AUTUMN/WINTER 2011
Bedford RSPB Local Group Newsletter
Welcome to the 2nd edition of the Group’s ‘New Look ‘ Newsletter.
2011 has been a good year for us... no expenses scandals, phone tapping or rioting, so WELL DONE
EVERYBODY.
During the past year, our membership has increased and
the monthly field trips have attracted more members than
ever before — in fact, on a couple of occasions, we have
been over- subscribed! We also organised two very
successful long weekend trips to Gigrin Farm in Wales, and
The Farne Islands in Northumbria where, as well as a host
of other sea birds, we saw these charming puffins [Right]
A committee meeting took place in early September to
plan next year’s programme, which gives me the opportunity to welcome Carolyn and Malcolm
Hawkes to your committee. They will replace Robin Edwards who is retiring from the committee
after many years loyal and valuable work for our local RSPB group.
Thank you
Bob Montgomery ... Group Leader
The second edition of our newsletter...
A good read... Peter Clarke is a frequent visitor to Lundy Island and recommends one of his favourite books -
‘The Birds of Lundy’ by Tim Davis and Tim Jones [Devon Bird Watching & Preservation Society
and Lundy Field Society, Berrynarbor, Devon. 2007]
Here’s a taster, which gives a tantalizing account of the possible existence of Great Auks on
Lundy at one time, from a letter written by the Rev. H G Heaven [a very appropriate name!]
dated 6 September 1865...
‘In the year 1838 or 1839... one of our men in the egging season brought us an enormous egg,
which we took for an abnormal specimen of the guillemot’s egg, or, as they are locally named,
the ‘pick-billed murr’. This, however, the man strenuously denied, saying it was the egg of the
‘king and queen murr’, and that it was very rare to get them, as there were only two or three ...
ever on the island. On being questioned further, he said the birds were not like the ‘pick-bills,
but like the ‘razor-billed murrs’...that they were much larger than either of them, and he did not
think they could fly, as he never saw them on the wing nor high up the cliffs like other birds, and
that they, as he expressed it, ‘scuttled into the water, tumbling among the boulders, the egg
being only a little way above high water. He evidently knew of no other name for them than
‘king and queen murrs’ which he said the islanders called them ‘because they were so big and
stood up so bold-like. It was precisely like the guillemot’s egg in shape, nearly, if not quite, twice
the size. The shell of the egg was kept for some years, but unfortunately it at last got broken.’
Inside this issue:
Welcome 1
A good read 1
Photos & Poem 2
Keep a look out for...
2
‘Unforgettable Sri Lanka’
2-3
Your committee 3
Did you know... 4
PAGE 2
If you have a favourite poem, piece of prose, or photo you’d like to share, please let us know.
Photos, poems etc...
Ode to the Wallcreeper
We seek him here, we seek him there
We seek him – with despair.
Where is that bird
Of which we’ve heard?
Does he exist? – No, all feared
We climb and search the face
High, high ranges – NO trace
The path it narrows – WHAT A DROP!
My gawd – VERTIGO is what we’ve got.
Do not give up – onward go,
That bird must surely show.
A creeping grey blob is seen
Hearts a-flutter – we can dream.
Maybe, maybe this is it,
It moves, it flutters and with a flit
A flash of scarlet is espied
Then better views – wonderful, wonderful ‘butterfly’.
Wallcreeper, wallcreeper, what can we say
We’re neck-sore and drenched, but you’ve made our day.
Acelyn Yates
‘Unforgettable Sri Lanka’ by Marion Hessian
Having prevaricated for a number of years I finally set off for
Sri Lanka in February 2011. I was travelling with a
Naturetrek group of thirteen guests and two leaders (one
British and one Sri Lankan).
We arrived in the early hours of the morning and, having
tidied up and enjoyed a coffee, we set off for some pre-
breakfast birding where I got to grips with a few of the species
of wetland birds I would be regularly encountering (including
pheasant-tailed jacana, cotton pygmy-goose, stork-billed
kingfisher and the ubiquitous
Indian pond heron).
Imagine my surprise as we left the site and recognised two British
birders approaching – namely Alan Davies and Ruth Miller of
‘Biggest Twitch’ fame who spent a day showing our RSPB group the
birding delights of Anglesey last year. As another guest was
reading their book he was equally surprised.
After breakfast we travelled to Anuradhapura where we were to
spend two nights. The garden yielded the illusive Indian pitta and
a host of other species new to me. We toured some of the sites of
this ancient city before moving on to Sigyria – another of the
regular holiday destinations in the ‘Cultural Triangle’.
‘A million voices for nature’
Painted Stork
Indian Peafowl
KEEP A LOOK OUT FOR A GREAT WHITE
AT A RESERVE NEAR YOU...
Although once rare in Britain, we’re all used to see-
ing little egrets now – commonly found in and near
wetland areas. But next time a white heron-like bird
catches your attention just make sure it’s not the
little egret’s larger cousin – a great white egret.
These impressive birds are now increasingly regular
visitors to the UK. One was recently found just over
the border – at Gayhurst Quarry, Newport Pagnell...
Photo: Robert Norris
PAGE 3
Group Leader: Bob Montgomery
Treasurer: Ray Roche
Membership Secretary: Ace Yates
Speakers: Peter Clark
Booking for outings: Robert Norris
Outings planning: Malcolm & Carolyn Hawkes
Outings reports: Geraldine Carpenter
Some of us took an additional (and very interesting) visit to the ancient city of Pollonurawa. It was
late as we returned and, on the quiet road leading back to Sigyria, we encountered a family of
elephants crossing the road. Having only previously seen elephants in game reserves I found this a
thrilling experience. Our driver was very anxious and the bull elephant very cross. Only when we
switched off headlights and reversed some distance down the road did the elephant stop waving his
trunk and bellowing and the family found a way through the hedge and continued their journey. A
huge bellow was directed at us as we drove past and our driver
gave an equally heartfelt (if quieter) sigh of relief.
Our next destination was the very busy city of Kandy. They
were celebrating the full moon, Poya, day and the city was
extremely crowded. The President was also visiting and
Udawatakelle Forest reserve was full of fascinating birds,
toque macaques and armed guards.
As we left Kandy we also left the main tourist trail and headed
into the hills. The roads had been severely damaged in the
week before our arrival due to land slips and heavy machinery
was busy digging out new roadways.
In the hilly area around Nuwara Eliya we found rather fewer species but many rare and endemic
birds. On an early morning visit to Horton Plains (leaving at 4.45) we found Sri-Lanka whistling-
thrush, Sri Lanka bush warblers, Kashmir flycatchers, dull-blue flycatchers, Sri-Lanka white-eyes
and more—all before breakfast.
We also spent time in the southern lowlands at Tissamaharama and Yala where highlights included
giant squirrel, Indian nightjar and Indian roller, but regrettably no sighting of leopard, although
those in the next vehicle caught a glimpse of one stalking prey. We were certainly close and heard
some of the action!
Our next destination was Udawalawe Reserve where Asian
elephants were abundant. We also saw golden jackal and a
variety of different birds, including Sirkeer malkoha, lesser
adjutant and the attention seeking ashy prinia.
The tour concluded at Sinharaja. The accommodation was basic,
the food uninspired (particularly for those of us who did not
enjoy spicy foods!) and the leeches were very evident but these
discomforts were more than compensated for by the fabulous
birds we found. Highlights here were the Sri Lanka spurfowl,
Sri Lanka frogmouth, Malabar trogon, blue magpie and several
other endemics.
By the time we arrived back at the airport I had seen 218 bird species of which 27 were endemics
and, this being my first visit to Asia, 169 ‘lifers’. My head was completely full and I confess to
having been unable to give full attention to each bird but many will never be forgotten.
My memories of the sights, sounds and wildlife of Sri Lanka should last a lifetime!
Your committee:
‘A million voices for nature’
Asian Elephant
Gt. Stone Curlew
Making a nest box
In the UK, more than 60 species are known to have used nest boxes.
They are very simple to
make, and a great way
to introduce children and
grandchildren to wildlife.
Use a plank of wood
about 150mm wide x
15mm thick and cut to
the dimensions shown.
The bottom of the
entrance hole must be at
least 125mm from the
floor to prevent cats
from reaching inside.
The inside front surface
should be roughed to
help chicks to scramble
up and out, and a
drainage hole should be
drilled in the base. Hinge
the lid with a piece of
leather or rubber ( a
piece of old cycle inner-
tube would do, then add
a catch to the front lid to
enable you to clean out the box in the Autumn.
The entrance hole size depends on the species that you hope to attract :
- 25mm for blue tits and coal tits; 28mm for great tits.
The box should be placed 2 to 3 metres high on a tree or wall, out of
reach of cats, facing between North and East and tilted slightly forward
to give some protection from driving rain.
W E ’ RE O N T HE W E B…
W W W . R SP B . O R G . U K/ L OC AL G R O UP S/ BED FO R D
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity:
England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654
Did you know…
PAGE 4 ‘A million voices for nature’
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