RDOS Annual Dinner 2008

Friday 7^th March

There had been a question mark hanging over the future of the Annual Dinner for some months prior to the occasion due to the low turnout of recent years. Because of this, a late booking meant that in a break with tradition, the dinner was held on a Friday evening instead of the usual Saturday.  This was no detriment as over 40 Society members booked for this social gathering, a highlight of the RDOS calendar.

 

Once again the Consort Suite did us proud. The food was of a consistently high standard and served quickly to each of the tables. Individual portions of vegetables and a healthy supply of chips (if there is such a thing) all helped the prompt serving of a crowd of hungry diners.

 

Following the dinner, Society President Ben Keywood took to the floor with some witty anecdotes and some dubious female accents prompting a member of his audience to ask “Do all the women in your life hail from Essex?”

 

Duncan Bye followed with his DVD of the “Gone Birding” tour of Romania – projected onto the big screen with the help of Bob Croxton’s technological gadgetry. A very clever mix of stunning scenery and impressive shots of birds made for an extremely entertaining video montage.

And of course thanks must go to Pat Wheway for all the organization which goes into this type of event. It’s easy to forget when things run so smoothly how much work has gone on behind the scenes for many months previous. So a big thank you Pat from all of us. Here’s to next year!

Andy Swinden

 

Chesterfield Canal

Sunday 16^th March

To my great relief, the steady rain ceased about 8.30 a.m. so off we went to our meeting place on the A57.  Despite the weather forecast, eleven of us set off down Lindrick Dale, over the edge of the golf course and on through the very pleasant farmland.  We picked up a good few of the tit family and several thrushes on our way. We joined the canal at Turner Wood, the furthest point of our walk; there were very few birds to be seen either on the water or in the hedgerow but we did see a pair of Willow Tits and a Bullfinch.  Two of our members saw a small flock of Fieldfare.

 

It was very noticeable following the very warm February how well advanced the wild flowers and hedges were as we saw several species of wild flower including Wood Anemone in bloom.  This makes you realize that the winters are getting warmer and shorter.  Is this the reason we seem to be getting fewer winter thrushes?

 

We left the canal, crossed the railway and made our way back into Lindrick Dale and back to our cars.  It was now 11.30, just right for members to get home for lunch.

 

I recorded 36 species but others may have seen more.  It had been a very agreeable walk and for so many members to turn out on such a pleasant day was very pleasing.

John Dye

 

34^th Annual General Meeting

Friday 11^th April

The Society President Ben Keywood welcomed over 40 members and friends to the meeting.  He had received apologies from A Swinden, A Evers, M Greenland, P Chambers, M Harman, J Dye and C Dye.

 

In his opening address Ben praised the Society for its efforts to raise the profile of wildlife by working with country parks and local schools on their nature gardens.  The interest and enthusiasm of children is vital for the future of the environment and its wildlife.  Our new, updated website and banner poster both provide eye-catching information about the Society.  We are almost at the magical 100 members mark.

 

Ben particularly praised Duncan for his hard work over the past year.  He has provided many articles for CHAT, written the latest Birds of Rotherham report and masterminded recording within our area.  Ben also thanked Andy Swinden who has continued to improve the readability of CHAT without sacrificing accuracy or content.

 

Following the reading of last year’s minutes by the Hon. Sec. there were no matters arising.  In his view of the Society’s activities, the Hon. Sec. Malcolm Taylor reported yet another busy and successful year.  The indoor meetings have all been of an excellent standard, treating us to colourful species in exotic Madagascar to hardy creatures in barren Spitzbergen.  Field meetings too took us to a variety of habitats.  The coach trip to Morecambe Bay ticked all the boxes; blue skies, incoming tide and masses of waders.  Whilst birds or weather cannot be guaranteed by John and Ken, the company is always first class.  The Hon. Sec. closed his report by echoing Ben’s thanks to everyone for their interest and support over the past year.

 

The Hon. Treasurer Ken Tupholme reported that in spite of rising costs the Society’s finances remained in the black and there would be no need to increase subscriptions.

 

Thanks to Pat Wheway’s efforts the Trust Fund had raised over £2000.  Donations had been made to the RSPB, Rotherham schools’ bird boxes, winter feeding and Sand Martin nest cubes.  The Trustees and committee continue to actively look for local wildlife causes to receive donations from the Trust Fund.

 

In his Recorder’s Report Duncan Bye thanked everyone for their bird surveys and sighting records.  Whilst Thrybergh and Rother Valley Country Parks provide many of the sightings, new sites such as Silverwood Pit Top and Centenary Park are well worth checking out.  His round-up of significant records within Rotherham prove that rarities such as Grey Phalorope at Silverwood, Little Auk at Ulley and Great White Egret at RVCP can occur anywhere.  Whilst there have been positives such as breeding Hobby and Woodlark, species such as Turtle Dove and Cuckoo continue to decline.  Duncan closed his report by imploring us to continue sending him our records of what we have seen.

 

All the committee members were willing to stand again and they were duly elected by a show of hands. The Hon. Auditor Andy Swinden was willing to continue in the post for another year.  The committee was informed that Margaret Harman would like to resign from the Trust Fund.  After thanking Margaret for her efforts over several years Ben said the Society would seek out a replacement Trustee from amongst the membership of the RDOS.

 

A letter had been received from John Martin for some Trust Fund money to be ear-marked for a programme of hedge planting within the RDOS area.  All present agreed that hedgerows were vital in safeguarding all farmland wildlife, even more so now that set-aside fields are being put back into cultivation.  The Hon. Sec. said that Rotherham’s Biodiversity Forum was actively looking at hedgerows and their preservation.  After much discussion it was agreed to raise the item at the next committee meeting.  Perhaps Jim Staveley (FWAG Officer for RMBC) could be contacted to see how the Trust Fund could help on this and other matters.

 

Ben thanked everyone for attending the AGM.  He was sure the forthcoming year would be equally successful and enjoyable.

Malcolm Taylor

 

Atlantic Odyssey by Mick Turton

Friday 11^th April

Following the AGM Mick Turton whisked us off on an epic voyage across a vast ocean, visiting islands that have few humans but enormous populations of sea birds and unusual land birds.

 

From Mick’s first slides featuring their Russian ice-breaker ploughing down the Beagle Channel in Tierra del Fuego we knew we were going to visit many places few of us will ever see.  Even there the most reliable place to spot gulls was the local rubbish tip!

 

 

The first islands that hove into view were the South Shetlands, no greenery, just rock, ice and snow.  We were treated to excellent views of Gentoo and Chipstrap Penguins set against clear blue skies.

 

Soon we were off again, cruising across the Weddel Sea attracting inquisitive petrels and graceful albatrosses.  Here on the glassy blue sea glided towering ice-bergs each one individually sculpted by the elements.  There are no birds of prey in the Antarctic but their place is taken by ugly scavengers like Brown Skuas, Snowy Sheathbills and vulture-like Giant Petrels.  Sailing north through the drift-ice Mike was lucky enough to photograph Minke and Killer Whales on the look-out for a seal snack.

 

Above: Sheathbill

Top left: Chinstrap Penguin, top right Gentoo Penguin

 

After a few days at sea it was time for an island excursion to the bright lights of South Georgia.  Here Mick showed us the abandoned whaling stations, King Penguin colonies and perhaps the world’s most remote football pitch.  Perhaps the most dangerous part of the whole trip was the visit to an Elephant Seal colony.  As Mick told us never get between a slumbering bull seal and his harem!

 

The ship’s hooter told us it was time to set sail for Gough Island, a remote pinnacle that is home to millions of breeding sea birds.  Mick showed us the endless variety of shearwaters, petrels and albatrosses that can be photographed gliding alongside the ship. Landing is not permitted on Gough Island so cruising inshore in Zodiac inflatables is the only way to spot the endemic Gough Moorhen, the Gough Bunting (or even the dainty Gough Quickstep!)

The captain, if not the twitchers, could feel the call of the open sea so it was off again to the greenery of Tristan da Cunha with its infamous volcano. Unfortunately introduced rats and cats have decimated the local bird populations.  Luckily nearby isolated islands still hold populations of Tristan Thrushes and Tristan Buntings.  Mick found Atlantic Albatrosses and Giant Shearwaters nesting in bushy tussocks of elephant grass much easier to find and photograph.

 

Time and tide, even in mid-Atlantic, waits for no man and so we were off north to sub-tropical St Helena. Leaving behind the many Antarctic sea birds, St Helena offered lush vegetation and exotic species like Red-billed Tropicbirds, Black Noddies and White Terns that build nests in pine trees!

 

By now Mick and his fellow travellers had been at sea for over a month, so it was probably with some relief when they docked for the last time at Ascension Island.  Here Mick showed us tropical species such as Cory’s Shearwaters, Green Turtles, Frigate Birds and Brown Boobies.

Black Noddy

 

Just when the weather was getting warmer it was time for Mick to pack away his camera and catch an RAF flight back to Blighty and for us to venture out in to landlocked Rotherham.

 

Mick’s talk had been aptly named Antarctic Odyssey, in just over an hour we had travelled from the icy sculptures of the Weddel Sea to the lush vegetation of tropical islands in the middle of a blue ocean.

 

Thank you, Mick, for taking us to isolated islands that for most of us are only dots on a map.  Your superb camera work and informed commentary made for a most entertaining talk.

Malcolm Taylor

 

Burbage Edge and Padley Gorge

Sunday 11^th May

The six members who wanted to walk Burbage left the Foxhouse Hotel just after 7 a.m.  It was already 17 degrees and climbing, and it went on to become the warmest day of the year so far.

 

We soon picked up our first bird, a Tree Pipit as we made our way on to Burbage.  We were to see many Meadow Pipits but very little else on the Edge, although we did hear Cuckoo and Curlew.

 

For the second year running we failed to find Ring Ouzel – let’s hope this does not mean they have stopped using the Edge, though with climbers and walkers constantly using the area it is probable that there is too much disturbance for these birds.

 

A 9 o’clock we made our way up to the gate into Padley Gorge and met up with the late risers.  Over the footbridge we saw our one and only Wheatear.  We soon picked up the first of several Pied Flycatchers we were to see in the wood and spent a while watching a pair bringing nesting material to the box.  What a great little bird they are and there appeared to be more than usual this year.  Very soon after we saw Nuthatch and Treecreeper, by now the wood was very busy with birdwatchers and walkers.

 

So we made our way back to the gate where most of our number enjoyed and ice cream from one of the four ice cream vans.  It was very amusing watching the rival vans trying to manoeuvre into the best pitch.  I imagined that Al Capone showed up to sort out this ice cream war, it really was funny.

 

We then made our way onto the Longshawe Estate trying to locate the Redstarts which we could hear singing.  Unfortunately most of our members had left for home before Carole and I managed to see one – a very nice male.  It really was a shame that we were the only two to see him.

 

John Dye

 

Friday Evening Walks

23^rd May: Sprotborough Flash

On a grey but warm evening 14 members met in the car park for our first evening walk of the season.

 

Before we set off our first bird of the night flew overhead (a Great Spotted Woodpecker). We moved off at 7.30 prompt so we could get round before dark.

We were impressed by the new hides built with blocks to replace the old timber ones burnt out some time ago; this should avoid the problem in future.

 

Entering the wood it was very gloomy and we headed to the quarry where we spent some time looking at a variety of wild flowers such as Twayblade and Bugle with Beryl and George.

 

Then back to the Boat Inn for a drink before leaving for home just after 10.15 p.m.

 

20^th June: Wentworth

Eleven members met at the park gates on a very warm evening for our walk through the park and round the fishing lakes. Although it was only a short walk it was nearly 10.30 when we got back to our cars.

 

John Dye

 
Who Glow’s There?
Friday 20^th June

It is a shame, but due to the constraints of working this event around the RMBC Countryside Events Programme we had two field trips on the same night!  Fortunately this did not deter the 15 or more people who turned up for this great evening. After a brief introduction from Bill Ely and myself (collectively named “Bill and Ben the Insect Men” on the RMBC programme) we headed off at 9 p.m. across Lindrick Common and down to Woodsetts. On the way, Bill fascinated the various children present by sweeping for grass bugs in the vegetation and promptly placing the net full of bugs over his head for a closer look at the contents.  Cue the usual questions like ‘Don’t they bite?’ to which Bill replied ‘Only children.’

 

As we walked down into Woodsetts we saw several moths including Buff Ermine and Brimstone and heard the calls of the Midwife Toads ringing all around us.  Introduced from Germany into a Woodsetts garden several decades ago, they have now spread across the village to ensure their piping call is as common here as car alarms in the rest of Rotherham.  Although we didn’t see any toads we did see other amphibians, including Common Frog and also several Pipistrelle bats. It wasn’t dark enough yet for the gloworms so this was a convenient excuse to stop at The Butchers Arms for a drink. 

 

Once refreshed, we headed back across the common and to Lindrick Dale. It wasn’t long before we located several gloworms, their green phosphorescence surprisingly bright as they attempted to attract a mate in the turf.  My moth trap also gave off its own green glow but was less successful in attracting any moths. The children present enjoyed watching the various gnats, beetles and other creepy crawlies that were attracted down, however and kept them enthralled even though it was past midnight! A highly successful evening - and great fun.

 

Ben M. Keywood
 
 
Butterfly Ramble to Anston Stones
Sunday 13^th July

Once again I was asked to lead this popular walk for the RMBC Countryside Events Programme. Unlike last year’s event which took place in the pouring rain (and yes, we still found butterflies) we were graced with fine, sunny weather for the duration of the walk. 

 

12 people attended, half made up of RDOS members and the rest members of the public.  At the side of the cricket field we soon found our first butterflies, a Comma (Hutchinsonii form) and a Gatekeeper. As our party walked across the picnic area and along to Little Stones we also found Green veined White, Meadow Brown and Ringlet. The woodland itself bore poor results, being in need of further coppicing it had become too shaded for most butterfly species. Only Speckled Wood was found here despite searching the elms for White Letter Hairstreak.

 

 

We soon climbed up out of the dark woodland and back onto ‘the meadow’ which was full of orchids and a good range of butterfly species.  Marbled White was in profusion and there were several Large Skipper also on the wing. Day-flying moths such as Narrow Bordered Five Spot Burnet were also quite common.

 

The top of Little Stones also held large numbers of Marbled White (the highest count for many years) and there were appreciable numbers of Small Skipper together with more of the satyrids recorded earlier on the walk.

 

As we returned to the Parish Hall car park our final species of the walk was a freshly emerged Small Tortoiseshell flying around a nettle patch near the football pitch.  Another successful event and a pleasant way to spend a Sunday morning.

 

Ben M. Keywood
 
Carlton and Wallingwell Woods
Sunday 13^th April

This walk is a little longer than the average Sunday morning stroll but has an interesting mix of habitat from mature woodland to much younger plantations. It is predominantly farmland containing a fair scattering of hedgerows and isolated trees together with two small fishing ponds.

 

The day was overcast and with a forecast of rain, eight members made their way across a sheep meadow leaving Carlton Mill and the church behind.  With the exception of making contact with a summer visitor or two, it wasn’t long before the usual woodland species entered our list, including Nuthatch and Treecreeper.

 

On leaving the woods, Yellowhammer seemed to be calling from every stretch of hedgerow and with Skylark entertaining us overhead and the rain keeping off; the feeling was that the world wasn’t such a bad place after all.

 

Further along we identified a Reed Bunting amongst a feeding frenzy of birds in a bush and on entering Owday Plantation Great Spotted Woodpecker and Goldcrest were both heard.

 

We eventually had to quicken our pace as the rain threatened; but with a total of 37 species including Chiff Chaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap and Swallow we weren’t disappointed.

 

George Shentall

 

Sand Martin Nest Boxes

The RDOS Trust Fund has paid for Sand Martin nest boxes which have been installed at Ulley Country Park.

 

Unfortunately at the time of writing they had failed to attract any Martins to nest, but there’s always next year.  Thanks go to ranger Jim Laughton and John Jackson for their help along with volunteer rangers John Newsome and Mike Dyson.  The boxes were filled with a ton of a sand mix.

 

We have some more boxes to install for next spring with one planned for Thrybergh Country Park and another unconfirmed site in Rotherham.

 

These photos show the team in action