WENSUM VALLEY

BIRDWATCHING SOCIETY

Our April walkabout was round the lake and woodlands of Blickling Park, enjoying a welcome refreshment break at Blickling Hall half way round. This is a time when winter visitors have departed and summer arrivals yet to come, nevertheless we saw over 25 species (26 if you count Chef’s ‘Pie of the Day’ in Blickling Hall restaurant) and, as always during these walks, there was an opportunity to meet other club members, particularly new members, and by the time the walk ended a few more friends were found and a few more calories lost.
At our indoor meeting at Lenwade our AGM was followed by a talk entitled, ‘Lakenheath Fen - the First Ten Years’,  by Norman Sills (RSPB staff). In 1995 the RSPB bought 300 hectares of arable land at Lakenheath Fen on the Norfolk-Suffolk border. The aim was to reverse four centuries of damage by drainage and return the area back to its original wetland status thus providing a lifeline for England's vanishing wetland wildlife. Norman described the remarkable ten year project requiring the construction of water-retaining bunds, excavating meres and channels, and planting thousands of reed seedlings and cuttings. This is the largest piece of re-created fen habitat in the UK and has already seen the arrival of reed warblers, reed buntings, marsh harriers, hobbies and one or two pairs of nesting Golden Orioles. A massive undertaking made possible by the undoubted enthusiasm and skill Norman and his team brought to the project.

No indoor meeting in June but two outside events. June 3^rd/4^th our Summer bird count, and Thursday June 15^th a nightjar evening at Marsham Heath.  All are welcome, binoculars and expert help always on hand.

Colin Wright  [01603 740548]