No 13 May 2020 (3)

Things are getting better 21st May

Dear Birdwatchers,

Don’t forget during this dry sunny spell to make sure there is some water available in your garden for the birds. We have a very small water feature and it is quite surprising how many and how often the birds come for a drink.

If you are thinking of going somewhere not too far away from Ely for a walk and a spot of birdwatching, I can recommend Kingfisher Bridge reserve just north of the Stretham / Wicken road, opposite the Upware junction.

I visited the reserve on Wednesday and although I didn’t see any rare species, there was a good selection of birds to see and lots of very fluffy goslings (greylag and Canadian).

The reserve has some interesting winding meadow walks. Not many flowers out yet, but a good selection of butterflies to add to your list. During our afternoon walk there were only two ladies and a family of four in the whole reserve. Easy parking and very quiet.

Once again I would like to thank Kate for the recent picture quiz. Many of our members have said how much they enjoyed it. I have received two results: Babs 20 and Sue & Sean 21.This time Tony Weston has sent in a quiz. Answers will be published in the next newsletter.

One new butterfly (Small copper) for the list, reported by Babs.

Take care and enjoy the countryside while we have such nice weather.

Nigel

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Planning Team

David Godsmark John Middleton Mavis Middleton Tony Pleasance Nigel Puttergill Anthony Weston Barbara York

Forthcoming Events

16th June Cancelled Holme / Dersingham Bog (evening) (Nigel Puttergill)

22nd July Cancelled Titchwell (Tony Pleasance)

BIRDING NEWSLETTER Ely U3A Birdwatching Group

No 13 May 2020 (3)

From Babs York

This morning (19th May) I was awoken by a cuckoo at 3.57! I’ve been hearing them from my bed for the last couple of weeks, but they’ve been quite far off; this morning’s was LOUD. How wonderful to hear them so close to the house. I’m still pretty busy with bats, so haven’t managed many walks away from the house. However, I did manage to track down Ring Ouzels and Hobby not far from where I live. Garden-watching is a big part of my day, done in between handling bats. I’ve enjoyed watching the Greenfinches feeding on the borage seeds. They stuff their bills and fly off, presumably to feed their young. Yesterday one of the pairs brought some of their fledglings with them and squabbling soon broke out! They are normally partially hidden in the flowers, but I’ve done my best to capture one gorging on the seeds. Many of the fledglings are now visiting the pond and it’s endlessly entertaining to watch them getting familiar with the art of bathing. I’ve also attached a photo of a Serotine bat chewing on a mealworm. They’re the UK’s second largest bat and you certainly wouldn’t want to put your finger in his mouth! Although he’s a very gentle soul and a privilege to care for. Many thanks to Kate for the quiz. I got 20 correct. A bit cross with myself as I’d written Nuthatch for 4 but then changed it to Wheatear! For the Wood Pigeon I had Grey Heron and had nothing for the House Sparrow as couldn’t think of a bird with maroon on it. I had Brambling instead of Chaffinch. Such fun 😊

From Graham Cole

It has been quiet here in Manea for a while now, but in the last few days I have a few things to report. There have been signs of successful breeding. A baby, very newly fledged robin was hiding in one of my potted fuchsias. I only realised when I splashed water on it from the can. A very disgruntled bird emerged shaking off the water. For the next 10 minutes it hopped about hiding from me behind our fruit cage until it found a better location. Two mistle thrushes have been visiting the garden to collect food, as have blackbirds. A family of rooks were in the garden with their babies begging for food. Sadly our regular starling nest in the corner of the roof where it turns by 90 degrees has been less successful this year. I had to get the ladder to remove a dead chick that was slumped over the gutter with its head in plain sight. I am not sure if the rest have fledged or if the whole brood failed.

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No 13 May 2020 (3)

On the up side we have had our finest oystercatchers in the garden. Every year they come to probe in the grass and their first visit was immediately after the rain the night before, which may have made the food easier to get to.

Two cranes have been around for some time now and I saw them again this afternoon flying over the village and the house heading toward the Washes.

I am feeling less fit than before the lock-down. When I picked up the bins to peer at the trees, that line the edge of the playing field, in the vain hope of seeing the tawny owls, I realised that my arms were soon struggling. Naturally no sign of the owls, but I know they are nearby as we still get the occasional call, but just once and the neighbours two doors down gladly described seeing them on the washing line by their house and their shed.

So I have decided to take more exercise. Using google maps I have worked out that one lap of the paddock is exactly a quarter of a mile. My intention is to make 40 laps a week otherwise I will struggle when we resume our trips.

Another good sign is some singing from our ditch alongside the paddock, there is a sedge warbler there. I hope it stays around.

I was very surprised to find that I can see myself from space. The google maps satellite image has me mowing. Quite a coincidence. See the 2 pics attached.

I will let you know how I get on with the walking.

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No 13 May 2020 (3)

From Sean Greenway

Things quietened down a little on the lode, birds busy raising young, so slightly less singing and more difficult to see. Did see a Lapwing Chick, but only as its parents were going for the Pheasants that had wandered a bit close. Saw a Cuckoo sneaking into a hedge spying out nests, as every bird around, Goldfinches, Blackbirds, Chaffinches, and Dunnocks were sounding off. Sue has seen a Grey Partridge but the Spotted Flycatcher seems to have moved on.

The garden has been very busy with the new arrivals. We have had 2 fledged Song Thrushes round the borders, with Starlings, Collared Doves, and Gold and Green Finches arriving in big numbers. Have had to get extra bird feed AND window cleaner! One visitor that caused a stir was the Sparrow Hawk who appeared in the morning in our garden and our neighbours in the afternoon taking a Collared Dove both times.

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Cuckoo

Lapwing Chick

Sparrowhawk

Long-tailed Tit

No 13 May 2020 (3)

From Tony Weston

Tony has sent in a quiz for you all to work on. The answers will be given in next edition.

WHAT BIRD?

1. With a steam train called Thunderbolt, which Ealing comedy bird is within the title?

2. 125 m.p.h. and still the world steam speed record holder - what bird?

3. Rod Hull’s bird?

4. Famous shoe polish from New Zealand?

5. Big Ear’s mate from Enid Blyton books and kids’ TV. He has a yellow and red car. In the real world the birds are found in Black. Blue and Grey form.

6. This is a sea bird. The Little still survives, but the greater died out in 1850. What are they?

7. The last one of these called Martha died in 1914, once in the billions of birds, but hunted for food and sport to extinction.

8. What was Raphus cucullatus, a flightless bird hunted to extinction on Mauritius?

9. Cartoon bird that is the adversary of a Coyote.

10. Charlie Brown’s yellow bird at a festival?

11. Harry Potter’s owls name

12. Dumbledore’s bird was called Fawkes - what species of mythical bird was he?

13. What bird has regularly bred on the Tate Modern?

14. What is its main prey?

15. What has You-Tube got as a predator of St James Park pigeons?

16. What birds origin in London is reputedly either from the filming of the African Queen or a Jimi Hendrix photo-shoot?

17. Scops, Fishing and Eagle are all species of what?

18. A Whip-poor-will is related to which British bird?

19. Has this bird been to Zanaida’s funeral dressed in black out of respect to the close relative?

20.Two large re-wilding birds appeared near Isleham Wash from Knepp in West Sussex this year. What are they?

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The Butterfly ListPeacock (Graham Cole)Comma (Nigel)Brimstone (Leo Young)Large White (Leo Young)Small White (Graham Cole)Orange Tip (Leo Young)Speckled Wood (Leo Young)Brimstone (Babs)Holly Blue (Babs)Small Tortoiseshell (Leo Young)Red Admiral (Graham Cole)Small Copper (Babs)