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The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales—No. 207076, Scotland No. SC037654

The siskin was photographed

by Alan Baldry and the

northern wheatear and barn owl

by Chris Courtney

Last call for membership renewal.

Subscriptions are now overdue. You can find a form on the back

page.

2 ORWELL OBSERVER April 2017

GROUP LEADER’S REPORT from Chris Courtney

Whinchat. Picture—Chris Courtney

S pring, what a wonderful season! And once again it began early this year.

Many of our native birds were already busy nest building from February, or for some species even late January. As soon as the days start to lengthen following the dark gloomy days of December, us birders and nature lovers receive a secret promise that spring is on the way, even though the weather may say otherwise! Dunnocks, blackbirds, song and mistle thrushes begin to find their old familiar song posts to proclaim the spring is coming as they peer out from the treetops. Indeed, an exceptionally early house martin appeared at Benacre on 24 February joined on 26 February by a second and both then remained by the CEFAS building in Lowestoft. A building that seems to attract hirundines and their congeners, I still recall the two alpine swifts that roosted and spent several days there in March 2010. And as you collect your Orwell Observer, or it hits your doormat or preferably inbox, you will very likely be eagerly anticipating the first full throated flourish of your first nightingale of the season! We are still most fortunate to be living in one of the last remaining strongholds of nightingales in the UK. Nightingales have declined by some 90 percent in the past 40 years, whilst at the same time having contracted towards their south-eastern strongholds. A number of factors are thought to be at play including both habitat loss and quality of breeding sites, as well as pressures on migration and degradation in the West African wintering areas.

The single best nightingale site in the UK is at Lodge Hill on the Hoo Peninsula in North Kent. Here the RSPB, Kent Wildlife Trust and a number of groups are engaged in a battle to prevent the site from being developed for up to 5,000 houses. Lodge Hill was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 2013. It’s the only SSSI in the UK (from over 4,000) that is specifically noted for its nightingales. SSSIs are supposed to be protected under the National Planning Policy Framework, meaning that if this development is allowed to proceed it would set a very dangerous precedent for the protected status of the thousands of other SSSIs across the land. The decision has now been called in for a public inquiry, due to start March 2018, when the RSPB will be one of the parties permitted to give evidence.

(Continued on page 3)

Nightingale. Picture—Chris Courtney


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House sparrow. Picture—Liz Cutting Siberian accentor. Picture—Chris Courtney

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In the meantime, the RSPB has designated a Nightingale Festival to help celebrate and raise awareness of these truly iconic birds that have formed such a central place in our lives and culture for several thousand years. We have designated our walks to Alton Water on Sunday 30 April, my guided walk at midday on Spring Wood Day, Bank Holiday Monday 1 May, and our evening walk around Purdis Heath on Wednesday 3 May as Nightingale Festival events. Although our Tuesday walks on 18 April to Bridge Wood and to Pipers Vale on 16 May should also provide good opportunities to hear if not see this our favourite songster. See our diary pages for full details and do yourself a favour by making sure you get your nightingale fix this spring! Wishing all our members and friends a wonderful bird filled summer.

(Continued from page 2)

Thank you….. Thank you to all those members who help reduce our costs with the distribution of this magazine, especially:-

Those who elect to receive it by e-mail. It costs nothing for the group to produce and you receive the full version of the magazine in colour.

Those who regularly collect their magazines at the meeting or ask a friend to collect it for them.

Those who kindly agree to distribute magazines in their neighbourhood.

Those who kindly donate stamps. In these days of increasing costs the committee endeavours to keep the membership fee as low as possible. This does not cover the cost of both printing and postage so any assistance is very welcome.

Alpine swift. Picture—Chris Courtney


I t is not surprising when visiting another part of the UK, in any season, that the

avifauna will be different. Scotland was no exception. We were told that many common birds are completely absent in winter and head south or to coastal areas. Song thrushes and wagtails were among some of the examples given. At the time of our visit (late December/early January) we were told that the winter had, so far, been exceptionally mild with snow only covering the higher ground, so the expected influx of winter migrants were absent. However, we did hope to see some of the ‘Scottish Specialities,’ those birds which are absent elsewhere in the UK. Having visited Scotland before and not finding a crested tit we were hoping for better luck this time. We had seen them in Europe but not always particularly well, so were pleased to get excellent views this time. In winter they visit feeders along with other members of the tit family, and a good area is the car park at RSPB Loch Garten. The visitor centre and hides are closed out of the ‘osprey season,’ but there are feeders there and some visitors bring their own seeds and some birds, particularly coal tits, will take from the hand. Other birds seen in this area were great, blue and long-tailed tits, a treecreeper and chaffinches. Another ‘Scottish Speciality’ is of course the capercaillie. Again we had seen these in Europe but not in Scotland. These birds are declining in numbers but their stronghold appears to be on the eastern side of the Cairngorms where we were staying. Living in dense mature coniferous forest (usually Scot’s pine) they can usually be seen on the ground feeding on the berries of low growing

shrubs. However, in late winter the absence of this food material causes


SCOTLAND’S WINTER BIRDS from Patricia Hall

Female (above) and male (below) ptarmigan. Pictures—Heatherlea Birdwatching Holidays


capercaillies to change their diet and feed on pine needles (necessitating physiological changes to enable harsher foodstuffs to be processed) consequently being seen in the trees as well. We had several walks and slow drives through suitable habitat before we finally located a young male bird quite close to our vehicle. At a second site we located several roosts from the droppings on the ground, which indicated a fairly good population, but no birds were seen. Another member of the grouse family, the red grouse, was easily located on the moors and uplands but the third member, the ptarmigan, proved to be more difficult. The obvious site in Strathspey is Cairn Gorm itself. The day we visited was extremely cold but dry with quite a lot of snow cover. Not ideal for locating a bird which in its winter plumage is completely white. Some of our party set off to walk up the mountain but a recent injury to my knee meant I could only hobble with the aid of a stick so trekking was out for me and I had to resort to the funicular. However before both parties set out we scanned the slopes and sharp eyes picked out a pair of birds. It was a telescope view only and still very distant. At the top of the mountain we scanned the slopes but there was quite a lot of ‘snow blow’ obscuring our view. However, on the downward journey I did see a ptarmigan quite close, running along beside the snow fence. Meanwhile the walkers had located a flock of these birds and were able to indicate to us where they were so I was able to locate them in my telescope and watch them feeding amongst the rocks before flying off. A solitary snow bunting was also ‘casing’ the car park for picnic crumbs.

The snow actually helped us locate the last member of the grouse family, the black grouse. The male birds can display throughout the year to exert their superiority over their fellows but a full lek does not occur until early spring. We located a group of males squaring up to each other either side of a fence,



Male (above) and female (below) red grouse. Picture—Barry Hall


showing up against the snow although fairly distant. Also at this location we saw a group of bullfinches, looking very colourful against the snow, and a goshawk which got everyone very excited. It was suggested we visit an area the local birders call ‘Eagle Land.’ This is Strath Dearn, just south of Inverness. A couple of visits to this area produced wonderful flying displays by golden eagles. These powerful birds are able to hold their position against the strong winds which were buffeting the common buzzards and ravens. We saw several golden eagles in this area with just a single white-tailed eagle, a bird I normally associate with the west. Another raptor seen in the strath was a peregrine falcon and sparrowhawks and kestrels were seen fairly regularly in the area. The rivers, even though they were in full spate from the recent rain, produced little grebe, goldeneyes, dippers and goosanders (all female). There were large flocks of geese in the meadows but these were mainly greylags (as this was Scotland perhaps these were real ‘wild’ geese) with just a few pink-feet. I was quite surprised is see only two mute swans in the entire trip but there were a few small family groups of whoopers. In the meadows we also found flocks of winter thrushes: mistle, redwing and fieldfare. Other areas visited including the coast, east of Inverness and the Black Isle. There were the usual waders including oystercatchers, bar-tailed godwits, curlews, knot, turnstones, sanderlings, dunlins and redshanks and on the sea

itself: goldeneye, red-breasted merganser, pintails, greater scaup, wigeon, teal, mallard, Slavonian grebe, velvet and common scoter and (one of my targets) a drake long-tailed duck in winter plumage. The only rarity of the trip was an American wigeon which was difficult to pick out amongst its Eurasian cousins in the fading light of a winter’s afternoon. There was, of course, the usual assemblage of gulls, the occasional gannet, a shag feeding in the harbour and cormorants flying over.



Crested tit. Picture— Barry Hall

Snow bunting. Picture—Barry Hall


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Finches were seen on feeders and in road and riverside trees: chaffinches, greenfinches, goldfinches, siskins and redpolls. In addition, on the Black Isle, twite, linnets and bramblings were included in the finch flocks and in the dusk of a winter’s afternoon, overflying woodcock. We heard reports of a small number of hawfinches beside the river at Grantown-on-Spey so had to take a look. They had not been seen at this site before which attracted the interest of many local birders. One ‘Scottish Speciality’ we were keen to see was the Scottish and/or parrot crossbill.* However, all we had were calls and flyovers. A bird for another visit? One bird the locals were keen to locate were waxwings. They had been seen in the villages and, at the time of our visit, very few seen in Suffolk, so we were keen to see them as well. Most of the gardens had been stripped of berries by the blackbirds and mistle thrushes, so we were sure they had headed south. However, on our last morning we did locate a flock much to everyone’s delight. A fitting end to our trip.

*There has been some debate about the status of crossbills. Studies have shown that there are three species present in Scotland: common, Scottish and parrot. Identification is based in size, distribution, calls, bill shape and choice of food, however, most good field guides state that distinguishing between Scottish and parrot crossbills in areas where they both occur ‘is not reliable in the field.’


Cappercaillie. Picture—Barry Hall


T his is one of my favourite reserves which is alongside the tidal river Yare

below Norwich, probably in part because it was where I saw my first swallowtail butterfly. It has a good range of butterfly species and in September 2016 I counted 50 red admirals, most feeding on sunlit ivy umbels. It is also a Grade 1 dragonfly site, its speciality being the Norfolk hawker, which is only resident and breeding where water quality is good. It also of course attracts many birdwatchers, with an overflow car park often in use at weekends. I will concentrate on the three hides in this article, though the reserve has a rich variety of habitats elsewhere, including unimproved meadow and woodland. These observations are mainly from 2016, starting with the Reception Hide. Even the car park can be investigated, since at its far end a kingfisher often uses the backwater, with its multitude of perches. Just past the level crossing gate there could be sightings of bullfinch, treecreeper and great spotted woodpecker. Marsh tits are among many species attracted to the nearby bird feeders and the planted area attracts swallowtails in summer. I must admit to some reservations about reception hides as they are invariably noisy and may give newcomers the idea that they can be equally noisy in the other hides. However, it is always a welcoming place, with a voluntary warden, refreshments available and an updated species list of recently seen wildlife. The views are panoramic, down a wide channel of water bordered by deep reedbeds and usually mallard, teal, shoveller and gadwall are close to the hide, allowing those new to ornithology to get a good look at their

identification points. A kingfisher often fishes nearby, either perched in the reedbeds, or out in the open on top of the water height pole. Recently its already bright plumage was beautifully enhanced by afternoon sunlight. Incidentally, the water height marker reached an alarming nine feet, right at the top of its scale, during the January 2017 tidal surge. Here there are usually good views of marsh harriers, an amazing success story compared to their national numbers a few years ago. In summer a hobby is often hunting for dragonflies and recent sightings, which I managed to miss, included a 'ringtail' hen harrier and osprey. My best ever view of a jack snipe was from this hide, just a few yards away, probing into soft mud. Otters can be seen regularly and a few years ago my wife Marie and I saw one continually swimming out to a small island to prey on nesting black-headed gulls.


PLACES TO VISIT-RSPB STRUMPSHAW FEN from Richard Stewart

Curlew sandpiper. Picture—Chris Courtney


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Close to the river, the Tower Hide gives commanding views across much of the reserve. Some years ago I entered and was amazed to see just what changes had been made in the configuration of the reedbeds. One species to benefit was the bittern and undoubtedly this species provided my most memorable sighting from this hide. I was alone and suddenly a bittern flew right across the open water in front of me, at about eye level, the whole of its profile turned golden in the sunlight. Kingfishers and herons are often present, with a good range of ducks, while cutting back of reeds close to the hide gave me, in autumn 2016, superb views of about a dozen snipe. Another recent memory from January 2017 was of a small flight of teal, continually flying round to find clear water on a day when much of the reserve was icebound. Here the panoramic views allow good observations of marsh harriers, including the spectacular mid-air food pass from the hunting male to the nesting female. I counted five marsh harriers on that January 2017 visit. However, the Fen Hide is my favourite, reached by a track off the main path back from the river to the Reception Hide. It is small and basic, with the view out to a 'pool' of shallow water. Once from this hide, in the space of about five minutes, I alerted a young couple to a perching kingfisher and then the approaching wake of water that heralded an otter crossing the water on its way towards the river. This hide is best just before sunset, when most visitors have gone. Snipe, gadwall and mallard can often be feeding close to the hide and the surrounding bird noises intensify the atmosphere, often to the accompaniment

of a superb sunset reflected in the water. Sometimes there is the bell-beat of mute swans and often the gabbling of geese, heard before being seen, passing over so close that you can hear the wind in their wings. By then the geese are dim silhouettes, but probably greylag or bean geese, headed for their roosting areas at nearby Buckenham marshes, also an RSPB reserve. Bearded tits 'ping' in the reeds and there is an increasingly vocal chorus of unseen water rails, making that eerie call that to me enriches the after sunset atmosphere. There is a final bonus as this time of day offers the best opportunity to watch Chinese water deer. They come out from the reedbeds to feed on the grassy strips and aquatic vegetation, at first distinct forms then as darkness descends becoming mysterious black blobs. I counted seven in November 2016, a wonderful experience to end a very full day and to keep me happy on the long walk through the darkness to the railway station at Brundall.


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LAKENHEATH FEN NEWS from Alan Kell

H ello and welcome to the winter news from Lakenheath Fen! So a

bit of a change here, as Katherine, our warden for the past 10 years has recently left temporarily on maternity leave, so we would like to wish her all the best with the birth of her child. I will be attempting to fill Katherine’s boots during her absence and look forward to working on such a spectacular site. Reserve Management Over the past couple of months, the team of staff and volunteers have been busy working alongside a contractor and his excavator (photo on next page), in cutting 5ha of reed in the western end of New Fen North. These areas have since been flooded, with the future plan to drop the levels and introduce cattle on in spring to graze the area. This combination will help knock back the older reed and allow for new growth to come through, regenerating the reedbed with stronger stems and increased seed densities. The team have also started scrub management this past month, thinning out some of the willow in Joist Fen South. The natural succession of a reedbed is into scrub, so in order to preserve the reedbed it is a necessity to manage the willow. We do always leave a mixture of mature and some young willow, to provide a bit of diversity for the benefit of Cetti’s warblers and marsh harriers. As always, our volunteers have been fantastic and essential in helping us carry out all of the management mentioned above, as well as the maintenance of the site, including repairing our livestock fences and benches. A couple of our volunteers have recently been busy

constructing this fantastic shell from recycled pallets for our new bug hotel, which our young wildlife explorers group will complete, by filling with wood and reed, creating the perfect home for a range of creepy crawlies. Reserve events The Winter Long Walk on Sunday 5 February provided some fantastic wildlife sightings to the eight visitors who attended. Thankfully the weather was very considerate and provided warm enough conditions for those who attended to enjoy lunch sitting on the bank watching the marsh harriers, bearded tits, two bitterns, seven cranes, two great white egrets, 87 whooper swans, corn buntings and two peregrines were the other major highlights for the very happy attendees.


The frame of our bug hotel, awaiting to be filled by our WEX group. Picture—David White


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All of our up and coming events for 2017 can now be found on our website, with the next couple being: Bats that go bump in the night: Friday 5 May 7.45-10.00.p.m. Price: Adult £10, Children £5 (Non-Members) Adults £8, Children £4 (Members) Booking essential Dawn chorus walk: Sunday 7 May 4.45 -7.45 a.m. Price: Adults £12, Children £6 (Non-Members) Adults £10, Children £5 (Members) Payment in advance via www.wegottickets.com/lakenheath; or by cheque. Booking essential Wildlife Sightings We are very pleased to say that both pairs of cranes have returned to the site with their young from last year (seven in total). Usually in February, the adults will kick out the juveniles before starting their mating rituals ready for the breeding season. Male and female hen harriers have also been gracing us with their presence, with a peak count of three recorded in January, accompanying up to 15 marsh harriers going into roost. Bearded tits and bitterns have also been offering fantastic views and pleasing many of our visitors since the New Year. For more sightings or information about our events and the reserve, including our blog, please check out our website www.rspb.org.uk/lakenheathfen Hope to see you soon.


Contractor working with his excavator cutting reed in New Fen North and our volunteers undertaking the tidy up work with a controlled bonfire (!) Both pictures by Dave Rodgers:

http://www.rspb.org.uk/lakenheathfen


Just to get everyone in the mood for spring and summer birding, some pictures of migrants/summer visitors you may see …..possibly!

3

2

1

4

5

Pictures all by Chris Courtney. 1—whiskered tern, 2—pallid harrier, 3—honey buzzard, 4—little bittern and 5—pied flycatcher.


14.2.17— Show the Love Valentine's Day is traditionally the date when ducks pair up, and there has certainly been a lot of courtship happening on the Scrape already. It's not just the ducks either as three male lapwings were displaying outside North Hide this morning. You can read all about the way in which the moon cycle affects these beautiful wading birds in the Suffolk Wader Strategy's blog at http://www.suffolkwaders.org/2017/02/13/lapwings-in-winter/ Other birds are displaying already too, the marsh harriers are already twisting and tumbling through the sky in their sky-dancing display, while birdsong is increasing by the day. Minsmere's herons were certainly showing visitors the love over the last two days. So much so that, like many other visitors, my family were able to spot four species of herons in just 20 minutes today. Not just spot either. We enjoyed superb views of all four species. First we watched the great white egret feeding alongside little egret and grey heron on the pool behind Wildlife Lookout, then we wandered to Island Mere where a bittern spent virtually the entire day fishing close to the hide. There's so much more to see too. The six goosanders remain on Island Mere, where yesterday's sightings included bearded tits, water rails, peregrine, buzzard, snipe, otter and stoat. A male hen harrier flew over the mere late afternoon yesterday, and heading inland over the Visitor Centre this morning - right over my head without me knowing it was there! The aforementioned mammals have been seen several times today too.

Stoats were spotted in the car park and around the Discovery Centre, while a dog otter fished alongside the egrets at Wildlife Lookout this morning. A kingfisher also joined in the fishing frenzy there! Even the plants are showing the love, with snowdrops in flower around the car park entrance and gorgeous yellow catkins dripping in golden bunches from the hazel trees. Look closely and you can just about make out the tiny red female flowers too. 20.2.17— Smiling happy people It wasn't only the families and volunteers with smiling happy faces this week either. Many birdwatchers left equally happy after spotting some of our star species. The pair of smew remain, but continue to be frustratingly mobile at times. They favour the pool behind North Hide, viewable from the mound near the pond, but have also shown well at times from Wildlife Lookout and near South Hide. They have, however, also gone missing for a day or two at a time. The great white egret can be similarly difficult to pin down, but when it feeds in its favoured pool behind Wildlife Lookout it shows incredibly well. The six goosanders at Island Mere have been more reliable, and have taken to roosting on the Scrape overnight. Of course, for many people the star attractions are our reedbed birds, and the bitterns at Island Mere continue to show well, often feeding close to the hide for long periods. The first grunting bitterns were heard last week, tuning up before they start booming in earnest in the


NEWS FROM MINSMERE from Ian Barthorpe

http://www.suffolkwaders.org/2017/02/13/lapwings-in-winter/




coming weeks. Water rails and bearded tits also show well at times, while the marsh harriers are much more reliable, especially as they are now sky dancing in earnest. They're not the only birds displaying now either. Several pairs of oystercatchers have already returned to the Scrape and their loud piping calls now accompany any walk around the Coast Trail. It won't be long before our avocets begin to return to the Scrape too. As I mentioned in my last blog, many of our ducks have already paired up, and mating has also started, especially among the mallards. Another species that is clearly already pairing up is the treecreeper, with no fewer than three pairs spotted between the visitor centre and South Belt Crossroads this afternoon, while great spotted woodpeckers are drumming in the woods. The milder weather has encouraged many more birds to start singing, but has also prompted the departure of some of our wintering birds - 30 Bewick's swans flew east this morning and the first satellite tracked Bewick's swan has already reached Denmark at the start of their long migration back to Siberia. It has also brought a few insects out in search of nectar - a white-tailed bumblebee was seen near Southbelt Crossroads today and a comma butterfly was spotted yesterday, while I saw my first brimstone butterfly and early bumblebee of the year in London's Hyde Park on Friday. 27.2.17—When the Wind Doth Blow I suppose it wouldn't be right as Brits not to be talking a lot about the weather, but just as spring felt like it was beginning to spring, autumn returned with a

vengeance as Storm Doris swept across the country on Thursday. We had plenty of warning, and took the precaution of closing the woodland parts of the reserve all day, leaving access open to the Visitor Centre, North Wall, East Hide and Island Mere - the latter via Whin Hill only. However, as the wind picked up during the day, and reports came in of fallen trees blocking several roads, we took the decision to close the reserve completely by early afternoon, which meant heading out to some of the hides to encourage visitors to make their way home. Not that many visitors had bothered to come, as most heeded the warnings to stay at home, while others knew full well that many of our star birds would stay hidden in such windy conditions. In the end, we weren't too badly affected by Storm Doris, with just a handful of trees coming down - notably between Wildlife Lookout and South Belt Crossroads and between Bittern Hide and Island Mere - although many branches and twigs came down, and the local roads were littered with debris. After the storm, we enjoyed some brighter weather on Friday, and again on Sunday, before the next weather system has brought showers and more gales today. Indeed, it looks like being a rather blustery week, so please wrap up warm and take care on the roads if you are planning to visit this week. There's lots of good reasons to make that visit too, with a variety of winter and spring wildlife on offer. The two smew (male and female) remain, though they seem to have moved to take up residence on what is known as Chapel Pool - this is the small pool on the South Levels that is best viewed from the south-east corner of



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the Leiston Abbey chapel ruin. A first winter glaucous gull has also been seen on the South Levels this afternoon - possibly the same bird that was present earlier in the winter. Other notable winter birds include eight goosanders on Island Mere until at least yesterday, one or two pintails among the hordes of ducks on the Scrape, a few redwings in South Belt, and flocks of siskins and lesser redpolls in the woods. The latter included at least one common (or mealy) redpoll for a few days late last week, first along the Woodland Trail and later close to Westleton Heath. There are also plenty of reminders that spring is just around the corner: a few oystercatchers and ringed plovers have returned to the Scrape, and six avocets were seen flying north yesterday; bitterns are grunting more frequently, with even the odd weak boom heard; great spotted woodpeckers are drumming; Cetti's warblers, marsh tits, reed buntings and skylarks are among the increasing variety of birdsong; and more and more daffodils are flowering each day. However, the wind had reduced the amount of marsh harrier display, and put a temporary hold on singing woodlarks and Dartford warblers on Westleton Heath. The first adders were reported in the sunny weather before the arrival of Storm Doris too, though they may have returned to hibernation this week. Many of the other highlights don't really fit into a seasonal pattern as they can be seen at any time of year. These include otters on Island Mere, nuthatch,

treecreeper and bullfinches in the woods, peregrines hunting over the Scrape and reedbed, and stonechats in the dunes. Red deer, too, can be seen any time of year, though bizarrely they had eluded me so far this year until a lovely group of seven wandered across my path this afternoon. Adapted (with permission from Ian’s blog on RSPB Futurescapes website)


Swap, Donate or Buy?

I would like to apologise to members who were hoping to use this stall in March. This was unavoidable due to an injury. Unfortunately I shall be away in October. Please keep an eye on the website in case alternative arrangements can be made.

Pat


F irstly, a really big thank you to all of you who participated in last year’s

House Sparrow Survey and/or our House Sparrow Questionnaire. Altogether, we achieved fantastic coverage. Over 75 percent of our designated survey squares and a whopping 125 completed questionnaire forms were returned! What a superb effort! So what did we find out about our town’s house sparrows? As you will probably remember, 10 years ago back in 2006 the group conducted a similar, but less detailed study that produced a house sparrow distribution map of the town (see next page). At that time members of the group were concerned about the many reports prevalent during the early 2000s showing serious declines in the house sparrow population across many of the UK ‘s towns and cities. We now know that the house sparrow declined by 71 percent between 1971 and 2008. This precipitous decline was the main factor that led to house sparrows being placed onto the UK’s red list of species of conservation concern in 2002. Unfortunately, despite some modest recoveries in some areas, house sparrows remain firmly on the red list (Birds of Conservation Concern 4. December 2015 https://britishbirds.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/BoCC4.pdf ) Echoing the wider national picture, our Ipswich 2006 survey also suggested a reduced distribution and declining population from historical levels, even within living memory. For our 2016 house sparrow project, we undertook a dual approach so as to gain both qualitative and quantitative results. The questionnaire for residents produced

some really valuable information, giving residents the opportunity to record comments that revealed some detailed local knowledge about ‘their’ house sparrows, enabling us to build a picture of the latest trends. In contrast to the mostly unremitting picture of decline and local extinctions emanating from the 2006 study, the 2016 surveys have revealed a more mixed picture, with at least some optimistic and positive stories amongst the doom! While reports of negative sightings and local extinctions continued, evidence also emerged that showed colonies with stable, or even increasing populations. But most hopeful of all were a few reports of house sparrows returning to locations from where they had previously disappeared. This provides hope that the species can be resilient, especially with a little conservation minded sensitivity from the human communities where our sparrows make their homes. Here are a few examples of the more positive responses we received from our questionnaires:-

First time they have used the nestbox since put up 10 years ago. Only returned to the garden in 2015 after 20 odd years when small groups used to dust bath in northwest corner. 4.5.16 first attempt. Nest four eggs - three young fledged 2 -24.

Moved here in 1969. About six sparrows regularly seen. Numbers dwindled till none seen. In last two years one male seen infrequently. Delighted recently to see a male and a female more frequently. Long may they stay and increase!

A few small groups locally, triple nest


RSPB IPSWICH LOCAL GROUP HOUSE SPARROW PROJECT—THE RESULTS

https://britishbirds.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/BoCC4.pdf

https://britishbirds.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/BoCC4.pdf


box put up - successful this year for the first time after two years with no interest. One pair nesting in central box but usually three to five birds around the nest site in privet hedge.

And for balance some examples of more negative responses :-

There is no doubt that there are far fewer sparrows, due I feel, mainly to the to the proliferation of plastics soffits and fascias, and also because they are prevented from visiting the roof space close to its guttering

Until about 10 years ago regularly had a pair of sparrows visiting front garden vegetation and feeding. This is an Edwardian mid-terrace house and I believe they nested in the soffits of the

next door house which were poorly maintained.

The flock here has declined by up to 50 percent since we moved here in 2002

As well as valuable qualitative information the questionnaire also provided some quantitative data, such as ‘Big Garden Birdwatch’ style maximum number counts, categorising habitat features, information on nest sites and provision of food. The second approach was our controlled-effort survey using the Protocol for Censusing Urban Sparrows, a methodology tailor-made for the unusual task of monitoring a breeding species in a heterogeneous urban environment. This was applied to a defined sample of the



The 2006 Survey Map Key: green = sparrows present in square, red = a null report. Blank areas were not surveyed.


town using a rasterized grid system allocated to volunteers via an interactive map. Consequently our dual approach provided both continuity with the 2006 study but with some improved survey techniques, plus more consistent sampling of sparrow colony presence and population densities across the town. The controlled-effort survey saw volunteers making three (early) morning visits during April and May to each of their allocated 350m2 squares. These were conducted under suitable conditions, (i.e. weather) in order to optimize recording house sparrow territorial and breeding activities. The detailed results were amalgamated into a Heatmap (overpage) which provides an easily understood, high-level visual picture of house sparrow population densities and distributions, identified from our controlled-effort survey. The larger circles and warmer colours indicate the highest population densities. The red dots show the 13 squares we did not manage to survey. The Heatmap shows sparrow concentrations in peripheral areas. Particularly in the northwest and south-east. These two concentrations appear strong, healthy and dense. In total we observed 184 sparrows, a number that does not equate to the total sparrow population of the sample areas. Observations were constrained by both time and space and by virtue of the fact that in most urban settings observations are limited to viewing the road-facing fronts of buildings. Surveyors were required to mark inaccessible areas, on their survey maps.

Numbers of sparrows recorded in sample squares, ranged between 28 and zero with locations categorised as ‘residential suburban’ being most favoured by house sparrows. The next best category was ‘rural villages’ with town centre locations being least favoured. The central shopping area is devoid of any sparrows. However, this is not the case in many European towns and cities, for example Paris, where sparrows will penetrate retail districts. Likewise, our main urban green spaces are also mostly sparrow free zones. None were found in Christchurch Park and the cemeteries also recorded little or no sparrow presence. It would be of interest to ask some of our older residents whether they remember sparrows in Christchurch Park in the 1960s as the age of the surrounding housing would seem sparrow-friendly. These findings are largely consistent with the BTO research report into habitat preferences in the UK; green spaces are not particularly favoured by house sparrows. "Habitat preferences of House Sparrows" BTO Research Report No. 599, June 2011, ISBN 978-1-906204-97-6 Another finding from this report that seems to correspond with Ipswich is:- Furthermore, the decline of the species appears to vary substantially in severity between different cities and regions, with socially deprived regions being relatively little affected. As quoted from the questionnaire above, poorer areas of housing with frequently lower levels of maintenance would appear to favour house sparrow



http://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/u23/downloads/publications/papers/rr599.pdf

http://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/u23/downloads/publications/papers/rr599.pdf


colonies, providing greater opportunities for nesting sites. This was very much born out in a number of the squares I personally surveyed. In general, poorer neighbourhoods with less well-maintained housing stock provided some of the most thriving house sparrow colonies. Conducting surveys during the early mornings with minimal traffic noise enabled the calls of territorial males to be heard across wider distances, highlighting the frequently fragmented nature of these small isolated colonies.

Fragmentation that inevitably increases the risk of local extinctions if such factors as available nest sites, food supply, (including that of invertebrates, critical for chick survival) become subject to sudden change. Not infrequently it was observed that an individual small colony was entirely dependent on a very few houses in a street, or even a single dwelling where nesting was typically taking place in a half-rotten soffit, barge board or under a roof tile. In such cases it is obvious that a



2016 Map (Questionnaire and cycle survey) Green pins = positive reports, Red pins = null reports, Blue pins = declining colonies.


Fenn Wright Estate Agents

Tel: 01473 261090


small amount of well intentioned but insensitive maintenance work could quite easily give rise to the demise of yet another isolated colony. I personally observed a thriving extended colony in a 1930s social housing development where the corbelled arrangement of the brickwork by chance provides a series of perfect sparrow-sized nest spaces under the gable ends of the houses. In stark contrast new housing developments (with a single exception of a location adjacent to a large pre-existing colony) were observed to be completely devoid of sparrows. New build houses are effectively hermetically sealed boxes with no room for uninvited wild guests! Future Outcomes We have decided to issue an appeal to last year’s surveyors to help gap-fill the 13 squares left un-surveyed during the 2016 survey. This will be really useful to help to find the answer to questions such as if the south-west hotspot is contiguous and if the south-eastern hotspot extends further south. We are aware that we will not be comparing within the same year but we can control for this by checking BTO Birdtrack reports for sparrows in the region to see if there is a notable yearly variation. The winter of 2016-17 has not been particularly harsh, nor was the one of 2015-16, all of which bodes well for similarity between the years. Our next steps are centred around further disseminating our results to a range of audiences including local planners, housing associations, Suffolk Biodiversity

Information Service and other locally based conservation organisations. The purpose of this will be informed by our distribution maps, to encourage more sensitive building management, installation of sparrow nest boxes, especially at key sites, and to include things like nest bricks in new build housing, and conservation of sparrow habitat features such as thick hedges. If you are fortunate enough to still have sparrows where you live then please consider (if not already doing so):-

Putting up some sparrow boxes on your home

Providing food and water including if possible live or dried meal worms from late May through June and July - proven to significantly increase chick survival and successfully fledging.

Volunteering to become a Neighbourhood Sparrow Champion

And lastly but very much not least, a massive thank you to Richard Mudhar, our IT wizard and science trained sparrow supremo, without whom this project (and the last one) would quite simply never have been realised! For Richard’s report see Ipswich House Sparrow Survey 2016 – http://www.richardmudhar.com/sparrows/2016/index.html



For detailed records see Ipswich House Sparrow Survey 2016 http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/ipswich

House sparrows, the pair are by Chris Courtney and the feeding male by Barry Hall

http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/ipswich


TRIP REPORTS from Stephen Marginson

Freston & the River Orwell—4.12.16 A bright, sunny morning with a keen southerly wind greeted those who came on this trip. We watched a pair of buzzards as they soared over Freston Woods and the nearby field, always a magnificent sight. Going down to the foreshore at the sailing club the tide was out, but beginning to rapidly move in. Parties of redshanks, black-tailed godwits, curlews and oystercatchers were noted along the waters edge. Dunlins and knots were noticeable by their absence but around 60 turnstone kept us occupied watching their feeding habits. Several parties of wigeon and shelducks were seen along with 13 grey herons on the Orwell Bridge parapets. Only a couple of great crested grebes were noted along with two goldeneye out in the river. One of the more interesting highlights of the trip was a pair of common gulls calling and displaying on the foreshore. The calls and display of these birds is rarely seen in Suffolk as they breed in more northern climes. As the tide rose rapidly over 400 oystercatchers gathered at the Freston roost. We finished the day by waiting for the vessel Dijksgracht to pass, one of the largest ships to visit Ipswich, arriving earlier in the week with rice from Houston, Texas. A fine sight in the midday sun to end an interesting morning. Manningtree & Mistley—8.1.17 The Manningtree and Mistley trip, which has become an annual winter trip for the Ipswich Group, never fails to impress and this year's trip was no exception. Viewing conditions were first class with the tide falling rapidly, which made the use of

telescopes essential. Around 5,000 knots and dunlins were gathered on the mudflats, moving out with the tide and making an impressive sight, glinting in the winter sun. Smaller numbers of redshanks, curlews, black-tailed godwits, turnstones, grey and ringed plovers were also noted on the mudflats. Over Cattawade a large flock of lapwings were seen. Several members had observed the large numbers of teal and wigeon around the Cattawade sluice and road bridge on the way to the trip meeting point. We wandered along to Mistley where pintails, over 50 goldeneyes, red-breasted merganser, goosanders, little grebes, little egret and kingfisher were all seen at close quarters with excellent views enjoyed by all. Over 300 shelducks along with groups of oystercatchers were noted out on the mudflats with further goldeneyes out in the main river. Of particular note at Mistley were the two UK species of sawbill duck watched at close range with the differences between the merganser and goosander being observed by all. Everyone enjoyed a thoroughly good morning's birdwatching which is made easy as one is well sheltered from the worst of the weather and on hard pavements between Manningtree and Mistley, therefore avoiding the muddy boot syndrome associated with winter trips.

River Deben: Woodbridge to Kyson Point—4.2.17 A cloudy but still morning greeted those who came for the trip to the Deben at Woodbridge. We walked along the wall towards Kyson Point and Martlesham



UPDATE ON THE FLATFORD WILDLIFE GARDEN from Shirley Sampson

Creek and returned the same way. This walk offers excellent views over the river and surrounding countryside and is on good firm footpaths, something that was welcome after recent rains. The main feature of the visit was the very good view one gets of most of the waders and ducks on the estuary as they are close in and do not seem to mind people. Within a few yards of the station we were watching avocet, redshank, curlew, lapwing and black-tailed godwit at very close range. Wigeon and teal were slightly further away but still offered great views. Common, herring and black-headed gulls were also present with the latter

taking on their black head plumage again. On the fields adjacent to the wall we were able to watch stonechat, chaffinch and goldfinch. Blackbird, song thrush, robin, dunnock and great tit were in full song, signs that we are slowly heading towards spring. Further along we watched reed bunting and rock pipit. Out on the river little grebe were present along with good numbers of dunlins and lapwings. Grey heron, little egret and, for the lucky few, a kingfisher was also noted. We retreated after a couple of hours as light rain set in after a very enjoyable morning's birdwatching. Nothing rare but a good variety of species viewed up close on this part of the Deben.


L eave the car behind, wander down Tunnel Lane with the trees just

coming into leaf overhead, become aware of the birdsong all around. There is the glint of sunlight on water through the trees, and the curve of an old wooden bridge. An ancient thatched cottage peeps out from beneath its eaves, and suddenly the modern world recedes and you find yourself transported back 200 years. Walk down the hill and as you cross the old hump-backed wooden bridge, views which have not changed since Constable’s time open out in front of you. Wide flood meadows stretch westwards towards the spires of Dedham Church, punctuated by gnarled willow pollards which bend over their reflection in the silvery Stour River. Thus begins your morning at Flatford, a tiny hamlet tucked into a corner of the Stour Valley, frozen in time. There’s more than just history here, though. The RSPB runs a wildlife garden

in Flatford as well – a place designed to show people how they can help with wildlife conservation within their own gardens, big or small. The garden aims to teach people how their choice of plants and management of their outdoor space can genuinely benefit wildlife such as bees, hedgehogs, butterflies, frogs and even struggling birds such as house sparrows and song thrushes. The RSPB owns over 300,000 acres of nature reserve in Britain, but gardens cover


Goldcrest. Picture—Chris Courtney


much more than this area, meaning there is huge potential for ordinary householders to really help our struggling wildlife. The garden opens for the year on 1 April, when primroses and cowslips will be peeping in the apple orchard and the wildflower meadow, daffodils will be turning their faces to the sun, and the blue tits will be hatching their chicks in the nestboxes. Another main aim of the wildlife garden is to show children the magic that is nature – those first wonderful experiences are the ones that stay with us for a lifetime, enriching our lives and opening our eyes to the beauty that is around us. My love of nature began in the garden, where as a small child I would run barefoot in the morning dew, just exulting in the sunshine and the smell of damp earth and green grass. As a mother now myself, I am determined that my child will also have the opportunity to develop a love of nature and a joy in the outdoors. Who knows who is nurturing the next David Attenborough?! So Flatford, although it may feel like it belongs to the past, also offers hope for the future – children growing up with a sense of wonder about the natural world around them, and people who are inspired by, and care for, the natural world, even if all they have space for is a window box full of thyme and chives for the bees! The RSPB’s garden is open daily from 1 April between 10:30 and 4:30, and is free to enter. Park in the National Trust car park at Flatford, (£4 all day free to NT members) and save some space for cake at the tea room!

What’s on in the Easter Holidays? There’s a free children’s nature trail round the garden daily, as well as other activities such as planting wildlife-friendly seeds to take home and grow, and hands-on activities for even the smallest children (donations gratefully received.) For the grown-ups, there are plenty of ideas to take home to your own gardens, as well as free plant lists, and seeds and inexpensive wildlife friendly plants to buy.


More sparrows (and a goldfinch), pictures taken

during the sparrow survey.


1st


RARE BIRD SIGHTINGS DURING THE WINTER IN SUFFOLK From BirdLine East Anglia

Species Location with date in brackets

November

Cliff swallow Minsmere RSPB (4-6)

Forster’s tern Stour estuary (19-20) & Felixstowe Ferry (21)

Little bunting Bawdsey (13-14)

Great grey shrike Minsmere RSPB (16-17) & Sutton (23)

Shorelark Covehithe (13)

Black-bellied dipper Needham Market (u26)

Cattle egret Iken (f14)

Turtle dove Landguard NR (1)

January

Pallas’s warbler Kessingland (f6)

Little bunting Knettishall (9)

Great grey shrike Sutton Common

Smew♂ Thorington Street reservoir

Tundra bean goose Thorington Street reservoir

Long-tailed ducks Dunwich

Velvet scoters Dunwich

Twite Dunwich

Black-necked grebe Dunwich (f9)

Slavonian grebe Alton Water

Black-necked grebe Alton Water

Black-throated diver River Orwell

Great northern diver River Orwell & River Alde at Slaughden

Red-necked grebe Stutton Ness

Slavonian grebe (↑4) Stutton Ness

Cattle egret Iken & Baylham

Continued on pg. 27

Continued on pg. …...


Just hanging around!

Glaucous gull Landguard NR & Hollesley Marsh RSPB

Lesser whitethroat Newmarket (f8)

Waxwing Rendlesham & Bungay

February

Cattle egret Iken

Glaucous gull Minsmere RSPB, Landguard NR, & Hollesley Marsh RSPB

Iceland Gull Landguard NR (14)

Twite Southwold (20)

House martin Benacre Broad & Lowestoft (24 & 26)

Slavonian grebe (↑7) Alton Water & River Stour

Black-necked grebe Alton Water, River Stour & Dunwich

Great northern diver Rivers Stour, Orwell & Alde (u4)

Red-necked grebe River Stour

Black-throated diver River Orwell

Velvet scoter (3) River Stour & Dunwich

Long-tailed duck (2) River Alde & Dunwich

Scaup Dunwich

Smew Thorington Sheet (u11)

Tundra bean goose Various

Abbreviations: ↑ = up to, f = from, u=until

Birdline East Anglia ‘What’s About’ simply phone 09068 700 245 for all the bird news. Calls to 09068 700245 from a landline or mobile phone cost 65per minute plus telephone company access charge. Service provided by Birdline East Anglia for enquiries please call:

0330 3336946 or 07941333970. www.birdlineeastanglia.co.uk twitter.com/BirdlineEAnglia

facebook.com/robin.chittenden.7

Continued from pg. 26

http://www.birdlineeastanglia.co.uk/


Date Event Time Meeting Place

30 April Field Meeting—Alton Water Tattingstone for spring birds (part of RSPB Nightingale Festival). 3hrs. 3miles. (SM)

10.00 a.m. Lemons Hill Bridge, north car park,TM137377.

1 May Spring Wood Day (part of RSPB) Nightingale Festival

Details on page 25

3 May Field Meeting—Purdis Heath for summer birds (part of RSPB Nightingale Festival). 2hrs. 2-3miles. (SM)

6.30 p.m. Bucklesham Road, lay-by near Trinity Park, TM213424.

3 May Joint Field Meeting with Ipswich Wildlife Group—Dawn chorus walk to Spring Wood and Belstead Wet Meadows, 2-3hrs. 2-3miles.

4.30 a.m. and 5.30 a.m.

Bobbits Lane car park, TM147414

16 May Midweek Walk—Pipers Vale. (KR) 10.00 a.m. Car park at Vale entrance, TM178419.

17 May Field Meeting—Rushmere Common for summer birds. 2hrs. 2-3miles. (SM)

6.30 p.m. Heath Road entrance, TM197445.

24 May Field Meeting—SWT Newbourne Springs Reserve. 2hrs. 2-3miles. (SM)

6.30 p.m. Reserve car park, TM275433.

10 June Field Meeting—Bourne Park, Kiln Meadow & Spring Wood for summer birds. 3hrs. 5miles. (SM)

9.30 a.m. Bourne Park car park, Stoke Park Drive, TM152419.

Mid-June (Date to be confirmed depending on weather conditions)

Field Meeting—Nightjar evening at Hollesley Heath. Final details on website or email: [email protected] (SM).

8.00 p.m. Car park, TM335471.

13 June Midweek Walk—Christchurch Park. (KR)

10.00 a.m. Soane Street entrance, TM165448

What’s On—Dates for your diary for April & beyond For details of how to find out more about these events please see separate entry or

contact organiser of event; details will also appear on website. (Walk leaders/organisers initials will appear after entry and their contact details appear at the end of the diary)

…………..continued on next page


If you need to get in touch please contact: RSPB HQ, The Lodge, Sandy, Beds, SG19 2DL Tel: 01767 680551. RSPB Eastern England Regional Office, Stalham House, 65 Thorpe Road, Norwich, NR1 1UD Tel: 01603 661662 RSPB Local Group, Leader—Chris Courtney. Tel: 01473 423213 For more news & information log on to the group website on: www.rspb.org.uk/groups/ipswich Or find us on Twitter: @IpswichRSPB and on Facebook: RSPB Ipswich Local Group

Orwell Observer Editor—Patricia Hall. Tel: 01473 328121 e-mail: [email protected] Please:-

Submit articles via e-mail in MS Word or Publisher. Or if not using MS please submit files with a .doc, .docx or .pub file ending.

Articles can also be posted to 24 Denmark Gardens, Holbrook, IP9 2BG (handwritten, memory stick or floppy disc all accepted) or given to the editor at an indoor or field meeting.

Anything which is not completely your own work (including photographs) may be subject to copyright. It is therefore your responsibility to obtain the necessary permission and acknowledge accordingly.

Respect the deadline which is:-

1 August

Thank you.

Walk leader’s or event organiser’s contact details:- (SM) Stephen Marginson [email protected] 01473 258791 (CC) Chris Courtney [email protected] 01473 423213 (KR) Kathy Reynolds 01473 714839 (MC) Mick Cook 01473 682239 (TK) Tim Kenny 01394 809236

More dates for your diary

12 July Field Meeting—Levington Creek for migrant waders & summer birds. 2hrs. 2-3miles. (SM)

6.30 p.m. Stratton Hall Lane, near Levington Marina, TM245384

2 Aug Field Meeting—River Deben, Melton for migrant waders. 2hrs. 2-3miles. (SM)

6.30 p.m. Melton Riverside car park,TM288503.

14 Sept Indoor Meeting—’Birds of Africa,’ David Walsh Suffolk birder & tour leader. Sponsored by A W Hart Builders

7.30 p.m. Rushmere St. Andrew Church Hall, The Street, Rushmere St. Andrew, IP5 1DH


RSPB Ipswich Local Group

The subscriptions for 2017 are now due. If you have not already re-joined the local group please print out this page, complete the section below and send it with your remittance to the membership secretary.

Annual Membership Rates—you have a choice of two options. Please indicate your choice by ticking the appropriate box:-

Option 1—£3.00 which includes membership card, programme and three issues of the Orwell Observer magazine. Entry to indoor meetings is payable on the night.

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(Please print clearly)

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The full colour version Orwell Observer will be sent to you by e-mail before the January, April and September indoor meetings. For those without Internet access there will be a shortened printed version in black and white available at those meetings. Please let the membership secretary know if you want a paper copy. It would be appreciated if you could collect your magazine, or alternatively arrange for a friend to collect it on your behalf. Sometimes other members will hand deliver magazines and any remaining will be posted.

Please make your cheques payable to ‘RSPB’ and send with completed form to:-

The Membership Secretary, 8 Winston Avenue, Ipswich, IP4 3LS Together with a SAE if you wish your membership card posted to you.

The RSPB Ipswich 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 me at the above address. If you wish to receive this information electronically, please confirm your email address here____________________________

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