Leeds Local Group. Nature s Voice. Price 2.50 (Free to members of the RSPB Leeds Local Group) RSPB Leeds Local Group Newsletter.

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1 Leeds Local Group Price 2.50 (Free to members of the RSPB Leeds Local Group) AUTUMN 2012 Nature s Voice RSPB Leeds Local Group Newsletter

2 Your RSPB Local Group hy not bring your friends and family to an RSPB Leeds Local Group indoor meeting or coach outing. To help W keep costs down and make birdwatching affordable for all the family, children travel at half price on all our coach trips. Our indoor meetings cover a wide range of topics to suit those either interested in exotic locations or more local places to visit. Programme details for 2012/13 can be found on the back pages. Cut out one of our entry vouchers below and bring someone to their first indoor meeting for free. Alternatively, why not introduce a friend? Give the form below to someone you know who enjoys birds and wildlife. LEEDS LOCAL GROUP FREE ENTRY Valid until end April worth 4.00 INDOOR MEETING - ADMIT ONE for use by non-members only LEEDS LOCAL GROUP FREE ENTRY Valid until end April worth 4.00 INDOOR MEETING - ADMIT ONE for use by non-members only Our annual membership fee is affordable and you do not have to be a member of the National RSPB to join us. Anyone who completes a membership form receives a 10 voucher to go towards their first coach trip. Membership benefits also include:- Two newsletters each year with advance notice of all our events Discounted entry to our excellent illustrated talks Free local guided walks A wide range of RSPB sales goods - postage free IS YOUR STANDING ORDER IN ORDER? If not please complete the appropriate bits of the form below and send it to Stephanie. I/We wish to join the RSPB Leeds Local Group Name:. Address Telephone:... Amount enclosed: 6.00 (individual) / 9.00 (Family) We prefer payment by Standing Order if possible. Please complete the details below and send to the address given - not to your bank. To: (Name and full postal address of your Bank).Bank PLC.. Please pay the sum of ( 6.00 individuals, 9.00 families) on the 10th August 2013 and thereafter, on the 10th August annually to: Bank: HSBC - City Branch, Leeds Code: For credit of: RSPB Leeds Local Group Account No: And debit my Account No:... Signed: Name of Account:. Important: Please return to Stephanie Bigglestone 28 The View Leeds LS8 1HQ Alternatively you can pay by Cheque or P.O. made payable to RSPB Leeds Local Group Data Protection Act 1998: The RSPB Leeds Local Group would like to keep your details to send you further information about group activities and the work of the RSPB. If you want to amend or update your details or you do not want us to use them in the way stated, please contact us at the above address. The RSPB is a registered charity, No

3 LEEDS LOCAL GROUP NEWSLETTER - AUTUMN 2012 Hello again to all our members, August 2012 Welcome to our autumn Newsletter, It's that time of year again to plan your new season of birding and to plan your trips on our monthly birding bus. First a few important administrative items. See the important message from our Treasurer regarding standing order payments on page 10. Some of us are not paying the correct subscription! Also, and very importantly, we will have a new pick-up point for our bus outings. As the coach company is now based in Selby and not Horsforth, the pick-up point will be Roundhay park car park not Horsforth. See Pauline's trip report on page 8 for the details. I am sure that you all did David's bird quiz in the spring Newsletter. The lucky winner was Roger Brook who received a bird book (surprise, surprise) as his prize. The title of the book has slipped my mind for the moment. Don't forget the Bring and Buy sale at our March Indoor Meeting. It seems a long way ahead, but time flies. You have plenty of time to sort out your unwanted items. The last one raised for RSPB funds. And don't forget Big Garden Birdwatch which, this year, is on the 26/27th January. Last winter was a great one for birds in my garden. I was visited by a pair of lesser redpolls. The first to visit in over 30 years. They were around the niger seed feeder on and off for two weeks. There was also a pair of bullfinches in the garden almost daily for most of the winter. They were occasionally visited by another male. This caused a great deal of annoyance for the resident male. However, they all disappeared with the start of spring. A pair of blackcaps also spent a good deal of the winter foraging in the crab apple tree outside my kitchen doors. Most spectacular of all was the lone fieldfare which seemed to live on my crab apples for most of the winter. Fieldfares are a bit larger than blackbirds and so it came as a shock to the pair of blackbirds which usually have the pick of the winter crab apples to be chased away by the fieldfare. However, the blackbirds nested as usual in the garden after the fieldfare had flown north for the summer. Anyway, back to Big Garden Birdwatch. Last January I spent my usual hour by the kitchen window with my note book and as you can guess, not a redpoll, blackcap, fieldfare, redwing or bullfinch showed its face. I did see a robin though! And finally, the spring Newsletter that you should receive in January will be shorter than in the past and there will be no photo competition this year (see page 11). As you already have details of the trips and indoor meeting twice (once in the autumn Newsletter and also on the calendar) the committee has decided not to repeat this again. Happy Birding, Richard Rodway Newsletter Editor 3 RSPB Leeds Local Group Newsletter

4 News and Events Summary 2012 September he start of another birding season T with our popular annual trip to Teesmouth where we always get a warm welcome and a cup of tea. We also have our first indoor meeting. October his month sees our annual trip to T Spurn. Membership Update This year the RSPB Leeds Local Group has a total membership of 452 households, just slightly down from 460 last year. This still represents a good renewal rate and we have also had the pleasure of welcoming many new members throughout the year. Of these 452 households, 339 pay by standing order (340 last year) and 113 by annual payment of cash, cheque or postal order (120 last year). For those paying by cash, cheque or postal order, a renewal form is enclosed. Thank you for your continued support. Stephanie Bigglestone November ur Northumberland trip and a talk O about the Scilly Isles. December D on t forget the Annual General Meeting on the 5th together with a talk by Ted Clements January et ready for the Big Garden G Birdwatch event on the weekend of the 26th and 27th. February ome along to this month s indoor C meeting with a little spare cash to buy a handmade nest box for National Nestbox Week March ur bring and buy sale will be held at O the indoor meeting this month. Come along with your old junk and go home with some new junk. April ur outdoor meetings programme O begins this month with our visit to Eccup Reservoir and continues next month with two more walks May A new coach trip to Idle Valley nature reserve in Nottinghamshire. Not to be missed. June ur group weekend trip to Anglesey O and the coach trip to Upper Teesdale finish the year. Treasurer s Report Leeds Group s donation to RSPB in this Financial Year to March 2012 has unfortunately reduced to 3,500. This is through a combination of factors which we are hoping to address in the coming year following a full financial review. However, given the austere times in which we live, this is still a creditable outcome. The 3,500 has been donated as follows: to Farming and Agriculture which gives assistance to farmers across the region to manage their farms to benefit declining farmland birds such as lapwing, curlew, skylark, tree sparrow and corn bunting. The other 2000 has been split 4 ways ( 500 each) to help the following: Upland and Blanket Bogs - helping bog restoration and moorland sites which will benefit species such as hen harrier and ring ouzel and also attract southern heathland species moving north such as Dartford warbler and adder. Woodland to assist tree planting projects and also the woodland trail at Fairburn Ings. Lowland Wet Grassland extending and improving the Dearne Valley reserves including Old Moor. International campaigns to assist with campaigns such as Save the Albatross and Save the Sumatran Rain Forest. As usual, full details of the Accounts will be revealed at the December AGM. In the meantime, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all members of Leeds Group for their contribution, particularly those of you who have helped with our fund raising activities. In addition, we have made a profit of through sales goods and 225 through membership recruitment. These funds will be allocated to suitable causes in due course. Thank you all once again. David Hatfield 4

5 Disease Threat to Garden Finches - How You Can Help nce again this year, large numbers of greenfinches are O dying of a disease called trichomonosis, which is caused by a microscopic parasite. Outbreaks have been seen every year since 2005 during the late summer and autumn. Greenfinch populations have been recorded dropping by a third, and chaffinch populations by a fifth in those parts of the country that suffer the most serious outbreaks. Recent research shows that the disease has since spread to finches on continental Europe, most likely with migrating chaffinches. Greenfinches are reported most frequently, but other finches and house sparrows are also susceptible to trichomonosis. This is a disease found only in birds - it does not pose a threat to the health of humans, cats or dogs. The trichomonad parasite lives in the upper digestive tract of the bird, and its actions progressively block the bird s throat, making it unable to swallow food. The bird dies from starvation. Birds with the disease show signs of general illness, for example lethargy and fluffed-up plumage, but affected birds may also drool saliva, regurgitate food, have difficulty in swallowing or show laboured breathing. Finches are frequently seen to have matted, wet plumage around the face and beak, and uneaten food in and around the beak. In some cases, swelling of the neck may be seen from a distance. do not pick up the medicine. The Garden Bird Health Initiative What can you do to help? Transmission of infection between birds happens when they feed one another with regurgitated food during the breeding season, and through food or drinking water contaminated with recently regurgitated saliva. If you suspect an outbreak, it is best to temporarily stop putting out food, and leave bird baths dry until sick or dead birds are no longer found in the garden. This is to discourage birds from congregating together, which may increase the potential for the disease to spread between individuals. The regular cleaning of all feeders, bird baths and feeding surfaces, is an essential part of looking after garden birds and will help to lower the risk to birds of diseases in general. No effective treatment can be administered to birds in the wild, because it is impossible to ensure that the infected individuals receive an adequate dose and that healthy birds If you are finding sick and dead birds in your garden, you can help monitor the spread and intensity of all disease outbreaks in garden birds by reporting what is happening to the birds visiting your garden. If you have access to the internet, you can access a recording form Simon Reeve 5 RSPB Leeds Local Group Newsletter

6 Our Trip to North Ronaldsay O n the 17th September 2011 the two of us together with 6 other hardy members and our leader Ian Ford left Nethy Bridge heading North towards John O Groats and Gills Bay on a birding tour to Orkney and North Ronaldsay, arranged by Heatherlea, Birding & Wildlife Tour Orgainisation, and based at the Mountview Hotel, Nethy Bridge which is just outside Aviemore. During our journey we had a short stop at Loch Fleet to view Teal, Widgeon, Mallard, as well as 2 Golden Eye before continuing to the coast at Brora for a tea stop and a spot of sea watching. Gannets, Eiders and Red-breasted Mergansers drifted past and waders were numerous including Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Knot, Curlew, Redshank, Godwits and Rock Doves. Continuing to Gills Bay for our ferry across to Orkney, we just had to stop at John O Groats to see for ourselves this iconic starting point for so much fund raising. Unfortunately it was raining, so for us it became more a toilet stop than a tourist attraction. Having boarded the catamaran at Gills Bay the weather cleared and we were able to be on the top deck for the calm crossing over to St Margarets Hope, South Ronaldsay. All eyes were focused out to sea as we watched Gannets, Fulmars, Kittiwakes, Guillemots and Black Guillimots. We also sighted Great Skuas and a Pomarine Skua chasing a gull. Puffins and Red Throated Divers drifted on the sea as we approached St Margarets Hope. Once ashore we looked for a sheltered tea stop and settled for inside the minibus to do some bird watching. We found a flock of 20 Red-Breasted Mergansers and 2 Slavonian Grebes on the sea By now the rain had returned and a short stop at the Italian Chapel was a welcome break for us all. The Chapel was built by Italian Prisoners of War, during World War Two. It was constructed from 2 Nissen huts and materials left over from the Churchill Barriers, which were built by the prisoners to link and protect the islands. We continued our journey to arrive at the Loch Stenness Hotel just outside Stromness which would be our base for the next 2 days. On the Sunday morning by the hotel we had our first views of Hen Harrier, Linnet, Greenfinch and a large flock of Golden Plover before travelling on to the Neolithic Ring of Brodger. Hen Harriers and Wheatears were an added interest before continuing onto Stromness and a walk along the edge of the Sound of Hoy. White Wagtail, Great Skuas, Rock Pippits and Twite were very obliging. Onward to Skara Brae where some of the group visited the Neolithic village whilst the rest continued bird watching and were rewarded with wonderful close views of a male and female Hen Harrier. After lunch at the Bay of Skaill where waders, wheatears and wagtails were present we moved onto Marwick Bay where we saw a Shag having difficulty swallowing a large flatfish. The Brougth of Birsay was another stop with stunning scenery. Monday saw the group take the short flight over to North Ronaldsay in the most beautiful weather. The small plane flies at less than 100 mph and at a height of 500 feet providing excellent views of the surrounding islands. The airport on the island consists of one small building, which holds one small weighing machine, a telephone and a small shop, checking in is non-existent. We picked up a mini bus which we used for our 4 day visit arriving at the Observatory shortly after. After a lunch outside in the sunshine we started to explore the island. Sightings for the day were Whinchats, Sedge Warblers, large number of Snipe. Yellow Browed Warblers, large flocks of Golden Plover, Lapland Buntings calling overhead, and Willow Warblers. We went chasing Rosefinch which proved elusive but had good close views of Ruff. Tuesday dawned fine but very very windy. After breakfast we went searching for Citrine Wagtail which had been seen early that morning. On the way we spotted a Red Backed Shrike sat on a fence a lifer for Rod and I juvenile Hen Harrier, then we carried on to the top of the island by the old Beacon and Light House. Even though we tried our hardest the Citrine Wagtail wasn t to be seen that day. The weather decided to take a turn for the worse so we sheltered in the hide and did some sea watching. The Gannets, Skuas and Fulmars were in and out of view due to the heavy seas. Luckily out of the sea spray, appeared approximately 20 Snow Buntings in front of our eyes, to disappear further up the headland. In the afternoon we visited the island pier with sightings of Purple Sandpipers, Red Throated Divers, Black Guillemots, Kittiwakes and North Ronaldsay Sheep. We returned to the Lighthouse checking a boggy lake where we saw Snipe, Whinchat and excellent views of Lapland Buntings. Following a call from one of the wardens who claimed they had seen a Funny Kestrel, news quickly broke that this was a first summer male Lesser Kestrel. It was perched on a farm building close to the observatory. We raced over t o the farm where we all had excellent views of this wonderful little bird. This was Scotland s 3 rd ever 6

7 sighting. Wednesday we spent the day at the north end by the lighthouse and on the island s golf course (annual membership 5.00). Species seen on a wet and windy day - Meadow Pipits, Short Toed Lark, Rosefinch 2 more lifers - Linnets and a female Merlin. Thursday we decided to walk along the coastal footpath. Species seen, North Ronaldsay Wren, Lapland Buntings, and a skein of Pink Feet flew in off the sea and continued south. In an adjoining stubble field we had good views of Knot. Upon returning to the lighthouse area for one last visit success at last, good views of Citrine Wagtail and Buff Bellied Pipit 2 more lifers for Rod and I. Friday. After another good flight we landed at Kirkwall Airport where we picked up our mini-bus and parked up by a lake near to Kirkwall where we had good views of our first Whooper Swans. Ian then took us to Maeshowe which is a Neolithic Chambered Cairn built 5,000 years ago and is considered to be one of the finest architectural achievements in Europe. There we were entertained to a guided tour. Just before having to make our way back to St. Margaret s Bay for our ferry we went for a trip around the mainland and decided to park up overlooking a loch. We scanned around the reeds and an adult female Hen Harrier flew out followed by 3 young what a wonderful sight. A few miles short of the ferry terminal we had a long awaited view of a Short Eared Owl. During our trip back on the Catamaran to the north of Scotland we saw Porpoise, Great Skuas, Razorbills, Guillimots, Gannets and Kittiwakes. Continuing our journey back to Nethy Bridge we stopped for delectable fish and chips in Wick. The memory of our stay at North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory will include, the birds and wildlife we encountered, the enthusiasm of our leader, the friendship formed within our group, and Alison the Duty Warden and her team who were the perfect hosts providing us with a warm welcome, relaxed atmosphere, lovely accommodation and hearty meals. What more could we ask for well maybe a few more rarities but we ll leave that for another visit. Rodney and Anne German Rodney and Anne outside the Observatory 7 RSPB Leeds Local Group Newsletter

8 My First Bird Holiday t was in September 2010 that I had an from Pauline Hogg excitedly telling me that she had booked herself onto the I Bird Holidays trip to north east Argentina. Whilst I had been to Argentina a couple of times in the past, it was really only to pass through on the way to the Antarctic, so I had a look at the itinerary and some of the birds that might be seen. It could have been a cocktail menu, given the exotic names; would you drink a black-and-white monjita or would you look at it through your bins? So I had a discussion with the Domestic Authorities, who decided that they were happy for me to go and I made the booking. The only problem was that it was over a year to go until the departure date An extension to the trip in the brochure was mooted to take in a few days in Patagonia which Pauline and I were only too happy to take advantage of since it included looking for the exceedingly rare and comparatively recently discovered hooded grebe. For the extension to be viable we needed one more person to sign-up and fortunately, Ian Willoughby decided that he wanted to make the trip and would take the spare seat in Patagonia. Everything was now in place. Eventually, the time passed, and we arrived in Buenos Aires very late at night and we were all very relieved to transfer to our hotel so that we could grab a few hours rest. After a short sleep, we mustered by the bus and ticked off a few of the urban specialities of the city, including grey-breasted martin, monk parakeet and two of the most sought-after species of any trip overseas the feral pigeon and house sparrow! Fortunately the slow traffic in Buenos Aires allowed us to see greenbarred woodpecker, picazuro pigeon, southern lapwing and perhaps most fittingly, the Argentine national bird the rufous hornero all before we hit the road in earnest. Certain species quickly became travelling companions for much of the rest of the journey. Chimango and southern caracaras seemed to be everywhere, fulfilling a very similar ecological niche as the corvids in the UK. Southern lapwings were alongside the road almost all the time and fork-tailed flycatchers were everywhere although it took one of the group three days to actually see one! Nearer to the coast, we began to see greater rheas with increasing frequency. For such a large bird, they required a bit of getting your eye in to separate them from their surroundings and, on some occasions, sheep! We soon got familiar with these big emu-like birds, even to the point of discussing how they would taste Arriving at the coast, we began to get to grips with the waders, such as Hudsonian godwit, solitary sandpiper and whiterumped sandpiper, as well as an array of passerines living in the coastal scrub. Getting the names correctly was almost as tricky as identifying the species concerned, such as bay-capped wren-spinetail and sulphur-throated spinetail. All these were accompanied by coscoroba swans, black-necked swans, various egrets, coots and ducks and, a highlight for me, Chilean flamingo and roseate spoonbill. The remaining supporting cast was made up of raptors, perhaps the most beautiful being a male cinereous harrier, which looks a lot like our hen harrier. White-tailed and snail kites formed part of this ensemble along the way, as did our first (of many) burrowing owls. For me, the starring cast were gathered on the beach at the mouth of the Rio de la Plata in the form of a large number of terns, including gull-billed, cayenne, royal, common and snowycrowned. Another of my wish-list birds put in an appearance in the form of a group of black skimmers; these unusual birds have an extended lower mandible which they dip into the water as they fly along the surface, catching their prey as they go. From the coast we headed back to Buenos Aires to catch a short flight into the north east of the country. This was where we hit the first of several transport glitches, with our flight being summarily cancelled on us. Quick work from our leader Phil Palmer and our local guide soon had us on a flight to an alternative airport. A quickly rearranged bus pick-up at the other end had us arriving at our Estancia in the heart of the Ibera Marshes in the small hours of the morning. A few hours sleep and we were all quickly out, taking in the jacana, egrets, screamers and limpkin. We also kept a watchful eye on the caiman! The estancia was a large cattle ranch, still very much worked in the traditional way by teams of Gauchos on horseback. Out on the trails, it was quickly confirmed that the black-and-white monjita is most definitely a bird, not a cocktail and a beautiful one at that. There were several highlights of the marshes, one being the strange-tailed tyrant. This little bird has really long tail-flags which it uses for display, and we were lucky enough to see it in action. This bird was the emblem of the trip, so we were very pleased to see it. The other big highlight for me was the variety of rails and crakes that we got to see, by boat and on land. Giant wood rail were everywhere, but we also got some real rarities in the shape of rufous-sided crake, yellow breasted crake, purple gallinule and spotted rail. From Ibera we pressed on to Iguazu. The waterfalls there are stunning and, to my mind, surpass Victoria and Niagara as a spectacle. It is no wonder that they appear as the backdrop to so many films! The undoubted stars were the great dusky swifts, plunging into the water to perch on the cliffs in and around the deluge; they were an absolute joy to see. We were 8

9 also treated to toco toucans, one of which was caught in the act of stealing an egg from a kiskadee, whilst parrots, parakeets and a smattering of hummingbirds all added to the experience. The relatively early fall of night did nothing to diminish the birding, as we found that a potoo was using the trees round the hotel to hunt for moths. We were also fortunate to visit a local national park to see scissor-tailed and sickle-winged nightjar. The former gave us a fabulous display of its extremely long tail feathers. Within the town of Iguazu, one highlight was undoubtedly the Jardin de la Picaflores, which is a private garden in which there are a large number of sugar-syrup feeders. One hour spent in that garden was magical, with eight different species of hummingbird present during that time. The names are as glorious as the birds black-throated mango, gilded sapphire and glittering-bellied emerad to name just three. They were joined by bananaquit, blue dacnis and violaceous euphonia, all of which added greatly to the colour. The Uraguai Provincial Park was the remaining birding venue and quickly delivered a dazzling array of flycatchers, hirundines, woodcreepers and tanagers, with the swallow-tailed tanager being a real highlight. A fly-by from the locally mega-rare grey-headed kite was a real treat and set us up very well for one of the local forest specialities, the black-fronted piping-guan. This turkey sized bird gave away its presence with a carpet of dropped fruit, and it froze in position for some time giving us brilliant views. Another airline nightmare saw us make the return journey to Buenos Aires on an overnight bus, featuring fold flat beds and at-seat hot meals. We were a day late in getting back and we waited anxiously to hear about our onward journey to Patagonia. The chaos at Iguazu airport meant that others cancelled their Patagonia flights, and we jumped as soon as seats became available. The flight took us briefly to Ushuaia, the gateway to the Antarctic, where it was a bit frustrating to have to stay in the plane, but our arrival at El Calafate quickly put paid to any disappointment as our local guide took us to a municipal reserve and we began to clock up the local specialities, with upland geese, chiloe wigeon and black-faced ibis seen before dinner. The following day, we enjoyed condor sightings as we set off across the wind-swept Patagonian landscape and started to pick up tawny-throated dotterel, various miners, seedsnipe and sierra-finches. We stopped finally by a lake and were treated to our ultimate target, the critically endangered hooded grebe. This is a stunning little bird and one that I count myself extremely fortunate to have seen. Our final day saw us at the Perito Moreno glacier, a fitting end to the non-avian spectacle of our trip and a final flourish of birds, including a fly-past by an ashy-headed goose, as well as austral parakeets, austral blackbirds and spectacled duck. From there we headed back to El Calafate airport and began the long journey home. In the end, I chalked up 337 species, of which 290 were lifers. Pauline and I also passed our landmark 1000 th species during the trip. Argentina is certainly a country with a massive amount to offer a visiting birder; British visitors are made to feel very welcome, so it is to be hoped that the present political spat doesn t put too many people off going. As for me, I am now looking in the Bird Holidays brochure and wondering where next Owen Watson Do You Need to Amend Your Standing Order? One of the reasons for our fall in income this year is that some of our members are not paying the correct subscription! From contacting some of you, we have discovered that you are under the impression that RSPB Leeds can change the amount for you and claim the correct amount. This is only the case with the direct debit system which is far too expensive for a small Group like ours. You are paying your annual subscription by standing order which is an instruction from you to your Bank and can only be changed by you! If you are not paying the correct amount ( 6 for individuals and 9 for joint members) then please contact your Bank if you use Internet Banking you should be able to change this yourself! It may be too late for this year as the payments go out in early August, but it will give you the opportunity to check the amount paid on your next statement and hopefully correct it for next year. Thank you and thanks to those of you who already pay the right amount! David H 9 RSPB Leeds Local Group Newsletter

10 Rain Doesn t Stop Play!!!!!!! hat an amazing group of people come on our coach trips! I write this on the day following our Farne Islands W trip where the weather forecast was for light rain until 1pm and then heavy rain until 4pm. What time were we due to sail? You guessed it from 1 to 4pm!! Did people cancel in their droves? No, they did not. Fortunately the weather hadn t looked at the forecast so arrived later than expected so we had an almost dry landing on Inner Farne where we ducked and dived under the aerial attack of the Arctic Terns (Elaine had her woolly hat plucked off her head 7 times!!); oohed and aahed at the cuteness of the Puffins; and marvelled at the closeness of all the breeding birds. The rain did come on the boat journey back accompanied by an increasing swell which caused Judith, David and I to be engulfed by a bow wave, much to the hilarity of everyone else. The heavens truly opened as we were walking back to the coach so it was a very soggy group who dripped back into their seats. But the deluge did nothing to dampen the spirits of our members and, as I went round collecting the money, everybody was smiling and happy and saying what a great day they d had and hadn t we been lucky with the weather??!! You truly are a joy to go birding with! We ve had a good season of coach trips with some good birds and pleasant days. Probably the most noteworthy were Titchwell Marsh with Cetti s, Spotted Redshank in breeding plumage, Pied Flycatcher and an Osprey; and our Grasmere walk with more Pied Flycatchers and Wood Warblers than we ve come across before and another Osprey! However the cool wet weather has meant we re all still dressed up in our full winter kit and knees remain white and hidden from view under zipped-up zippy-off trousers! Our average attendance would have remained at around 45 had it not been for 2 very poorly attended trips where we picked an earlier date in September than most of you were back from holiday, and our March Rutland Water trip where the Met Office issued serious snow warnings, which for once were correct, meaning our poor coach driver, Simon, had a horrendous journey both back to Leeds and then back home to Selby on roads that were slippery and covered in snow. This year we have welcomed 9 new people who seem keen to come again so we must be doing something right! As the coach now comes from Selby, our pick-up point at Horsforth is no longer viable so from September we will have a new pick-up point which Simon already uses for another group. This will be the main Roundhay Park car park situated on Prince s Avenue opposite Lidgett Park Road and close to Tropical World. We will leave here at 8:15am. The pick-up at Infirmary Street will remain unchanged. So it just remains for me to say that I look forward to seeing all the regular coach trippers on 29 September for our annual trip to Teesmouth and hope we will be able to welcome some other new people into the fold. If you wish to contact me, the number is Pauline Hogg Reservations Some wet but cheerful ladies on the boat back from Farne 10

11 I A Flight of Fancy? recently celebrated my 50th birthday (no comments please) with an experience day at a well known falconry centre. Falconry is the ancient field sport of hunting with trained birds of prey. I have always wanted to experience it. More importantly, I wanted to know more about the birds themselves. On the day Leeds was very cold and the roads were icy. However, by the time I reached the centre there was slush on the road. The wind was from the northwest, but once the sun made an appearance, the skies had cleared. It was not long before I was handling and flying the birds. Due to the weather and staffing difficulties we were not able to work with the barn owl so we started with the European eagle owl. (Did you know that since hunting with hounds was banned in 2005 several hunts have taken to employing these magnificent birds to make the kill? Because they need specialist care, there has been an increase in the number of birds that have been abandoned/abused or mistreated!) We then experienced peregrine in flight. We were told of the Arab falconers, who even today prize falcons. To meet the aesthetic requirements of the Arabs hybrid falcons are created combining the desert falcon - the saker and the gyrfalcon or peregrine. I was surprised at the peregrine s silent flight. It was stealth at its best. We were shown the bird s mantling to protect its quarry, and how it would work to a lure. Brilliant! I also got to fly Harris Hawk, Golden Eagle, and my favourite - the Bateleur Eagle. The Bateleur (Terathopius ecaudatus) is a medium-sized eagle. Bateleur is French for tight-rope walker. This is because of the bird s characteristic habit of tipping the ends of its wings when flying, as if catching its balance. The eagle is normally found in the savannah country in sub-saharan Africa. It is a snake eating eagle, who would also feed on small mammals, such as mongoose, and meerkat! Whilst I am not advocating falconry, true to its advertising blurb the day gave me a fascinating insight to the physiology, psychology and biology of the birds as well as weight management, captive breeding and artificial insemination. My head is still swimming with all the knowledge gained. (Please note that if you are at all concerned about fresh dead chicks being fed to the birds, or seeing birds take live quarry, it may not be for you). There are also numerous centres that give you this insight without the falconry element, for example Muncaster Castle Diane Craven Suspension AGM photo comp! Our last AGM photo comp showed that interest had waned as we had so few entries that the costs of the prizes were not covered and I ended up funding some out of my own pocket!! That is also why the photos do not appear in this copy of the newsletter as in previous years; the printing costs are just too expensive for so few entries. However, we have not completely abandoned the competition and will probably have one every 2-3 years, so keep on taking those photos and earmarking them as entries. As I have always said, this competition was never for the good photographers among you but always for the chance pic you are proud of whatever your camera or skill. But you have to be in it to win it!! Pauline Hogg 11 RSPB Leeds Local Group Newsletter

12 PROGRAMME OF EVENTS Please Note: COACH OUTINGS depart from Infirmary Street, off City Square, Leeds at 8.30am prompt unless otherwise stated. NB From this September the coach will also pick up at 8.15 am at the main Roundhay Park car park situated on Prince s Avenue opposite Lidgett Park Road and close to Tropical World. The coach will no longer pick up in Horsforth. For further information and bookings contact our Reservations Officer, Pauline Hogg on Children travel at half price. Please bring a packed lunch, waterproofs and sturdy footwear on all trips. INDOOR MEETINGS take place in the Friends Meeting House 188 Woodhouse Lane just. (See map below) at 7.30pm. Group Members 3.00, Non-members Wheelchair access is available. ON THE WEB Visit our website Indoor Meetings are held at The Friend s Meeting House Parking available on Clarendon Road St Marks Street Limited Parking available in Friends Meeting House car park off St. Marks Street Street VENUE Friends Meeting House 188 Woodhouse Lane LS2 9DX Buses 1, 28, 56, 96, 96a, 97, 97a in Woodhouse Lane NB: Please check for any recent changes 12

13 2012 SEPTEMBER INDOOR MEETING Speakers: Susan and Allan Parker Wednesday 19th Spring Birds on the Outer Hebrides This talk takes us from the islands of Lewis and Harris in the north to North Uist, South Uist and Benbecula in the south, looking at a wide range of seabirds and waders as well as rare breeding birds such as Corncrakes, Phalaropes, and Hen Harrier. COACH OUTING Venue: Teesmouth Fare Saturday 29th Back to one of our most productive winter venues on the east coast, but a little earlier than usual. We may see seals, divers, grebes, waders, wildfowl and perhaps some hunting owls. Whatever the weather we can be sure of a warm welcome awaiting us at the Teesmouth Visitor Centre. There will be some flat walking but most of the time we shall be bussed around. Julie Mason will also be taking us to the new RSPB Saltholme reserve. OCTOBER INDOOR MEETING Wednesday 17th Speaker: Tom Lawson To the Tibetan Plateau Tom will introduce us to the natural wonders of this unique and breathtaking part of the world, which he has visited on a number of occasions. The Tibetan Plateau in western China has 18 nature reserves and is home to over 488 species of bird alone. COACH OUTING Venue: Spurn Fare Saturday 27th This is our usual autumn visit to this YWT reserve. High tide will be at about 4.30pm. This is peak migration time so depending on the wind strength and direction we could see almost anything from huge flocks of Goldcrest and winter thrushes to Great Grey Shrikes. The walk from the coach to Spurn Point and back is about 7 miles, so allow plenty of time, but there are many good bird areas closer to the coach drop drop-off point if you don t fancy a long walk. NOVEMBER. INDOOR MEETING Wednesday 21st Speaker: Tim Melling Wildlife of the Scilly Isles The Isles of Scilly are the most south westerly land mass in Britain and support a range of special flowers and wildlife, some of which occur nowhere else in Britain. This talk looks at some of this special wildlife, in particular the birds, for which the islands are justifiably famous, including the breeding birds and the bewildering array of unusual migrants. 13 RSPB Leeds Local Group Newsletter

14 COACH OUTING Venue : Northumberland Fare: Saturday 24th This trip will take in some of Northumberland s best coastal sites such as Cresswell Ponds and Druridge Bay. There may be grebes and divers on the sea, while fields, pools and mud flats provide excellent habitat for resident and migrant waders, wildfowl and flocks of finches and buntings. DECEMBER INDOOR MEETING Annual General Meeting and Speaker Ted Clements Travels with a Camera Wednesday 5th Suffolk COACH OUTING This is an audio-visual presentation looking at birds and wildlife of The Shetlands and Venue: Martin Mere Fare for WWT members, for non-members Saturday 8th At this time of tear we should see plenty of geese, ducks, waders and perhaps marsh harriers. There are also otters and beavers, although you will be very lucky to see these JANUARY COACH OUTING Venue: Marshside Fare Saturday 12th Once again we visit one of our favourite reserves on the salt marshes of the Ribble near Southport. We should be treated to excellent views of thousands of wildfowl and waders and, we hope, a few hunting raptors such as harriers and peregrines. We may also visit the nearby reserve Hesketh Outmarsh. INDOOR MEETING Speaker: Geoff Trinder Madagascar Wednesday 16th The fourth largest island in the World, Madagascar has animal and plant species that are found nowhere else. This talk has something for everybody. The lemurs are especial favourites. FEBRUARY INDOOR MEETING Speaker: Inspector Terry Murgatroyd Wildlife Crime in West Yorkshire Wednesday 20th Inspector Murgatroyd is the Wildlife Crime Co-Ordinator for West Yorkshire Police. He will give an overview of how the force deals with wildlife crime locally, which includes cruelty to, and the unlawful killing of, wild mammals and birds, some of which are protected species. 14

15 COACH OUTING Venue: Rutland Water Fare Saturday 23rd Always a favourite with our members and wintering birds alike, this site, owned by Anglian Water, is managed by the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust. We will start our day by parking at the Egleton Reserve and birding from its many hides overlooking the lagoons. We shall then move to the dam at the eastern edge of the reservoir to look for overwintering grebes. See MARCH INDOOR MEETING Speaker: Colin Straker Kazakhstan : Birds of Mountain, Desert and Steppe Wednesday 20th Himalayas. This talk takes us on a journey to the Tien Shan Mountains in the northern foothills of the COACH OUTING Venue: Tophill Low Fare Saturday 23rd Tophill Low near Driffield in the East Riding is a pair of reservoirs (named O and D after their respective shapes) surrounded by the nature reserve, all run by Yorkshire Water. There are 12 hides scattered around the reserve with views over the dozen or so ponds as well as the marshes, reed beds and the reservoirs. There is a small colony of common terns which should have arrived back by the time of our visit and a large colony of black-headed gulls and a few marsh harriers. There are also over 300 great crested newts as well as grass snakes and otters.. APRIL INDOOR MEETING Speaker: Steven Rutherford Dearne Valley : Old Moor Wednesday 17th Many of you will have visited this South Yorkshire RSPB reserve and know what a wonderful place it is, teeming with birds throughout the year. This talk will take you through the history and management of Old Moor, looking at the birds and other wildlife that frequent the skies, fields and open water of this local nature reserve. OUTDOOR MEETING Venue: Eccup Free Saturday 20th Meet at The New Inn car park at am. The walk will finish around by which time the pub will be open. We are hoping that the little owl will be as obliging as before. This was our most popular walk last year and again our hosts and guides will be Anne and Nigel Ponsford. 15 RSPB Leeds Local Group Newsletter

16 OUTDOOR MEETING Venue: Harewood Free Wednesday 24th Meet inside the gates at the Wike Road car park at 7.30 pm. We should get good views of red kites and some warblers just arrived from Africa. With luck we should also see a tawny owl or two and perhaps roding woodcocks. We hope to have a bat detector too. It will be dark for the walk back so a torch would be handy. Your hosts for the walk will be Caroline Turner and Richard Rodway. COACH OUTING Venue: Leighton Moss Fare: Saturday 27th We will visit the RSPB reserve with the largest reed bed in the north of England. Look out for marsh harriers and reed bunting and listen out for, or perhaps see, the bitterns. A nice cup of tea and cakes are available in the café for those needing refreshment after a hard day s birding. MAY OUTDOOR MEETING Venue: Rodley Nature Reserve Free Saturday 4th Meet at 10am in the car park by the reserve entrance. The reserve is just off Rodley High Street (A657), next to Barker's factory and opposite the park. Cross the swing bridge, the entrance is through the gates just to the left. The 670 bus from Leeds to Bradford and the 760 from Leeds to Keighley stop on Rodley High Street and both run every half hour COACH OUTING Venue: Idle Valley Fare Saturday 25th Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust reserve, Idle Valley, is a new venue for us. This spectacular wetland site covers an area of 450 hectares following the River Idle northwards. The size of 600 football pitches, it is one of the largest sites for nature conservation in the East Midlands. The wide range of habitats may produce our most northerly chances of nightingale and turtle dove. We have the possibility of a walk right through the reserve, or a drop-off at the Visitor Centre with shorter walks. There will also be an optional guided walk around the reserve led by James, the Reserve Warden. JUNE COACH OUTING Venue: Upper Teesdale Walk Fare: Saturday 8th This unique mix of pasture, moor and upland habitats has one of the densest concentrations of breeding waders in Britain. There is also a good chance of seeing local specialities such as dipper, ring ouzel, goosander and wheatear. We will, as usual, stop to see the black grouse on the way back. The walking on this trip is fairly flat apart from a stretch up onto the moor, although there are several stiles. 16

17 GROUP WEEKEND Venue: Anglesey Price dependant on numbers Fri-Sun 14th-16th June Details and booking form in January Newsletter What birds spend all their time on their knees? Birds of prey. When is the best time to buy budgies? When they're going cheap. What do you call a woodpecker with no beak? A headbanger 17 RSPB Leeds Local Group Newsletter

18 Secretary and Reservations Pauline Hogg Committee Members Minutes Secretary Jean Nossiter Treasurer David Hatfield Whinmoor Crescent Leeds LS14 1EW Membership Stephanie Bigglestone 28 The View, Leeds LS8 1HQ Catering Fran Jewitt Publicity Caroline Turner Sales Ian Willoughby Hunger Hills Drive Horsforth Leeds LS18 5JU Newsletter Editor Richard Rodway Sutherland Avenue LS8 1BY Website Editor Simon Reeve Supermarket Collections Brian Ruston

19 his Newsletter is published by the RSPB Leeds Local Group, a voluntary organisation supporting the work of the T Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Membership of the Local Group is open to anyone interested in birds. Contributions for future newsletters would be much appreciated and can be accepted hand written, typed or on PC format discs in Microsoft Word. Apologies if we are not able to include your article in the next published edition, as there is not always room, but we will keep it for future publications. Small snippets of news are useful to fill spaces. Please send or contributions to any committee member. Don t forget to add your name to the article and it would be helpful if you could think of a catchy title. THE ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS 19 RSPB Leeds Local Group Newsletter

20 Nature s Voice The RSPB speaks out for birds and wildlife, tackling the problems that threaten our environment. Nature is amazing - help us keep it that way. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales no , Scotland no. SC The RSPB is the UK Partner of the global federation of conservation organisations Birdlife International RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL Tel: The RSPB is a registered charity, England and Wales No Scotland no. SC