This newsletter is co-edited by Terry Millett (01904 491290) and Chris Lloyd. Views expressed or advertisements contained in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the RSPB or the York Group Committee.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no.SCO37654

Joint Leaders: Chris Lloyd and Michael Cruchley

AUTUMN NEWSLETTER 2012

In this issue;

. Quiz results

Gift ideas

RSPB sales

Group Leadership

Autumn programme

Kites and their

history

Spurn Point outing

Turkey Trip

Local walks

Membership

Nightingales and

early visitors

Trip venues

Sea cruise dates

Booking form for

trips

NATURE NEEDS

YOU! Yes, you!

On Friday and

Saturday 21st

and

22nd

September,

Tesco extra stores at

Clifton Moor and Askham

Bar will be having a special

cash collection for the

RSPB supporting its work

to sustain some of the

world’s tropical rainforests

and their inhabitants. There

is still time for YOU to

volunteer a couple of hours

to help in this endeavour.

THEN in late October, we

will be at Harlow Carr

Gardens in Harrogate

talking with children and

adults to raise awareness of

some aspects of the natural

world, while they have fun.

There will be the usual

simple craft activities,

advice about birds and

informing those who visit

the bird hide about what

they are seeing. They are

fun days with plenty of

laughter and (if enough of

you come to help and

relieve each other) a chance

to spend time in the

beautiful gardens.

The dates are – Wednesday

October 31st to Friday

November 2nd

.

Please get in touch if you

think you can help.

Thank you.

Michael Cruchley

01904 341568 or mandmcruchley@ntlworld.com

Mystery of owl’s

night in a log

burner.

Andrew Stanley was

watching television when

there was a scraping noise

in the chimney. He went to

bed, but the noise persisted

so in the morning he

opened the log burner door

only to find an adult tawny

owl covered in soot. The

bird had squeezed through

a gap in the chimney of an

inch-wide and six inches

long, where it became

stuck. Mister Stanley called

the RSPCA to his property

in Hertfordshire, and the

bird was taken to a wildlife

hospital where it was found

to have no injuries.

ROHAN, York Store

See page 10 for what‟s on offer for York Group members at the Rohan Store in York.

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WHAT’S THAT TREE QUIZ 2012 - ANSWERS

Thank you to everyone who took part in our quiz. You raised over £200, which has been donated to the work of the RSPB.

There were 39 entries received, of which 14 were correct. The winner picked from the hat is from North Yorkshire, and receives £25 worth of Garden Gift Vouchers; and second comes from Northampton and receives £10 worth of Garden Gift Vouchers.

1. Confusing for our ancestors (6,6). Monkey puzzle 2. Clog wearing ulmus (5,3). Dutch elm 3. Crustacean using his iPod (4,5). Crab apple 4. Betraying your friend (5). Judas 5. Still ill (8). Sycamore 6. Fruit from the Hebrides (8). Mulberry 7. Used by an old master (5). Birch 8. Found amongst the cinders, in the hills (8,3). Mountain ash 9. Lidded receptacle (3). Box 10. Homesick to be north of the border (5,4). Scots pine 11. Not that old joke again (8). Chestnut 12. Gives me a major pain in the foot (3). Oak 13. Little Alan finishes his wander (5). Alder 14. Let us measure the depth (4). Plum 15. One who interferes? (6). Medlar 16. All of a tremble (5). Aspen 17. Revered member of the church (5). Elder 18. Beautiful eyes (5). Hazel 19. Defend those stumps (6). Willow 20. Decorate the hall (5). Holly 21. Definitely not me (3). Yew 22. Sound and light for the car (8). Hornbeam 23. Lovely golden rain (8). Laburnum 24. Crimson forest in the sunshine state (10,7). California redwood 25. Pelt from the Isle of Man (7,3). Douglas fir 26. Short Susan puts on her raincoat (6). Sumach 27. Level that wood with a carpenter‟s tool (5). Plane 28. Has roots in Canterbury (5). Rowan 29. Phobia of muddy boots (12). Wellingtonia 30. Very neat and tidy (6). Spruce

Amazing! Canadian researchers have found that many songbirds are so precise about when they migrate that they actually set off and arrive at their destination on exactly the same day as the previous year. Geolocators attached to song thrushes found barely three days difference in departure and arrival dates from year to year. Thinking ahead. RSPB membership is a great idea as a Christmas gift, especially for children who love the postman bringing them their regular magazine ( age related ) which arrives 6 times a year, with a very exciting gift on joining. Membership for 1 year for 1 child £17. 1 year for all children in the family £27. A real treat for those special people at this time of the year. Anne Hoad can help arrange it, at the indoor meeting or by phone 01904 264000. Cards and Gifts from the RSPB Sales – Christmas is coming. The items of your choice can all be ordered by Anne Lloyd either at the indoor meetings or by phone. 01904 794865. The local group receive commission on the sales which is then donated to reserves in our region, AND you don‟t have to pay postage on your order.

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Group Leader and Committee update. After much consideration and deliberation, your committee have reviewed group committee tasks and duties and the following strategy is proposed; Chris Lloyd will carry on in a much reduced capacity as joint leader in conjunction with Michael Cruchley – both on a temporary basis until a replacement leader can be found (3 years max.). We are delighted to report that Peter Reed has offered to join us – Peter will take over the editorship of our newsletter from Terry, and will also be advertising our events to the media. Some committee tasks have been re-assigned to other members of the committee, but we have recently learnt of other needs for change, so we are unable to inform you exactly of who‟s doing what at this stage. We normally aim to maintain a committee numbering ten persons, sometimes with additional support from other members. We are currently aware of two resignations due at next year‟s AGM, and another one in 2014 (on top of the 3 back in 2010). Even with Peter joining us, we will be two persons short in due course – please speak with Chris or Michael if you have any thoughts for volunteering. Throughout these significant changes, we hope to keep the running of the group as near normal as possible and you will be kept informed of changes when they occur, but in the meantime if you have any concerns, please speak with one of us. Best wishes Chris and Michael

Autumn programme of events – September to December 2012.

September Saturday 15th @ 8.00am: CHANGE TO THE ADVERTISED PROGRAMME OUTING BY CAR to Spurn. (The planned coach trip to Gibraltar Point cancelled due to lack of interest).

Sunday 23rd @ 10.00am: LOCAL WALK @ Kirkham Abbey. Meet roadside on Onhams Lane to Crambe. O.S. Ref 732654 (Sat. Nav. N54.07934587 W0.88267366)

October

Wednesday 10th @ 7.30pm: INDOOR MEETING – Stuart Meredith; Birds of the Fylde Coast. Sunday 14th @ 9.00am: OUTING BY CAR. Far Ings (LWT). Sunday 21st @ 10.00am: LOCAL WALK @ Nidd Gorge. Meet at car park on left of B6165 Knaresboro‟ to Ripley Road. O.S. Ref 330584 (Sat. Nav. N54.02056937 W1.49782514)

November Thursday 1st @ 7.30pm: INDOOR MEETING – Gordon Yates; Wildlife of the Pennines. Sunday 18th @ 9.00am: OUTING BY CAR. Gouthwaite Reservoir. Sunday 25th @ 10.00am: LOCAL WALK @ Healaugh. Meet at Wighill end of Healaugh village. O.S.Ref 498478 (Sat. Nav. N53.92396677 W1.24315895)

December

Tuesday 11th @ 7.30pm: INDOOR MEETING – Tom Lawson; A Last Voyage to St Kilda.

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The History and reintroduction of Red Kites in the UK.

By Nigel Puckrin, Yorkshire Red Kite Co-ordinator, East.

Part 1.

Perhaps some readers have been fortunate to see Red Kites with their massive 150cm (5ft) wingspan,

soaring in the skies above East Yorkshire and wondered why they‟ve been seen in only relatively

recent times.

For us to appreciate how fortunate we are to have Red Kites in this area, we need first to look at the

history of this majestic bird.

Over the centuries the „up and down‟ fortunes of the kite in Britain, has perhaps, more than any other

bird been closely linked with human activities and changing public attitudes.

We start as early as the 9thC when the Danes and Vikings were fighting to gain land.

In a book about this island in 885AD, it says: „Those dead were still unburied and in the dawn Ravens

and Kytes were feasting‟. and „Folk who never lived in a town during the summer cannot imagine the

stench of it, nor the flys. The Red Kytes flocked in the streets, living off the carrion‟.

Moving on to Norman times more and more land was being cleared for agriculture. The resulting

patchwork landscape of small woods and fields would have been very suitable for Kites.

By the time we reach the Middle Ages up to the 16thC, the Kite would have been a common site

wheeling over open countryside and in some of our larger town and cities, including London, where

they scavenged amongst refuse in the unpaved streets as animal waste was simply thrown out into

the street.

When Edward the 3rd was King, Richard (Dick) Wittington was Lord Mayor of London, and in 1348 the

„Black Death‟ (Bubonic plague) had reached our shores, a quote from a book reads: „Above in the sky

a pair of Kytes wheeled round in lazy circles looking for prey, their wings glinting rust red in the bright

glacial sun.‟ and „Above, the Kytes wheel and wait, their feathers gleaming like ox blood in the sun.

Once the Ravens open up the prey, they fly in, closing their wings at the last moment to turn sideways,

snatching a piece of flesh in their claws before soaring back up to devour it on the wind. Part 2

Granted Royal Statute, next newsletter.

Male that led red kite revival found dead.

From Nature Notes in a newspaper in March 2012.

The last of the original red kites introduced to the Highlands in 1993 has died. The RSPB believe that

the bird, a 19 year-old male known as Red T, on account of its ring tag code, was the last bird from a

batch of chicks brought in from Sweden. Red T and his mate, Dark Blue 2, which was one of the first

kites to be reared in the wild in Scotland for more than 100 years, produced chicks every year they

were together. The kite programme has been a success but illegal poisoning continues to take a toll

on all birds of prey.

Group library

Colin Rafton holds a number of items in the group library. However, the

logistics of bringing them all to each meeting is impractical. Colin does

have a list of all the items i.e. books, DVD‟s and many others, and would

be more than happy to bring any requests for you to borrow, to the indoor

meetings.

There is no charge for borrowing.

5

Car trip to Spurn Point on a very misty March day.

As we set off from York we knew the weather could go either way. A bit misty to start with, lovely and

clear over the Wolds, but then back into thick mist around Hull. Everyone met at the car park by the

Blue Bell cafe. We headed up the lane to Beacon Ponds keeping our eyes on the hedges to either

side of the track. Not much on the ponds at first, but then we spotted a sandwich tern on a post, some

redshank, two lovely ringed plovers and heard two greenshank before some of us spotted them flying

over. Nothing on the beach as far as we could see through the mist except the sea fishermen. We did

have excellent views of goldcrest in the hedges and a single redwing.

We had lunch in the hide overlooking canal scrape where a bittern had been seen in the past few days

– no bittern, but lunch time soon got quite exciting - lovely well camouflaged snipe and then a quick

view of a possible owl. It came back over the fields to give excellent views of a short eared owl which

then flew over the hide followed by a sparrowhawk. We spent the afternoon walking around the point

– all the way to the end where quite a few people had never been before. Again nothing on the

beaches but we did see some linnets on top of a bush. Back in the car park, we had just decided to

have a cup of tea in the cafe when the warden rushed over – bittern showing well from the hide. Back

to the hide – but it had been seen in the corner going left into the reeds 5 minutes before we arrived.

Never mind lets discuss it over that lovely cup of tea. We decided to have one last stop at the car park

on the corner by the pub. We could only make out one or two birds through the mist, so we said our

goodbyes and got back into our cars, when Colin shouted he had just seen a group of brent geese

flying - everyone saw them before they were lost again in the rolling mist. At one point we couldn‟t

even see the top of the new lighthouse from the bottom!

Anne Lloyd

City falcons hatching witnessed on camera

A report from nature notes of the Daily Telegraph 9.5.12

The hatching of four peregrine falcon chicks above Manchester city

centre has been watched using a webcam set up by the RSPB.

Experts believe that the young birds of prey will spend five to six

weeks in the nest before learning to fly, being fed on a diet of pigeon,

gull and other birds.

The parents, thought to be the only peregrine falcons in the city centre, have lived there for several

years and raised 25 chicks.

Once the birds can fly, they will continue to live with their parents and learn hunting techniques, how to

pluck feathers from their prey and breaking it up in their beaks also how to pass food to one another

while flying in mid-air.

It has been great watching these little white balls of fluff through the camera and the parents

dedication of prompt food delivery is admirable,” said Joanna Keene, of the RSPB.

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Group Trip to South West Turkey: 30th April to 07th May 2012

We were 25 in number so split into 2 groups, each in a pair of minibuses. Each group visited the same locations, but on staggered days, meeting at evening dinner to chat and share stories.

Hotel Koycegiz, is on the northern edge of Lake Koycegiz with scenic views of the surrounding mountains. Before 7:30pm dinner some were able to squeeze in an exploratory walk, as well as unpack. The friendly hotel staff, served delicious meals which included a wide range of mezes, soup and a hot dish of the day. The lake side proved a good spot for pre trip bird watching (see photo). The Black Winged Stilt became a reliable sighting most mornings.

Tuesday: Day 1 Short woodland trip inland to Arla. We soon found target bird – Kruper‟s Nuthatch, some attending nest holes in telegraph poles and trees. We also had outstanding views of a male and female Masked Shrike and a Jay, which in this region carries a distinctly darker crown. We saw Goldfinch, a glorious Cirl Bunting, and soaring over the mountains our first Short-toed Eagle of the trip. Driving higher we had good views of a Sombre Tit, and Common Buzzard. Our lunch stop near a stream in the shade of a tree revealed a nesting pair of Middle Spotted Woodpecker and a shy Persian Squirrel. After lunch we travelled up through scenic hillside seeing darting Agama lizards, a male Redstart and a circling Short-toed Eagle. It started raining so we headed back to the hotel, however it cleared and some visited the nearby marsh.

Wednesday: Day 2 An early start today, heading NW to the high plains around Mugla. Passing through Mugla town we stopped on a hillside bend for stunning views of first-rate birds White Throated Robin, Black Headed and Cretzschmar‟s Buntings, Rűppell‟s and Eastern Orphean Warblers, and Black Eared Wheatear to name a few. Lyn helped a tortoise cross the road only to see it amusingly turn around and walk back. The remote farmlands of the high plains were rich with a wide variety of birds including Northern Wheatears, Woodchat and Red-Backed Shrikes, Crested and Wood Larks, Turtle Doves and Linnet. We stopped for lunch at the head of a large and beautiful gorge near Gökova.

Heading down from the high plains we stopped at a hill side café with beautiful views across a valley. Some were tempted by the homemade pancakes. In the district of Akyaka we stopped to see a wide variety of birds including a shy Nightingale and glorious views of Bee Eaters. Near an exclusive coastal wind kite surfing club, we saw many other birds including black headed Yellow Wagtail, Purple Heron, Wood Sandpiper, Marsh Harrier, Tawny Pipit and a nesting Penduline Tit before heading back to our hotel.

Thursday: Day 3 A very early start today for the longest journey this holiday, heading North to the tombs and carbonated mineral springs of Pamukkale. On the way we saw an extraordinary view of a beautiful pale Long Legged Buzzard perched near the road side. Walking along the base of an escarpment close to Pamukkale (see opposite), we saw our target birds - Cinereous Bunting and Finsch‟s Wheatear. We also saw Red Backed and Woodchat Shrike, Honey Buzzard and Raven. After lunch at Pamukkale we did our own thing, e.g. exploring the ruins, relaxing in the café, and paddling in the water terraces. The grounds provided excellent views of Crested Lark, nesting Rock Nuthatch and masses of frantic nest preparing Spanish Sparrows.

Friday: Day 4 Today‟s treat was an afternoon boat trip in the Dalyan Delta, but first to the local marshes. The marshes soon revealed our target bird - Smyrna (White-Throated) Kingfisher. Walking along the orange blossom scented footpath, we followed a stream teaming with wildlife, including Common Blue Damselflies

7

and the vocal Green Marsh Frog, and a wide variety of birds including Fantail and Reed Warblers, Penduline Tit, Whitethroat, Black Tern, Roller and a secretive Little Crake. What a great start to the day. Lunch was a lakeside picnic spot enclosed by mountains on Lake Sülüngür. On reaching Dalyan, we picked up a boat owned by a „cheeky‟ captain in saggy trousers. We sailed up the river, passing the cliff tombs of Kaunos to a small inlet (see opposite) to watch Nile Soft Shelled Turtles ….. I guess they‟d lost their way.

We walked up to the ruined acropolis of Kaunos now inhabited by donkeys and goats. Back on the boat our captain introduced his friend who was selling blue crabs, which were used to attract Logger Head Turtles, but nearby boats seemed better at attracting them than ourselves.

Hysterical laughter started to spread as our boat slowly vibrated its way back to port, as the exhaust pipe wedge kept falling out.

Saturday: Day 5 Up early today and heading East through stunning countryside to the mountains near Seki, stopping on the way for excellent views of Calandra Larks. A village stop gave us amazing views of our target bird - Red Fronted Serin. Higher up a valley revealed another target bird - Isabeline Wheatear. Other birds included Chukka, Ortolan, Cirl Bunting, Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat. In the next village we watched Wryneck and Redstart in the trees. Stopping for lunch at the mountain peak of Göğübeli, surrounded by patches of snow, our remarkable day continued with Rock Bunting, Rock Sparrow, Blue Rock Thrush, Black Redstart, Rock Thrush and Chough flying overhead. Reaching the local ski resort we climbed the slope through White Mossy Saxifrage and Blue Scilla flowers (see opposite) and watched a pair of Horned Lark (Penicillata) with the male showing off glorious horns. What a day!

Sunday: Day 6 Our excursion today was Westerly to Tuzla lake, near the coastal resort of Gűllűk. We first stopped at the local marsh to see Broad Billed Sandpiper accompanied by Little Stint and Little Ringed Plover. For better views some ventured onto the mud. However Chris was so engrossed he didn‟t notice that he had gradually sunk so deep into the mud, that he had to be pulled out, much to Anne‟s amusement. We got to Tuzla by late morning, walked along a causeway jutting into the lake and were greeted by a Kentish Plover guarding camouflaged eggs. Many birds were around, including Yellow Legged and Mediterranean Gulls, Dalmatian Pelican, Greater Flamingo and a Little Owl resting curiously in the shade of pylon insulators. After lunch we explored another part of the lake – Short Toed Eagle, Spoonbill, Caspian Gull, Ruddy Shelduck, Stone Curlew, Wood Sandpiper and Spur Winged Plover, to name a few. On the way we heard a Scops owl, although we didn‟t find it, but we did find the Golden Oriel on our return journey. Ant Lion Lacewings commanded the air, while their larvae controlled sand traps on the track. Swallowtail butterflies and caterpillars and large crickets also occupied this path.

Monday: Day 7 On our departure day most made a pre-breakfast visit to the now familiar marsh, and our guides chanced upon a pond which had Glossy Ibis. A fantastic weeks birding in Turkey made extra special for us as it was our first abroad. Paul, Phil, Ian and Mark did an excellent job as guides and in making the holiday exceptional so a big thank you to them for their hard work and guidance. Keith and Liz Reynolds

8

Local Walks 2012- Second report.

Hagg Wood-Sunday4th March 2012 Three new members, four regular members and David Mayston chairman of FOHW enjoyed a wet soggy walk around Hagg Wood Kexby. David enlightened everyone about the history of the wood and management past and present. We looked at many features within the woodland such as the thinning of conifers, removal of rhododendrons, and briars from the bluebell area (spectacular in the spring). Removal of trees from around a pond, which has enhanced the area and will benefit wild flowers and increase the aquatic life. Further into the wood we looked at the restoration of three bomb craters left over from the Second World War, rowan trees had been planted and the bomb holes cleaned, this should increase the biodiversity of the woodland. Nest boxes were

checked on our walk and one tawny owl box had all the signs of being occupied. Birding in woodland can sometimes be challenging, the heavy persistent rain didn‟t help. Nevertheless we managed to record 20 species the highlights being a party of long-tailed tits, goldcrest, bullfinch and a distant tawny owl calling. As we left the wood we came across a holly bush decorated like a Christmas tree with chaffinch, greenfinch, dunnock, blue tit and a wonderful song thrush serenading a nearby female with his full repertoire. A fascinating two hours on a wet Sunday morning!

Terry Weston Hetchell Wood Wednesday 25th April 2012 We were looking forward to leading a walk around Hetchell Wood, recommended by a non-birding friend, and were delighted to find that, regardless of the poor weather, eight came to join us. This was a new walk for the group and we were hoping the bluebells hadn‟t been too damaged by the recent heavy rain and hail. In amongst the bluebells were many wood anemones, wild garlic and ONE early purple orchid. A blackcap was singing as we entered the wood. Later we saw a female and male with nesting material. There were places of very thick slippery mud but we all managed to stay upright! The birds were quite active being the beginning of the breeding season for many. Three male bullfinches accompanied us along our way and we all managed to get good views. A pair of nuthatch and a pair of G.S.W. also entertained us amongst the new leaves on the trees showing well against the gathering storm clouds. Yes, we did get caught in a heavy shower but worth it to see so many of our woodland birds, 25 plus 3 heard in total. Tony Jackson recorded the following plants, during the walk in addition to those noted above, wood sorrel, yellow archangel, bugle, greater stichwort, marsh marigolds, alkanet, opposite leaved golden saxifrage, lords and ladies. He also discovered the rare parasitic toothwort, also known as “Dead Man‟s Fingers”, a remedy for toothache amongst early herbalists.

Helen Searstone

Whenby Lodge Farm Sunday 13th May. Andy Chapman, who manages Whenby Lodge Farm, welcomed a large group of around 20 to this farm owned by the “Genus” organisation. Andy is a rarely seen member of our local group but is well known to us through his volunteering activities for the RSPB as an optical equipment sales man and a trainer for the survey work needed for the Farmers Alliance scheme. The training is carried out at Whenby Lodge Farm which is in the Farmers Alliance scheme and boasts an impressive bird list as recorded by Andy. We were surprised to find that the farm is purely devoted to raising bulls for breeding and subsequently meat.

9

Andy led us around the farm pointing out areas designated to feeding or producing suitable habitat for birds. All achieved within the economic needs of a successful farming business. We were soon to see buzzards soaring over a small wood on a neighbour‟s farm, where they were nesting. The neighbour, also an acquaintance of Helen and Ken, was with us on the walk having previously attended a dawn chorus walk with Andy. Rounding a bird feeding station with numerous tree sparrows we came across a pond in a depression which hosted waterfowl and a variety of ducks. Stopping to scope lapwing chicks we saw both grey and red-legged partridge scurrying away in the field edge. After a brief stop to observe singing white throat on a fence we returned to Andy‟s staff room where some of us had coffee and lunch. The farm is only a couple of miles north of Sheriff Hutton on the road to Whenby, a small village with an interesting church but not much else to illustrate its history. Terrington 17th June Only eight people turned up, on one of the better days in June, for our walk from Terrington, arranged and led by The Brookes. Our thanks to them for an interesting walk not far from their local patch at Sheriff Hutton. The group included another Christine, a friend of the Brookes, and we welcomed her to the walk. Hirundines were much in evidence as we walked through this attractive North Yorkshire village to New Road, which led us out of the village. Before leaving the village we paused whilst a “peloton” of cyclists sped past preceded by the race marshall‟s vehicles. There was lots to see and hear as we strolled down the hill towards Cotril Farm and then up the diverted footpath to pass around Rose Cottage Farm. Leaving the area of finches, yellowhammer and warblers we walked across open fields to find skylark, kestrel, corn and reed bunting as well as soaring buzzard. There were some spectacular views on this walk looking towards the many woods and over the route of the Ebor Way. Heading back towards Terrington we looked hard to find pied wagtail near the buildings of Cotril Farm but only a few of the group managed to spot the bird before it disappeared over a heap of manure. A few gulls appeared as we crossed over the school playing fields before pausing by the church. Tony Jackson had been checking the wild flowers on the walk but decided that nothing exceptional had been seen today. We finished the walk with a total of 41 bird species seen plus two others heard. Welburn Monument 17th July. Another walk where we had eight intrepid walkers on the starting line. Unfortunately the early drizzle turned into more serious rain and therefore caused us to abandon the walk until another year.

Ken Searstone

Nesting Boxes

Now is a good time to be cleaning out your nest boxes. Old nests can act as a refuge for fleas and other parasites which can harm young chicks. Clean out the old nesting material and use boiling water to kill any remaining parasites. Let the box thoroughly dry out before replacing the lid. DO NOT use insecticides or flea powders. If you place a small amount of clean hay or wood shavings (not straw) in the box, it may be used in the winter by birds to roost.

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Membership Renewal

Your membership of the York RSPB Local Group is due for renewal on 1st November 2012. We have managed to keep the renewal fee at £4 per household.

If you pay by standing order the £4 will be taken from your account at the beginning of November

If you pay by cheque please send it to me, made payable to “RSPB York Local Group”, with the renewal form sent with this newsletter.

You can also hand it in, or pay by cash, at the next Indoor Meeting

If you wish to join the 82% of our members who pay by Standing Order, please complete the relevant section of the renewal form or see me at an Indoor Meeting. It would be helpful if you would do this in good time (early October) to give the bank time to set this up

For those who renew their membership on November 1st next year‟s programme and the newsletter will be sent out in December with new membership cards.

If membership has not been renewed a complimentary programme and newsletter will be sent with a reminder about renewal. If you haven‟t renewed your membership and wish to do so, you will need to send the payment with a stamped addressed envelope for your membership card to:

Anne Hoad, 5 The Avenue, Park Estate, Haxby, York. YO32 3EH. (Tel 01904 491290) or collect at the next indoor meeting.

Why the Nightingale Songs are Fading.

Nightingales, the inspiration for poets from Keats to the winner of last year‟s Forward Prize, are disappearing rapidly. The recent breeding bird survey showed numbers fell by 57 per cent between 1995 and 2009. The British Ornithological Trust, is trying to determine why the woodland bird is declining by sending out volunteers to listen to the birds singing at midnight and just before dawn. Males that are alone and not breeding are likely to sing at the darkest hours of the night. Graham Appleton of the trust said “Trying to get an idea of the proportion of males will help us to better understand the real number of breeding pairs in different areas.” One explanation for the decline is that habitat suitable for nightingales to breed is becoming scarce. Another is that nightingales are migrants, wintering in West Africa, the trust is investigating the problems they may be experiencing there and on migration.

Early visitors flock to cool and rainy Britain.

Large numbers of birds appears to be migrating to Britain abnormally early in the year, according to the Wetland and Wildfowl Trust. The charity suggests the birds may be coming south early because of bad weather and failed breeding season in Iceland. “Birds we normally associate with the autumn and winter have arrived on the reserve in numbers usually not seen until August, including over 800 curlew, 3 whimbrel, 10 greenshank, 100 redshank, 90 oystercatchers and 190 black-tailed godwits.”

Rohan

To celebrate the arrival of the new Autumn and Winter ranges of outdoor performance clothing the York ROHAN store is pleased to announce the following exclusive invitation to members of the York

RSPB Local Group.

During the period Monday 24th to Sunday 30th September, the York Rohan store will offer 20% discount off all full priced goods (excluding Gift Vouchers)

To qualify, you must produce your local group membership card

Store opening times: 09.00am to 17.30pm (Mon – Sat); 11.00am to 16.00pm (Sunday)

Rohan, 24 Stonegate, York. Y01 8AS telephone 01904 674619

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TRIP VENUES SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER 2012.

Gibraltar Point Spurn: 08:00am Saturday 15th

September 2012

Please note change of destination.

September’s trip was planned to be by coach to Gibraltar Point, but at the cut-off point

for confirming the coach last week there was only two takers beyond the committee – we have

therefore had to cancel the trip by coach to Gibraltar Point, and as the trip by car is some

significant distance away, we have substituted a car trip to Spurn instead. Autumn at Spurn

can be very interesting (as Anne and I found out a couple of weeks ago). Ken Searstone will

lead the trip on the day as Chris and Anne are away with their family.

Far Ings: Sunday 14th

October 2012

Far Ings lies just over the Humber Bridge and is a Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Reserve on the banks of

the Humber. Habitat includes scrub, open water and a muddy shoreline. We should see plenty of

waterfowl, bullfinch and reed bunting. Bittern could also be seen and in the past short-eared owls

have been seen. If time allows in the afternoon we will go to the country park which has similar habitat.

The trust ask for a £1 donation from each person which will be collected on the day.

Gouthwaite Reservoir: Sunday 18th

November 2012

Gouthwaite Reservoir is in Nidderdale near Pateley Bridge. We will walk along far bank of the river

and reservoir with good views of ducks, geese and waders. Buzzards are always possible along with

green woodpecker which we have seen on past visits. You will need to carry lunch as this walk will

take most of the day.

2012 RSPB Seabird Cruises sailing from Bridlington Harbour

Skua and Shearwater cruise dates

Saturday 15th September at 9.00am

Sunday 23rd September at 9.00am

Saturday 29th September at 3.30pm

Saturday 6th October at 9.00am

The Skua and Shearwater cruises sail out from Bridlington harbour into the North Sea, searching for migrating birds on their long journey south. The birds we would hope to see include shearwaters, skuas, gannets, fulmars, black-backed gulls, terns etc. These trips are slightly longer to allow time to go in search for these exciting seabirds, up to 3.5 hours.

The ticket price will be £18.00 per adult, £9.00 per child under 14 and £45.00 per family (2 adults + 2 children).For any further information on these cruises and to make a telephone booking, passengers should contact: Kim Smales, Administration Manager RSPB Bempton Cliffs, Bridlington. Tel 01262 850959 www.rspb.org.uk

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BOOKING FORM Details of how to book for the Group‟s forthcoming outdoor events Please find below booking forms for Group outings between September to November 2012. We

suggest that you book early in the usual way – by filling in your details on the form for the trips you

wish to go on. Send or hand your form to Colin Rafton, 32 Thirkleby Way, Osbaldwick, York YO10

3QA. Strong shoes or boots will be required on all the trips as well as a packed lunch. Please book

as early as possible but no later than ten days before the trip. We will never pass on your details to

anyone else.

Please Note: RSPB national membership cards are required to gain entry to all RSPB Reserves.

Also, no admission fees are included in the cost of the trips.

GOUTHWAITE RES Date: Sunday 18th November 2012 Leader: Colin Rafton

Meet: 9am Union Terrace Car Park. By car

I wish to book .... places. I have a car/I will need a lift.

Name: ...................................................................................... Telephone ..................

Address: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

...................................................................................................................................................................

FAR INGS Date: Sunday 14th October 2012 Leader: Chris and Anne Lloyd

Meet: 9am Union Terrace Car Park. By car

I wish to book .... places. I have a car/I will need a lift.

Name: .......................................................................................... Telephone .......................

Address:……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

...................................................................................................................................................................

SPURN POINT Date: Saturday 15th September 2012 Leader: Ken Searstone

Meet: 8am Union Terrace Car Park. I have a car/I will need a lift.

I wish to book .... places. I have a car/I will need a lift.

Name: ......................................................................................... Telephone .......................

Address:……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………..........................................................................................................

The RSPB speaks out for birds and wildlife, tackling the problems that threaten our environment.

Nature is amazing – help us keep it that way.