© RSPB North West Surrey Local Group – 2020© The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity in England and Wales no. 207076, in Scotland no. SC037654

RSPB North West Surrey Local Group

letter   2020 - 2Group Web Site - rspb.org.uk/groups/nwsurrey

The views expressed by contributors to this newsletter are not necessarily those of the Committee, the Editor, or the RSPB.All trading names and references are acknowledged to be owned by their respective companies or individuals.

COMMITTEE CHATWelcome to our second newsletter for 2020.

Covid-19 has had a dramatic effect on all our lives, and of course our group has been significantly affected.Unsurprisingly, and in common with all other local groups, we received instructions from RSPB that all events,indoor and outdoor were to be cancelled until 1st September. This means that four indoor meetings will not takeplace. Please be assured that the speakers will be re-booked so you will have the opportunity to enjoy theirpresentations over the next couple of years. The AGM has also fallen victim. It will be rescheduled later in theyear. It is an especial shame that our spring and summer outdoor programme will be lost, particularly as ourleaders have put so much effort into planning the walks. I am sure that the selected venues will be rearrangedfor next year. When restrictions are lifted, do take advantage of our premier birding months by visiting our lovelylocal reserves.

The committee is most anxious to keep in touch with members during the next few difficult weeks. We havetherefore brought forward the distribution of this newsletter. We hope you will have plenty of time to enjoy thecontents. We hope then to publish monthly newsletters while the present restrictions continue. During this periodnewsletters will only be dispatched by email. Of course, in order to create a newsletter, we need copy so we willbe delighted to receive articles from members on bird and nature related activities.

Before the suspension of activities, we were enthusiastically promoting the group.

Our group leader Alan Sharps is a member of a bell ringing group (hand bells, not church bells). His group givesconcerts to local organisations. From this he hit upon the idea of offering to those same organisations a bird talkand thus our Birds of Surrey talk was born. Alan Pugh skilfully put together a PowerPoint presentation featuringgarden birds and Surrey specialists, Ken, Ron, or Simon then talk about the birds as their images appear on thescreen, while Alan Sharps intersperses bird song for particular species. Alan Pugh then organizes a rousingmusical finale. Marion meanwhile offers for sale pin badges, Christmas cards and other RSPB items.

These talks have raised well over £700 since we started in August 2018. Indeed such has been their success,and so well have they been received that we have now prepared a second talk so we can pay our previousaudiences a return visit. This second talk is entitled Birds from Coast to Mountain and features a different suite ofbirds. It's just another way our group is raising money for the RSPB, engaging with the local community andhaving fun. You may know or belong to a group which welcomes guest speakers; if so we'd we'd be pleased tooffer them our talks.

Our relationship with Wisley RHS remains strong; before the Covid-19 restrictions we continued to lead birdwalks on selected days and the feedback from guests is always positive. Thanks to all who give their time up to

guide these walks and who interact with the public so effectively.

This is a difficult time for all of us. We are sure that we shall come through it and come the autumn weshall have an exciting programme ready for you to enjoy. In the meantime, keep well.

The Committee

Forthcoming meetingsWe have been obliged to cancel all meetings and events for the next few months. Please keep your eyes on thegroup website for any further updates or information. Thank you.

Please note the FINAL CUT OFF DATE for the next issue is THE LAST WEEKEND of JULY 2020.

Know your Members p2 :: Members’ Photos p8 :: Ins & Outs p10 :: Future Events p15

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© RSPB North West Surrey Local Group – 2020© The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity in England and Wales no. 207076, in Scotland no. SC037654

Know your Members - Nigel & Beryl RutlandI guess most of us are confined to barracksat this time and as I write this Beryl andmyself should have been in Paris with ourdaughter and family from Canada.Unfortunately they could not get here dueto the shutdown and so all arrangementshad to be cancelled. What is moredisappointing was that it was ourgranddaughter’s wedding and although it didtake place it was in an empty church andlimited to just ten of the essentialparticipants. It was live streamed to ourson’s home where we enjoyed watching witha glass of bubbly in our hands. It was agreat day despite the last minuterearrangements and cancellations.

It is a beautiful sunny day and I am enjoyingwatching a pair of magpies hopping in andout of the nest they have just created in asilver birch tree. Not to be outdone is thepair of wrens frantically visiting the nest boxon the garage wall.

I started life in Oxford and moved to Watford where I did my schooling and college work. I left school at 16 and did anapprenticeship in mechanical and optical engineering at the same time as studying for my HNC in mechanical engineering.My apprenticeship and first job was in a company that made microscopes, telescopes, spectrometers etc. etc. After tenyears it was time to move on and I joined Lipton Overseas as an industrial engineer in the London H.O. This involveddesigning and planning factories for their worldwide tea production and packing operations. Eventually Lipton was acquiredby Unilever and although I specialised on the tea side of the business I got involved with many of the well known Unilever foodproducts. This work took me to all continents except Antarctica and I guess stimulated my interest in Geography and thenatural world. One of my first business trips was to Goma in Eastern Congo on the shores of Lake Kivu and near the bordersof Rwanda and Burundi where on approach in a light aircraft the pilot deviated a little to fly us over the volcano gushing outred hot lava. Years later this same volcano destroyed much of Goma town. A highlight in that area was to go to the PrinceEdward National Park and I remember well stalking a leopard in the scrub of a dry river bed whilst driving in a Mercedes.This is probably where my love of nature really began.

In the latter part of mycareer I concentrated oncompiling goodmanufacturing practicesand doing a lot of qualityauditing for our worldwideoperations. As the mainproduct for me was teathis naturally took me tothe African and Asiancountries to visit teaplantations. I normallyfound a day to go birdingespecially in Kenya andIndia where I also visitedsome game parks.

A very memorable visit toSouth America on oneoccasion took me high upin the Andes from Chilewhere I was able to seethe magnificent condorssoaring high in the sky. I

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© RSPB North West Surrey Local Group – 2020© The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity in England and Wales no. 207076, in Scotland no. SC037654

did manage to get close up but that was in an enclosure as avisitor attraction.

We first got involved with the local RSPB group following a visitby Bill Oddie to Woking and have enjoyed participating in theweekday and Saturday outings enormously. Pulborough Brooksis a place I like to visit especially searching out the nightingalesin the appropriate season. Another favourite is Slimbridgewhere we make an annual winter pilgrimage to see the influx ofBewick swans and other waterfowl in such huge numbers.

Following my retirement I decided to go on an annual birdwatching trip with a specialist company and the first was toTrinidad and Tobago. The tranquillity and atmosphericconditions of the Asa Wright Centre were superb. Sitting on theveranda before dawn with a mug of hot tea waiting for the sunto rise and the dawn chorus to begin was exhilarating. Lookingout over the forest was an eerie feeling and then suddenly theinflux of humming birds, honey creepers and tanagersdescended on the feeders. That was the easy part of birdwatching but most calming and relaxing.

The Gambia, Eastern Europe and Morocco stick in my mindand perhaps one of my favourite birds was the yellow crownedgonolek I saw in Gambia. Perhaps my favourite destination inEurope is Southern Spain and the Algarve. Going into Donanais amazing and watching the raptor migration in Tarifa ismesmerising.

Closer to home the bird that gives me the most grief is thejackdaw which continually empties the bird feeders and untilrecently kept nesting in my chimney until I got the cowlingchanged to a jackdaw proof design. They really are busy birdsbecause I filled four dustbin sacks of twigs, leaves and plasticfrom the chimney before starting the work.

Selecting a wildlife programme or presenter is an impossibletask because there are so many programmes now to view and so many good presenters all spreading the message ofconservation and care for our planet and wildlife.

So in coming to a conclusion and asking what else enthuses me I must say it is my Christian faith and being an activemember of the local Baptist church. This really gives me an added bonus when I am out birding enjoying and revelling inGod’s wonderful creation.

Purple honey creeper from Wikipedia.Charles J Sharp / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

Yellow crowned gonolek from Wikipedia.Steve Garvie from Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)

Tice's Meadow - a wildlife haven under threat.There are few, if anynatural lakes in the southof England. Many ofthose that we do have,have been created fromgravel extraction. InSurrey, the Thamesvalley flood plain hasoffered great opportunityfor companies to satisfyan insatiable need foraggregate and when aquarry is exhausted,nature takes advantageof a newly created

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© RSPB North West Surrey Local Group – 2020© The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity in England and Wales no. 207076, in Scotland no. SC037654 40

habitat. The result is that what resembled a Great Warbattlefield becomes an oasis for wildlife.The international conglomerate Hanson has for manyyears been extracting gravel from Tice's Meadow, asite near the village of Badshot Lea, between Farnhamand Aldershot. The land was owned by the Tice familyin the 19th century, hence its name. Hanson has nowfinished its work and with the terrific assistance ofdozens of volunteers a nature reserve with a mosaic ofdifferent habitats has been created. Woodland andscrub provide a home for familiar garden species andmigrants, both winter and summer. Wet meadows areideal for snipe; indeed sympathetic management hasmade the reserve one of the best places in Surrey forwaders. The large lake is the centrepiece of thereserve and provides a home for ducks and otherwater birds. Surrounding it are reedbeds for waterrails, reed warblers and other specialists. TheBlackwater river runs through the reserve andprovides yet further opportunities for wildlife.

I visited Tice's Meadow for the first time on a fine January day. The paths were very muddy but wellingtons solved thatproblem. Helpful boards advertised the botanical, avian, and invertebrate delights to look out for. Alongside the paths, scruband trees, including many alders were full of tits, mainly blue and great but some long-tailed. Wrens and robins flitted in theundergrowth and goldfinches fed on teasels. A bullfinch took advantage of some well stocked feeders, sharing the bounty withthe usual bird feeder specialists. A smart new hide provided excellent viewing over the lake. This was packed with  birds; pairsof gadwall swam together; wigeon whistled, tufties dived, and a few teal glided elegantly by. Coots were everywhere and onthe islands, cormorants dried their wings and lapwings loafed. I was assured that barn owls were prospecting a nest boxsituated on a building across the lake. They weren't in residence, but raptors were represented by kestrels and kites.Tranquility was disturbed only by the distant drone of vehicles on the bypass.

Unfortunately this Eden faces an uncertain future. Hansons have no need for the site, now that their work is complete. Thesite is now up for sale and has no formal protection beyond planning restrictions which may be imposed on any development.Of course the lake and the flood plain cannot be built on but developers may see opportunities in surrounding land within thereserve. Waverley council is well aware of the site's wildlife importance and will have to approve any development. Howevereven a limited development would damage it irreparably. The BTO has expressed concern about this threat and if their fearsare realised, we must do all we can to inhibit anything that adversely affects the reserve... Look out for news of any sale orplanning application and be ready to lobby for nature. In the meantime, pay Tice's Meadow a visit and enjoy a superb recentaddition to our local wild places.

And if of course you have a spare £800,000, you could not do better than buy the site yourself (as long as you keep it as it is).Article suggested by Hannah Lane.

Lagopus Muta - the Ptarmigan.Assuming a double barrelled name used to be thought a somewhat pretentious way of making oneself sound posh.

Aristocrats in old films or Jeeves stories were given names like   Ponsonby Smythe or Fink Nottle. Nowadays the practiceseems to have been adopted by premiership footballers,  Alexander Arnold and Maitland Niles for example. But how does onecreate pseudo aristocracy in the bird world? Well, the ptarmigan knows how. It derives its name from the Gaelic wordtarmachan meaning croaker, a somewhat unflattering description of the bird's call. Then, in 1684 Sir Robert Sibbald, adistinguished antiquarian decided that "tarmigan" would be improved by the addition of a P, to make the word look Greek. Thename stuck and the totally irrelevant p remains. History does not record if Sir Robert attempted this trick with other species,but if so he was unsuccessful, otherwise we'd be admiring plapwings, ptits, and the stuttering p-partridge.

The bird's scientific name is Lagopus Muta. Lagopus means hare footed and derives from the fact that the bird sports featherson its legs which look like fluffy socks. These no doubt insulate the feet against the cold. Muta means mute, though how thebird can be both croaking and mute, I know not.

With a world population exceeding eight million, Ptarmigans are not rare birds; they are found in northern latitudes around theworld. In the US (though not Canada) they are given the rather plebeian name of Snow Chicken. They are game birds acrossNorth America. I am not aware that they are hunted here, their close relatives the red grouse being the usual quarry. InBritain the birds are found only in the north of Scotland, generally at high altitudes. Global warming will push the birds furthernorth so their future here is uncertain. Already their Scottish population has been reduced by the over grazing of sheep. In thelast ice age they spread across continental Europe before the warming weather caused their retreat north. They are

© RSPB North West Surrey Local Group – 2020© The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity in England and Wales no. 207076, in Scotland no. SC037654 51

archetypal eats, shoots, and leaves birds, existing ona rather spartan diet in the barren uplands.Ptarmigans are perhaps the hardiest of our nativespecies, withstanding Caledonian winters from whichalmost all other species have fled. Exceptionallydense plumage enables them to survive even thefiercest blizzards, hunkering down amongst the rockswhere they can find shelter. They can thereforethrive in conditions where few other species compete.

Golden eagles are significant predators, scouring thebare land above the tree line for prey. To avoiddetection, the ptarmigan has evolved to moult so itmatches its surroundings all year round. By the timethe snows come, the birds are a ghostly white, barelyvisible as they merge into the slopes. Then, in springthey moult again, to an elegant mottled brown, nowhiding themselves amongst the heather and boulders.They nest amongst the boulders and plants. Thechicks match their background perfectly, invisible inplain sight.

Ptarmigans are delightful birds, so let's hope that they can cope with the challenges of the 21st century and continue to adornScotland's highest peaks.

Photo credit - Mark Hamblin (rspb-images.com)MembersM

Butterflies and things…………Some of you may know of my passion for British butterflies, and a couple of years back I started my quest to see everyspecies, all 58 of them. This involved trips to Scotland and the north of England and one very demanding assault on Iron Pikein the Lake District. This was for the aptly named mountain ringlet. Over three seasons, and with some military style planningand a little help from the weather we did achieve this. Thanks to Marion for accompanying me on this adventure which weboth enjoyed immensely.

Very early this year there was concern about how butterflies could be affected by the mild weather and I was reading reportsthat this winter (December to February) has officially been the warmest on record in Europe, according to Copernicus, theEuropean Climate Change service. As if that wasn't enough, this winter has blown away the previous record for average wintertemperature across Europe (set in 2015/16) by no less than 1.4 deg C.

As I write this on the 1st April the recent very sunny and warm four or five day spell of weather has ended and has beenreplaced with much cooler single figure temperatures which, combined with easterly and northerly winds has given, feel liketemperatures of around 3 deg C.

Here in the UK the winter has been generally mild and wet which may have consequences for this season’s butterflies. Theperceived wisdom is that the appearance of spring butterflies will be early, leading to them being on the wing before their foodplants and their larval food plants are available.

I have for the previous three years kept a log of my first butterfly sightings in my garden and when I am out and about andthought I would share my findings for this year.

So there I was eagerly awaiting the early appearance of the first group of butterflies to appear, which are the hibernators. Asthe name suggests these hibernate over winter as adult butterflies and are small tortoiseshell, peacock, comma and redadmiral. The red admiral does have a complex life cycle and the majority are either immigrants or their off spring, but there issome evidence that they survive the winter as adults in the south of England.

So what have I found so far? Starting with small tortoiseshells, last year I saw them in my garden on 24th February and in2017 on the 31st March. I have not seen one so far this year.

Moving on to the peacock which I saw last year on 22 February and some 16 days later this year on the 11th March.

And now to the comma which I saw at Chobham Common on 9th March in 2017 and this year not until 17th March which iseight days later.

Finally to the red admiral which I saw, again at Chobham Common, on the 28th March 2018 and I am still to record my firstfor this year.

Holly blue and orange-tip which I saw on 31st March and 5th April in 2017 respectively are still to put in an appearance thisyear.

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Now I am the first to admit that this is not a very scientific survey but it is based on my previous observations and I justwant to show that when we see headlines of the hottest, warmest and coldest since records began with predictions ofgloom and doom for nature and wildlife it doesn't always occur. Nature has a way of dealing with temperature changesover the short term. Indeed I am also a keen gardener and see no evidence at all this year of things being early. I alsoaccept the predicted dramatic climate changes may cause problems for wildlife but remain optimistic that many willadapt to the changes, some undoubtedly will not and others will move in as conditions will be to their liking. It may also bethat this year’s wet winter has had an adverse effect that has out weighed the mild weather, time and research by othersmore knowledgeable than me will tell.

Look after yourselves and remember it’s ok to feel weird right now. It is weird. Keep checking the latest advice from thegovernment and remember that last year we thought Brexit would never end!!

Alan SharpsPhotos of the comma, small tortoiseshell, peacock and red admiral are all from RSPB Images.

Comma - Jodie Randall (rspb-images.com), red admiral - Phil Cutt (rspb-images.com),Peacock - Richard Bowler (rspb-images.com), red admiral - Genevieve Leaper (rspb-images.com).

Birdfair 2020 – 21st to 23rd August.Whatever your holiday plans, keep the third weekend of August free. Not just this year but every year. Why? Because it’swhen the British Birdwatching Fair takes place. Whether you are an avid twitcher or have just a casual interest in wildlife,you’ll love it.

So what will you do when you arrive at  Birdfair’s home at Rutland Water? Well, there are eight large marquees withstands for exhibitors to engage with the public. Travel companies will tell you about their nature holidays around theglobe. All the well known birding companies have stands. So if you want to go on a nature holiday to Scotland orAntarctica, there are people to talk to. Many countries are represented; Peru, Australia, Argentina, Colombia, Hondurasand many others extolling their wonderful wildlife. They know how valuable nature tourism is to their economy.Conservation bodies both large, like RSPB and WWT, and small like Wader Quest and the International Crane Foundationwill tell you about their work. Outdoor clothing companies will have you kitted out, whether for a visit to Finland in winteror the Sahara. You can buy nature books – and have some signed by the author. Bird boxes, bird food, i.d. gismos and amultitude of other nature related delights can be purchased. The optics marquee has exhibitors selling scopes andbinoculars to suit every pocket. The marquee is located with an outside view to enable you to compare products, whetheryou buy or not. And the art marquee is a thing of wonder; all our best known wildlife painters, sculptors, andphotographers display and hopefully sell their incredible work.

You may be ready by now for a sit down. There are three tents giving a continuous sequence of lectures. Choosewhether to learn about birding in Brunei, stopping illegal hunting in Malta, or the conservation of albatrosses. They’re allthere together with many others. But wait a minute, isn’t that Chris Packham over there talking to the Prime Minister’spartner and Mike Dilger? Yes, and they are heading for the events marquee. There you can relax and watch birdingcelebrities play Bird Brain of Britain, or Birding Pointless or tell you about their birding life. When you have had enoughof crowds, take a walk round Rutland Water and look for ospreys – checking the bird ringing demonstration by the BTOon the way. Before heading home, have something to eat – fair trade or locally sourced of course – and if you are verylucky, you’ll bump into a fellow group member to chat with over a coffee.

All the while you and the 20,000 plus other visitors are supporting conservation. Each year Birdfair selects a project tosupport. Last year it was” Cambodia’s Big Five”.  Over £300,000 was raised – fantastic.

So get organised and plan your trip – it’s only a couple of hours from our area. You will have a great time.

At time of publication this event is still live. It is NOT CANCELLED !

© RSPB North West Surrey Local Group – 2020© The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity in England and Wales no. 207076, in Scotland no. SC037654 73

Quick notes from the Ed…Hi Everyone,

Thanks to this malaise covering the country, and indeed the whole world, I’ve pinched a short space to update you about Kent.The great lock down from H M Government had my work colleagues and neighbours all in sixes and sevens.

For those that didn’t know, I sell car parts for my living, and we all had thought we were in a necessary occupation, beinggarage workers. The company at the time of me writing this, has decided to stay open for ESSENTIAL workers andemergency vehicle repairs, but has placed on furlough a number of staff, myself included, keeping just a few of the more-experienced staff to cover the jobs for the moment. At least when things ease, I will have a job to return to and for this at leastI am thankful.

As there will be no ‘recent’ events to report for the near foreseeable future, have you thought about submitting an article forour group to read? It’s worth writing something, and sending to me or a Committee member if you prefer..

I still have remaining text from the 19th century book I was sent quite a while back to use, if necessary.

Sincerely, wishing you all the best.

Long and short of it, we will get through this.Geoff

Welcome!We are happy to welcome four new members this time.

Jill Smith,  Terri Howarth,

Eric and Jane Cowell.

We look forward to meeting you at our meetings orevents later in the year.

Don’t forget, the ‘Free Meeting’ voucher isstill available should you

know of someone who could use it.

Snippets…For those of you that don't already know, the peregrines are back again at their nest site in Woking.

If you are interested in following them, the website is https://www.wokingperegrines.com.

There is a webcam on a barn owl box at Tices Meadow.The link is https://tices-meadow-barn-owls.click2stream.com/.

Members’ PhotosPeter Hambrook has provided the photos this time.

This male shelduckhad been chasing thefemale gadwalls andbeing a real pain.Suddenly thegadwalls decided thatthey had had enoughand decisively turnedthe table. Brilliant!Titchfield Haven, 27May 2010.Nikon D90 1/3200 f.9ISO800 Lens at250mm. Tripod.

Red squirrel, taken atthe Shap Hotel inCumbria. I was stayingthere and everymorning went into thewoods behind thehotel to the feedingstation. Under thetrees the lighting waspoor, so getting asharp shot was astruggle. This one wastaken on 28 May 2012with my Nikon D90and 300mm lens at1/40 f.5.6 and ISOpushed to 1250.Handheld.

The winter of2012/13 waswhat is known asa ‘WaxwingWinter’, whenunusually largenumbers of thesebeauties aredriven right downto southernEngland in theirsearch for food.Having struggledto connect withthem earlier, Idragged myselfout early onBoxing Day 2012to pursue agroup reported atDorney, nearWindsor. Thesebirds live farfrom people, socan be veryapproachable,and this one wasquite happilytrying to scoffrose hips while Iwas quite close.

Taken on a Nikon D7000 with a 300mm lens at 1/500 f.5 ISO 1600. Tripod.

This displayingred-breastedmerganser was atWidewater,betweenShorehamAirport and thebeach, and waspart of a smallgroup on thisbrackish lake.I anticipated thegroup’smovements andwas in position tophotograph themas they cameclose.

Taken on 14 Jan2014 using aNikon D7000 witha 300mm primelens and x2.0converter at1/1250 f.5.6 andISO 400. Tripod.

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The Ins and the OutsCamouflage Without Spots - Ian Alexander.

Thursday 23rd January 2020.Our speakers rarely turn up with props, let alone a carpet; Ian Alexander did, in his fascinating talk about camouflage.

Abbott Thayer, a 19th century American painterand naturalist was among the first to explore howanimals' colours matched their backgrounds, anddeveloped theories of adaptive colouration,disruptive marking and counter shading. Ian led usskilfully through these complex topics withattractive illustrations showing (or sometimes notshowing) the creatures concerned and how theyrelied on their tricks. Unfortunately, Thayer ratheroverplayed his hand by arguing that all animalsadopted such a policy, even painting delightfulpictures of a peacock in all its finery blendingexactly in a woodland background. He failed toacknowledge that some creatures are specificallydesigned to be seen, rather than remain concealed.Sexual selection and all that.

Hugh Cott, an English zoologist developed thesetheories and gave them practical application byusing camouflage techniques to confuse enemies

in the second world war, either by making tanks look like lorries or vice versa. Quite an achievement first to persuade aninitially sceptical military to adopt his ideas, and then to carry them out!

Ian gave examples of the numerous instances in the animal kingdom where camouflage is used: merging with background(snowy owl and polar bear), disruption (lovely images of a ringed plover and eggs on a shingle beach) disguise (a pottoo thatmight have been a tree stump), misdirection (butterfly with 'eye spots' on its wing, causing a predator to bite off the trailingedge of its wing rather than the head), decoy (angler fish). Even fish swimming around in a uniformly coloured ocean use thesame tricks, e.g. transparent jelly fish. Recently zebra's stripes have been shown on to discourage tsetse flies to land and bite.Simple but amazing.

Ian trusted us sufficiently to pass round his treasured editions of Thayer and Cott's books, the former, Thayer's own copy.

Ian showed us a particularly impressive image of a ptarmigan and young, the chicks barely visible on the Scottishmountainside. This and his props explained convincingly how the tricks worked. An original, educational, and thoroughlyentertaining evening.

Ken Sutton.Photo credit to Mike Read (rspb-images.com)

Mid-week walk at the London Wetlands Centre, Barnes.Tuesday, 22nd January 2020.

Weather: mild, for the time of year, but murky.

The 42 hectare wetland visitor centre in Barnes was built on part of the site of four disused reservoirs. Work began in 1995and over the next five years more than 300,000 water plants and 27,000 trees were planted and 600m of boardwalk and3.4km of pathway were laid before the centre opened in May 2000. The centre was awarded “Site of Special ScientificInterest” status in 2002 due to the number of over-wintering shoveler andgadwall.

On entering the reserve the twelve of us were directed to the Observatorywhere we all had very good views of a very obliging common snipe in thegrass no more than three meters from the glass. It seemed completelyoblivious to the number of people admiring it from such a short distance.Out on the main lake were mute swan, Canada goose, mallard, tufted duck,coot and on the islands cormorant, feral pigeon, black-headed gull, starlingand lapwing.

We eventually left the warmth of the Observatory and made our way to theDulverton hide. Here we saw more species of duck including gadwall,shoveler, pochard and two distant pintail. On the islands out in the main

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lake there were four further species of gull; greater and lesser black-backed, common and herring. A grey heron flew pastbeing mobbed by crows and then some of our party spotted a sparrowhawk as it flew past just in front of the hide.

The feeders on the way to the WWF hide yielded blue and great tit, chaffinch, greenfinch, great spotted woodpecker, robin,dunnock, grey squirrel and a very large brown rat. The WWF hide and the sheltered lagoon provided nothing new so wemade our way to the top of the Peacock Tower where David Panchaud, one of our group members, was on duty.

We added teal, wigeon and greylag goose to our list before David spotted a water pipit and we all had very good views of it.David also showed us the island where snipe had been seen earlier in the morning. Eventually a snipe, with a short bill, wasspotted there, but before positive identification could be made it flew to a neighbouring island. Careful examination of thissecond island revealed two snipe. Identification of a jack snipe is much easier when you see one alongside the much largerand longer-billed common snipe. The jack snipe remained visible, albeit sometimes partially behind vegetation, for longenough for us all to get a good view.

The party now divided into two groups, which turned out to be fortuitous. One group had lunch in the hide overlooking thewader scrape and the rest returned to the centre. The returners spotted long-tailed tit and goldfinch on their way back andthe hide diners saw chiffchaff, redwing, jay and green woodpecker.

After lunch the hide diners popped into the Dulverton hide at just the right time to see a bittern. They rang the rest of us tolet us know and we all made our way as quickly as possible to the hide to be greeted with the birdwatcher’s least favourite

phrase “you should have been here ten minutes ago”. Yes, the bitternhad disappeared back into the reeds. The next fifteen minutes werespent trying to create a bittern from the pattern of reeds close towhere it was last seen. Eventually the bittern reappeared, fortunatelyquite close to where we were looking and we did all get a reasonableview, especially as it flew off. That sighting marked the end of ourvisit.

Those of us who were amongst the last to leave the reserve again metDavid who told us a little owl had been seen in a holly tree in theplaying field opposite. Having scoured the wrong tree for some timewe eventually found the right tree and the little owl which seemed toobserve us with some disdain.

Thanks to all those who came on the walk.Steve Williams

Photos are of a snipe by Steve Williams and a shoveler by Peter Hambrook

Weekend trip to Blashford Lakes, Hampshire.Saturday 25th January 2020.

Legh was unable to make this trip so I willingly agreed to lead the walk. A few days beforehand I checked my Rare Bird AlertApp, and was pleased to see that there were a couple of interesting ducks showing regularly.

The weather was rather dull and overcast but remained dry with maximum temperatures of 8C. Eight members turned up.

There was a bit of a buzz on the Group Whats App the day before we went as ferruginous duck had been reported on theKingfisher Lake just to the south of the main reserve, so a couple of us arrived there a little early to take a look.

This is what I found when I arrived ay 9.15 am… Geoff up a ladder!

The owners of the lake had put up about half a mile of unsightly green netting,presumably to stop people seeing in. This did not deter Geoff who had brought hiskitchen steps along. He was unsuccessful in the morning but did get a brief glimpselater in the day.

Everyone had arrived by 10am and we started off at the Ibsley Water view point, andTern Hide which overlooks the same lake. We saw many of the expected ducksincluding some lovely male goldeneye and pintail. The highlight was the black-neckedgrebe and long-tailed duck, the two ‘target’ birds.

We then walked through a wooded area towards Rockford Lake, adding redwing,nuthatch,goldcrest and chaffinch, along with many other woodland species. RockfordLake added further sightings of widgeon, pochard, tufted duck and shoveler. On theday of our visit the duck numbers were very impressive.

We walked south to Ivy Lane and then back into the reserve at the southern end ofIvy Lake, seeing more ducks and woodland species. At the Woodland Hide we sawsiskin on the feeders.

Lunch beckoned, and on our way back to the Centre we saw a very active flock ofaround 40 siskin feeding in the alders. During a pleasant outdoor picnic lunch, weadded treecreeper to our list.

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Finally we ended up at IvyNorth Hide which againproduced large numbers ofducks.

All in all, this was a verypleasant day producingabout 49 species.

On walking back alonethrough the woodlands Icame across this amazingsight and sprang into action with my self-adapted SLR Kodak Brownie and got this amazing shot of a tawny owl eating thereserve’s cat tail first! For the technically minded, it was at F-stop 8 and 20 x zoom. There is nothing I like better than gettingthe best spot in the hide and sitting there all day, showing off my camera and playing a recording of 30 x shutter shots persecond on full volume!!

On leaving Blashford, four of us decided to call in at Blackwater Arboretum in the New Forest on our way home. We werevery pleased to spy a hawfinch and seven bullfinch, making a very good end to the day.

Alan SharpsPhoto of a black-necked grebe by Peter Hambrook

Birding the Horn of Africa by Nigel Redman.Thursday 27th February 2020.

Our talks have taken us to some pretty remote places in recent years, but few as remote as the Horn of Africa. WhileEthiopia may be fairly familiar to British birders, Somalia, Djibouti, Eritrea, and Socotra most certainly aren't. Nigel Redmanprobably knows more about the Horn's avifauna than anyone. He has led many tours to the region and is the lead author ofthe principal field guide.

Nigel set the scene with some helpful maps, both political and physical, showing the area covered by his talk. In the first halfwe travelled through Ethiopia, still a reliable country for birds despite its rapidly expanding population. Happily, birds are not

persecuted here though habitat loss is an ongoing problem.Nigel first took us north from Addis to moorland above thegreat Rift Valley gorge. Here striking Gelada baboons withtheir blood red chests shared the plateau with the localvarieties of francolins, Rouget's rail and other delights.Vertiginous drops to the valley floor provided impressivelandscapes over which raptors floated. Then it was off to theBale Mountains where Ethiopian wolves fed on comical giantmole-rats among the giant lobelia the Sanetti plateau.Throughout his talk, Nigel concentrated on endemic birds,those found nowhere else; Abyssinian catbird (so calledbecause its call is a miaow) and white backed black tit wereamong the specialities. Moving south, Awash is typical Africansavanna dotted with acacias. Dry country birds are here;shrikes, lovebirds, and bustards live alongside big game,including mountain nyala. This antelope was the last largeAfrican mammal to be discovered, early last century. Thelodge, situated high on a cliff edge, overlooked a spectacularpanorama but a nocturnal stroll was not recommended!Further south, near the Kenyan border, agricultural land

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provides a home for Stressman's bush crow. This garrulousrelative of Asian ground jays thrives, but in a tiny geographicalarea. It was fascinating to learn that scientists have discoveredthat the crows rely on a micro climate which makes their habitatslightly cooler than the surrounding countryside - but whichprevents them from extending their range.

The second half of Nigel's talk took us east to greater Somalia,a geographical area encompassing Djibouti,part of southernEthiopia, Eritrea and Somalia. Nigel assured us that all but asmall area of what was British Somaliland was safe for travel -though guards armed with AK 47s no doubt helped! The former

Italian Somaliland is unsafe and is best avoided. Helpful maps showed us where we were - in a vast landscape where all thelocal specialities were new to us. Larks and wheatears are denizens of deserts so remote that the fauna and flora is littleknown or understood. A cisticola (a small warbler) which Nigel and his group found resembled none of the known species ofthe area and has still not been identified from photographs. A new speciesperhaps? This was pioneering birding. As well as the little brown jobs, therewere gorgeous bee eaters, rollers and owls. Mammals were not ignored. Idoubt anyone in the room knew that Speke's pectinator is an animal, letalone what it looked like; a rather charming tubby hamster. Or that a beirais a small elegant gazelle.

Nigel was obliged to compete with the choir practising in the adjoining hallbut it did not disturb his confident delivery. Throughout, his talk wassupported by excellent images of the species discussed. Most were Nigel'sown, but where he had no satisfactory one he had sourced appropriatealternatives to illustrate his point. His expertise shone through and by theend of the evening we felt we had been on a voyage of discovery andreturned  a little wiser about a fascinating part of Africa.

Photo of the Swainson’s francolin, by Richard Packwood (rspb-images.com).Photo of the museum specimen of the Spekes pectinator, from ‘Daderot’ via Wikipedia (public domain).

Photo of the Somali bee eater, by Steve Garvie, from Wikipedia (public domain).

Weekend walk at RSPB Rainham Marshes.Saturday 29th February 2020.

Following a poor weather forecast, it wasn’t too surprising that only Ken and myself turned up at Rainham. After a verycivilised coffee, while watching the busy bird feeders, we set off around the reserve, seeing lots of pintail, wigeon, shovelerand teal. Most of the waders seemed to be redshank, plus a few curlews, while a marsh harrier patrolled in the distance.

Cetti’s warblers called, unseen, allaround us.

As we reached the bushy area therain came on quite steadily, but wedid manage a brief view of a firecrestbefore we scurried on to the hides.The rain then stopped but it didbecome windy. Hundreds of lapwingskept flying up and a skylark wassinging, whilst two linnets bathed in apool. From the last hide we finallysaw some snipe, including oneswimming, plus one bar-tailed godwit.

A blustery walk along the river onlygained us a rock pipit and a greatcrested grebe. We then had a lastlook for the firecrest but onlymanaged to see a chiffchaff.Surprisingly, we saw about fifty-fourspecies in all, so quite a good day.

Ron JacksonPhoto of a firecrest by Peter

Hambrook

© RSPB North West Surrey Local Group – 2020© The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity in England and Wales no. 207076, in Scotland no. SC037654

Please note: All articles contained in this Newsletter remain the copyright of the author and cannotbe used in full or part without their express agreement.

The RSPB is the UK’s largest nature conservation charity , inspiring everyone to give nature a home. Together with ourpartners, we protect threatened birds and wildlife so our towns, coast and countryside will teem with life once again. We

also play a leading role in a worldwide partnership of nature conservation organisations.

The RSPB is a member of BirdLife International, a partnership of conservation organisations working to give nature a home around the world.

NEWSLETTER CONTRIBUTION INFORMATION.FINAL COPY DATE FOR THE 2020 - 3 NEWSLETTER.

Please submit your items for the next Newsletter as soon as possible but no later than:- Saturday 25th July 2020.In the event that the Newsletter becomes full before the above date, the Editor reserves the right to include submitted articleswithin the next issue.The Editor reserves the right to edit submitted articles should this become necessary to meet space constraints.Items are invariably sent to the editor by email these days, with occasional normal mail submissions.Articles should be submitted in Word or Open Office format and photographs should be sent in high resolution, JPEG orPNG format preferably with a file size not less than 2 MB. For other formats or if you require any other information about thesubmission of items, please contact the Editor for guidance.Please note that all articles contained in this Newsletter remain the copyright of the author and cannot be used in full or partwithout their express permission.

GROUP MEMBERSHIP AND INFORMATIONThe group was established in 1974 and holds regular monthly indoor meetings on the 4th Thursday of each month betweenSeptember and June, excluding December. These meetings take place in the school hall, at St. Charles Borromeo School,Portmore Way, WEYBRIDGE, Surrey, KT13 8JD. There is car parking available in the adjacent school/church car park; thenearest station is Weybridge.Indoor meetings commence at 7:45 pm (doors will open at 7:15 pm), and finish at 10:00 pm.Outdoor meetings are held throughout the year, both locally and further afield.Indoor and outdoor meetings are free for North West Surrey Local Group members.Members of the public and Wildlife Explorers are welcome to attend all the indoor meetings and outdoor meetings. WildlifeExplorers members are free; however, all other visitors are asked to donate £3 towards the costs of the indoor meeting.For outdoor meetings, there is an optional donation to the Group.Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult at both indoor and outdoor meetings.

North West Surrey Local Group membership for the year 2019 - 2020 is £12 for individuals or £20 for couples. If you wouldlike to join the Group or require additional information, please contact the Membership Secretary at the address given onpage 16 or visit our website: www.rspb.org.uk/groups/nwsurrey.The membership year starts with the September indoor meeting and membership is valid from 1st September to 31stAugust. For any new member joining between 1st April and 31st August, their membership year will run until 31st Augustthe following year.

Additional Outdoor Meeting Information● If you are new to bird watching, please do let the leader know if you would appreciate a little assistance.● Please ensure that you wear appropriate clothing for the conditions expected. Good walking boots are usually

sufficient, unless the weather has been excessively wet. Waterproofs are strongly recommended if rain is forecast.● Please bring packed lunches on the all-day trips. If the weather is hot, please bring plenty to drink as most of the

reserves and sites we visit do not have catering facilities.● Access to most reserves is free; however, some do charge admission and/or car parking fees. When visiting RSPB

reserves (or others if you are a member of that organisation), please bring your membership card, otherwise you willhave to pay the non-members fee which is usually non-refundable.

● While most sites visited have normal public access and are well maintained, please take care and do not ignore anysafety notices or instructions. Participation in outdoor meetings is entirely at your own risk.

● The Saturday walks will usually be led by Legh Langston, but occasionally someone else may lead. Mid-weekwalks will usually be led by Steve Williams, assisted by Ron Jackson. The leader will be there in all but extremeconditions. If in any doubt, please ring the appropriate leader to check.

● For Saturday walks contact Legh Langston, 07950 028790.● For mid-week walks, contact Steve Williams, 07506 645776.● Outdoor trips are by car. If you would like a lift please contact the appropriate outdoor leader, who may be able to

arrange this for you.

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In light of the coronavirus situation, further events may be cancelled at any time without notice.If in doubt, please contact the leader of that event for any updated information.

Please car share if possible at all sites, as car parking may be limited. May 2020 Cancelled - Sat 30th  -  RSPB Otmoor, OX3 9TD. (10.00 - 13.00) (LL)

This would be a new reserve for most of the group where we could expect to see hobby, nesting warblersand turtle doves, as well as lizards and butterflies.This site is 55 miles away, via M40 to Oxford turnoff, A40 to Headington and turn right towards Beckleyand Otmoor.Meet in the reserve car park. Postcode: OX3 9TD.

June 2020 Cancelled - Tues 9th  -  Knepp. TQ150204. 3 miles (10.00 - 13.00) (SW)

Knepp is the site of a rewilding project which has been successful in increasing the numbers of warblers,nightingales and turtle doves. Knepp Wildlife Safaris are signposted off Swallows Lane just north of DialPost village.Meet at the walkers’ car park. Toilets are available at Knepp, food in local pubs.

Cancelled - Thurs 11th - NW Surrey Local Group AGM / Social (KS)The formal business of our Annual General Meeting will be followed by refreshments.We ask for a small donation towards the costs.

Cancelled - Fri 12th  -  Chobham Common. Walk to see Nightjars. Time: 8.30 pm (GK)Geoff Keen has offered to lead another of our very popular nightjar walks. There is an excellent chanceof seeing nightjar as well as the possibility of woodcock. Bring a torch for the walk back.The meeting place is Chobham Common Fishpool car park, Gracious Pond Road, Chobham, (nearestpostcode GU24 8HN).

Note that there is currently a charge for car parking but we understand that this may no longer apply after 1st April 2020. July 2020 Cancelled - Weds 15th  -  Papercourt Meadows (Wildlife Trusts). TQ039573. 3 miles. (10.00 - 13.00) (SW)

The wide range of habitats here should provide a good range of resident and migrant birds as well asdragonflies and damselflies.Meet in the car park south of Newark Bridge on the B367. No facilities but local pubs are available.

August 2020 Cancelled - Thurs 13th  -  Bookham Common (NT). TQ031723. 2.5 miles.(10.00 - 12.30) (SW)

During this quiet period for birds we will be looking for butterflies, hopefully Purple Hairstreak will be around,plus dragonflies and damselflies.Meet in the One Hundred Pound Bridge car park (access from Downside).No facilities but Cobham is nearby.

Subject to restrictions being lifted, we expect to return to our planned schedule.So keep these dates in your diary.

September 2020 OUT - Tues 15th  -  Staines Moor. TQ031723. 2.5 miles. (10.00 - 13.00) (SW)

With migration in full swing, anything could turn up here, so it could be an interesting time at this site - itrather depends on luck!Meet in Moor Lane, Staines, opposite entrance with information board, just before the road goes under theA30 Staines By-Pass. No facilities but Staines is nearby.

IN - Thurs 24th  -  NWS Regular Meeting  -  Save Our Vultures by Hannah Shaw. (KS)Hannah works in conservation and research for the Hawk and Owl Trust and will talk to us about worldwideefforts to preserve the world's vultures - and also about the Trust's work.

OUT - Sat 26th  -  Dungeness RSPB (AS)Looking to make this a full day starting at the beach/observatory at 9am, then RSPB reserve at 10.30am, then atthe ARC pits in the afternoon finishing around 4pm. People could dip in and out as they wish.Don’t forget your RSPB Membership card!

October 2020 IN - Thurs 22nd  -  NWS Regular Meeting - (KS)

Details tbc OUT - Sat 24th  - Titchfield Haven (LL)

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The INs and the OUTs in 2020 - 2021

June 2020M 1 8 15 22 29T 2 9 16 23 30W 3 10 17 24T 4 11 18 25F 5 12 19 26S 6 13 20 27S 7 14 21 28

July 2020M 6 13 20 27T 7 14 21 28W 1 8 15 22 29T 2 9 16 23 30F 3 10 17 24 31S 4 11 18 25S 5 12 19 26

August 2020M 31 3 10 17 24T 4 11 18 25W 5 12 19 26T 6 13 20 27F 7 14 21 28S 1 8 15 22 29S 2 9 16 23 30

September 2020M 7 14 21 28T 1 8 15 22 29W 2 9 16 23 30T 3 10 17 24F 4 11 18 25S 5 12 19 26S 6 13 20 27

October 2020M 5 12 19 26T 6 13 20 27W 7 14 21 28T 1 8 15 22 29F 2 9 16 23 30S 3 10 17 24 31S 4 11 18 25

May 2020M 4 11 18 25T 5 12 19 26W 6 13 20 27T 7 14 21 28F 1 8 15 22 29S 2 9 16 23 30S 3 10 17 24 31

© RSPB North West Surrey Local Group – 2020© The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity in England and Wales no. 207076, in Scotland no. SC037654 16

GROUP LEADER : Alan Sharps (AS) T. 01784 244665 E. nwsleader@yahoo.co.uk

TREASURER : Angela Pugh T: 01784 457714 E: nwstreasurer@yahoo.com

SECRETARY: Anthony Groves T: 0789 1571825 E: anthony1971groves@gmail.com

MEMBERSHIPS: Marion Sharps T: 01784 244665 E: nwsmemsec@yahoo.com

INDOOR MEETINGS: Ken Sutton (KS) T: 01784 436098 E: kd.sutton@ntlworld.com

MID WEEK OUTINGS Steve Williams (SW) T: 07506 645776 E: s17scw@btinternet.com

WEEKEND OUTINGS: Legh Langston (LL) T: 07950 028790 E: langstonlegh@gmail.com

COMMITTEE MEMBER Alan Pugh T: 01784 457714 E: nwscommember@ yahoo.com

COMMITTEE MEMBER: Frank Clark T: E: frank.clark2@outlook.com

COMMITTEE MEMBER: Geoff Keen (GK) T: 01932 844329 E: gekeen@cokecce.comCOMMITTEE MEMBER: Heather Sharpe T: 01932 859371 E: hm.sharpe@talktalk.net

WEBSITE Peter Hambrook T: 01932 346565 E: hambrp@msn.comNEWSLETTER EDITOR Geoff Porter T: 07946 419664 E: nwseditor@hotmail.co.uk

Post to - c/o Orchard Cottage, 12 Smallholdings, Off Clockhouse Lane, ASHFORD, Middlesex, TW15 2HB.

By post to - Geoff Porter, c/o 12 Ashbee Close, Snodland, Kent, ME6 5HQ.

THE ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS

NORTH WEST SURREY LOCAL GROUP

YOUR COMMITTEE MEMBERS and OTHER CONTACTS

Details tbcNote there is a charge for entry.

November 2020 IN - Thurs 26th  -  NWS Regular Meeting - Birds of Moor and Mountain - controversy or cooperation,

by Andre Farrar.(KS)With a 36 year career in the RSPB behind him, including a spell as campaigns manager, Andre is well placed to talkto us about the upland crisis as conflict continues between conservation and shooting interests.

OUT - Sat 28th  -  Cliffe Pools RSPB (LL)Details tbcDon’t forget to bring your RSPB Membership card.

January 2021 OUT - Fri 1st  -  New Year’s Day Walk at Papercourt Meadows (LL)

Our now usual start to the new year. Welcome in 2021 with a walk here at Papercourt. IN - Sat 9th  -  NWS Quiz Night (KS)

Clear your diaries for our group’s yearly quiz night. You will enjoy a convivial evening trying to beat the quizmasters (Ken and Geoff) with their (un)usual mix of easy to hard rounds, plus photo rounds, and a meal.Cost (in 2020 was £14 pp).Group event and promotional photos will be taken on the night - any objection should be advised.

IN - Thurs 28th  -  NWS Regular Meeting  -  Baltic Bonanza by Roger Beck. (KS)Former leader of Guildford RSPB, Roger will take us around the wide range of habitats found in Estoniaand Lithuania, and the exciting bird life to be found there.

OUT - Sat 30th  -  Pagham Harbour RSPB (LL)Details tbc

February 2021

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December 2020M 7 14 21 28T 1 8 15 22 29W 2 9 16 23 30T 3 10 17 24 31F 4 11 18 25S 5 12 19 26S 6 13 20 27

January 2021M 4 11 18 25T 5 12 19 26W 6 13 20 27T 7 14 21 28F 1 8 15 22 29S 2 9 16 23 30S 3 10 17 24 31

November 2020M 30 2 9 16 23T 3 10 17 24W 4 11 18 25T 5 12 19 26F 6 13 20 27S 7 14 21 28S 1 8 15 22 29