SOG’s Sainsbury’s stop-off ......................................Roy Marsh

The Forest was also disappointing, with only five species added, although a party of over a dozen Crossbill, a couple of Treecreepers and three species of raptor lifted spirits.

Next, onto the heathland at Berner’s, where numerous Meadow Pipits were at last spotted, along with an unusual gathering of fourteen Stonechats. After heading south to the Cavenham Heath NNR the autumn roost of Stone Curlews was easily spotted from the weir (easier and better viewing than from the Icknield Path). Over fifty were counted –although we later learnt almost double that number were actually present. Next the gravel pit, now badly obscured by the undergrowth around its margins, revealed a single sandpiper to only two of the team, so could not be counted (this was only the second wader spotted all day). Sadly the team also dipped on the Grey Wagtails and a Wheatear that intell had said were present.

Cycling into Tuddenham the team finally managed to bag an elusive Starling along with numerous Lesser Black-backed Gulls. We then dipped on the Grey Partridge known to be present on the sandy soil just to the north of Cavenham, before returning wearily at 18:45 to Lackford to witness the Greylags (which we’d seen arriving shortly after dawn) leaving the reserve en masse for nocturnal feeding on the surrounding fields.

On Wednesday and Thursday 5 & 6 September several Council members, plus Dave Pearson, manned the SOG display stand at Sainsbury ’s Warren Heath branch in Ipswich. While these proved to be long and wearying days, they were profitable ones too – raising a total of £130.00 and recruiting several more members. With more SOG members’ help it is our intention to repeat this exercise at other Suffolk supermarkets during 2013. So volunteer today, by contacting the Editor and we'll put you on the list. It is relatively easy work and very profitable for the Group too –ensuring we get to initiate and back yet more conservation efforts.

Roy Marsh

SOG’s Sainsbury’s stop-off

The result In total seventy-six species had been spotted by all of the team, while the pledges raised almost £600.00. No mean achievement and our thanks to our many sponsors – even the ones that only paid up because I managed to finish the course – rather than it finishing me! If there’s to be a next year, it was such back breaking work that I think we’ll all be looking at wider wheels and softer saddles.