SOG on Twitter....................................................................Phil Whittaker

A herd of Exmoor ponies have been introduced to the Heath to help maintain the more open landscape of Breckland heath and the scattered trees that are needed by many unique Breckland species. Amongst these, Nightjar will be a target species for the reserve. In time Woodlark and Tree Pipit could also be possible.

A detailed bird survey of the site will be undertaken this spring/summer. Meantime, as there is little baseline data to draw on, SWT will be delighted to receive species records from visiting birders. All of this information will then be collated and used to inform the site ’ s management plan when it is produced later this year.

News

Phil Whittaker

Birds sing because they like to:

Twitter, Social Networking and Birding

The rise and rise of social networking is a worldwide phenomenon and our interest in birds, birding and ornithology is not immune from these developments. Social network sites are now an integral aspect of many peoples ’ lives providing instant communication, fora for discussion and the exchange of information.

A new ‘Twitter’initiative SOG has recently launched a Twitter account to enable a constant flow of news and comment from and to members locally, nationally and even internationally.

Our Twitter site will enhance support and promote the main aim of the SOG by providing a network and a voice for birdwatchers in the county. Using it is intended to promote SOG’ s events and activities, attracting new members and participants for both Indoor and Outdoor events. Most importantly, it will also provide a virtual meeting place for an exchange of information and views related to birds and conservation. The site is not intended to be a Bird Information News service. However, followers will be free to report sightings individually.

There are now over 200 followers and we hope this continues to grow. Followers already include local birdwatchers, local press and some national and international birders and organisations such as the RSPB and BTO. Individuals and organisations are tweeting on a regular basis about all things ornithological, birding conservation and wildlife. It is accepted that users will also tweet and re-tweet about other personal non-bird topics and there can be no control of this aspect, except in respect of offensive comment that will be censured.

Start tweeting If you are not already tweeting, sign up at twitter.com. It’ s a totally free service. If you already have a twitter account then follow us @suffolkbirds1. You can become ‘ always-connected’ no matter where you are. It’ s great fun. It gives you a voice that can resound across the web. It’ s very informative but, beware, it can be quite addictive!

So what are you waiting for? Visit Knettishall Heath between Thetford and Diss as soon as you can – full details can be found on SWT’ s web site: www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/reserves-andvisitor-centres/knettishall-heath/

Editor: SOG needs to move with the times and Phil Whittaker ’ s initiative seems to be helping SOG carve out a more prominent position in the birding community.