Editors Page The total eclipse of the sun is one of nature’s true wonders and the change in seasons from winter to spring is as important. The spring migration begins in early march with the first Sand Martins reaching the South coast quickly followed by the many small passerines which have wintered in Southern Europe and East Africa. The sound of the Chiffchaff and willow warbler, which both have their very distinctive song are often the first migrants to be heard and seen. The nightingale is soon setting up territory in mid April where their loud and bubble like song can be heard deep within suitable vegetation. The migration continues throughout April and May with millions of birds returning to our woodlands, heath land and scrubby habitat on the coast where the many reserves are managed by the different organisations including the wildlife trusts and the RSPB. The numbers of birds seem to be decreasing and work undertaken by the BTO has helped extensively research where our migrants are going in the winter by tracking their movements across Africa. The work on Satellite tracking of the Cuckoo has proved very popular and data recovered has shown some very interesting patterns in migration. The research shows birds are moving into two clearly defined routes with some birds even leaving the UK as they may have returned too early. William Hill even ran a book to see which bird arrived back on the breeding grounds first. The truly remarkable part of the migration of the Cuckoo is how the immature birds find their way to the wintering grounds without following the parents as most adult birds begin the return journey as early as mid June. The migration has been affected by the terrible hunting policies on many of the Island countries such as Malta and Cyprus where birds are blown out of the sky for so called sport. If the birds are not shot they are trapped in mist nets or on lime sticks where the birds are stuck permanently without any escape. The people of Malta recently voted against introducing a ban on hunting as it was given right to behave so appalling against nature. It also seems we have similar problems closer to home where one group in particular based in Norfolk is campaigning to shoot birds of prey including Sparrow hawk and Buzzard. This behaviour is frankly disgusting as we need as nation to protect and maintain our beautiful migrants, songbirds and the majestic birds of prey which soar above our beautiful countryside.
Orange-tip Butterfly
4. 5. 8. 8 11. 13 14. 15. 16. 18. 20 21. 22 . 23. 25. 28 31. 32. 34. 36. 38.
Contents Page
Editors Page Bat Care Alien Invader: American Mink. Abberton Reservoir. Wildlife Artists. kate and Hannah Breach. Habitat. Reservoirs. Did you know? Norfolk Bird Fair Short-eared Owl Behaviour. Rough-legged or Common Buzzard. Puzzle Page? Non Uk Morski Oko. Readers Page Nagshead RSPB. Whats Been Around Jan/Feb/March. Identification. Wood Warbler, Willow Warbler and Chiff Chaff. Feeding the Wildlife. Sunflower Seeds. Butterfly List. Blast from the past. Whats On. Subscritpion and Information
Front Cover: Dunlin. Rob Wilson
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
Wildlife Care
Bats
There’s a bat flying round my room Not an uncommon experience on a summer evening when inexperienced juveniles are learning to fly. Fortunately it is easy to let the bat find its own way back out: • Do not attempt to catch the bat, or ‘guide’ it towards a window! • Close internal doors into the room to keep the bat in one area of the house • Open external doors and windows in the room and make sure they are not obstructed by curtains or blinds • Turn off the lights There are some circumstances where we do not advise this: • During daylight hours • In the winter and in heavy rain or high winds • If you think your cat may have brought the bat in • If the bat was in the house the previous evening and has not left • When someone has been bitten or scratched by the bat In these situations please call the National Bat Helpline (0845 1300 228) for further advice. I have found a bat that is not flying - Any bat that is found flightless indoors, or in an exposed area outside, is likely to need help. You can assist by containing the bat to keep it safe and calling the Bat Helpline for further advice. We have details of over 250 Bat Carers operating throughout the UK, and may be able to refer you on to one of them for further guidance.
Is there a disease risk? - If it is necessary to handle the bat, wear gloves due to the small risk of a rabies type virus which can be transmitted by bites and scratches. The risk of catching the virus from a bat in the UK is extremely small; only eleven bats have been found with it since 1986. Bats are not aggressive, but any wild animal may bite to defend itself. When people are bitten there is a precautionary treatment: the Bat Helpline can give you further information.
How do I contain a bat?
• Use shoe box, margarine tub or similar with small holes punched in the lid but no gaps you can get a finger through. Make sure it has a secure fitting lid: bats are escape artists! • Contain the bat like a spider, by placing a box on top of it and sliding a piece of card under-
neath. Alternatively, cover the bat with a tea towel, carefully scoop it up and place it in the box • Put a tea towel or soft cloth in the box for the bat to hide in. Kitchen roll is another alternative • Put in a plastic milk bottle top with a few drops of water. Make sure the water is topped up regularly • Keep the box indoors somewhere quiet and dark.
When is the Helpline open? -
October to April weekdays 9am – 5.30 pm. May to September when bats are most active our hard working volunteers staff the phone to 10.30pm every evening, weekend and bank holiday. Please remember that all of Britains bats and their roosts are protectected by the Wildlife and Conservation act of 1981.
Common Pipistrelle
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Alien Invader American Mink The Mink is a member of the Weasel
family and although smaller in size, is often mistaken for an otter. They are dark brown in colour, almost looking black in shadow, and they prefer to live near water using as many as 10 different dens. The first Mink were brought to the UK in 1929 to provide for the large demand for fur in the fashion industry at the time. During the war, fur production came to a halt but by the 1950’s there were 400 registered farms in the UK. From the moment they arrived into the UK escapes occurred and some Mink were released accidentally or deliberately into the wild, creating small populations across the country. Many believe that animal rights activists were to blame for the wild population we have today but in fact most were released many years before the industry became the focus of these activists and not in the 1990’s. The first evidence of breeding came in 1956 and only 11 years later Mink were found in over half of the counties in the UK and lowland Scotland. Female Mink can have up to 10 young and as they have no natural predators
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in the UK their population can rise very quickly. It took a long time for the government to react to the problem and so numbers continued to rise. In 1964 the decision was made to trap them using a MAFF (Ministry for Farming and Fishing) eradication team consisting of 7 people but it quickly became obvious this was not enough and the scheme was closed down in 1970. In 1975 tougher legislation for fur farming was brought in and by 2000 it was banned entirely. The animal rights activists did release Mink from the last few remaining farms but by this time they were so used to humans that they did not travel far from the release site and were caught quickly. American Mink are very destructive as they take eggs, chicks and sometimes adult birds. There is documented evidence in the Hebrides of adult birds abandoning the nesting ground entirely where Mink were present. They also hunt for White-tailed Crayfish, Salmon, Kingfishers and anything that moves near the river bank within their 3km hunting range. Water voles are also a target as female
Mink are small enough to follow into the burrow, it is believed this is a major factor in the 80% decline in numbers. Actually, Mink will try and eat just about anything and due to their skill at hunting do plenty of damage to our native species. A great deal of work by environmental organisations, such as the Wildlife Trusts, has been done to remove the Mink, but they are still found in many places across the country. Trapping is carried out between January and April so females will not have dependent young. If you see a small raft like structure on a reserves water way it has probably been placed there to trap them. The rafts have a small area of wet clay to record footprints to determine the presence of Mink before the trap is activated. With numbers being gradually reduced, it will give the native wildlife more of a chance to thrive. If you see one, make a note of its location and inform your local warden or ranger.
Mink Trap on the Little Ouse below. American Mink next page
East Anglian Reserve
Abberton Reservoir
Abberton Reservoir is a terrific area packed full of wildlife. It is the fourth biggest reservoir in the UK and has recently been expanded by around 50% with the extension of the height of the banks. Construction started in the 1930s, with the purchase of 3000 acres by Essex and Suffolk Water, and the flooding the Layer Brook. The river valley here is made up of London Clay and so is perfect for a reservoir, providing water for South Essex homes and businesses. The reservoir was used by RAF 617 The Dam Buster squadron, for practice in the Second World War as it was a similar shape to the Eder Dam in Germany. During the war the Government felt that such a large expanse of water might be a good place for invading sea planes so over 312 mines were placed in the water in grids. After the war they were shot at by soldiers to explode them but when the water levels dropped in 1989-91, 22 were found in the shallow water and were detonated. Since then the water has been thoroughly checked and given the all-clear. The new work on the reservoir commenced in January 2010 with the re-routing of 2km of the B1026 and the removal of the reserve visitor centre. The original centre was unfortunately too low to the water’s edge so Essex and Suffolk Water built a new centre on higher ground for the Trust. The new facility is a great asset to the reserve with a cafÊ, shop, seating area and amazing views over a large part of the reservoir. This new centre has been the catalyst for redevelopment of the area around the building with 8.
the construction of new footpaths, new hides and the planting of mixed woodland. The reserve has easy access from Colchester which is only 4 miles away and there is plenty of parking at the new centre. It is well worth taking a slight detour to visit the two causeways that cross the reservoir as these are good places to pull up for some birdwatching. Both causeways have parking on them, so even for the disabled it is easy to get good views of the waterfowl and maybe a passing marsh harrier. During the autumn and spring many migrants make use of the reservoir to feed and rest on the way through. Over 40,000 Goldeneye, Gadwall, Tufted Ducks, Wigeon, Teal and Pochard visit here and in the spring
cormorants nest in the trees around the reserve. Large numbers of swans and geese also reside here or pass through on their way to their breeding grounds. In the past, the reserve has also been visited by a number of rare species including White-headed Duck, Whiskered Tern, Red-footed Falcon and Sabines Gull In drier winters the water level drops leaving large areas of exposed mud, perfect for waders such as Golden Plover, Ruff, Spotted Redshank, Common Sandpiper and Common Redshank. With the rebuilding work of 2010 some of the original concrete walls have been removed offering more muddy margins for waders. The new grassy area by the centre is already visited by a good number of species including Stonechat, Gold-
Above. New visitor centre. Below Left Goldeneye and right Male and Female Pochard
finch, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Blue Tit and Robin. This area can get a bit boggy in the winter but the paths are good for wheelchairs. There is a small feeder station to the left of the reserve which can be seen from the windows and birds enjoy the mature hedgerows already in place. Whilst in the area, Abbots Hall Farm and Roman River Valley Nature Reserve are only 2 miles away and Ray Island and Bonners Saltmarsh are only 3 miles away. Entry to the reserve centre from 9-5pm is free but please consider joining the Essex Wildlife Trust so you can visit their other reserves. Abberton is a perfect place for a relaxing walk and cup of coffee. over page Tufted Duck
W I L D L I F E A R T I S T S
Kate and Hannah Breach
Kate and Hannah Breach have been observing and recording all aspects of wildlife and habitat for as long as they can remember. And have always had a passion for painting and anything pertaining to natural history. Norfolk (their home county), Suffolk and Scotland are the places they focus on mostly, as all their family connections are from those areas which has given them an ingrained empathy with the wild areas of there. All animals from the smallest
invertebrates to the largest birds and mammals hold a lasting interest. Some of the artists who have inspired them are Lars Jonnson, Robert Bateman, Denis Mayer Jnr., and Carl Brenders, due to their enthusiasm. They also owe a great deal to Sir David Attenborough and recently Mark Cawardine who both have such genuine and deep passion for the natural world. In fact anyone who has a true love for and of the natural world confirms their own feelings that caring for
Above Hare and Below Drumlanrig
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and promoting the same is paramount. Skulls, nests, seedcases, plaster casts of footprints, dried plant material, feathers, found dead insects and many photographs are all collected and at hand in their studio. Visits to all areas - wetlands, heath, woodland, coastal - add to the rich and varied cache of inspiration. On Kate and Hannah’s own patch, which has been managed exclusively for wildlife, the list of animals is impressive
and could rival many SSSI sites. Wthout keen observation and a caring and knowledgeable attitude, this small patch of Norfolk could be like the rather bleak and sterile farmland that borders part of their mini Eden. Apart from painting individually Kate and Hannah have the ability to work together on the same painting and produce an image that cannot be distinguished as the work of two artists. Not always a completely smooth path - but the
finished paintings are always just that, never abandoned or painted over. On occasion, and if the canvas is large enough, both will paint at the same time rather than in rotation. They love depicting all natural history subjects but especially enjoy painting hares, insects and birds. The ultimate aim is to paint nothing but wildlife - especially British. However they have to ‘subsidise’ their wildlife art with other painting work from commissions,
illustrative work and signwriting, which is enjoyable but nowhere near to the same extent. Kate and Hannah enjoy using various media, acrylic, watercolour and gouache mostly but also pencil, inks, oils and more recently lino-cuts as they all create different effects for the same subjects. They are always interested in trying new techniques. Their paintings have been exhibited at NEWA (National Exhibi-
tion of Wildlife Art), Norwich Castle ‘Vision and Reality’ and ‘Inspired by Birds’, various small exhibitions in Norfolk and Suffolk. Two places have been special for them - The David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year 2014 at the Mall Gallery, London and The World Land Trust allery in Halesworth because profits from the exhibitions go to wildlife conservation. World Land Trust (WLT) is an international conservation
charity, which protects the world’s most biologically important and threatened habitats acre by acre. Since its foundation in 1989, WLT has funded partner organisations around the world to create reserves, and give permanent protection to habitats and wildlife) Their work can be viewed on their website www.campbel-cornell.com where there is also a contact page.
Left Lapwing,The Herald and Speckled Bush Cricket. Above The Beauty of Blackthorn and below Greek Goldenring
Did you know? The hornet is a large wasp but is no so agressive , unless disturbed. They will eat insects including butterflies
Weasels do not go white in winter like stoats. To tell them apart. - weasels are smaller and do not have a black tip on the tail.
The Corncockle is not seen as much as it used to be and it has several different names including Corn Campion, Cockle, and Purple Cockle
Swallow communication keeps the birds in touch with each other so young and adults migrate together
Robin was the name of the first British postmen after their red jackets.
Tawny owls are not found on islands as they don’t like flying over water.
The yellowhammer is a delightful farmland bird. Its call is often referred to as sounding like a ‘little bit of bread and no cheese’.
Hares can run at around 45mph. They give birth to their young, leverets, on the ground unlike rabbits who use burrows.
When a nightingale feels threatened its warning call sounds a little like a frog croaking.
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Norfolk Bird and Wildlife Fair 2015 Mannington Hall near Holt is again the venue for the Norfolk Bird fair, which this year encompasses all aspects of wildlife. The new title of the Norfolk Bird and Wildlife Fair celebrates all the amazing species the county has to offer. The event is bigger and better with a new fantastic art marquee, a wildlife photography competition and free entry for under 16’s. A new bird race has been launched in partnership with the fair and will be held the week before. The aim is to spot as many species in 24 hours and will have teams from Norfolk, Suffolk and a mixed team. Money raised from this event will go to the British Trust for Ornithology. The dates for the Fair are the 16th/17th May and from 9-5pm visitors can come along and see around 70 businesses in the marquees connected with the environment including wildlife charities, holiday companies, optics, cameras,
books, bird boxes and clothing. This year there will be a lot of new artists and sculptors making it one of the biggest displays of wildlife artists in Norfolk. Several authors will be attending to sign books including Tony Juniper on the Saturday and Bill Oddie on the Sunday. Bill is also giving a presentation in the lecture room. During the two days there will be a series of lectures on wildlife topics that are included in the entry fee. In the mornings, Butterfly conservation will be showing the specimens they caught in their moth traps. There will also be raptors on display, a family ladybird trail, pond dipping, face painting, a new introduction to geo-caching trail, bird walks, hedgehog making, seed planting forest school activities on the Saturday and many other activities. Once inside you are welcome to wander around Mannington Halls beautiful gardens or
you could take a stroll down to the bird hide and boardwalk. The aim of the event is to raise money for conservation projects in Norfolk and ticket holders will be invited to choose where they would like profits to go. It is a great venue for catching up with friends and has the feel of a garden party with good food and a beer tent. If you are new to wildlife watching or an expert there will be something for you. Details of the activities, lectures, book signings and ticket sales are available on the website including a discounted rate for group bookings and advance sales.www. norfolkbirdfair.com. Tickets on the door are £10 per adult, children under 16 are free, maximum 3 per adult. Please no dogs as it is Lord and Lady Walpole’s front garden.
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Short-eared Owl Behaviour
On several trips to Orford Marsh in Suffolk to watch the Short-eared owls over the winter months, it was clear they were very successful with their hunting techniques. The rough grassland of the marsh, saltings and sea wall are perfect
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habitat for the voles that are the owl’s main food source. Often the owls would drop down and rest on the ground and sometimes they were seen hopping around as if looking for something, particularly when near the
sea wall. It was clear they were not moving around quickly enough to actually be hunting. Then after a little rummaging in small piles of debris they could be then seen flying away with a vole that appeared to be already dead. Many dog walkers and bird watchers walk along the wall as it is a public footpath. Sometimes an Owl would land in the field and wait for the walkers to pass before returning to the Wall to look for their stash, often on days when the hunting and weather were not so good. This seems like a great idea, providing food on days when the wind maybe too strong to hunt, or for days when they may have been unlucky. There is, however, one disadvantage – someone else may get there first! Weasels also live in the area and were seen to be randomly rum-
maging in the piles of cut dead grass on the sea wall. The behaviour seemed odd, bouncing around, until they appeared from a hole in the grass with a large dead vole dangling from their mouths. The voles were nearly half the size of the Weasels but they easily managed to carry them off quite a distance to their home on the dyke edge. These opportunists were being very successful finding the stashes. Luckily the owls had put some voles in more difficult places to get too for instance on edge of the saltings, so the sea wall was not their only larder. Above left and Below Weasel and above Short-eared Owl
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Common or Rough-Legged Buzzard
Buteo buteo and Buteo lagopus Common Buzzards are now the UK’s most common bird of prey and numbers are still rising. They can be found just about everywhere in the UK except for some of the Scottish Islands and the Isle of Man. In flight they appear large and fly with their tail feathers spread and wings in a shallow ‘V’ shape. The wings are rounded and broad, unlike other birds of prey which tend to have narrow, less chunky wings. They vary in colour from dark brown to almost white with pale under wings and dark wings with barring on the tail. During the winter months Rough-legged Buzzards spread from their arctic breeding grounds and often visit the UK. Numbers visiting vary, dependent on the number of rodents in Scandinavia as it appears they are more likely to wander
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when the food supply is plentiful and breeding has been good. They have not, as yet, bred in the UK. As their name suggests, Rough-legged Buzzards have feathering all the way down their legs but you don’t often get close enough to see. They have slightly longer wings and tails than Rough--legged Buzzard in flight and hovering
Common Buzzards and they are generally lighter in colour with a black tipped tail. One of the easiest distinguishing marks can be seen when in flight, rough- legs have a large dark carpal patch in the middle of the under wing. They also have a black patch on the belly and when in flight they often
hover, unlike Common Buzzards. The wing span of a rough-legged buzzard is around 134cm whereas the Common Buzzards wingspan is slightly smaller at 118cm. Often you hear Buzzards before you see them as their mewing cry sounds not unlike a cat. Their call will carry a long distance, especially if they are up high riding the thermals, and in the spring they can gather in small groups to circle the sky together. To see Rough-legged Buzzard in the UK you are best to search in the East of England, particularly East Anglia, Kent and Northumberland. Flat meadows are their favourite sites as this terrain is similar to their tundra homeland. Unfortunately the UK doesn’t offer its preferred food of lemmings so they tend to hunt for rabbits which rabbits must be a little difficult as they have fairly small talons for the size of the bird.and are quite happy to take roadkill.
Above Common Buzzard in flight and below, on the ground
Puzzle Page Word Search. British Moths X C P D U W T G C H X E
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A A I E S M Z H O K L M
W C N C T O C O C W A P
Bufftip Cacao Cinnabar Cocksfoot Codling Cork Corn December Emperor Fox
T A R E E U O S K A E E
Q O U M N S R T S H M R
K C T B R E N Y F T N O
E E O E O W V R O E N R
N E E R H G E T O V V P
I M R L K L L S T I Z I
Hawthorn Honeysuckle Hornet Leek Leopard Meal Mouse Mung Palm Parsnip
V Y A X S E K E V R B N
P H S C N O C P R P R S
I T P O R P U A A F E R
T M B D O A S T B O R A
F U E L H R Y F A X E P
F N R I T D E P N S C P
Puss Raspberry Skin Sorcerer Tapestry Thyme Turnip Wax
Spot the Difference
U G R N W C N A N K R U
B V Y G A O O L I I O S
B B U D H O H M C N S S
Find 7 differences. Answers on the readers page 22
Wildlife Abroad
Poland
Morskie Oko
The Tatra Mountains form the border between Poland and Slovakia. Southern Poland is perfect for wildlife Holidays as there is plenty of low cost accommodation, good food and fantastic scenery. In the last few years it has become a popular retreat for a peaceful and exciting break. The Germans were the first to consider Zakopane a good place to visit and developed the area for skiing. With the opening of the borders for tourism in the late 1980s, this was one of the few places geared up to receive visitors due to the demand for winter accommodation. The good thing about
this is that out of the skiing season it is just as beautiful and it is fairly easy to find somewhere to stay. The town itself has quite a few birds including Black Redstarts and Nutcrackers, but heading into the Tatra National park is the best bet for wildlife viewing. There is a cable car that takes you to the top but this is a bit touristy so generally not much to see but the trails into the mountains are well marked and easy to follow. This region is particularly good for mammals including Brown Bear, Marmots, Tatra Chamois, Eurasian Lynx, Wolf, Red and Roe Deer. Patience is required to spot these
as they are fairly shy, so if you are particularly looking for mammals it may be best to find a local guide. If it is birds you are interested in you may be lucky enough to see Wallcreeper and Alpine Accentors on the Crags and Ring Ouzel on the grassy areas. Black Woodpeckers can often be heard and seen in the mountains pines and Crested Tits, Hawfinch and Nuthatch are fairly common. A particularly lovely lake is about an hour from Zakopane and well worth a visit. It is called Morskie Oko which translates as ‘the eye of the sea’. This glacial lake is the largest lake in the mountains at over 860 meters in length and is almost totally surrounded by large craggy mountains, the tallest being Rysy at 2499 meters. The lake is edged with Swiss Pines and is very clear giving good views of the Famine trout that thrive in the water. The lake is a good place to see the wildlife as nutcrackers have become used to visitors and wait by the small cafĂŠ to pick up any titbits. The long walk up is partially wooded and often quiet as many people decide to forgo the walk and take a horse and cart so birds are often undisturbed. The best time to visit is in the spring and autumn when fewer tourists visit. If it is busy there are further trails leading up into the mountains. Alpine Accentor and Nutcracker
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Readers Page
Mystery Bird: Answer on the Subscription page
Welcome back swallows, hope you had a good flight back and look forward to seeing you this summer
Above: answers to the spot the difference and below Mystery bird. Answers on the Subscriptions page at the back of the magazine. 22
Nags Head RSPB Forest of Dean The Forest of Dean provides the setting for this peaceful and pretty reserve. It is located on the western edge of Parkend and consists mainly of 19th century oak but there are also areas of alder and conifers. Near the visitor centre there is a lovely area of meadow which comes alive in the summer with butterflies and dragonflies. 30 species of butterfly and 20 species of dragonflies have been recorded here. The RSPB do not seem to push
this reserve so it is mostly visited by locals who seem very knowledgeable and helpful. The visitor centre was refurbished in 2011 and, when open, has a board with information about what species you may find. There are also toilets, a small educational area, picnic benches and a small car park. There are two different trails to follow around the reserve and two hides. The first circular short trail is 1 mile long and is part of the long trail, so you can choose whether to return or continue onto the 2.25 mile trail. The two hides are separate from the trails and are both situated on ponds that have formed in small glades in the woodland. The list of birds arriving in the spring includes Pied Flycatchers, Redstarts and Wood Warblers and other species such as Hawfinches, Crossbills, Buzzards, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Nuthatches and Woodcock are on the site year round. The oak woodland had a problem with Oak Leafroller Moth Lavae so it was decided in 1942 to put up lots of nest boxes to encourage Pied Flycatchers which now breed here readily. Monitor-
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ing of these boxes has continued since 1948 and this is recorded as the first bird breeding programme in the UK. As the reserve is so quiet, it is a perfect place to brush up on your bird call identification. The Wood Warbler is particularly easy to pick up here as the males loud trill echoes round the glades and they tend to stay in one place for a while to
give you the chance to follow the call. Another species that attracts visitors here is the possibility of spotting some of the Forest of Deans population of Wild Boar. They can be easier to spot in the winter when the trees and undergrowth are less dense but they are very hard to find. Keep an eye out on the edge of the paths too
as they like to root around in the soft soil leaving areas of disturbed leaf litter. For disabled visitors this site is particularly difficult as there are fairly steep inclines and the paths get quite boggy. The visitor centre opens 10-4pm Easter to September. There are plenty of other places to visit in the area including Highnam Woods in the Severn Vale and Beechenhurst Lodge. Editors Note: This reserve is perfect for a couple of hours of peace and quiet. This great little spot would benefit from a feeder station near the visitor centre so disabled people could also see the array of cracking birds that visit here. If you are in the area, it is free so there is no reason not to visit.
Above one of the hides with its view and Burnet Companion Moth on Orange Hawkweed 24.
Whats Been Around Feb to April region on the sea where it proved elusive at times and remained until the middle of April The Adult Pacific Diver was still in Mounts Bay Cornwall in Early January where it remained elusive and was seen until the end of April, by then in breeding summer plumage. The Eastern Black Redstart was still showing well on St Mary’s,Scilly until at least the 6th of January in an area between Porth Loo beach and Porth Mellon. The American coots remained in Ireland and North Uist throughout the winter months The Penduline Tits remained in Devon throughout the winter with the birds often providing excellent views as they feed at Darts Farm near Topsham. A first winter Ivory Gull remained at various sites throughout the highland region in mid January including the fish farm at Ullapol where the bird remained until the 21st of January
Waxwing, Mildenhall The new year started with a bang, literally, with a Little Bustard available on the first of January in East Yorkshire at Fraisthorpe. It was a not seen on the following day. Then there was the sad news of a female found dead by the roadside at Blofield in Norfolk that had been shot, it was presumed the body had been dumped The Blyths Pipit remained at Pugneys Country Park in West
Yorkshire until the 6th of January where the snow allowed birders to obtain much better views of this very rare vagrant. The first week in January saw a first winter male Harlequin Duck. It was found on the River Don in Aberdeen where the bird remained until the end of April where it began moulting into summer plumage. Remarkably a female was found off Brora in the Highland
An Adult Slaty Backed Gull was found in Ireland at Killybegs on the 17th of January and remained there to the following morning but soon departed east after its early morning showing. The Black Scoter remained in Ireland in County Kerry throughout January and an adult Black Duck on Scilly remained on Tresco until the end of April. 25.
ness in Kent where they remained throughout January and well into March. Here the birds continued to prove an attraction to photographers and birders. The Greater Yellowlegs, first seen in January at Titchfield Haven, remarkably put in a second visit at the same site nearly 3 months later in April. A wintering Lesser Yellowlegs on Pett Levels in Sussex meant both of the American waders could be seen in the same day.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Halvergate The winter saw a number of very showy Rough legged Buzzards with the bird in East Yorkshire at Grindale giving very good performance. The Juvenile bird in Halvergate Marshes in Norfolk was very similar often flying directly overhead. It remained throughout the winter.
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A Grey or intermediate phase Gyr was seen flying north over Halvergate in Norfolk but whether this was an escape or falconers bird could not be ruled out. The pair of Cattle Egrets seemed faithful to the area around Dung-
The first winter Laughing Gull at new Brighton Marina was on view throughout the winter months and visiting Seaforth Nature reserve near the end of its stay. The second winter at Ballycotton in Ireland was often on view during the winter period. Waxwings were it short supply but a small number where seen in Ipswich and a lone 1st winter female in Mildenhall in Suffolk was present for a number of weeks. A first winter Thayer gull was Harlequin Duck, Aberdeen
found near to Gatwick Airport where it remained from the 28th of March to the the 30th. The Little Bunting in Glamorgan remained a crowd puller as the bird feed close to the hide at Forest Green.
found at Rufforth Airfield in West Yorkshire on the 2nd of March and was briefly seen the following day. A first winter White tailed Eagle was tracked throughout East Anglia being recorded at various sites from Essex to Norfolk and was captured by many photographers A first winter male Desert Wheatear was found on St Agnes on
This represents just some of the highlight birds during the winter period with the usual number of supporting cast of more commoner wildfowl including American Wigeon, Ring necked Duck , Lesser Scaup and Green winged teal recorded at various sites across the UK. the 21st of march where it stayed until the 26th where the bird could be seen singing and holding territory. The bird surprisingly departed without finding a partner A very showy Bonaparte’s Gull at Radipole Lake in mid march with a second individual in Cardiff where the highlight birds with at least 4 others occurring in March at various sites in the UK A very showy Alpine Swift was
The mild winter saw a number of wintering egrets with Great White and Spoonbill in good numbers at various sites thus proving the expansion of both species as recognised breeders. Other passerines of note through the winter including Great Grey Shrikes holding territory at a number of sites with Roydon Common and Santon Downham in Norfolk two areas to search. Spoonbill at Titchwell
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Identification
Wood Warbler, Willow Warbler and Chiff Chaff The herald of spring see these three migrants, who are all part of the Phylloscopus family of warblers, return to UK after wintering in West Africa. The Wood warbler (Phylloscopus sibilatrix) has a restricted range in the UK and is mainly found breeding in mature woodlands in Wales, Derbyshire and Scotland. There has been a steady decline
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throughout the range with numbers fluctuating from year to year. The bird is recorded annually on migration in Norfolk and Suffolk with some males singing and holding territory in the vain attempt of attracting a mate. The distinctive song comprises of a number of metallic notes rising in tempo and this makes the males fairly easy to find on migration or on the breeding grounds. The plumage
is an overall light green with the under-parts white with a lemon coloured throat with pale bill and legs The Wood Warbler is the biggest of the three and is 12cm in length with a 22cm wingspan. Willow Warblers come next and are 11cm in length with a 19cm wingspan and Chiff Chaff are 10cm in length with an 18cm wingspan.
Willow warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus) is a leaf warbler and is widespread throughout the UK breeding in woodland habitat in a variety of alder, willow or birch. Like the Chiff Chaff it is an early migrant and their melodious song will grace any woodland. It is greenish brown above and off-white to yellowish below with a strong yellowish supercillium ; the wings are plain greenish-brown with no wingbars. The juveniles are yellower below than adults. It
is very similar to the Chiff Chaff, but non-singing Willow Warblers can be distinguished from them by their paler pinkish-yellow legs The Willow Warbler is very unusual as it moults its feathers twice a year in both its wintering and breeding grounds. If you watch a Willow Warblers tail it flicks it every so often,whereas a Chiff Chaff flicks its tail consistantly. Willow Warbler eggs are very
tiny, in fact three are only the weight of a penny. Of the three birds, Willow Warbler is the most abundant with good numbers across its range. Unfortunately Wood Warblers due to their decline, are on the Red endangered list and Chiff Chaffs are amber.
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The Chiff Chaff (Phylloscopus collybita) breeds extensively throughout the UK in a variety of habitats and its very distintive call gives rise to its name. The female builds a domed nest on or near the ground, and assumes most of the responsibility for brooding and feeding the chicks. The male has little involvement in nesting, but defends his territory against rivals, and attacks potential predators. The plummage is a drab olive green with a short pale supercilliium and pale underparts. The legs appear a dark colour and helps when separating from willow warbler.
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The birds that occur in the UK is the nominate race but both Iberian Chiffchaff from Southern Europe and the Tristris race or better known as Siberian Chiff chaff. The first record of Iberian was recorded at Portland bill and a number of years later a bird of this race held territory in woodland adjacent to the Norfolk and Norwich hospital. The Siberian race of Chiff chaff is often recorded in winter as the birds move from the east. The Siberian race appears to look a cooler grey with whiter under parts and they have a distinctive call.
Taking Care of the Wildlife Sunflower Seeds
Sunflower seeds can be offered to birds either as part of a mix, on their own or as hearts. They are always popular and will often be the first to be taken from a general seed mix. All types originate from Helianthus annuus which is the common sunflower. Two varieties of sunflower seed are used for animal seed, striped and black/ black-oil. They suit different species of bird due to the thickness of their shells. Striped sunflowers have much thicker shells and are great for birds with bigger beaks such as Blackbirds and House Sparrows. Black oil seeds are loved by smaller finches and all seed eating birds including Brambling, Greenfinch and Chaffinch. The black oil sunflower seeds were introduced to the garden bird feed range in the 1990’s. They have a very high fat content and are particularly beneficial during the colder winter months. These seeds have as much as a 28% fat content along with 25% fibre, calcium and other vitamins. Sunflower hearts are even more popular but are a lot more expensive. With these you get the benefit that
they do not create the mess caused by dropped shells but they do go off quickly and need to be refreshed every two to three days to avoid bacteria. Make sure they are put out in ventilated containers and not tubes where moisture can collect. Some suppliers grow it themselves and make sure it is cleaned thoroughly before selling on. You could also
grow some yourself in the garden and then in October, put the whole head out for the birds to pick their own seed creating a natural feeder. They are the easiest type of birdseed to grow. You can plant the seeds from your birdseed supply or buy seeds to grow, some of which offer an array of different colours and different head sizes. The seeds need to be planted in the spring 1-2 inches deep and in full sun. Staggering planting the heads will mature at different times which gives a longer supply. They seem to grow in most soil types and need little fertilization, just a support stick to stop them toppling in windy conditions and plenty of water. If you wish to store your seed, remove the heads and allow them to dry before removing the seeds then store in a cool dry place.
Above Marsh Tit. Right Brambling
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Uk Butterfly List There have been other species that have been known to visit the British Isles but not frequently enough to be added to the list.
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Other Migrant Species Seen:
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Blast From the Past
Oriental Pratincole The UK attracts a variety of very unusual bird sightings, and the Oriental Pratincole surely comes into this category. With a number of records in various sites throughout East Anglia, birds have been identified in Suffolk, Essex Lincolnshire and Norfolk. The 1993 bird in Norfolk first found at Gimingham and attracted visitors from alll over Britain, giving excellent views throughout its stay. The bird shared an area adjacent to the local riding school and would often spend long periods out of view much to the frustration of the assembled crowd. On the Sunday afternoon, the owners of the riding school suggested that a couple of the photographers could come into the paddock to possibly persuade the bird to move into view. This excellent photograph was obtained as we slowly approached the bird, allowed viewing to within a few feet. The bird slowly walked into view and the crowd of over 200 birders began cheering with delight. The Pratincole was faithful to the riding school paddock for a number of bereksks until it moved to Burnham Norton where it remained on grazing land throughout the summer.
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Above Gimingham Oriental Pratincole . Below and above right Pectoral Sandpiper
which attracted a number of keen bird photographers wishing to add to their portfollio.
The Pectoral Sandpiper is a small migratory wader. It breeds across North America and Asia and is often recorded on passage in autumn when prevailing winds from the west push birds of course on route to their wintering grounds in|South America. The bright yellow legs and the obvious band across the breast make identification fairly easy to determine. They
can be found throughout the UK in suitable habitat and often prove to be very confiding allowing some incredible views and photographs to be obtained. This juvenile bird at Toft Newton Reservoir, Lincolnshire in September 2012 was almost oblivious to birders and photographers as it fed along the shoreline within a few feet. This was an extremely relaxed bird Grey-tailed Tatler below
The Grey-tailed Tatler at Burghead in Scotland in December 1994 was the second record of this extremely rare wader from Asia. The rock pools close to the shoreline allowed the bird to be viewed at close quarters with many birders travelling from across Europe for this extremely rare bird for the Western Palearctic. The normal migration would see the bird wintering in South East Asia and is fairly common in North East Australia. it is similar in size to common redshank but the grey upperparts are more contrasting with white under-parts, The legs are a greenish yellow and the lack in supercilliium help in the identfication. The bird at Burghead had a sad demise when it was believed to have been taken by a Sparrow hawk .
Wildlife Events -May and June 2nd May Saturday 10-12pm Belfairs Woodland Centre EWT. Join our Woodland Ranger Ashley for a walk through the reserve to admire the beautiful bluebells. Meet at the Belfairs Woodland Centre to join Ashley on a walk through the Belfairs reserve and admire the wonderful bluebells here in the woods.We would also hope to see a variety of other beautiful native plants.Bring your camera! Suitable for age 10 upwards. BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL £5 per person Tel: 01702 477467 2nd May Saturday 5am. Dawn Chorus RSPB Fen Drayton Lakes RSPB Cambridgeshire. Price: A charge for the BBQ items (TBC). If you are willing to provide transport or you require a lift please contact the Field Trips Organiser at least seven days beforehand. A charge of up to 10p per mile per car can be made, at the discretion of the driver, to share fuel costs. If no charge is made, a donation to Group Funds could be considered. Booking essential. This is a good time of day to listen to both common UK garden birds as well as recently returned migrant warblers. The stillness of the morning erupts with bird song that everyone should be privy to at least once a year! Its an early start... so set your alarms!! But I am sure you will be glad that you took part in one of the Spring’s spectacular events. There will be a barbecue style breakfast with tea or coffee after the birding for which there will be a modest charge, with any excess going to Group Funds. So that we know how many to cater for, booking is essential for this event. If any one would like to help with the 36.
catering, please contact Brenda or Melvyn by e-mail or in person at a meeting. 01638 741018 apcsw@ btinternet.com 3rd May Sunday, 7AM. Early Nightingale Walk. Whisby Nature Park LWT. Guided walk with the warden to hear and see nightingales. Followed by breakfast at the Natural World Centre at 8.30am. £7 per person includes breakfast and a donation towards wild bird food for the nearby feeders. Must be pre-booked, as places are limited, phone 01522 688868 9th May Saturday 2pm Bayfield Estate Bird Walk. 2pm Price: No charge. 3 mile walk around the Bayfield Estate. Common farmland and woodland species. Facilities on site. Cley Spy, Manor Farm Barns, Glandford, Holt Meet at 2pm in the CleySpy car park 13th May, Wednesday 10-5pm. Landscapes and Seascapes exhibition, Cley NWT. Textiles inspired by nature incorporating the vivid colours and textures of the landscape, sea and clouds. Created by Sarah Burt. Free. 16th/17th May, Saturday and Sunday 9-5pm. Norfolk Bird and Wildlife Fair, Mannington Hall. Tickets can be purchased in advance £10 per adult, under 16’s free. www.norfolkbirdfair.com 01603 219119. This is the second year of this successful event bringing together businesses and organisations with an interest in wildlife and the environment. There will be children’s activities, bird walks, moth trapping, art
marquee, raptor display, lectures, pond dipping, trails etc 20th May Wednesday 10am. Captains Wood Walk, RSPB Suffolk. Price: Free A mid-week walk lasting about 2 hours. Meet in the Suffolk Wildlife Trust Reserve Car Park off School Lane, Sudbourne Grid Ref: TM 417532 Free 27th May Wednesday 11-12.30pm Wild Wednesday Lakenheaath Fen Norfolk/Suffolk RSPB. Price: Children £3 (Non-Members) £2 (Members) It’s half term so join us for a session of family fun. Weather permitting there will sessions both inside and outside. There will be a different theme each week. All children must be accompanied by an adult and accompanying adults are free. 01842 863400 3rd June Wednesday. NWT Cley Marsh. Sky Seas and Glass. Stained Glass exhibition by Naomi Brangwyn. Naomi creates her glass art work by exploring different types of glass and experimenting with materials. Free 3rd June Wednesday and Wednesdays up to 2nd September. RSPB Titchwell. 9-10am. Marvellous Moths. Join this free morning event at the visitor centre to examine some of the mysterious moth species that have been caught in the moth traps the previous evening. No need to book, 6th June Saturday SWT Carlton Marsh. 10-3pm Botanical and Wildlife Painting. Come along to this relaxing and supportive work-
shop with professional botanical and wildlife artist, Ruth Wharrier, looking at a range of botanical drawing and watercolour techniques. The emphasis will be on botanical observation and accuracy and seasonal plant material. All abilities will be catered for with individual tuition. Ruth is a very experienced tutor who has run many successful workshops in Norfolk and Suffolk. The centre at Carlton Mashes offers an inspiring setting with enviable views out across the marshes and reed beds. For botanists, Carlton Marshes is one of the very best places in Suffolk for the sheer variety of plants. Please bring with you a range of pencils e.g. H, HB, 2B, a soft rubber, an A4 pad of smooth cartridge paper, tracing paper, masking tape, watercolours and HP watercolour paper.You will need a packed lunch. Tea, coffee and biscuits are included in the price. £25 to book call 01473 890089 6th and 7th June Saturday. EWT Belfairs Woodland Centre.9-5pm. Leigh Art Trail. Belfairs Woodland Centre plays host to Leigh Art Trail. No booking required. Come along and see some beautiful art work inspired by the local landscape.The pieces are by artist Tessa Frampton and have been created especially for Belfairs. 10th June Wednesday. RSPB Fen Drayton. 10.15-12.30pm. Wednesday Wander. Come along and join us for a guided walk taking in the sights and sounds of our reserve at Fen Drayton Lakes, we meet at the car park or the guided busway stop, both groups will join up. No need to book, just turn up. Adult £4, Children £2, 13th June Saturday. LWT Chapel Point. Sea Dipping 1.3pm. An opportunity to get a net in the sea to see what we can find. Fingers
crossed for some sea gooseberries. Please wear footwear suitable for the sea: wellies or sandals. Bare feet are not suitable due to the presence of weeverfish.. Free 20th June Saturday. EWT Abberton Reservoir 1-5pm Solar Gazing. An afternoon looking at the sun with Essex Wildlife Trust and North Essex Astronomical Society.Join Essex Wildlife Trust and North Essex Astronomical Society to look safely at the sun through solar scopes at Abberton Reservoir. Turn up anytime between 1pm and 5pm when a solar scope will be available for people to observe the sun. Normal donation for admission will be requested on the day. The visitor centre and nature reserve will be open as usual from 9am - 5pm, so why not come along and make a day of it exploring the nature reserve. Hot food such as bacon rolls and paninis will be available for purchase during the day as well as light refreshments including sandwiches, handmade cake, chocolates and drinks. 25th June Thursday. RSPB Wash Birdwatching Cruise. 10.15pm Booking essential. The Wash is the UK’s most important estuary for wildlife. The coastline has some of the best saltmarsh and mudflats in the country supporting thousands of wildfowl and waders on their migration. Our Wash Cruises on The Boston Belle run from April until October and provide interest to all: from the avid birder to anyone with a general interest in wildlife. For bookings please contact our booking agents the South Holland Centre in Spalding: 01775 764777. RSPB Members: Adult £18.50 Child(under 16) £10.00 Non-members: Adult £21.00 Child (under 16) £11.00
Lakes. 7.30-9.30pm Evening Walk at Needham Lakes. £2.50 per person. Meet at car park all welcome. No need to book, 27th June Saturday. Hawk and Owl Trust Sculthorpe Moor, 9-11.30pm Glow Worm Walk. Join us for one of these popular evening walks to look for glow worms glowing a magical summer experience. £5 per person. 27th June Saturday. NWT Cley Marshes. Tai Chi Sunrise. 8-9.30 am Local Tai Chi instructor, Cath Brooker introduces Tai Chi on the terrace, which offers spectacular views across the reserve. A great start to a day of relaxing and discovering Cley. Price £6 per person 18th June Thursday CBNWT Nene Park. 7-9pm. An opportunity to see the wildlife of Nene Park through the eyes of Chris Park, Conservation Officer for Nene Park Trust.Nene Park was created in 1978 and has developed a wide range of opportunities for relaxation and recreation in a wide variety of landscapes and wildlife habitats at sites such as Ferry Meadows, Thorpe Meadows and Orton Mere.Park and meet at Visitor Centre. £2 per person
Goldcrest
26th June Friday SWT Needham 37.
Wildlife East Anglia Articles to come: Frampton RSPB, Sculthorpe Moor Wildlife Artist/photographer Alien Invaders - Little Owl Identification Papers. Blast from the Past Rarity Round Up Wildlife Events South Essex Rescue centre Northern Cyprus For advertising from ÂŁ40 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 Avocet. A striking wader that has recovered its numbers in the last 10 years and is now seen on many reserves across the UK. There are four races of Avocet in the World, Asian, European, Australian and Pacific Coast of North America. The most distinctive feature of the Avocet is its slender upturned bill, males have slightly longer ones.
Guess the Bird. Avocet taken at Salthouse in Norfolk
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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.