POTTERS BAR & BARNETs LOCAL group

newsletter NO 89 winter 2015

Newsletter Editor: Lynn Baker

46 Normandy Avenue, Barnet, Herts EN5 2JA

Tel: 020 8449 4689 email: pbandb.rspb@btinternet.com

In

this

Issue Advertisement…………...…..….....4 Advertisement………………...….11 Book Review .....................................2 Coach Outings………………..…....3 Data Protection Act ……...…...…12 Group visit to Lesvos.......................5 Local Bird Report…….….…............6 Local Group Website…….…........12 Local Outings Report……..............2 Newsletter Copy Date….....…......12 Obituary ............................................2 RSPB Members Day...................2 100 Club application form ............12

REPORT ON BEHALF OF THE COMMITTEE

by Jacqueline Walker

Any advertisements enclosed with

this newsletter are not specifically

endorsed by the RSPB or the

Potters Bar & Barnet Local Group

Group Website:

www.rspb.org.uk/groups/

pottersbarandbarnet or just search

for Potters Bar and Barnet RSPB

The Royal Society

for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)

is a registered charity:

England and Wales no. 207076,

Scotland no. SC037654

This has been a full and busy year for the Group. The Outings Team has

given us a variety of locations to visit and thanks must go to them for

organising such excellent trips for us. The holiday in Devon was a great

success. Our thanks must also go to Dave Collins, our driver from Welham

Travel, who looks after us so well.

Members have enjoyed a variety of speakers at the Wednesday afternoon and

Friday evening meetings. Our new overseas travel team organised a

successful trip to Lesvos in May this year. 15 members went to the RSPB’s

Members Weekend in York in March, staying at the University campus. At

the beginning of the year we were invited by Oakmere School in Potters Bar

to talk to the children and this was a great success. Some of our members

attended the RSPCA’s Fun Day in July and also the Rye Meads Fun Day in

April. We were at the Dutch Nursery in January for the Big Garden Birdwatch. John Rowley has been busy with our new website and

distributing a Group newsletter by e-mail. Please let him know if you would

like to be included in the mailing please use pbandb.rspb@btinternet.com.

Members have also enjoyed the car outings each month.

Two quiz evenings organised by Fran Attrill took place in March and

November this year. They are great fun and raise funds for RSPB, as does

the 100 Club which is now ably run by Chris and Ron Youthed, and the pin badges which Bruce Bennett has been in charge of for many years. We were

able to send just over £4,500 to RSPB in our last financial year.

As I said in the Summer newsletter, thanks must go to Lesley for her 5 years

as our Group Leader and we are delighted that she is willing to take on the

role of Group Treasurer. I would also like to thank the committee for their

support and hard work during the year – and thanks must also go to those non-committee members whose help we could not do without.

We are still looking for a replacement editor for the newsletter otherwise we

shall have to forgo producing one twice a year. And of course we are looking

for a new Group Leader.

The Group is thriving at the moment but none of this would be possible

without you, the members, and we thank you for your support and involvement during the year. We hope you will enjoy the outings and events

set out in the enclosed programme for 2016.

2

JOHN GOULDING

We were sorry to learn of the passing of John. He and Jean were members of our group for nearly 40 years.

John enjoyed the birds, but he also took the opportunity to walk a few miles when he joined one of the coach

outings. He worked for the National Pharmaceutical Association for over 30 years. One of his interests was

taking part in rail holidays and the North Yorkshire Moors were a particular favourite. At home, he could be

found tending the garden and especially enjoyed pottering in the greenhouse. We do offer our condolences to

Jean.

RSPB Members’ Day and AGM

10 October

Although we could not make the AGM (some other

group members did) John and I attended an enjoyable

afternoon of presentations at the Queen Elizabeth II

Conference Centre just opposite Westminster Abbey.

We learned of new developments at reserves including

a proposed visitor centre at Arne in Dorset and the

progress of work at Wallasea Island. Several RSPB

reserves have been designated under the European

Nature Directives and the worrying review of these was

the subject of the second talk. We will have to wait

until 2016 to see what the EU has decided; hopefully

nature protection will not be weakened. We can all help,

go to www.rspb.org.uk/defendnature.

The talk on turtle doves was encouraging as we learned

of important information on their migration routes and

wintering areas which is being gathered using satellite

tags. Hope for hen harriers was a talk like no other!

With the help of hand puppets Jeff Knott and his

assistant told the story of the female 'Highlander' and

her three partners who repeatedly tried to raise three

broods recently, sadly unsuccessfully. Perhaps with the

use of satellite tags, more research and the co-operation

of grouse shoots, hen harriers will fare better in the

future.

Between talks there were sales goods and information

stands to browse. RSPB staff were there ready to

answer any questions. Building on previous success

stories the RSPB is confident that it can help many

more rare species, not just birds on the road to recovery.

Joy Rowley

A book review FEW AND FAR BETWEEN

On the trail of Britain's rarest animals

by Charlie Elder

This is a fascinating, poignant and also frequently amusing tale of Charlie's adventures seeking out Britain's rarest

fauna. On the trail of all sizes of creatures from wild cats to tiny bombardier beetles he meets a range of

dedicated amateur and professional conservationists including a lady once terrified of bats who is now a bat

warden!

Some species were relatively easy to see like the Slovenian grebe on Loch Ruthven (I was pleased to see these in

June) whilst the sea horses in Dorset took several attempts. You will have to get to the end of the book to see if

he found the Silurian moth. As Charlie says 'every species in decline or living on the brink in our country tells its

own story about the environment and ultimately ourselves'. Published in 2015 by Bloomsbury Press or reserve it

from your local library.

Local outing reports Mark and Cilla Mead 6 September

8 people including Mark and Peter went to Tyttenhanger.

Weather, Sunny, clear little wind.

53 birds seen including

chiffchaff, willow warbler, blackcap

lesser and common whitethroat

Bird of the day common sandpiper

6 October Amwell

5 people including Peter and Isabel

Weather sunny

Birds seen

3 kingfishers

sparrowhawk

great spotted woodpecker

RSPB John Busby RSPB Mike Langman

3

Oare Marshes and Stodmarsh 19 April

A very chill wind blew over Oare Marshes during our

visit in April. Nevertheless summer migrants were

undeterred: swallows flew over the fields, bearded

reedlings flitted among the reeds, sedge warblers sang

their scratchy melody, and a whole island in the lake

was orange, being covered in black-tailed godwits in

breeding plumage. A pair of garganey upended in the

inland shallows and a yellow wagtail pottered along the

shoreline.

Later we drove to Stodmarsh and enjoyed a warm

sunny afternoon. Marsh harriers, a hobby, sparrow

hawk and buzzard were all searching for prey. Bird

song filled the air, Cetti’s warbler’s loud explosive calls

resounding all around the reserve. Several early

butterflies – peacock, tortoiseshell and orange tip

enjoyed the sunshine as did bright green marsh frogs

croaking in the waterways. Skylarks and meadow pipits

twittered over the marsh confirming that spring had

most definitely arrived.

Bluebell Railway and Sheffield Park 20 May

What an aptly named railway the Bluebell Line is.

Travelling from East Grinstead to Sheffield Park by

steam locomotive in May we trundled past grassy

embankments covered in bluebells and other wild

flowers. From SP Station we rejoined our coach for the

short hop to the famous National Trust gardens which

offered a fantastic collection of rare trees and shrubs.

The informal landscape garden was laid out in the 18th

century by Capability Brown and is designed around

five lakes with meandering paths. The azaleas and

rhododendrons were breathtakingly beautiful.

Walberswick 14 June

Walberswick is a picturesque Suffolk seaside village

near Southwold, on the southern side of the Blythe

estuary. The shingle beach and extensive marshy

hinterland is quite exposed with no hides. It was not a

typical summers day, as correctly forecast by the Met

but, as we predicted the reserve gave us some good

sightings.

Amongst the shingle banks were yellow horned

poppies, sea pea flower in brilliant red and purple and

sea kale with its spikes of creamy flowers among the

large leathery leaves. Small red admiral and painted

lady butterflies were seen among red clover.

Our sightings included meadow pipit, lapwing,

redshank. Black-headed gulls were alert and quick to

spot a marsh harrier cruising over the marshy pools.

Close contenders in watchers’ favourite were a bittern,

in flight and the bearded reedlings which were seen in

the reeds near a landmark ruin of a windmill in the

marshes. Reed buntings were seen in several locations.

But bird of the day was for some lucky spotters the little

tern (Britain’s rarest breeding tern?). Their nests are so

perfectly camouflaged on the shingle and protected

behind electric fencing; it was lucky a local warden

checking the site was able to give us their position.

By mid afternoon the weather had closed in to give

some rain so we finished the circular walk back to the

village centre. The route took in a view point giving a

panorama of the coastline and grey skies, quite

spectacular. A cream tea in welcoming tearooms

rounded off a pleasant day before heading homeward.

Coach outing to Minsmere 19 July

On this outing we were pleased to welcome several

members who had not previously been on our bird

watching trips. At the reserve we were

greeted by a mass of sand martins at

their special bank when suddenly they

scattered; the reason, a hobby. They

soon appeared again once it had

departed. It was unfortunately very

windy which meant that the

bearded reedlings and stonechats

sensibly, for them, disappeared all

day. However a few linnets braved the elements and

flitted around the gorse bushes including a beautiful

pink-breasted male. The coastal beach was completely

deserted of both people and birds.

A bittern was seen by a select few, although unlike last

year when we were able to watch the bird threading its

way through the reeds; this year the reeds were so thick,

nothing was showing. Outside the Island Mere hide

was a notice to show where the ‘star’ of the BBC

Springwatch show, “spineless Sid”, had been. not as

many as usual. Many of us finished the day in the café.

COACH OUTINGS 2015 by Jenny Arnold, Gill Barlow and Elaine Eyles

RSPB Mike Langman

4

By the end of our visit we had seen a number of birds,

though not as many as usual. Many of us finished the

day in the café.

Pulborough Brooks 16 August -

Following on from the week’s unseasonably wet

weather, the Arun valley in West Sussex gave us a dry,

cool and mostly overcast summers day.

“Quiet” sums up the day’s bird count (42 species

between us). Sightings included blackcap, bullfinch,

buzzard, coal tit, greenfinch, green and great spotted

woodpecker, greylag, jackdaw, kestrel, nuthatch, rook,

swallow and whitethroat.

We had a restful walk round the reserve, plenty of

places to sit and enjoy the peace and beauty of the

countryside. Dragonflies, butterflies and roe deer were

seen. The fruits of the hedgerows now all set, the

wildlife is in for a real treat this year.

The reserve has recovered from the flooding of recent

years; improvements to paths, signage and access were

evident and the introduction of more wildflower

meadow management will encourage even more

butterflies and insects. The wooded heathland was

completely covered in bracken and purple heather, quite

a contrast to our last visit.

Dungeness 13 September

The group numbering 26 arrived just as light rain

started, and the cloud cover and rain continued for most

of our visit, which started with a brief stop to visit the

Hanson ARC hide overlooking ARC pit.

The Dungeness reserve is via an access road across the

vast expanse of shingle at the end of which is the visitor

centre and view of the massive power station.

The shingle is a unique habitat contrasting with the

wide expanses of water in the flooded extraction pits.

There are six hides overlooking these pits, so these and

the visitor centre enabled us to view the birds

comfortably and keep out of the rain. There was plenty

of time to cover the two mile circuit.

Over the 4½ hours we saw 58 species of bird. Sightings

included: great white egret, shelduck, marsh harrier,

common whitethroat, house martin, willow warbler,

ruff, golden plover, kingfisher, linnet, great crested and

black-necked grebe; plus a

variety of ducks including

numerous shovelers.

We are indebted to our printer Minuteman Press who has kindly printed this edition without charge.

RSPB John Busby

5

BIRDING TRIP to LESVOS

9 to 16 May 2015

Ian Stewart and

Yvanna Reeves

SATURDAY 9 MAY

After picking up the group we were running late on our arrival at Gatwick by around half an hour. This was to our

advantage however, as we were quickly aboard the aircraft and away arriving at sunny Mitileni at 12.15. The

transfer to the hotel took around an hour and a quarter and several birds were noted en route, including greater

flamingo and black-winged stilt as we passed Kalloni Salt Pans. This was an area we got to know well over the

following days. After settling in at the Pela Hotel, our base for the week, and some lunch we set out for a couple

of hours birding around the Christou River area. A demoiselle

crane had been reported in this area over the previous week and

we were anxious to see this first for Lesvos but we failed to find it

today. A party of waders in some shallow pools to the north of the

bridge tested our skills, curlew sandpiper, little stint and wood

sandpiper were all present. Other good birds included a stunning

black-headed wagtail, black stork, zitting cisticola, and

red-backed shrike. A green Balkan lizard gave us prolonged

views on a track through the reeds before we returned to the

hotel for a pleasant dinner followed by our tick list.

SUNDAY 10 May

A reduced group went for an early morning pre-breakfast walk around the Christou River area and were

rewarded with views of the demoiselle crane. After breakfast our hired vehicles were delivered and so we

managed to get away shortly after eating. Our first stop again was the Christou River and those who had missed

the crane earlier were fortunate in seeing the bird in flight. The waders were still present on the pools and we also

recorded marsh harrier and white storks. Moving on we drove down the west side of the Tsiknias River where we

had brief views of a couple of bee-eaters, at the ford we located the nesting penduline tit pair for which we had

been given previous information …….Continued on page 8

THE PELA HOTEL SKALA KALLONI

BALKAN GREEN LIZARD

CONGRATULATIONS!

It was with great pleasure that we welcomed Martin Bull, Volunteering Development Officer from RSPB Eastern

Region, to our evening meeting on Friday 16 October. The purpose of Martin’s visit was to present Long

Service Awards to some very special volunteers, namely Ron Crummey for 30 years’ service, Deirdre Thompson,

also for 30 years’ service and Ian Stewart for 25 years’ service. The RSPB does of course appreciate all the hard

work of their volunteers, without whom no charitable organisation could exist, but it was a special occasion to

recognise the dedication of three of our members.

6

LOCAL BIRD REPORT

from Ian Stewart

You can see from the map below I have divided our local area into 4 sections. Each area has a corresponding

column on the table which lists the species observed. The areas are conveniently split east to west by the M25

motorway, north to south by the A1 (M), to the south by the A406 and to the west by the M1 motorway. The

border to the north is OS TL15 and to the west is OS TL40. The species listed do not include many of the more

common birds as it is a selected list, and the lack of a cross in the column may just be that the area or bird has

been under recorded. This report covers the period from 1 April to 13 October 2015. Without doubt the

outstanding record for this period was the bluethroat that was found at Amwell on 13 April. Another exciting find

at this Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust reserve was a roseate tern observed on 12 May. Unseasonable birds

included a smew and a pintail at King George Reservoir in August and a hen harrier over the A1 in July. A marsh

warbler was present at Kings Meads on 11 June. Winter thrushes have started to arrive with the first redwing and

fieldfare being noted in late September. My thanks go to everyone who has contributed reports for this item.

Please keep sending your reports to Ian Stewart, 104 Aberdale Gardens, Potters Bar, Herts. EN6 2JF

Tel 01707 654429 E-Mail: i.stewart693@ntlworld.com

7

SPECIES NOTES SPECIES NOTES

A B C D A B C D

GREYLAG GOOSE X X X Tyttenhanger, Fishers Green, KGV COMMON TERN X X X X Tyttenhanger, Hilfield, Amwell, KGV

EGYPTIAN GOOSE X X X Lemsford, Amwell, Grovelands Park RING NECKED PARAKEET X X X X St. Albans, Aldenham, Potters Bar, KGV

BARNACLE GOOSE X Amwell CUCKOO X X X X First Northaw April 8, Ellenbrook Fields, Frogmore, Totteridge

BRENT GOOSE X Holyfield LITTLE OWL X X X X Tyttenhanger, Bricket Wood, Cornmill Meadows,Totteridge

SHELDUCK X X X X Tyttenhanger, Hilfield,Rye Meads, Vicarage Farm BARN OWL X X X Nomansland, Frogmore, Amwell

GADWALL X X X X Aldenham, Tyttenhanger, Fishers Green, Brimsdown, SHORT EARED OWL X Ellenbrook Fields

SHOVELER X X X Tyttenhanger, Aldenham, Rye Meads TAWNY OWL X X X St. Albans, Wildhill, Barnet

WIGEON X X Tyttenhanger, Kings Meads SWIFT X X X X First Essendon April 12, Coopers Green, Hilfield, KGV

TEAL X X X Tyttenhanger, Cornmill Meadows, Darlands Lake STOCK DOVE X X X X Tyttenhanger, Aldenham,Holyfield, Oakhill Wood

POCHARD X X Aldenham, Rye Meads KINGFISHER X X X Lemsford, Frogmore, Amwell

GARGANEY X Kings Meads LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER X X Sherrardspark, Enfield

PINTAIL X KGV April 14 SKYLARK X X X Tyttenhanger, Gunpowder Park, Enfield Lock

MANDARIN DUCK X X X X Coopers Green, Aldenham, Ware, Grovelands WOODLARK X Wormley

GOLDENEYE X X X Hilfield, Amwell, KGV SAND MARTIN X X X X Tyttenhanger, Hilfield, Amwell, KGV

GOOSANDER X Sewardstone, SWALLOW X X X X Tyttenhanger, Hilfield, Panshanger, Totteridge

SMEW X KGV Aug 13 HOUSE MARTIN X X X X Ellenbrook Fields, Hilfield, Amwell, KGV

RED BREASTED MERGANSER X KGV MEADOW PIPIT X X Cornmill Meadows, Totteridge

BLACK NECKED GREBE X X Hilfield, Amwell TREE PIPIT X X X Redwell Farm Wood, Amwell, Totteridge

LITTLE GREBE X X X Tyttenhanger, Rye Meads, Enfield Lock ROCK PIPIT X KGV

LITTLE EGRET X X X Tyttenhanger, Amwell, KGV WATER PIPIT X KGV

GREAT WHITE EGRET X St. Albans GREY WAGTAIL X X X X Lemsford, Hilfield, Panshanger, Brimsdown

BITTERN X Amwell Sept 11 YELLOW WAGTAIL X X X X Stanborough GP, Hilfield, Rye Meads, KGV

GREY PARTRIDGE X Tyttenhanger WHITE WAGTAIL X X X X Beech Farm, Hilfield, Amwell, KGV

HOBBY X X X X Hatfield, Hilfield, Gunpowder park, KGV BLUETHROAT X Amwell April 13

RED KITE X X X X Lemsford, Radlett, Ware, Arkley COMMON REDSTART X X Shafford Farm, KGV

OSPREY X X Tyttenhanger Rye Meads WHINCHAT X X X Ellenbrook Fields, Gunpowder Park, Totteridge

COMMON BUZZARD X X X X Ellenbrook Fields, Aldenham, Cornmill Meadows, Arkley WHEATEAR X X X X Ellenbrook Fields, Hilfield, Bowyers Water, Totteridge

SPARROWHAWK X X X X Tyttenhanger, Aldenham, Cornmill Meadows, Arkley STONECHAT X X Amwell, KGV

KESTREL X X X X Tyttenhanger, Aldenham, Cornmill Meadows, Totteridge RING OUZEL X X Hatfield Aerodrme, Frith Manor

PEREGRINE FALCON X X X X Tyttenhanger, Frogmore, Amwell, Enfield REDWING X X X Colney Street April 13, Cornmill Meadows, First KGV Sept 20

MARSH HARRIER X X Tyttenhanger, Rye Meads FIELDFARE X X Last Nomansland Common April 17, First Arkley Sept 23

HEN HARRIER X X One male July 7 flew over A1 (areas A & C) NIGHTINGALE X Fishers Green

WATER RAIL X X Lemsford, Amwell SPOTTED FLYCATCHER X X Willows Farm, Hatfield Park

AVOCET X KGV PIED FLYCATCHER X X Hilfield, Trent Park

OYSTERCATCHER X X X Tyttenhanger, Amwell, KGV WHITETHROAT X X X X Tyttenhanger, Hilfield, Kings Meads. KGV

GREENSHANK X X Tyttenhanger, Rye Meads LESSER WHITETHROAT X X X Coopers Green, Rye Meads, Totteridge

REDSHANK X X Tyttenhanger, Kings Meads BLACKCAP X X X X Harpenden, Aldenham, WGC, Grovelands

SANDERLING X X Tyttenhanger, KGV GARDEN WARBLER X X X X Ellenbrook Fields, Hilfield, Rye Meads, Sewardstone

LAPWING X X X X Tyttenhanger, Aldenham, Cornmill Meadows, Darlands Lake GRASSHOPPER WARBLER X X X Hatfield Aero, Fishers Green, Totteridge

DUNLIN X X X X Tyttenhanger, Hilfield, Amwell, KGV CETTI'S WARBLER X X X X Wheathampstead, Hilfield, Kings Meads, KGV

LTTLE STINT X Amwell SEDGE WARBLER X X X X Tyttenhanger, Hilfield, Amwell, KGV

KNOT X KGV REED WARBLER X X X X Tyttenhanger, Hilfield, Rye Meads, KGV

RINGED PLOVER X X Tyttenhanger, Amwell MARSH WARBLER X One at Kings Meads on June 11

LITTLE RINGED PLOVER X X X X Coopers Green GP, Hilfield, Amwell, KGV CHIFFCHAFF X X X X Tyttenhanger, Aldenham, Panshanger, Trent Park

GREEN SANDPIPER X X X Lemsford, Hilfield, Rye Meads WOOD WARBLER X Nomansland

COMMON SANDPIPER X X X X Tyttenhanger,Hilfield, Amwell, KGV WILLOW WARBLER X X X X Sutton Farm GP, Frogmore, Rye Meads, Oakwood

WOOD SANDPIPER X X Tyttenhanger, Kings Meads YELLOW BROWED WARBLER X Ramney Marsh

RUFF X X Tyttenhanger, Rye Meads MARSH TIT X X Ellenbrook, Amwell

BAR TAILED GODWIT X KGV BEARDED TIT X Rye Meads

BLACK TAILED GODWIT X Tyttenhanger FIRECREST X X Sherardspark, Grovelands Park

WHIMBREL X X Rye Meads, KGV RAVEN X X Shafford Farm, Hatfield Park

CURLEW X Tyttenhanger TREECREEPER X X X Aldenham, Cornmill Meadows, Oakhill Wood

TURNSTONE X X Amwell, KGV NUTHATCH X X X X Tyttenhanger, Aldenham, Potters Bar, Trent Park

SNIPE X X X Tyttenhanger, Amwell, KGV SISKIN X X X St. Albans, Amwell, Totteridge

JACK SNIPE X Enfield Lock TREE SPARROW X Tyttenhanger

MEDITERRANEAN GULL X X X Tyttenhanger, Hilfield, Rye Meads BRAMBLING X Seventy Acres

LITTLE GULL X KGV BULLFINCH X X X Tyttenhanger, Cornmill, Arkley

YELLOW LEGGED GULL X X Tyttenhanger, Amwell HAWFINCH X Wormley

BLACK TERN X X X X Tyttenhanger, Hilfield April 18, Rye Meads, KGV LINNET X X X Stanborough GP, WGC, Trent Park

ROSEATE TERN X One at Amwell on May 12 LESSER REDPOLL X X Tyttenhanger, KGV

LITTLE TERN X Amwell CROSSBILL X Wormley

SANDWICH TERN X X Hall Marsh, KGV REED BUNTING X X X X Tyttenhanger, Aldenham, Cornmill, KGV

ARCTIC TERN X X Amwell, KGV YELLOWHAMMER X X X Redbourn, WGC, Trent Park

AREA AREA

8

After some prolonged watching we managed some

brief views as the parent birds entered and exited the

nest. We then drove along the track on to the salt pan

channel area where we found spotted redshank, ruff,

little tern, avocet and greater flamingo amongst oth-

ers. A pool on the north side of the main road held a

superb spur-winged plover, a lifer for many. By this

time a comfort stop was required and the workers at

a local tractor maintenance depot allowed us to use

their facilities. A long-legged buzzard and a singing

black-headed bunting entertained the waiting queue

whilst some stripe-necked terrapins basked in the sun

in a nearby ditch. The hotel had prepared our

individual lunches and we stopped for an excellent

picnic at an area by the Krioneri River. We walked

the track here in the afternoon heat and saw several red-backed shrikes and two

short-toed eagles. Back at the junction with the main road a small pool was humming with white-winged black

terns which gave a fabulous show accompanied by several whiskered terns. Another excellent meal at the hotel

rounded off our first full day on the island.

WHITE-WINGED TERN

MONDAY 11 MAY

Again the pre breakfast walk took us to the

Christou River area; en route we had excellent

views of a singing nightingale and noted our first

little ringed plover. After breakfast we drove

towards Metochi Lake searching the fields as we

went and found a red-footed falcon shortly

followed by a lesser grey shrike. With time

pressing we returned to the hotel for a comfort stop

and then refuelled the vehicles before heading off

to our next stop at Achladeri Forest. There were a

lot of birders here who quickly put us on to the

newly fledged Krüper’s nuthatches still being fed

by the parents. This is the most western breeding population of these birds so it was

good to get them under our belt so soon on our trip. Another group of birders had views of rock bunting here,

another excellent bird to find on Lesvos; unfortunately we were not to be blessed this time, but we did find

short-toed treecreeper and Mike found the local race of coal tit. From here we retraced our route to the Kalloni

Salt Pans and drove slowly round the channel. A black stork was feeding close to the bank and a large group of

ruffs had congregated at the bend in the channel. Further along, around the salt mound 2 pairs of bee-eaters

entertained us and at Alykes Wetland we found a singing rufous bush robin. Another good dinner at the hotel

rounded off another bird filled day on Lesvos.

BLACK WINGED STILT

9

TUESDAY 12 MAY

The pre-breakfast trip this morning took us to the olive groves west of

the Christou River and Metochi Lake. We enjoyed extended views of a

nesting middle spotted woodpecker bringing food to the nest site and a

Cetti’s warbler in song was in full view at the lake. A male little

bittern flew over and we had views of masked shrike in the olive groves

as we returned to the hotel for breakfast. Our first stop after breakfast

was the “Scops Copse” a small area of eucalyptus trees by the Kalloni

mini football pitch famed for being the roost of scops owls; we found

four birds on our visit today and a Persian squirrel gave good views here

as well. Acting on some information we then drove to Papiana and after

some searching for the right spot located three young long-eared owls in

the olive groves opposite the local school. We then drove north to the

Kalloni raptor watch point where we enjoyed our excellent picnics and

found some new birds for our lists including Cretzschmar’s bunting, rock

nuthatch, peregrine and black-eared wheatear. Carrying on to Kavaki we

stopped below the restaurants and immediately found Rüppel’s warbler on the rocks, shag on

the sea and red-backed shrike on the vegetated slopes. We drove on a few kilometres up to

Molyvos Castle to escape the heat and get a drink or ice cream. Stopping back at Kavaki we noted the same

birds as before but with better views of raven and for some who had missed the bird first time, Rüppel’s

warbler. The drive back took around half an hour and we were in good time for dinner, followed by a treat of a

barn owl from the hotel terrace.

SCOPS OWL

WEDNESDAY 13 MAY

The early morning trip today took us out to the olive groves in the

Potamia Valley to look for olive tree warbler and we managed

some brief views, also brief was an Orphean warbler but we

obtained good views of sombre tit. After breakfast we headed west

towards Sigri and made straight for the Eressos junction, a well

known area to find Isabelline wheatear. There was a strong cool

wind to contend with here but we managed to find the birds, plus

woodlark, stonechat, northern wheatear, cuckoo, lesser grey shrike

and plenty of red-backed shrikes. As we boarded the vehicles we

were treated to a flyover of a pale phase booted eagle. Moving on

we searched the area at the base of Ipsilou Monastery for

cinereous bunting but to no avail. At the Monastery we enjoyed our lunch, some of the

group managed to see an alpine swift but the area was fairly quiet. Our next stop was on the Petrified Forest

track where we had great views of a cinereous bunting below the first wind turbine; again this is a bird at its

extreme western breeding limit, a good bird to find on Lesvos. Other interesting birds seen on the track were

chukar partridge and an unexpected wood sandpiper in a small pool. Driving on to the Sigri Viewpoint we soon

found our target bird here as four lesser kestrels flew along the ridge, a nice showy Cretzschmar’s bunting was a

bonus as was the stunning view down to the fishing village of Sigri. Not long after turning back we encountered

a very inquisitive little owl at the roadside which entertained us for a few minutes. The last stop today was in the

Lardia Valley where we added blue rock thrush and crag martin to our list. Another good dinner at the hotel this

evening.

WOOD SANDPIPER

10

THURSDAY 14 MAY

A pre-breakfast drive to the Kalloni Salt Pans proved a good decision as we found several new birds here. In a

small pool a couple of red-throated pipits were feeding and were shortly replaced by a citrine wagtail. A young

Montague’s harrier took a while to identify but the gull-billed terns were fairly obvious. A couple of bee-eaters

rounded off an excellent session. After breakfast we changed one of the vehicles as the central locking had

developed a fault and then drove up through Agia Pereskevi stopping just north of the village as a pair of great

spotted cuckoos flew over. We stopped at a few places in the Napi Valley and found hoopoe, cirl and

Cretzschmar’s bunting, woodchat, red-backed and lesser grey shrike, Orphean and subalpine warblers. We

enjoyed our picnic at the Monastery at Madamados and carried on to Skala Sikimias to look for Audouin’s gull

in the harbour. Out of luck this time we settled for an ice cream in this lovely little fishing village. Retracing our

route we arrived back at the Kalloni Salt Pans in time to witness the spectacle of a peregrine taking a black-

winged stilt and the subsequent battle to keep his meal from the harrying yellow-legged gulls. An amazing show

which lasted for several minutes, giving us time to reflect on the plight of the poor stilt. Another excellent

dinner at the hotel, presided over by the excellent attention of Thekla, the daughter of the hotelier Panagiotis.

FRIDAY 15 MAY

Our pre-breakfast outing today took us back to the olive groves west of the Christou River. We managed to get

better views of the olive tree warblers here and found the nest of a pair of masked shrikes, while sombre tits

were feeding young in the olive groves, On the way back Bob noted a night heron at the bridge. We later found

another two birds at the reservoir. After breakfast we again birded the salt pans for a couple of hours and

managed to add Temminck’s stint to our list, a couple of birds affording good views at the bend of the salt pan

channel. We spent some time around the salt mound where the bee-eaters and the rufous bush robin were still

present but there was no sign of the hoped for tawny pipit or short-toed larks. Back at the hotel at 12.30 some of

the group had a lunch from the hotel and continued birding around the reservoir area where they found

Eleanora’s Falcon. The rest of the party walked into Skala Kalloni and enjoyed lunch at a local tavern. We

re-united at 3.30 and took one vehicle to explore the area to the east of the Kalloni Salt Pans; there were a

couple of spoonbills in with the greater flamingo flock and we obtained some distant views. The area around

Mesa was quiet with a few red-rumped swallows in classic habitat

flying around the Krioneri River Bridge. Returning to the salt mound

we managed to locate a couple of short-toed larks on the race track after

a good deal of searching. Another good dinner followed by our final

tick list.

SATURDAY 16 MAY

A 6.00 a.m. start for our final pre breakfast trip. We first drove up the

Tsiknias River from the village where we enjoyed excellent views of a

singing nightingale just before the ford. At the ford we had prolonged

views of a great reed warbler also in great voice, Cetti’s and olivaceous

warblers were also in song here, something of a warbler “fest” After a

tip off we crossed the ford and made our way towards the salt mound and

watched a superb male red-footed falcon feeding from the wires. Breakfast called and we made our way back to

the hotel. After eating and settling our bills we said goodbye to Thekla, Asteria and Panagiotis and were picked

up by our transfer bus which delivered us to the airport in good time for our 13.35 flight. An uneventful flight

arrived at Gatwick a few minutes after 3.00 p.m. and we then were dropped off at various locations near our

homes. An excellent holiday enjoyed by all with plenty of birds (we recorded a total of 128 species) and other

wildlife encounters, an excellent hotel with great staff and good company.

BLACK HEADED BUNTING

11

WATERPROOF JACKETS & TROUSERS

FLEECE JACKETS & WALKING TROUSERS

WALKING BOOTS & SHOES

WELLINGTONS & GAITERS

SOCKS GLOVES & HATS

THERMAL UNDERWEAR

COVER THE OUTDOOR STORE

52-54 HIGH STREET, BARNET, EN5 5SJ Telephone: 020 8440 5775

At COVER you will find a large range of clothing and

equipment suitable for all your outdoor requirements

ALWAYS GREAT VALUE & DISCOUNT PRICES

We take a pride in giving our customers a warm welcome with helpful advice if required.

We are open Monday to Saturday 9.30 am to 5.30 pm

Advertisement

12

DATA PROTECTION ACT

This newsletter is delivered to all RSPB members living in our catchment area (covered mainly by postcodes

EN5 and EN6), the list being provided to us and updated by RSPB Head Office. If any recipients would prefer

to be removed from our local mailing list please inform the editor.

OUR LOCAL GROUP WEBSITE www.rspb.org.uk/groups/pottersbarandbarnet or just

search for Potters Bar and Barnet RSPB. It can also be

accessed from the main RSPB site at rspb.org.uk. Here

you will find lots of information about the Group’s

activities including our outings and meetings

Programmes. This newsletter can also be viewed there

with the added bonus that all the photographs are in

colour. Note things can be difficult to find on the main

RSPB site (they are working on this).

NEWSLETTER COPY DATE

Many thanks to all our contributors for their much

valued input to this newsletter.

I will be delighted to

receive your articles, reports, notices, news items,

correspondence and advertisements at any time. pbandb.rspb@btinternet.com

Closing date for copy for our next edition will be

Friday 15th April 2016

Potters Bar & Barnet RSPB Local Group 100 CLUB

I wish to join the 100 Club and enclose my cheque for £….....…….. for ….....…. number(s)

made payable to Potters Bar & Barnet RSPB 100 Club.

Name__________________________________________________________________

Address________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Phone_______________________________ Email_______________________________

Please return to: Chris and Ron Youthed, 29 Allandale Crescent, Potters Bar, EN6 2JZ

Phone: 01707 656796 email: ronchris19@hotmail.com

NEWSLETTERS & PROGRAMMES

Help us reduce our costs and get your newsletter and programmes by email. Please email the editor at

pbandb.rspb@btinternet.com with your name and postcode, if you have not already done so.

We now send out a brief monthly update and news to everyone who has the newsletter emailed to

them. We would like to keep as many of you as possible up to date. Please email the editor to receive

monthly updates and ask for email updates.

Join the 100 Club!

Support the RSPB and have a chance of winning a monthly prize.

A subscription costs £12 per number per year. There is a monthly draw usually held at the Friday evening

meetings with prizes of £50, £25 or £10 in June and December, and £25 or £10 in other months; the remaining

income goes to the RSPB.

We do need more members. If you are interested in joining there is an application form below or you can speak

to us at the Friday evening meetings.

Chris & Ron Youthed 01707 656796 email: ronchris19@hotmail.com