a million voices for nature - RSPB

a million voices for nature
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales no. 207076.
Scotland no.SC037654.
Loughborough RSPB Local Group
Programme 2010-11
www.rspb.org.uk/groups/loughborough.
The RSPB has a network of almost 200 local groups, like ours, run by volunteers
who give large amounts of their time supporting the society. In representing the
RSPB at a local level, our intention is to raise awareness of the society’s nature
conservation activities and to provide funds to assist in their many conservation
projects. We do this by organising indoor presentations, field trips and other
community activities that involve people with the natural world. This programme
details the events we have organised to run from September 2010 until June 2011
.
We would be very happy if you were to join with us and promise a warm welcome at
any of our events.
Over the previous year we have been well supported and it has enabled us to
generate £500 for the RSPB new reserve at Middleton Lakes and we hope that the
people involved have enjoyed the events that provided this sum. In providing the
programme for the coming year your committee has worked very hard to plan the
reserves to visit and speakers to entertain, some are new and some are old
favourites.
Our indoor programme venue at Loughborough University is one of the best in the
country and we ensure that we use the best speakers possible.
Our coach trips still continue to provide a stress free day out to great reserves and
are an ideal way of seeing the best nature sights available. However we are
struggling for full coaches, so please give them a try, we will do all we can to make it
a good experience.
We have one of the best local group websites, all our events are shown in great
detail there and reports from past events give an idea of what you can expect, so if
you have access please check us out.
So if you are one of our regulars then we hope to see you again next time and if you
are new to the RSPB, please try us out and I think you will be pleasantly surprised by
both what is on offer and by the friendly welcome you receive, we cannot do it
without you!
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Indoor Meetings.
All our indoor meetings are held at Loughborough University, in a modern lecture
theatre with safe parking adjacent and wheel chair access. The meetings are
accompanied by visual presentations and the speakers are chosen for the quality of
their presentations. Starting at 7-45 and lasting until about 9-45, with a break for free
coffee, they are relaxed and welcoming events.
RSPB sales items are usually available and the group has bird-food for sale at
reasonable prices. Prices are £3.00 per person for local group members and £3.50
for everyone else. LU students are admitted with out charge on production of a
current union card. Accompanied under 12s are also admitted without charge.
Directions and map is available at our website www.rspb.org.uk/groups/loughborough or
on request.
2010
8 October
Birds of the Gambia
by Barry Yaya.
12 November
10 December
East Midlands through the Seasons
Madagascar (The weird and wonderful)
by Danny Green
by Michael Webster
14 January
11 February.
2011
Travels with a Camera, Around Britain
by Peter Williams
Follow that goose by Phil Palmer
11 March.
8 April
13 May
The Natural Quarry
AGM at 7.30.
Bitterns in the UK
A Moroccan Experience
by David Boag
by Simon Wotton
by Richard Pople
Further details including directions and map, are available on line
www.rspb.org.uk/groups/loughborough/events or on request from any member of the
committee.
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Field Trips
All our Sunday Field Trips are by coach and are carefully planned to give a relaxed
day in the countryside. The coach journey is broken on the way out for a breakfast
stop and if the return is a long journey we will have a comfort break. Suitable clothing
and footwear should be worn, dependant on the season.
The cost of the trips will remain at £14 per adult, with a reduction for juniors, however
some non-RSPB reserves will charge for entry. Please take your RSPB membership
cards.
Please see ways to reserve your place in news Section.
2010
3 October Gibraltar Point NWT start 8-00 am
7 November Cley NWT start 7-30 am
2011
27 March Rainham Marshes RSPB Start 7.30am
17 April Minsmere RSPB Start 7-00am
22 May Titchwell RSPB Start 7-30am
19 June Lakenheath RSPB Start 7-30am
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Spotlight on the Reserves we are Visiting this Year.
October 3rd Gibraltar Point 7.30am departure
This excellent reserve offers the opportunity for first class birdwatching with the
possibility of a rarity as well.
Previous visits by the group have yielded Long-billed Dowitcher amongst others.
There is a brand new visitor centre offering refreshments and there are toilets.
We set off at 7.30am.
November 7th Cley NWT 7.30am departure
Cley is legendary in the British birding scene and has produced some spectacular
birds over the years. Our trip may not produce a spectacular rarity but there will
be a good range of birds on offer including Marsh Harriers, Bearded tit and
offshore seabirds depending on the weather.
There is a good visitor centre with café and toilets. We set off at 7.30am. NWT
entry is presently £3. (applicable only if you wish to use the hides).
March 27th Rainham Marshes RSPB 7.30 am departure
Rainham is rapidly establishing itself as an outstanding reserve with a creditable
record for producing rare birds too, as the records of Penduline tit and Sociable
Lapwing show. Whilst we may not find anything as rare on the day there is
always something of interest and the visitor centre is truly excellent.
Toilets are on site, as well as an excellent small café.
April 17th Minsmere RSPB 7am departure
Possibly the most famous reserve in Britain Minsmere is an excellent place to
visit any time of year. All the summer migrants should be back as well as resident
species such as Marsh Harrier and Bearded Tit. Nearby there are also Dartford
Warblers in good numbers at Dunwich Heath.
There is an excellent visitor centre, café and shop with toilets.
May 22nd Titchwell RSPB 7.30am departure
Whilst Titchwell is changing because of rising sea levels it is still one of the best
reserves in the country. There are the usual range of reedbed birds including
Bittern, Water Rail as well as coastal species and usually sea ducks and
seabirds. All the summer migrants should be back and good walks around
adjacent areas. There is an excellent visitor centre, shop and café. We leave at
7.30am and the cost will be £14
June 19th Lakenheath 7.30am departure A trip to see some classic Norfolk
birds - most exciting of all the breeding Golden Orioles. This is a new reserve and
it will be our second visit here. We should also see Common Cranes and
Hobby’s. There are toilets but only a coffee machine at present.
We set off at 7.30am
Further details are available on line www.rspb.org.uk/groups/loughborough or
on request from any member of the committee.
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WEEKDAY WILDLIFE WALKS 2010 /11
These are morning walks which take place during weekdays. We meet at 10.00 a.m. and
return to vehicles around midday. Some of the party like to find somewhere for a light
lunch though this is, of course, optional.
The walks are mostly in term-time but if any children join us they must be looked after by
an adult. Walking distance does not exceed 2 or 3 miles. While the walks do not involve
strenuous climbs there are some uphill sections and some rough or marshy paths. You
are strongly advised to wear boots or good walking shoes.
Because not everyone has suitable maps for grid references I have given some basic
instructions as well. If you get lost call me on mobile 07913 57 00 46.
Date Location Directions & Grid Reference
Tues 14 Sept Middleton Lakes From the M42 leave at junction 10 and take A5 through
Tamworth. Exit onto A4091 and follow direction sign for
Middleton Hall. Turn in for Middleton Hall and follow the
drive (field on right with small lake). Go through white
gates in front of you when you approach the Hall and park
towards the rear of the car park area in front of the hall.
SP193982 or B78 2AE – meet up in car park.
Fri 15 Oct
Barrow upon Soar
River
From Loughborough on A6, take first exit towards Barrow.
At roundabout take track straight on and park by
allotments. SK565174
Thur 18 Nov Swithland Reservoir Meet at the dam. SK562132
Mon 13 Dec Rutland Water Head for Melton Mowbray and Oakham. A6003 towards
Uppingham, then left to Egleton following signs to reserve.
Entry fee required. SK878072
Mon 17 Jan
Charnwood Lodge
(subject to permit)
Off Abbey Road between Shepshed and Coalville, about
500 metres from ‘Forest Rock’ public house. Entrance is
through gates (over private property). Parking is through
the gate and along the farm track. Please close the gate
behind you. SK458154
Tues 15 Feb Groby Pool Large pool with meadow and woodland nearby. On the
road between Newtown Linford and Groby. Car Park
nearby. SK524079
Weds 16 Mar Watermead Park A6 towards Leicester then left onto A46. Straight across
roundabout at Hobby Horse pub then bear right & follow
signs. Sailing Club car park (fee required). SK607113
Thur 19 May Attenborough
Nature Reserve
Off A6005 between Long Eaton and Beeston. Signs to
Nature Reserve (past sewage works). SK516339
Mon 13 June Thornton Reservoir Thornton is about 2 miles south west of Markfield (Field
Head). Meet in the Reservoir Car-Park. SK471075
Tues 13 Sept Whisby Nature
Park
A46 past Newark. About 3 miles before Lincoln at
roundabout (services on left) continue on A46 looking
Fri 21 Oct
Cossington
Meadows
out for signs to the reserve. SK908674
A6 from Loughborough, follow signs for Rothley. Turn left
at traffic lights in Rothley & carry on past Cossington Mill.
Reserve entrance is on left. SK596131
Thur 17 Nov Brandon Marsh M69 to Coventry, then A46. At A45 junction keep left &
take first exit from roundabout then left in 250 metres
following signs to reserve which is 1½ miles on right. Entry
fee for non-members of Wildlife Trust. SP386757
Mon 12 Dec Swithland Reservoir Meet at the dam. SK562132
For further information: Bob Mudge at bobmudge@btinternet.com or 01509 620966.
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News.
We have a new leader of the RSPB, Mike Clarke; we wish him well in his new role
and offer our support to him in his demanding job. We also offer our thanks to our
retiring leader Graham Wynne who has been inspirational in his time with the RSPB.
We hope that Mike will be able to pay a visit to Loughborough and allow us to
understand how he will carry the conservation banner over the coming years.
Field Trips.
This season we want to restore our field trips to a sound financial basis, as well as
being very enjoyable experience. To do this we have three options, to increase our
prices, to increase the numbers travelling, or to abandon our field trips. We doubt
that increasing prices would solve the problem, even though our prices are
comparatively very low. So we are forced to make some changes to our programme
this year and we have reduced the number of trips to six. We hope that we can
increase the number of seats occupied on each trip, however any trip can be subject
to cancellation depending on the expected number travelling and for other reasons
beyond our control. It is vital that we have your booking, at least a week prior to
travelling, as we will be considering the viability of each trip at this point. We would
be very reluctant to cancel at this point but we must be mindful of any expected
shortfalls. Late bookings will be taken, if places are still available and trip still on, but
it makes it so much easier if know your intentions as early as possible!
If we are forced to cancel a trip then we can only inform people booked on the coach
who provide telephone or email contact.
Ways to book your place.
1. Complete the booking form attached and post with your membership form.
2. E-mail to David Kirman, Peter Farnworth or Bob Orton.
3. Phone or text David or Bob.
4. Late bookings please phone or email for confirmation.
If we are doing something or could do something, that you think would
improve our trip viability please talk to us!
Our Sponsors for our indoor Meetings.
We enjoy sponsorship from our loyal supporters:-
Stuart Westmoreland – for all your TV specialists and electrical supplier
www.freenet.ltd.uk for your domestic electrical appliances
John Barrie of Biggin St. Loughborough, for all your outdoor clothing.
Brinvale Bird Foods www.brinvale.com for your bird food supplies.
Marsh and Moss accountants and tax advisors. 01509 212668
Speyside Wildlife – natural history holidays.
P. and J. Farnworth (private sponsors)
P and J. Tonks (private sponsors)
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Local group achievements.
The local group donated £500 towards the work of the RSPB in 2009/2010. This was
raised from our sales efforts and our group activities, so while enjoying an indoor
meeting or field trip, it is nice to know that we are also helping in the work of the
RSPB. We requested that the cash raised was used at the new Middleton Lakes
reserve near Tamworth. In addition to the cash we raise it is your committee’s wish
to entertain and educate in the programmed events and I think that we should thank
all of them in the wonderful work they do. We intend to provide a similar surplus for
the next year and with your help we can achieve that.
If you are able please log on to our website at regular intervals for up to the minute
information www.rspb.org.uk/groups/loughborough
RSPB Initiatives.
Futurescapes
The RSPB is launching a radical new approach to nature conservation to make
space for wildlife in the 21st Century, reaching out beyond its traditional nature
reserves, the Society hopes to restore disappearing species to huge swathes of the
wider countryside. The programme will see the RSPB working in partnership with
others to create whole landscapes where people and nature can co-exist. Aidan
Lonergan, The RSPB’s Futurescapes Manager, said: “Nature reserves are vitally
important – they are a refuge from where plants and animals can spread into the
wider countryside.
“But that countryside is increasingly unfriendly to wildlife because of decades of
habitat loss, which has robbed many species of food and shelter.
“We have already started work on almost 40 other projects up and down the country;
with fellow environment organisations, local communities, farmers, landowners and
government at all levels.
“This is a crowded island and we need to meet the needs of wildlife alongside human
uses of the countryside. We need our land to do more than one thing.
“If we succeed, it will not just be wildlife that wins. By taking a landscape scale
approach for wildlife, we can improve other natural services provided by the land,
including carbon storage, water management, and recreation, alongside food
production and other important economic benefits
“Now climate change threatens to add even further pressure.”
“We need to turn that around. Working with others, we can once again make large
areas of the countryside rich in wildlife. We need to move beyond the nature reserve
and create really big areas of land, whole landscapes, where wildlife has space to
move and thrive.”
For more details see at www.rspb.org.uk
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Your Committee.
Group Leader Bob Orton, 077 488 767 98
robertorton@aol.com
Treasurer Andy Bass, 01509 842068
Website/Group Peter Farnworth 01332 810061
Membership
lboro.rspb@virgin.net
Sales Goods Paul Dayman 01509 508117
Field Trips David Kirman 0797 633 1250
david.kirman@antalis.co.uk
Group Secretary Julia Farnworth 01332 810061
Meetings Secretary Pam Darby 01509 412589
Project Organiser Geoff Roberts 01509 261056
Bird Seed Sales
Geoff Locke
RSPB Membership Mick Hibberd 01509 556266
Committee Member David Wolfe 01509 231573
The content of this newsletter and much more beside is now available on the
groups’s website at www.rspb.org.uk/groups/loughborough
The events are also on the main RSPB website at www.rspb.org.uk
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