WENSUM VALLEY BIRDWATCHING SOCIETY
In an earlier newsletter I mentioned we had
received a grant from the Jordan Family, who own the Pensthorpe
Nature Reserve, for a conservation project. We decided to purchase a tern raft
and a boat to provide access. I am happy to report that
the raft has been delivered and deployed at Sparham
Pools. Thanks to Bill Jordan for donating the money, to Charles Sayer for allowing the raft on his lake, Cox’s Boat yard
for constructing the raft and the 7 stalwarts who braved the elements to launch
and anchor the raft. We now await the arrival of the terns to take up
residence.
At our indoor meeting at Lenwade Jennifer Smart, of
the RSPB, told us of her research into the decline in Redshank populations. She
had the audience sitting on the edge of their seats wondering how the Redshank survived at all with their
reckless lack of breeding strategy. The UK population of Red Shanks
was in fact sustained almost entirely by the breeding success
rate of the pairs that happened to nest further inland and risked being
trampled in cattle pastures. We were then told about the predicted
effects on Redshanks of the "Managed Retreat" policy on sea
defenses, changes in sea level, and indeed what would happen if sea walls
were actually built.
Once again its Dawn Chorus time, we are meeting at 04.30 (that’s a.m.) at Sparham Pools car park on Sunday May 7th. High cholesterol bacon butties for those who stay the course. Saturday May 20th we will be visiting the Gt Ryborough Raptor watchpoint with Charles Neale who will be there from 9.0 a.m to Noon. Come along and watch the aerial display of Raptors circling over Sennowe Park.
Indoor talk, Lenwade Village Hall, Thursday May 18th. David North will talk about Wildlife in North Norfolk. Start at 7.30 pm. Refreshments available. Non-members £2.
Colin Wright [01603 740548]