the summer. Bittern will boom from March to find a mate and began breeding on the site again in 2005. Bearded Tits are easier to see on calm days as they can perch on the top of reeds. Avocets breed in the lagoons and Redshank can be seen all year

Bar-tailed Godwits ‘ping’ call and follow the sound. Hopefully you will be rewarded with good views as they flit from reed to reed as the paths allow you to look down on the reed bed. Sea watching is always good at Titchwell and there is a platform at the end of the boardwalk, on the beach. This boardwalk was badly damaged in the tidal surge at the end of 2013 but hopefully it will be repaired for the autumn sea watch. The tide can go out a very long way so it is best to arrive at the beach in time for high tide, if the tide is out however, you can walk along the shoreline to see the passing seabirds such as Skuas, Terns, Scoter, Auks and Shearwaters as well as the waders on the tide line. Sanderlings, Oystercatchers and Knot scuttle around in small groups, but be warned that on a windy day the blowing sand can be quite destructive for your optics!

round. A visit in spring and summer may give you a glimpse of a Common Lizard sunning itself on the boardwalk or footpath. Water Rail are often see here down in the dyke near the feeder station. Sometimes Water Voles are seen in the dyke or among the water lilies on the edge of the lagoon and many butterflies breed on or visit the reserve. 2013 was a particularly good year for butterflies with plenty of Clouded Yellow’s in August,

Avocet Speckled Wood, Peacock, Red Admiral, Small Copper, Wall Brown, Orange Tip and Painted Lady. Note that dogs are allowed on the west bank footpath that leads to the beach as it is a public right of way but they must be kept on a lead and under control at all times. The visitor centre has as small cafe on site which provides excellent scones and cakes, sandwiches and light meals, tea, coffee and drinks. The RSPB shop is well stocked with seed, books, clothing and optics, which can be hired as well as purchased. The centre is open from 9.30am-5pm (4pm Nov-Feb) and closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Access for disabled visitors is good as the footpaths are level and the hides have some lower windows for wheelchair users. Next Page Left to right - top to bottom. Common tern, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Sanderling and Wigeon Reserve Postcode PE31 8BB titchwell@rspb.org.uk 01485 210779 Lapwing

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Tot-to bottom. Right to left Oystercatcher. Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Crake, Avocet and Garganey

Identification Redshank, Greenshank and Spotted Redshank Identification of Common R

Following on from the article on Titchwell RSPB where waders are regular visitors, this editions identification papers are designedto help with the tricky id of the three birds which are all members of the Tringa family. They are all regular visitors to East Anglia along the coastline throughout the year.

Common Redshank. Tringa totanus

Basic description: Is a medium sized wader which has whitish under parts that appears more streaked in breeding plumage and a generally mottled grey/brown plumage above and orange legs and orange bill with a black tip. The secondary flight feathers are white and there is a white wedge which extends up the back from the upper tail coverts. Common Redshank

Greenshank foreground, Spotted redshank behind

Distribution: This is fairly common throughout the breeding range in the UK and is found on all types of habitat associated with water and Marshland and especially abundant on tidal estuarries. They are often a nervous wader which will fly at any possible threat alerting other birds

of impending danger. Their sharp alarm call is a familiar sound that is easily recognised.

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus

Basic description: The adult in breeding plumage appears black with white spotting on the upperparts and white barring on the flanks and darker coloured legs with a longer thinner bill which is black with red near the base of the lower mandible. The adults also have a distinct white eye ring which contrasts nicely against Breeding Plumage Spotted redhank showing darker legs

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Spotted redshank

the black plumage. The juvenile and winter adults are a complete contrast with the black plumage replaced with grey upper parts speckled white and whitish under parts. During winter the legs become a very bright orange red and the bill has more extensive reddish orange on the lower mandible. The white eye ring is replaced with a partial supercillium which broadens in front of the eye.

recorded at both Titchwell and Minsmere They winter in Southern Europe and Africa.

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

Basic description: Generally described as a larger wader and closely related to its Nearctic cousin the Greater Yellowlegs. The adults in breeding plumage appear Distribution: The breeding grounds browner but in winter the contrasting grey brown upperparts and extend from Northern Europe to cleaner white makes them stand Asia and birds are recorded in the UK when moving through in Spring out from other shanks. In flight the distinct white wedge on the back is and Autumn, good numbers are Greenshank showing upturned lower mandible

Spotted redshank showing more orange on bill in winter plumage.

useful for identifying them. The leg colour is a dull greenish and the bill is similar with a grey at the base. The bill appears to show a distinct upturn which separates them from other waders of a similar size. Distribution: Breeds in small numbers in Scotland and throughout Northern Europe and across Asia with birds wintering in Africa and the Indian Sub Continent. A few birds have overwintered in Southern Britain in winters where the weather has remained mild. Their predominant food source is located in freshwater habitat as they feed on invertebrates Greenshank feeding

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Alien Invaders Himalayan Balsalm Impatiens glandulifera Himalayan Balsam is the tallest annual plant found in Britain and was introduced to the UK in 1839, first occurring in Middlesex. It is native to the Himalayas, though is now present in much of the Northern Hemisphere due to human introduction and it’s aggressive seed dispersal. Visually, it can be slightly similar to Great Hairy Willowherb, or Epilobium hirsutum, and can grow up to 2-3m in height, so when it grows it blocks the light getting to shorter plants. It has many different common names most of which have been given due to the appearance of the pinky purple hat shaped flowers such as the Gnome’s Hatstand, Policeman’s Helmet and Kiss-me-on-the-mountain. The plant can have large effects on the areas it grows in because it reduces biodiversity by killing off the other plants and then when it dies back in the autumn, the ground is bare and so more at risk to erosion. It’s nectar is also higher in sugar than native plants and it flowers for longer, making it more attractive to bees so that it attracts pollinators away from native plants. The plant is classified as a weed in England and Wales and it is an offence to plant it or to otherwise cause it to grow in the wild. Various ways of removing Himalayan Balsam from an area include regular mowing or grazing, but in many areas the plant is being pulled up by groups of volunteers before it sets seed. Recently, however, there has been a study which has revealed that this process may do more harm than good when near river systems, as it opens the area

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for more invasive species such as Japanese Knotwood. Instead, they recommend that the quality of the river water is improved, to allow more native plants to grow. Himalayan Balsam is frequently found on river banks and by streams because the seeds often enter the water and then contaminate areas downstream. This can lead to the growth of the balsam throughout the area quite quickly after the initial growth of an individual plant, which is often introduced through other garden flowers bought and grown in gardens. This is one of the reasons why it can be so difficult to remove it from an area. Each plant can have up to 800 seeds and the fact that the seed pods open explosively means that the seeds can move up to 7 metres away. Himalayan Balsam is found in

by Roanna Benfield

many places, including over twenty European countries. It is prolific throughout the UK and many places are now taking measures to stop or reduce it’s growth. An example of one of these areas is the River Glaven, in North Norfolk, near Holt. Himalayan Balsam is found on the River Glaven, as well as on it’s tributaries and was first recorded in the autumn of 2004. Despite the removal of the first plants found, further sightings soon followed, not only on the river banks, but also in the gardens of the villages that the river flows through. The River Glaven Conservation Group now organise days to pull these plants up annually and slow progress is being made, though the balsam is still present. In Surrey at the Centre for Agricultural Bioscience International Above next page. Balsalm Pink

(Cabi) have carried out studies on the plant and currently estimate it would cost between £150-300 million to eradicate Himalayan balsam from the UK. Their scientists are already searching for a biological solution and they have discovered a particular rust fungus which

seems to attack only the Himalayan balsam and no other plant. Permission may be granted for a controlled release of the fungus after necessary testing by UK

regulators.

The plant’s colour and flowers make it popular to many people who then grow it and so controlling the spread of this plant is difficult, despite the efforts being made. It’s certain that we will continue to see this plant on our riverbanks and wild areas in the future, though only time will tell how much this will affect our native ecosystems.

Please note there is a beautiful

native Orange Balsalm, Impatiens Cadensis, which can safely be left alone as this is non invasive If you want to take part in removing this plant in your local area, feel free to look up on the internet and join in with a ‘balsam bash’ near you. And, if all else fails, you can always eat it, as all parts of the plant are edible including the seed pods.

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R u s s H E s s E l d e n Wildlife Artist Page 12

Russ Heselden’s artwork is firm-

ly rooted in the fields, lanes and coastal landscapes of Norfolk. He lives in the mid-Norfolk town of Hingham and gains much of his inspiration from the wildlife that he sees in walks around his local area. While the lure of wildlife hotspots such as Titchwell and Cley is seductive, he is as likely to paint the local hares and finch flocks in autumn stubble or Comma butterflies in his own back garden as he is to hop in his car and head to the coast. ‘Wherever you live in Norfolk there are amazing things to be seen on your own doorstep’, he says. ‘You just have to make time to get out, preferably on foot or by bicycle, and spend time exploring’. Heselden’s paintings spring from direct observation of nature. He

used to paint a lot when he was in his teens, but then academic studies (he has a PhD in Geochemistry) and work got in the way. He put his brushes away and didn’t really pick them up again until a few years ago, in his late forties. ‘When I did,’ he says ‘I remembered how much I’d enjoyed it and wondered why I’d ever stopped’. He remembers being frustrated at first that while his field sketches were lively and spontaneous, the paintings he produced from them didn’t have the same freshness. ‘I was losing something when I worked up the drawings into finished paintings. To me, they looked a little static and unconvincing’. To overcome this he started taking pre-prepared pieces of canvas board into the field (‘Winsor & Newton are very good’). ‘When I see something that looks like it will make a good sub-

ject, I spend a bit of time producing quick drawings of it in a sketchbook. This loosens up the drawing hand, and allows various compositions to present themselves. After a while I’ll feel confident enough to sketch directly onto the canvas board with a soft pencil, something like a 3B or 4B.’ A quick spray of fixative to prevent the graphite muddying the paint, then acrylic colour can be added directly with the subject still in view. This approach helps to capture the freshness of a field sketch in a finished painting. Back at home in Hingham, more acrylic, or sometimes oil paint or oil pastel, can be added.’ He enjoys playing with the effects of light and shade, and frequently introduces dabs of unexpected colour or abstract brushwork. ‘I’m not a huge fan of overly-detailed wildlife paintings,’ he says. ‘Loose, energetic mark-making can be much more effective – suggesting detail rather than trying to paint every hair and feather.’ Getting the character of a species is key to producing a successful painting, ‘and of

course you have to pay as much attention to the background habitat as to the wildlife itself if you want what you’ve done to be convincing.’ His wildlife art heroes include Darren Woodhead, Robert Greenhalf and Tim Wootton. All of these artists spends a great deal of time out in the elements sketching directly from life, and Heselden says that this really stands out in their paintings. Here in Norfolk of course we have James McCallum, whose work, says Heselden, is truly inspirational. ‘Any budding wildlife artist would be well advised to buy one or two of his books and study them closely.’ Heselden works in a range of different media including ink, oils and watercolour but has increasingly found himself exploring the possibilities offered by acrylics. Oils, he says, can be too slow-drying, and watercolours are very unforgiving – they look straightforward in the hands of a master practitioner but are very difficult to get right. ‘I like the fact that you can create

Snow Buntings at Salthouse (mixed media and collage on canvasboard)

a painting quickly using acrylics and also that you can add various things directly to the paint itself to change the drying time or create texture. And, importantly, you can paint over your mistakes!’. He also uses elements of collage in many of his paintings, since this can create some interesting effects. ‘I count myself very fortunate to live in a county so rich in wildlife,’ he says. ‘There are lots of people out there these days with expensive cameras but relatively few with sketchbooks. Sit down for a while in your own garden, or in a bird hide with a flask at your side, and let the wildlife come to you. Then have a go at drawing it. It’s a really relaxing way to spend a few hours, and you might be surprised at what you can achieve’. Russ’s website is at russheselden. co.uk, where you can find full contact details and see a range of paintings and prints. You can also keep up with recent work on the ‘Russ Heselden Wildlife Artist’ Facebook page.

‘Commas in the right place’ (mixed media and collage on card) Over the page: Basking Hares, Hingham (acrylic on canvasboard)

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Bee or Wasp? Both Bees and Wasps come from

one of the most diverse order of insects, Hymenoptera There are over 115,000 species in the order including ants and sawflies, only the family of beetles has more individual species. In appearance they are very different with bees having fat hairy bodies and flat legs, and wasps having a very slender waist were the thorax meets the abdomen and smooth/shiny bodies with slender legs. The differences tell you about their feeding habits. Bees feed nectar and pollen to their developing young and are great pollinators, spending much of their lives visiting plants and flowers to gather and distribute pollen. Their hairy bodies and flat legs are ideal for holding on to the pollen as they carry it from one plant to another. Bees actually drink water and use it to clean their hives. Unfortunately for the rest of the insect world, wasps feeding habits are not so gentle. They are predaBee showing body roundness with Burnet Moth

tors and feed on lots of different species of insect including arthropods, flies and even caterpillars, taking them back to their young. Adults are occasionally seen on plants feeding on pollen and nectar. Their bodies are sleeker and more streamlined for hunting. Wasps are attracted to the smell of human food especially sweet drinks and beer. Some things they do have in common, for example both have lavae which look like maggots and both have modified ovipositors which are the stings on their abdomen. Bees have a queen as do many species of social wasps. Bees tend to be social whereas some species of wasp are solitary however their nests are totally different. Bees make their hives geometrically out of wax which they stack in layers. For most species these are manufactured but some use holes in the ground, masonry and tree cavities. Wasps use a papery pulp made of saliva and chewed fibres of mainly wood pulp,

to make delicate combs. If you are unfortunate enough to be stung there is a difference here too. Bees and wasps can sting by injecting venom from the sting at the end of their abdomen. Honeybees unfortunately die after stinging as they have barbs the sting, so it remains behind killing the bee from the trauma as the sting is attached to its digestive system. Other bees can remove their sting as can wasps so live to tell the tale. Generally a bee will only sting if it is threatened but wasps are more aggressive. If a wasp thinks its nest is in danger, it is capable of releasing pheromones that alert its family, who may then also attack.

Wasp showing slender waist and smooth body

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When a few tiny hedgehogs arrived on Anna Hunter and Justin Clarke’s doorstep looking for food and a place to stay, the caring animal lovers knew they had to help.Anna,the dedicated 34-year-old first developed a soft spot for the endangered creatures after rescuing her first hedgehog when she was growing up in Northern Ireland, but releasing it back into the wild was very hard for a six year old hedgehog lover, her Mother, Pauline Hunter, stated ‘wildlife belongs in the wild’ and so Spike was released. ‘In 2007 after coming across a hedgehog that was busy looking for bugs in our garden I started researching to find out more about what I could do to help the hedgehogs in my area, I came across Ark Wildlife online who sell hedgehog food so I purchased a bag and started putting out the food and water for them at night – I then noticed more and more hedgehogs were dropping by for a drink and a little munch. The biggest thing I noticed was how much water they drink every night!’ To enable Anna and Justin to care for the hedgehogs properly, they went on a course run by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society to learn about rehabilitation and first aid. Anna set up a Facebook page – the Waveney Valley Hogspital – and Justin worked on a website http:// www.hogspital.co.uk these internet based sites are used as aids to make people aware that they could care for hedgehog’s in trouble and to raise awareness of the massive decline in hedgehog popualtion. Also working full time at the Brit-

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ten-Pears Foundation, in Aldeburgh, leaves Anna stretched as both jobs are quite demanding but when a phone call comes in about a hedgehog in need it is critical to respond straight away, good advice and the actions of the finder could be the difference between life and death. Justin helped adapt his dilapidated garden office into a make shift hedgehog haven for the 16 Autumn Juveniles Anna took in and cared for over the previous winter

with the help of volunteer Claire Everard from Diss. However, she is now caring for hedgehogs all year round and is appealing for donations and/or a garden shed/office company to help replace the rickety shed for a fully equipped hedgehog rehabilitation centre. The Hogspital is based along the Waveney Valley near Diss in Norfolk, providing care and

recuperation for underweight, sick, injured or orphaned hedgehogs. Our aim is not only to raise awareness of the vast population decline in the last 10 years but also to give hedgehogs the care, medication and treatments they need, in a suitable environment. We offer advice regarding sick, injured or orphaned hedgehogs in the surrounding area and most importantly we release the hedgehog back into the wild generally in the area they came from, when possible. Caring for hedgehogs is not as simple as putting them in a box with food and water they need specialist care, heat and often medication. To gain a better understanding it is recommended to attend a course run by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society. The course, held at Vale Wildlife Hospital in Beckford, is designed for hedgehog carers and aimed at beginners. The one day course includes the basics of assessing, examining and the initial treatment of hedgehogs, the legislation involved, zoonotic risks, fluid therapy, orphan rearing, feeding and practical sessions including microscopy and rehydration by injection. How much does it cost to rescue a hedgehog? We do not earn a wage from this endeavour; all donations received are spent directly on medication, food and equipment needed to help the hedgehogs recover. The average cost to over winter an autumn juvenile is £50 per hedgehog; they usually come into the Hogspital around October and stay with us until the spring or when the risk of snow and frost

has passed the Hogspital is heated during this time to keep a constant warm temperature to prevent juveniles hibernating, if a hedgehog is not above 600grams before hibernating they will not have the fat reserves to survive. Hoglets cost around £75 per litter, the specialist formula hoglets need is costly then they need kitten biscuits and puppy mousse when weaning. Hoglets need to be kept in an electric heated Intensive Care Unit for the first 3 to 4 weeks of their little lives before moving into a cage with an electric heat mat that is run day and night. Once the hoglets start to acclimatise they can slowly have the heat reduced until they are able to regulate their own body temperature. Hoglets will not be released until they are over 500grams and must be soft released into a pen with natural foraging items like branches and leaves to promote the natural behaviour of a hedgehog, all these things mother hedgehogs would have taught the babies before leaving them to make their own way. Sick adults come into care at any time of the year for many reasons including poisoning, illness or disease and injury. Most are very ill and need an electric heat mat for at least a week to help them recover from cold, shock and stress. All sick adults will need medication of some kind and the majority have a heavy burden of internal parasites, it is hard to put a figure on the cost of these cases but it mainly averag-

es it at £25-£35 per hedgehog. Every year thousands of hedgehogs across the country are killed on roads, injured in gardens, are trapped in rubbish or poisoned with chemicals and pesticides. As well as the pain and suffering, or the loss of these lovely creatures, it often leaves young babies in need of care.

What can you do?

NEVER feed wildlife bread or milk - bread has no nutritional benefit to wildlife and milk will give hedgehogs diarrhoea. Set up a feeding station hedgehogs will find food if you leave it out and they will come back if it is a regular and reliable source of food. Always leave a shallow bowl of water in your garden for all wildlife. Create a gap in your garden boundary and ask your neighbours to do the same - Hedgehogs need to travel through entire neighbourhoods if they are to survive they usually roam a few miles in a single night to find enough food, safe nesting sites and potential mates. The more easily they can get around through our gardens, the better chance they have at a future. Never use slug pellets! Be careful where and when you use chemicals and pesticides - or better still do not use them at all. Be careful with strimmer’s and bonfires - hedgehogs love to make their nest in long grass, brambles, nettles and log piles

making them vulnerable to being injured or nests disturbed and babies abandoned. Leave a pile of leaves and/ or a woodpile and a wild area in a corner of your garden – allow grass to grow long and meadow like and plant flowering herbs in one area, it does not need to be a large area. Drive carefully at night and keep an eye out for hedgehogs - their prickly ball protection is useless against a moving car. Look out for sick, injured or orphaned hedgehogs - If you have found hedgehog in need of help please act promptly, pick it up and pop it in a high sided box, then call the British Hedgehog Preservation Society for the number of a local carer or call your local vet, most vets will treat wildlife for free. Donate to us to help fund the care and rescue of many prickly hogs - If you would like to help towards the new Hogspital or purchase much needed supplies for our patients we have an amazon wish-list and ‘donations’ button on our website -www.hogspital.co.uk or you can search Facebook for ‘Hogspital’ to follow the progress of all our little spiky patients.

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Blast from the past

White rumped Sandpiper. Calidris fuscicollis This fine juvenile bird, a nearctic wader, which breeds across northern Canada was found in Norfollk on the sea pools at Salthouse in October 2006 and gave excellent views to the assembled photographers and birders.

Alpine Accenter in Suffolk. Prunella collaris Saturday the 13th of May 2000 was a red letter day for birders in Suffolk as a very showy Alpine Accenter was found in the area of the old sewage works and Corton Church yard. This was the first confirmed record in Suffolk with one previously claimed at Oulton in 1823 which was not conclusively identified. The bird was showing very well and gave excellent views for the birders arriving from all parts of the country. The bird moved in the late afternoon to the Church yard and was last seen on the Church tower in the evening, but sadly then moved on overnight, with no sign of the bird the following day. The Accenterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s breeding range is confined to the mountainous areas of Southern Europe and Asia and birds generally are resident throughout the year with movements from above 2000 metres to the surrounding lowlands in winter. This makes it surprising that the bird has reached the UK on various occasions when its usual migration is very limited. There is still a lot to learn about bird migration which leads to such exciting records and observations in the UK. Page 18

White Billed Diver. Gavia adamsii This individual was well inland on the river Welland at Tattershall bridge in early March 1996 which gave excellent close views as it it moved up and down the river. This record was fairly surprising as most previous sighting have been restricted to Scottish headlands and the Northern Isles of Shetland and Orkney. Unfortunately this birds stay was cut short as a pike angler fishing with a live bait caught the Diver and despite the efforts of the local RSPCA the bird died in care.

Norfolk and Suffolk probably produce the greater number of records of birds passing on migration and areas such as Blakeney point have achieved counts in the double figures. In 2013 a walk out to the point in September at least 7 different individuals were recorded with 3 birds being observed on the same bramble clump at the same time.. Unfortunately these were unusually jumpy and did not stay long enough to be photographed. That would have been a very special picture

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The Status and Recovery of the Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) in the British Isles Extracted from a larger study regarding the ranges of otters within the Norfolk Broads. (2013/14)

Samantha Benfield BSc Natural History

The Eurasian (or European) otter is an iconic symbol of waterways and rivers throughout the British Isles, well known from novels such as Ring of Bright Water, and Tarka the Otter. As a top predator, the otter can also be seen as an indicator of good quality habitat and biodiversity, with numbers often correlating with those of other sensitive species such as the water vole (Arvicola amphibious). Unfortunately, for a number of reasons, the only species of otter native to the UK is classified as a red list species by the IUCN (Ruiz-Olmo, 2008) and is globally threatened (Norfolk Wildlife Trust, 2002). Eurasian otters belong to the family Mustelidae, which also contains badgers, mink, stoats and weasels. The Eurasian otter is the smallest in the Lutrinae sub-family; 1m in length for a female, and 1.2m for a large male from nose to tail tip. The otter is also larger than the other easily confused semi-aquatic mammal to be found Page 20

in areas of the British Isles; the mink. The Eurasian otter is known to be primarily nocturnal, but where their ranges cross into the sea, they may also hunt during the day. Their diet consists mainly of fish, but they have been known to prey on small mammals, crustaceans, birds and frogs (Kruuk, 2006). From the 1950â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, the otter

population suffered a drastic decline, and vanished from much of its natural range. During two decades, the population decreased until it only survived in areas of Scotland and parts of Wales. After surveys carried out in Sweden revealed the dire status of the otter population (Erlinge, 1967, 1968), monitoring and reintroduction

programs were introduced in the British Isles during the 1970â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (Macdonald and Mason, 2008). It is thought that the primary blight upon the otter was the use of pesticides such as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and that the ban of the chemicals in agriculture has been partially responsible for the successful restoration of the species distribution (Chanin, 2008). Many pesticides and poisons that find their way into the rivers are ingested by amphibians and fish, and while in smaller animals the levels are not immediately toxic, poisons accumulate within top predators such as otters, who may consume large numbers of affected organisms. The measures taken to conserve the otter, and to restore the quality of the rivers and waterways that make up the otterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s habitat has led to the gradual stabilization of the population, with otters reappearing all over the UK. Today, the Eurasian otter still has

a large global range [See Fig. 2], however, throughout much of that range, the population is difficult to monitor, and there are concerns regarding possible poaching and habitat loss in areas of Asia. When the population was last evaluated for IUCN status in 2008, the population was still declining on

a global scale, though at a rate of less than 30%. Despite the recovery of the otter in Western Europe and a strong presence in Russia, it was decided that the sensitivity of otters to threats within their habitat and the decreasing global numbers qualified the European otter for Near Threatened Status (IUCN, 2008).

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Since the 1970’s, five national otter surveys have been conducted in England, with additional surveys conducted in Scotland, Wales and Ireland. (Full reports on the surveys are contained on the Environment Agency and JNCC Websites. (Jones and Jones,

population so that such a drastic decline does not happen again. While these surveys document the presence of otters at sites throughout the British Isles, there is still no clear estimate as to numbers, to the full extent of geographical ranges occupied by individuals or

Fig 3 – Map showing the percentage of survey regions in the 1st National Otter Survey (1977-1979) showing positive signs of otter habitation. © The Environment Agency (Crawford, 2010)

2004) ) The first survey shows a very low percentage of sites showing signs of otters. [See Fig.3] However, subsequent surveys have followed the gradual recovery of the otter population in response to reintroductions and conservation measures. The most recent survey, conducted during 2010 shows an almost total recovery throughout England. [See Fig.4] While the recovery of the otter documented within these surveys can only be described as a success, there is still far more work to be done to safeguard the Page 22

Cardiff University Otter Project UK Wild Otter Group, Facebook References Chanin. P., (2008) Ecology of the European Otter (Lutra lutra). ‘Conserving Natura 2000. Rivers Ecology Series’ [Vol. 10] English Nature. Peterborough.

Fig. 4 Map showing the percentage of survey regions in the 5th National Otter Survey (2009 - 2010) showing positive signs of otter habitation. © The Environment Agency (Crawford, 2010)

family groups, or to the level of mortalities caused by Road Traffic Accidents, for example. Volunteers play an important part in the national otter surveys, but also in safeguarding current otter populations. The placement of otter crossing tunnels beneath roads can minimise collisions, and the reduction of litter and pollution levels within the waterways can encourage a greater population of these iconic animals. Sources for Further Information Natural England The Environment Agency

Crawford. A., (2010) Fifth Otter survey of England 2009-2010: Technical Report. Environment Agency. Bristol. Erlinge. S., (1967) Home Range of the Otter Lutra lutra in Southern Sweden. ‘Oikos’ [Vol.18] pp. 186 – 209. Erlinge. S., (1968) Territorality of the otter, Lutra lutra.’Oikos’ [Vol.19] pp 81-98 IUCN., (2008) Lutra lutra. [online] Available at: http://www. iucnredlist.org/details/12419/0 (Accessed 29th Jan 2014)

Wildlife Abroad North Norway

Temminks Stint

A beautiful and quiet place to visit that isn’t too far away from the UK is the area in Finnmark Norway near Vardø – the Varanger Peninsular. Vardø is the main town in this area and is on the island of Vardoya in the Barents Sea. This town is the furthest East in Norway and is a small fishing town with less than 1500 inhabitants. If you are looking for somewhere to go that is off the beaten track but excellent for wildlife then this is the place for you – as long as you don’t mind it being a bit chilly as the wind seems to blow from every direction. The temperatures range from -4.5c in the winter to 10.5c in the summer but the sea does not freeze due to North Continental Drift. There is midnight sun from the 18th May to the 28th July There is one main hotel in the town where most visitors stay, aptly named the Vardø Hotel. It is situated right on the harbour wall with lovely views and the opportunity to watch Red-breasted mergansers, Goosanders, King eider, Glaucous

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gull, Kittiwakes and Red-throated divers whilst you eat breakfast. Along the coast at Hamningberg there are 3 small fishermans cottages that are available to rent during the summer months only and a small campsite. Immature BLuethroat

Several companies organise trips here but it is easy to get to with little organisation needed. It is possible to fly direct to Vardø from Oslo, Trondheim or Tromso or you can fly from Kirkenes which is about 3 hours away from Vardø. Car hire is expensive but Vardø

there is availability. If you don’t like flying there is the coastal steamer ferry or you can easily drive up from Finland. This drive, from either Helsinki or Tampere is long but travels through beautiful woodland countryside and crosses the Arctic Circle. One of the main reasons to visit the area is the amazing road between Vardo and Hamningberg – the fv341. This road winds along for 40km (about an hour) through the most unusual looking geological landscapes and runs alongside the fantastic coastline. This is one of the few places you can still see traditional Finnmark architecture as it was left alone by the Russians in 1944/45. The road is closed from the first fall of snow to the beginning of May each year. This stretch of Road has been likened to a moonscape with its dramatic igneous outcrops that have been folded and tipped over time producing crags and dykes. The scenery is even more dramatic because of the lack of trees and shrubs. There are only a few along the route, mostly at the river estuary at Sandfjord and these mainly consist of stunted willow. At Sandfjord the road crosses the river 5km from Hamningberg where islands have been formed in the marshes making perfect habitat for breeding birds such as

Nesseby with its pretty chapel is situated on the edge of the fjord with a small spit that reaches out into the fjord. This is an excellent place for bird watching particularly Red-necked phalaropes, King eider and Stellarâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s eider in the spring. From the road along the Fjord

Arctic redpoll, Bluethroat, Redshank, Stints and Pectoral sandpipers. Juvenile Bluethroats can be seen in June and July in the scrubby bushes waiting for the parents to return with food or on the rocks just under the bridge. It is worth pulling over just after the bridge and walking back to have a look. Once you get to Hamningberg itself there is not actually much there. A small cafe opens in the summer and there are a few traditional fishermans huts scattered around. There used to be a large fish processing building here but that has gradually disintegrated and now been removed. There are rocky outcrops here along the shoreline where waders can be seen such as purple sandpipers and ruff and also along the beach and reindeer wander freely among the buildings,.In addition it is also an excellent spot for sea watching for Gannets, Kittiwakes, Arctic Skua and Black Guillimots, you may be

Hamningberg Road

lucky to see a Sea Eagle flying by. The tip of the bay breeding snow buntings can be found. Large herds of reindeer roam this area and can often be seen on the beaches here as well as some tamer individuals who reside near the cafe. Just off the coast of the town of Vardo is the most amazing sea bird colony with Puffins and Brunniches guillemots flying right over your head and only a few people are allowed to go out each day. This is the island called Hornoya and is accessible daily by boat from the town. It can be tricky to access as the weather can often be too poor to go but it is well worth it especially if you manage to get a sunny day. Travelling west from Vardo also offers some great wildlife watching with Red necked phalarope at Vadso. This area is possible to visit earlier in the year with groups going in March to May for the wintering birds such as Stellarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eider.

Above Purple Sandpiper and Reindeer

there are points where you can turn up onto the tundra for Reindeer, Arctic hare and Tundra bean geese. The tundra is also an excellent place to be for the Aurora Borealis from February through the spring in clear weather. Nesseby. Over page Red-necked Phalarope

Puzzle Page British Beetles Asparagus Bloody Nosed Burying Cardinal Click Darkling Ground Lily Longhorn Malachite Melyrid Minotaur Musk Rhinocerous Snail Soldier Stag Sulphur Tanner Tortoise

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Lily Beetle

Spot the Difference Can you find the 7 differences between the two poppy pictures?

Please go to the readers page for the answers to the spot the difference.

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Norfolk Bird Fair

Mannington Hall May 2014

On the 17th and 18th May the

first Norfolk Bird Fair to be held at Mannington Hall near Aylsham was open in glorious sunshine. The stunning grounds welcomed visitors and exhibitors to stroll around and soak up the atmosphere whilst shopping for a few special items they had always wanted all on a bird and wildlife theme. The entry ticket gave everyone the opportunity to look around all the grounds which normally costs ÂŁ6 on its own. To encourage a bit of exploration the pond dipping activity was positioned on the boardwalk down near the scrape. And the Hallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s famous rose gardens were open, showing the flowers as they began to bloom. The main marquee was a massive 240ft long with 75 spaces for bird watching businesses and organisations to show their products, art and equipment. There were holidays, clothing, bird food, lens covers, charities and rescue centres to name but a few. Outside of the marquee was an area set aside Page Page 28 28

for the larger wildlife charities so they could have more space, RSPB, SWT, NWT, Wing and a Prayer Rescue (with a lovely Barn Owl and a White Faced Scops Owl), Hawk and Owl Trust. Here also the Norfolk Constabulary had a really interesting stand covering Wildlife Crime and the BTO had a ringing station which was very active over both days. The optics marquee was positioned behind the house on the lake with fish jumping and blue tits feeding young in the hedgerow. Also WEX photographics attended with a small retail area by the optics, and lots of special offers to tempt a bit of over spending! It was a very social event and was laid out with plenty of space for everyone to stop and have a chat with old friends and new, even in the main marquee the aisles were spacious enough to give visitors plenty of opportunity to talk to the stall holders. Lectures were held on both days in a cool room at the centre of the event and were varied and interesting. Subjects covered

included Digiscoping, Rare Birds of Norfolk, Bird Atlas with BTO, Cley Marshes a Wild Vision and a terrific lecture from the Hawk and Owl Trust on the Norwich Page 10 Peregrines. Each lecture was 20 minutes long and most had good attendance. The bar and catering area were positioned on the front lawn next to the moat but only a short walk to the marquee, and the bar acted as an overflow for the lecture room. The stewards and volunteers were a well organised team and a great asset to the event with their friendliness and charm, on many occasions going above and beyond the call of duty. The event will be held next year on the 16th/17th May and will have a slight name change to encourage more visitors. It will be the Norfolk Bird and Wildlife fair and will have more activities for children, a raptor display and more businesses attending. Put the date in your diary as a visit next year is a must. More Information can be found on the website www.norfolkbirdfair.com

Did you know? Now found in many areas of East Anglia, Chinese Water Deer Newborns are so small they can almost fit in the palm of a hand

Birds have hollow bones which helps them to fly. ( This is a Little Tern)

In their larval stage, which can last up to two years, dragonflies are aquatic and eat just about anythingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;tadpoles, mosquitoes, fish, other insect larvae and even each other.

By mimiking another individual â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s whistle, research has proved that dolphins can call one another and communicate, they also have specific whistles for objects

Butterfly wings are made of very thin layers of chitin, which act as solar panels and soak up heat from the sun. (This is a Painted Lady)

Many species of wildlife have their own collective noun to describe a group of them. The mole has two to choose from - either a labour or a company.

Baby Robins eat 14 feet of earthworms every day. Both male and female robins hold their own territories in the winter, so both sexes sing the same winter song.

Daisies are found everywhere on earth except Antarctica.

There are three types of Lizard in the UK. The Common Lizard ( below), Slow worm and the Sand Lizard.

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Taking care of wildlife

Water

It is easy to remember to put out

food for your garden wildlife but don’t forget about the water. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy but needs to be accessible and clean so they can drink and bathe. Even bees need to have water available for them. Unlike mammals, birds do not have sweat glands, so they only lose water through respiration and in their droppings. They can however replace some fluid through their food if they eat insects, but seed eaters need to drink much more. If you have a lot of cats in the area a raised bird bath or dish is better and generally birds will prefer to visit if it is out in the open so they can drink without a predator creeping up on them. They do often prefer a ground level pool though so try and offer both so mammals can have access too. Try a feature that will replenish the water with drips or an actual fountain as this stops the water from stagnating and aerates it which attracts more birds. Make sure the sides are not too steep as they need a shallow edge to be able to get to the water. The most important times to offer fresh water are in the summer

Chaffinch

when the water may evaporate and the winter when it may freeze. Your water supply may be the only available in the area so even a small amount will be important. Remember to clean the container at least weekly with a mild disinfectant to kill off any unwanted bacteria, rinsing thoroughly afterwards. There are specific cleaners on the market which are expensive and contain all-natural beneficial bacteria and enzymes that help prevent stains, mineral deposits and organic build-up. This is unnecessary as a good scrub and a rinse with some anti bacterial washing up liquid will do the job

perfectly well. If you have a stone or concrete bath just give a good scrub and do not use a cleaner or the chemicals may soak into the surface. The bacteria that may occur are Chlamydiosis and Salmonellosis. If you have a lot of bees they may need a bit more thought as they can often drown in a large pool of water. Try placing a bowl outside with marbles in and then fill it with water. This gives the bees something to land on and they do not need to worry about predators from the pond. If you do have a pond, don’t be too hasty to remove the duck weed as this gives insects a perfect place to land while they take some water safely. If you like to photograph the wildlife in your garden a small reflection pool can give amazing results. It needs to be built around 30cm lower than where you would sit and wide enough to allow for the full reflection to show in the water, about a meter is the minimum. The hardest part is to make it totally level so the water can be right up against the edge although having moss or rocks along the edge can also give some lovely effects. The pool does not need to be very deep. Try and keep it away from overhanging trees or it will quickly fill with leaves in the autumn. Keep the water topped up and you may be lucky enough to have a rare visitor in your garden like the Rose Coloured Starling that visited a

Garden in Suffolk this year. ( See below)

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Visit Somewhere New UK Nature Reserve Padley Gorge, Derbyshire

Padley gorge is owned and managed by the National Trust but does not require membership as there is no charge. The gorge has been created over time by the Burbage Brook which starts its life up on the moors above Sheffield. It runs between the village of Grindleford and the A6187 near Hathersage and is about 10 miles SW of Sheffield. It can be accessed from either end by parking at Grindleford Railway station at the bottom or there is a parking bay on the road, at the top. The top area is near to Longshaw Estate, which is also owned by the National Trust so there are toilets and a cafe available. There is also an ice cream van in the lay-by which is very reasonably priced. It is a well known location for families to mess around in the water but the gorge itself is often quiet and is packed full of bird life, especially in the early summer months. The path is fairly steep in places and is rough ground, unfortunately not accessible for disabled visitors, but as long as you are careful it does not take too long to get right into the woodland area. The scenery is beautiful and the native oak and birch deciduous woodland is very sheltered so even on a wet day it is still a great place to go. Not far from the top, just in the woodland, is often the best place to start looking for birds. Redstarts are common here and can often be seen out in the open on the tree edge. There are many bird boxes placed in the trees and it pays to give them close attention, Treecreepers, Pied flycatchers and Redstarts all use them and can often be seen perched on the top.

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Also in this area it is advised just to stop and listen. Wood warblers frequent this area and their distinctive trilling buzzing call is a good indication of their presence,. Occasionally they nest near the ground and so can be seen hopping in and out of the undergrowth. Cuckoos are regulars here and can often be heard but with the tree cover are difficult to see. A bit further down the path before it crosses over the gorge several tawny owl families have set

stream keep an eye out for dippers bobbing on rocks and grey wagtails zipping around catching insects. A path at right angles to the main path going up the gorge takes you to an open area with a few scattered trees. Tree pipits frequent this moorland area along with red grouse and ring ouzel. There are plenty of places to stop and have a packed lunch but there are a lot of hairy wood ants around so be careful. The site is also the home of adders so take care if you

tawny Owl

Trust who can offer more details on the House and the Eastern Moors. There details are: peakdistrict@nationaltrust.org.uk. Longshaw, near Sheffield, Derbyshire, Telephone: 01433 637904.

Wood Warbler

up their territories. Look closely into the canopy in late May early June and you may be lucky to see a young tawny owl dozing on a branch. They can be as curious about you as you are about them. This is also a good area for great spotted woodpeckers, nuthatches and treecreepers. Further downBelow Redstart

Above Pied Flycatcher

stray from the marked path. Once you get to the bottom there is a popular walkerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cafe at Grindleford Railway station. Allow 2-3 hours to complete the gorge and to return to your car. Before you leave, have a quick visit to the feeder station by the cafe at Longshaw House as it can be a good place to see Siskin and Nuthatch close up. If you are looking for more information. Please contact the National

There is plenty of good accommodation in the area either in Sheffield or in the lovely local bed and breakfasts making it an

ideal venue for a weekend in the Derbyshire Dales There are plenty of other reserves such as Bloomfield reservoir close by ,which is an excellent site for Crossbills, or Lathkill Dale is not too far and is good for Wood White Butterflies in the Summer and Dippers. Page 33

Listing Part 2

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Bird Watching is a hobby where many likes to record what they have seen - listing. The birdwatcher can use any form of listing from the simple check list where all new sightings are just ticks on a list, or using special software enabling the user to make a comprehensive

list of their sightings.

check on a regular basis If you are serious about listing you may consid- 3. County List ( this first list is for Norfolk) er the following lists: 4. British life list. 1 Garden list including anything that has land- 5. Year List ed or flown directly over the area in question. Continuing sheets nad the other counties 2. Local Patch which includes the area you will be in following editions

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Starting in Bird and Wildlife Watching

Wildlife watching and bird watching doesn’t need to be an expensive hobby and can be as simple as going for a walk, but it can become addictive. There are many types of birders from the person that feeds the birds in the back garden and spends many hours watching a variety of birds visiting the feeders which attract the more common birds such as Blue Tit, Robin, Blackbird and Great Tit The natural world can be enjoyed by everyone and watching birds has grown into a major leisure activity, with a multi million pound industry providing a range of products to get you started. You can watch birds without binoculars but they are recommended so it is important to try before you purchase as buying the right pair of binoculars will allow incredible views of our feathered friends. There are many brands on the market ranging in price from £50 to over £2000, but there are certain things to look for which will help with your decision. When buying binoculars there are a confusing array of figures and specifications provided with each pair but the two main important details are, looking at magnification and light gathering ability. A pair of 8 x 42 compared with a pair of 10 x 50 give two different specifications but offer similar results. The magnification is determined by the first number where the 10 x 50 have a greater magnification and all subject matter will appear closer. The second number represents the light gathering and the larger the number the brighter the subject will appear. This can be a personal choice as well as cost, but a pair should last many years so spending more on quality optics in the beginning will

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mean you may not have to buy a better pair in later years. When choosing binoculars you will also need to consider the field of view and close focusing which is ideal for watching butterflies and dragon flies when the birding is quiet. Some binoculars do take more effort to move from close range viewing to looking at a bird in the distance. The next decision is whether you need to buy a spotting Scope when watching birds at greater distance where the magnification of your binoculars will not allow adequate views. You could even consider photographic equipment as a reasonable image can prove helpful for identification. The obvious aid for starting birding is a field guide showing the distribution and localities and where your most likely to see birds such as Waders, Buntings, Warblers, Gulls and Terns to name a few. There are countless books on the market which will cover the basic identification features specialising in all aspects from range, distribution,sex and colour. Trying to separate the Curlew Sandpiper from the winter plumage Dunlin and the Reed Warbler from the Sedge can be a daunting task. When sitting in hides you often hear the comment “I have a funny wader and not sure what it is”. There is difficulty initially starting in birding and it can be a daunting task but by going out regularly and viewing the birds in different seasons, it does become easier. Everyone gets it wrong from time to time. Once you have taken the plunge, finding where to go has been made easier by the internet, there are many forums and organisations with reserves that have their own websites with locations and news.

Many of these organisations have local groups that you can join to meet up with like minded people. You may wish to become a member of these organisations, such as the Wildlife Trust closest to you, the RSPB or the Hawk and Owl Trust, but it can get a bit expensive if you join them all – concentrate on those that have reserves you use regularly. Whilst visiting the reserves there will always somebody that may be able to help identify any birds you are not sure of as many have volunteers at hand. There will also be many birders that are willing to help so don’t be afraid to ask. There are limitless number of places that you can go birding and as you become more proficient you will find yourself seeking greater challenges The task of identifying the “ little brown job” can be rewarding. The easy way to learn is to spend as much time as you can spare in the field where you will become more familiar with the common birds which should help you get the most of your birding experience. Get to know your local patch, even a footpath to the city may offer the occasional rarity. Have a recap on the countryside code before you head off out and if you are really serious look at the RSPB site for information on the schedule one protected species. To summarise you will need:

• A pair of binoculars. • A Spotting Scope and Tripod • Field Guides showing the birds you are most likely to see • Membership to local birding and wildlife conservation groups

Wildlife Events in East Anglia August and September

Here are just a few of the great activities and events that are happening in August and September. This is just a selection as there are so many to choose from so please support some of your local Wildlife Charities and go along.

1st August, Friday, 7.30-9pm. Harkstead Shore SWT. Evening Walk. £2 per person. Wildlife walk with Felixstowe Wildlife Group - no need to book. All welcome. Meet at Lower Holbrook car park TM 178 350, Harkstead Shore, Suffolk 2nd/3rd August, See the Spoonbills, 9,10,12 and 1pm. Havergate Island RSPB. Boats depart Orford Quay. RSPB members £12, non members £19 (no child discount). With their spoon-shaped beaks, shaggy crests and long legs, spoonbills are among the most unusual of British birds. The fact that they are scarce visitors makes seeing them even more special, and Havergate Island is the best place to spot these impressive birds. By August they’ll be joined by hundreds of migrant wading birds, returning south from their Arctic breeding sites. Places are strictly limited. Booking essential. 01728 648281 3rd August, Sunday, 10-11.30am. Cley Marshes NWT. Magical Moths. £3 per member £5 non member. Moths are magical. We’ll be identifying the enchanting

creatures that have been trapped the night before. Join us for a rare opportunity to see these fantastic night flyers during the daytime Booking essential, please call 01263 740008

6th August, Wednesday, 2-4pm. Pakenham Wood, SWT. Butterfly Walk. £2.50 donation to SWT. Wildlife walk with Bury St Edmunds Wildlife Group - no need to book Pakenham Wood has been adopted as breeding habitat for the recently arrived Silver-washed Fritillary. The mature woodland forms a large sheltered glade which is full of thistles and bramble from which the butterflies take nectar and pose for photography, along with White Admirals, an occasional Purple Hairstreak, and a mass of the commoner summer species. The wood is private, but a public footpath runs through it at some point. Rob Parker, the (voluntary) Conservation Officer of the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation will lead the walk. Meet at Pakenham Church car park (TL930670 and postcode IP31 2LN) at 2pm. The car park is behind the church; drive up the narrow lane at the side of the churchyard. We should get back at about 4pm. 9th August, Saturday, 9.4512.30pm. RSPB Freiston Shore nature reserve. Crickets and Grasshoppers - Howzat?, Price: £2 National RSPB WEX members, £3 non members and 50p will be charged for each additional child in the family. Come along and learn about these two types of insects which are different animals and not just two words for the

same insect. 01205 311515 11th August, Monday, 10.3012pm. Cockshoot Broad RSPB group visiting NWT. Free. Guided walk at Cockshoot Broad. Car park at end of Ferry Road, Woodbastwick, Norfolk NR13 6HN. Boardwalk and hide. 13th August, Wednesday, 7-9pm, Hickling Broad NWT. Sunset Water Trail. NWT Members £8, Children £6, Non Members £10. A two hour boat water trail. Enjoy a summer evening on the water and experience the magical sunset at Hickling Broad. Watch the water birds and other wildlife settle down for the evening. Booking essential: call 01692 598276. 20th August, Wednesday, 1012pm, Carleton Marshes SWT. What makes Hedgehogs Happy £2.50 donation. Suitable for children aged 3+ years. Please book. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and footwear. Book by phone Tel: 01502 564250 22nd August,Friday, 7.309.45pm, Lackford Lakes SWT. Bat Walk. £3 Adult, £1 Children. Evening walk at Lackford Lakes. Led by bat expert with bat detectors. Bring a torch. Minimum age 8 years, all children must be accompanied. Please pre-book! Tel: 01284 728706 24th August, Sunday, 10-4pm, Willow Tree Fen LWT. Making Your Sightings Coun. A brand new course for conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts to enable Page 37

you to translate your wildlife sightings into valuable biological records. Across the county numerous lay people, volunteers and wildlife enthusiasts of all kinds are engaged, formally or informally, in spotting wildlife, however most of this valuable data is lost, as it is not translated into records. The course will empower participants to gather data in the areas of their current knowledge. Using standard methodologies used by County Recorders it is hoped to increase the number of usable species records and contribute to the conservation and understanding of wildlife across Lincolnshire and beyond. This event it to be confirmed. It will be held on 24 August, 7 September or 14 September. Places are free but limited. For bookings and enquiries please contact 01507 526667 email info@ lincstrust.co.uk 29th August,Friday, 10-1pm Reffley Wood, Kings Lynn. Rivers Trust and NWT. Free. The Norfolk River’s Trust takes us on a linear walk following the River Gaywood as it winds its way from Reffley Wood through King’s Lynn to the Great Ouse, providing a vital wildlife corridor to link green spaces and bring wildlife into the heart of the town. This walk is a linear walk; you will need to use the bus to get to the start point. Catch the 9.30am Coasthopper service 1 from bay 5 at the bus station. Ask for the Sandy Lane bus stop in Reffley. The Norfolk River’s Trust takes us on a linear walk following the River Gaywood as it winds its way from Reffley Wood through King’s Lynn to the Great Ouse, providing a vital wildlife corridor to link green spaces and bring wildlife into the heart of the town. This walk is free, but booking essential – 01603 598333

30th August, Saturday, 8.15-10pm. Cambourne NBCWT bat Walk. £3 per person. Join us for a bat walk at Cambourne and try out a bat detector.As part International Bat Night, the Trust will be running its annual Big Wetlands Bat Walks. Our weekend of evening bat walks include several reserves on the same night, across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire.You will have a chance to try out a bat detector and help gather useful bat data as part of our bat survey that night. So book a place, come along and try out a bat detector and hear the amazing sounds on a wetland near you. Booking essential. Book by phone Tel: 01954 713519 3rd September, Wednesday, 6-9pm. Stone Curlew Roost. Starting Point Thetford. Free. Join the RSPB and Natural England staff for the third year running to see the beautiful but elusive stone-curlew in large numbers before they head of into the night in search of food. The event will be taking place at Cavenham Heath National Nature Reserve. Two coach tours from Thetford to Cavenham will be running. Booking is essential for this event in order to book your place on the coach. This will be done on a first come first served basis. Directions Meet and finish point is the Captain Mainwaring Statue, Bridge Street in Thetford town centre (IP24 3AG). The walk itself will take place at Cavenham Heath IP28 6TB. 01842 753732 6th September, Saturday, 10-4pm. Bradfield Woods SWT. Traditional Rake making, £35 per person. Enjoy a day making a useful and beautiful split-handle rake using traditional woodworking tools and equipment related to this

ancient craft. Make a traditional wooden rake with David Wheeler using coppiced ash from Bradfield Woods. Bradfield Woods open air workshop offers protection from the rain and a fireplace should it be chilly! Tools and expertise will be supplied on the day. All you need is warm clothing, strong footwear and a packed lunch. There will be a charge of £6 on the day for materials. Inspired by rake makers such as the late Trevor Austen from Kent and craftsmen who had worked at the Little Whelnetham Rake Factory, David began making rakes in 2002, using wood grown in East Anglia. As an experienced furniture designer and maker and lecturer in furniture studies, David has combined his skills to run green wood courses for small groups. For further information on David’s work, go to www.woodworkschool.co.uk. Tel: 01473 890089 or can be booked online from the SWT website 7th September, Sunday, 10-1pm. Lakenheath RSPB. Kingfisher Quest. Adults £7/ Children £3.50 (Non-Members) Adults £5/ Children £2.50 (Members). Booking essential. Join us for a special event about the kingfishers that call the reserve home. There will be an introductory talk followed by a guided walk of about two miles to see them fishing on the reserve. We will then decorate kingfisher pictures and make kingfisher masks. Price includes a drink and a biscuit. 01842 863400 13th September, Saturday, 1-3.30pm. Rainham Marshes RSPB. Insect Afternoon. Price: £6 (£5 for RSPB members), children £2.50 (£2 for RSPB members). This does not innclude reserve entry fees. Booking essential. Creating homes for wildlife is key to what the RSPB does but somePage 38

times the scale is smaller than you might think! A single upturned leaf may hold a whole community of micro life while a solitary flower may act of a sugar cornershop for bees, flies and beetles! If you fancy getting up close and personal with the smaller critters of the reserve than this is the event for you. Join us on a guided walk with experts to help you spot and identify some of the fabulous creatures we have at Rainham! Booking essential. 01708 899840 20th September, Saturday, 8.3010.30am. Easton College. Marvellous Mammals. NWT Watch. Are you able to spot a stoat from a weasel or are you baffled at the difference between an otter and a mink? Join us at Easton College to find out who’s waiting in the traps, raring to be released and have all your mammal questions and queries revealed. £4 watch members, £6 non-members. 1 accompany-

ing adult free. Booking essential, please call 01603 625540 20th September, Saturday, 103pm. Redgrave and Lopham Fen SWT. Botanical Illustration seasonal plant material such as autumn fruits, berries and leaves.The centre at Redgrave and Lopham Fen offers an inspiring setting with huge windows offering good light and superb view. Join professional botanical artist, Christine Grey-Wilson, on this relaxing and supportive workshop looking at a range of illustration techniques. The emphasis will be on botanical accuracy and s over the fen. All abilities will be catered for with individual tuition. Christine is a very experienced tutor who has run many successful courses for the Trust. She has a degree in botany and worked as an illustrator at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, for many years.Please bring with you a range of pencils e.g. H,

2H, HB, a soft rubber, an A4 or A3 pad of average quality cartridge paper, watercolours and watercolour paper if you have it. You will need a packed lunch. Tea, coffee and biscuits included in the price. £25.00/£21.50 concessions. Book by phone Tel: 01473 890089 27th September, Saturday, 104pm.Ramsay Heights. NBCWT. Pond Dipping for adults. Price / Donation. £35 standard, £115 professionals, free to BCN Wildlife Trust volunteers. Dipping in pools with a net is a well-known activity for children. But it need not be an activity exclusively practised by children. This course will take the “simple” a step further, by introducing participants to techniques for pond assessment and providing a crash-course in identification of pond macro-invertebrates to species level. Book by phone Tel: 01604 774031 (Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays 9am - 2.30pm)

WILD ABOUT BIRDS BIRD FOOD AND ACCESSORY SPECIALISTS DOG, CAT, HORSE, GOAT, ALPACA FEEDS AND MUCH MORE INCLUDING ANIMAL BEDDING AND CRAFTS. www.wildaboutbirds.co.uk enquiries@wildaboutbirds.co.uk TEL: 01728 833262

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Monumental Peregrines Bird and Habitat

Falco peregrinus

Living in the landscape of Norfolk you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t expect to find suitable habitat for breeding peregrines, with a lack of sea cliffs or mountains there are limited possible nesting locations. However, in the last two years peregrines have breed successfully on Norwich Cathedral, in the heart of the city, raising 4 young from two broods in 2013 and 2014. The Hawk and Owl Trust were alerted to potential breeding taking place at the Cathedral in 2011 when an adult pair and three fledged young where recorded. To aid in their continued success the Hawk and Owl Trust established a breeding platform on the east side of the Cathedral spire in 2012 and the birds soon took a liking to their new room with a view.

The previous female had been driven out of the territory by a new younger and larger female and with the smaller male she laid one egg on the new nesting platform high on the side of the spire in 2012. Some weeks later, when the single egg had not hatched, there was great disappointment as it was clear the new pair of birds had failed to breed.

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The situation was totally different in 2013 with four eggs being laid and the excitement began to grow as each egg hatched in turn. The new platform was proving a success and the Hawk and Owl Trust had positioned a webcam which provided a live feed to what was happening on the nest 24 hrs a day without any disturbance to the birds. The chicks soon began to grow larger, as both parents continued to tend their young on a daily basis with a variety of kills brought

to the platform.

The Hawk and Owl trust had been monitoring the birds from Cathedral closely with a team of local volunteers who where manning the Peregrine watch point with telescopes provided by a local company and leaflets. It also proved a very popular attraction that provided information for the local community and introduced many people to views of their first peregrine. Many visitors came from all over the country to see them. As the birds began to grow a full set of flight feathers and the soft white downy feathers gradually disappeared the activity and the constant noise from the youngsters begging for food could be heard from the area beneath the nesting platform. All four youngsters had been ringed by the trust to enable the progress of each bird to be monitored and tracked.

News soon hit the internet as one by one the young birds left the nesting platform with varying degrees of success as their aerial skills initially needed improvement resulting in one bird dropping in the cloisters at ground level. This soon attracted a heightened interest as birders and photographers had the opportunity to see the youngsters at fairly close quarters. The early morning activity was incredible as the adults went off in search of food beyond the city but soon brought the food back for the eagerly awaiting youngsters. On several occasions the birds would exchange food in mid air creating a shower of feathers which would descend as the prey was plucked ready for feeding. For few weeks

the cathedral spire became a din-

various church or cathedral spires such as in Bath, Derby, Lincoln and obviously Norwich. These have become the new cliff and give the birds the height and location they are looking for in a perfect nest site The setup at Norwich enables you to keep in touch with the activity through the 24 hour webcam and through support of volunteers at the manned station in the Cathedral close. The webcam, for some, does prove addictive so employers beware! ner table. Peregrines rarely manage to raise the whole clutch successfully and this year was no exception. Over the first few days 2 of the young fledged birds meet with tragedy, both losing their lives before they could experience the true freedom as an adult bird. This was met by dismay as many had watched their progress through local news and the webcam daily.

The Urban Peregrine project will see numbers increase throughout their range over time with birds from Norwich being tracked across the country. One of the previous Norwich birds was recorded in Newcastle in 2014. With more platforms being placed on suitable

buildings around the UK with a bit of funding the interest in them will help to secure their future. If you have peregrines in your local area, please consider supporting the local organisation that is helping to protect them. Norwich Cathedral staff are very supportive of the project so donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to go inside the beautiful norman building itself if you visit. The first foundation stone was laid in 1096 and the building work was finished in 1145. The tower that can be seen today was originally topped with a wooden spire covered in lead. Building works continued with the building of the current spire in 1480. Since then the building has remained more or less the same in appearance. Not quite as old as a cliff but the building has seen an amazing slice of history and is a fitting home for the peregrines.

In 2014 the adult birds again appeared back at the Cathedral and breeding soon commenced with the female again laying 4 eggs which all successfully hatched, with all birds fledging throughout early June. They say lightning never strikes twice but again two of the fledged youngsters had an early demise as locals discovered dead birds in their gardens adjacent to the Cathedral. The idea of Urban Peregrines has seen these birds adapt from their normal breeding haunts and using the available structures within inner cities. The favoured choice seems to be old structures which have existed for hundreds of years with Peregrines breeding on Page 42

Readers page

Mystery Bird. These two lovely images were sent in by Derek Thorpe of Norwich. He takes most of his images on his local patch in the heart of Norwich City Centre. The Lakenham Way is the old Railway line that pops out by the Bus Station. Derek enjoys his time along its short route as it is a haven for butterflies, birds, insects, frogs and several families of foxes. Surprisingly there is also a small coloby of Common lizards. Derek fits in his photography around his work and is always looking for something new so that he can research tt and remeber it for the future.

To find the answer turn to the inside of the back cover

Ringlet and Comma

Answers to the spot the difference from the puzzle page

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Rare bird news for May and June

Rose-coloured Starling, Lowestoft

The first week in May saw two major rarities on Fair Isle with both the male Cretzschmar’s Bunting and Caspian Stonechat still delighting the few intrepid birders who ventured north. This was not the only Mega to arrive in May and the discovery of a Hermit Thrush on the afternoon of 13th, it remained until the 16th, represented the 12th record for the British Isles. On the 22nd of May Fair Isle picked up its fourth Mega with a Calandra lark at the north end of the island. A stunning adult male Collared Flycatcher discovered on the 28th of May remained until the following day, all adding to the impressive spring on Fair Isle The Two barred Crossbill remained at Lynford Arboretuem until at least the 25th of May but news from other sights remained thin on the ground. An Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler was discovered at New Biggin in Northumberland on the 3rd of May which had been identified from the recordings of the song taken at the time. A fine summer plummaged Buff- bellied Pipit was discovered at Cockersand Lancashire on Sunday the 4th of May represented the first spring record in the UK. The appearance of a female Myrtle warbler in Orkney on the May 6th, was quickly followed with possibly the same bird moving to Unst Shet-

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land on the afternoon of the 7th. On the wader front the Terek Sandpiper at Covenham reservoir in Lincolnshire delighted the crowds over 3 days from the 19th of May and gave excellent photographic opportunities for those that had made the trip. There were a number of adult Spotted Sandpipers recorded in mid May with birds being found at Farmoor Reservoir in Oxfordshire, Draycote water in Warwickshire and another on Unst in Shetland on the 15th. On the 19th of May some Irish Birders were extremely lucky to photograph a Bermuda Petrel some 200 miles of County Kerry. Spectacled Warbler, Burnham Overy

An adult male Baillon’s Crake was discovered at Oare marshes in Kent on the 22nd of May and showed well throughout the day. The 12th of June offered a splendid adult Black-winged Pratincole which was located at Hauxley nature reserve but only remained briefly, to be re-located the following day in Cleveland at Salthome pools. A first summer Ross’s Gull was identified on the 29th of May at Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham in Devon and still remained on site until the end of June Several Glossy Ibis were recorded at various sites across the country and Fair isle added this to its list for the first time with one being recorded on the island. The female Black-headed Bunting at West Runton Norfolk from the 28th of May until at least the 1st of June was followed almost immediately by a male of the same species. The female was photographed visiting garden feeders in nearby Cromer. Another male Collared flycatcher was found on Carnan Mor Tiree on the afternoon of the 27th of May. There was an excellent passage of Bee-eaters with birds recorded throughout the UK with a few birds staying long enough for a lucky photographer to obtain colourful images

Short-toed Eagle, Ashdown Forest. Taken by Tony Wells

of this exotic overshoot from Southern Europe. The 19th of June saw two White-throated Sparrows being discovered at oppopsite ends of the country with one being trapped at Landguard in Suffolk and the other in the Argll and Bute at Otter Ferry. The second was very well photographed during its very short stay. The Suffolk bird was only sighted briefly after its release with plenty of habitat to hideaway. The adult Bridled Tern located on the 16th of June on Fair Isle represented the first record for the Shetland Isles but by the 20th of June it had moved to Inner Farne in Northumberland where it is assumed to be the same bird that spent several weeks in the north east in 2013. The bird remained on the Farnes until at least the end of June. A Short-toed Eagle was found in Dorset on the 31st of May at Morden Dotterell, Kessingland

Bog Wareham Forest and fortunately roosted overnight, allowing birders arriving from all parts of the country to add this to their life list on the 1st. The bird left the roost at around 10.00am in the morning but did not return to the roost that evening. The bird later moved to East Sussex and gave excellent views in the Ashdown Forest and remained mobile throughout June with sightings at Pig Bush in the New Forest. June can be a very good month for Red-footed falcon but this year was very poor with only a first summer female at Porthgwarra Cornwall from the 27th of June which was still present on the 30th and a first summer male at Cowards Marsh Dorset on the 29th. The only other record was of a first summer male on the Isles of Scillies on the 17th of May and other birds being reported in Suffolk and Bedfordshire. One of the highlight birds of June was the discovery of a very showy first summer male Spectacled Warbler which was found in the dunes at Burnham Overy on the 2nd of the month. The bird was mobile but a regular pattern was observed as the bird sat out in the open allowing some very close photographic opportunities. The bird became the longest staying individual and during its stay had built at least two nests in the Sueda. Norfolk is a excellent county for Slender billed Gull and a single bird was found at Titchwell on the afternoon

of the 26th of May but only remained on site for around forty minutes when it departed to the east and was not relocated. This represented the 5th record for Norfolk and the first in the UK since 2000. Late June saw an Adult Rose coloured Starling visiting feeders in the gardens in Lowestoft where the local residents were very friendly to the visiting birders. A drake King Eider took up residence in late May and was still present on the Ythan Estuary north of Aberdeen in early June. This is an excellent site to record this colourful duck from the Arctic as the birds have been seen there often in the past. This represents just some of the birds seen during May and June with Fair Isle having a bumper spring, and along with a host of megas both Eastern and Western Subalpine Warblers, Bluethroat and Short-toed Lark were just some of the birds available. East Anglia had attracted the usual

passage migrants with Blakeney

point attracting Eastern Subalpine warbler in the Dunes of Winterton also hosting and adult male Redbacked Shrike at the end of June and a trio of Dotterel at the start of the month. Red-backed Shrike, Winterton

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Wildlife East Anglia 3a St Johns Close Norwich

NR1 2AD 01603 219119

Articles to come: Frampton RSPB Scillies Trip Report Wildlife Artist/photographer UK Wildlife - Wolves do they have a place. Pond ecology at Mannington Hall Alien Invaders - Chinese Water Deer Identification - Bar-tailed and Black tailed Godwits. Blast from the Past Rarity Round Up Wildlife Events Mystery Bird Answer - A goldfinch

Erratum: Minsmere June Edition Apologies, we have been informed the entrance price changed this year and is now £8 for non RSPB members, free to members. The centre is open 9-5pm but the reserve is open dawn to dusk. Deer trail is £80 for RSPB members, or £145 for non members per car.

For back editions please contact the

offices below. If you have a suggestion for a feature we would be delighted to hear your ideas. All articles are as accurate as possible but we may make mistakes. Let us know if we have and will try and correct it. For advertising from £40 and editorials. If you would like to submit please contact us. Unfortunately until the magazine makes a profit we will be unable to pay for articles it Please contact: wildlifeeatanglia@gmail.com

This editions mystery bird from the readers page is the Goldfinch. This species is on the increase in gardens and has rapidly climbed in the RSPB’s garden bird watch data. One of its names is the Thistle finch as they are its favourite source of food. Males have longer beaks so they can feed on teasels whilst females struggle.

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