Wildlife East Anglia

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Editors letter Welcome to a new and exciting wildlife magazine based in the region of East Anglia which feature articles

about the counties of Lincolnshire, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Norfolk. We are based in the beautiful county of Norfolk which has a variety of habitats which attracts thousands of visitors each year in the search of wildlife.

The editorial team has years of experience searching for and photographing the amazing array of species from the humble back garden birds to the major rarities such as Oriental Pratincole , Black eared Wheatear, White-crowned Sparrow and Western Sandpiper.

We aim to use this wealth of knowledge to write informative articles introducing the many aspects of wildlife occurring in this region. We don’t want to differentiate between birders and naturalists and would encourage everyone to respect and love the wildlife in their own special way. Looking at wildlife should be a relaxing past time where everyone should enjoy what they see without fear of confrontation.

The popularity of birding has seen a dramatic increase in the last few years thanks to fantastic quality optics and digital photography. More wildlife watchers are realising they too can take some great shots to keep as a record of what they have seen, but this inevitably has caused problems as the two hobbies are quite different. With bird watching you may not need to spend so long viewing before you move to another location whereas with photography you need to be much closer and may have to be very patient. There is room for both hobbies. Unfortunately though there has been some friction between birders and photographers especially where schedule 1 birds are photographed and disturbed close to the nest. I personally believe that there should be a blanket ban of taking any bird obviously feed young at or near the nest site which would keep everyone happy and please have some patience with each other.

The harassment of Dartford Warblers on Dunwich Heath by photographers and bird watchers in April of this year is a prime example of behaviour that is not acceptable and we will be writing about this in this addition, There will be information on recent bird sighting and we would hope that others would be willing to submit their images for publication.

We will cover reserves in this region plus exciting destinations throughout the British Isles and will suggest suitable spots for watching and photographing wildlife but will not disclose breeding sites of potentially endangered species such as Montagu’s Harrier, Corncrake etc. There will also be trip reports of foreign reserves in countries where it is easy to bird and wildlife watch without local guides such as USA and Canada We will cover regional topic which affect the wildlife such as floods and tidal surges and how breeding birds are affected by the changing weather patterns There will be basic identification papers which will help you sort out the trickier birds and insects such as Common, Arctic and Roseate Terns featured in this addition.

With thanks to Samantha Benfield for her interesting article on Botswana.

If you would like to submit an article or rarity photographs for future editions please contact us wildlifeeastanglia@ gmail.com or 01603 219119 Editor Mrs Jill Wilson Photographic consultant Mr Rob Wilson Deputy Editor Miss Roanna Benfield

Contents: 3 Editor’s Page 5 Reed Bed Habitat - Why it is important 6 Artists Profile - Steve Cale 9. Taking Care of Wildlife - How you can help?

10. Rescue Centre Profile - Wing and a Prayer 12. Alien Invaders - Ring-necked Parakeets 13. Damsel or Dragon?

14. How to start in Wildlife Photography 16. Photographing Schedule One Bird Species 18. Blast from the Past 23. Bitterns 24. Swallowtails 26. Local Reserve Feature - Minsmere RSPB 29. UK Reserve Feature - Farne islands 32. Identification - Roseate, Common and Arctic Terns 35. Puzzle Page 36. Tick List - for you to keep your records 38. Non UK Reserve Feature - Wakodahatchee Florida 40. Interest Pages - Major Bird Ecology of the Mashatu Region, Botswana 44. UK Rarity Round-up 46. Wildlife Events in East Anglia 48. Readers Page Contact: Wildlife East Anglia 3a St Johns Close, Norwich NR1 2AD 01603 219119

Reed Bed Habitat East Anglia has a rich diversity of habitiat and one of the most important are the reed beds. On wetland sites where the open water meets the banks, reed beds form in the nutrient rich waters. These beds are made up of are common reeds, Phragmites Australis, a perennial grass which grows in water up to 2m deep or on marshy land It can grow over 2m.

Female Bearded Tit

In the UK the reed bed habitat is in decline with only around 900 remaining and many of these are small sites. Because of this they have been given a HAP (habitat action plan) so they can all be managed correctly. Most of the larger reed beds have also been designated as SSSI’s. Reeds can also grow along river banks which is beneficial as it helps to stop the wash from boats causing erosion.

Currently the main uses of reeds are minor – for fencing and bedding, but when growing, it can

be used as a filtration system to remove unwanted nutrients from water in purification systems. The creeping root system will take nitrates and even heavy metals from the water making even a small bed an excellent way of dealing with liquid effluent, whilst reducing CO2 emissions – and of course providing a beautiful habitat.

For commercial purposes reed is cut every one or two years ‘single wale’ or ‘ double wale’ during the winter, but many reed beds are left uncut for up to 7 years and then the reed will need some management. Without clearing the build up of debris round the stems the ground level will rise and allow the ground to dry out. For many wildlife watchers the sound of the wind in the reeds is calming and the purple colour of the seed heads in late summer and early autumn is a sign of the changing seasons. It is not just the appearance that is special but the way that the beds protect the wildlife living among the reed

stems.

Reed beds attract a great deal of wildlife including 6 species from the Red Data bird list: Cranes, Marsh Harriers, Bearded Tits, Cetti’s Warbler, Savvi’s Warbler and Bittern.

The habitat is not just good for birds with many species of dragonfly and damselfly relying on the reed bed including azure, common blues, hairy, four-spot chaser and the Reed Leopard Moth and of course mammals like the Otter and Water Vole .They are also full of other more common species such as Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Reed Bunting and are a good resting spot for migratory birds such as the aquatic warbler and yellow wagtail.

Four Spot Chaser

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S T E V E C A L E

Wildlife Artist 6.

Steve Cale Taken Western Ghats, Southern India

I

have lived and worked in Norfolk since 1990, with bird-watching and my wildlife art being the primary reasons to live here in this wonderful area. I have drawn & painted birds since I started birding at the age of 13. I began by doing simple sketches of the birds I was seeing in order to learn more about them, adding copious notes to my drawings to give me information. Later these sketches developed into finished paintings & subsequently developed into a range of cards, prints that many people are now familiar with.

I paint in watercolour, acryl-

ics & oils with all aspects of the natural world appearing in my paintings. I have a particular interest in birds but love all aspects of thenatural world in my work. When painting wildlife I try to catch images of birds & animals as they go about their

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daily lives. still draw many working field sketches & from these I can take the information I need about the way the wildlife I draw use it’s environment. Add these to sketches that I take of plants, trees & the landscape & I have the settings to paint birds & wildlife in, in the places they choose to live.

I get the chance to lead some

bird watching tours around the world, taking me to wonderful settings such as the Turkish Mountains & the Brazilian rain forest to name just two . This gives me endless subjects to paint, but despite all my travels I still love painting here in Norfolk. I hope you will enjoy some of the images I have been able to create.

Tel :- 01328 862265 or 07866263673 Email:- stevesrike@aol.com http://www.steve-cale-artist. co.uk

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WILD ABOUT BIRDS BIRD FOOD AND ACCESSORY SPECIALISTS DOG, CAT, HORSE, GOAT, ALPACA FEEDS AND MUCH MORE INCLUDING ANIMAL BEDDING AND CRAFTS. www.wildaboutbirds.co.uk enquiries@wildaboutbirds.co.uk TEL: 01728 833262

Kingfisher by Sorcha Donaldson of Hunter Illustrations. Freelance illustrator

Taking Care of Wildlife One of the easiest ways of helping our birds and mammals is to provide food for them during the cold winter months. April, May and June are a good time of year to treat yourself to a few new plants for the garden so when you buy, why not consider a shrub or small tree that produces a few good berries in winter when the wildlife needs it most. Berry bushes are not only good for food but can look really bright and cheerful in a garden when the leaves have dropped away. Try not to be too tidy though and leave the pruning until February when all the fruits have gone.

Even with a small garden, there are berry producing shrubs that don’t occupy too much space like some of the cotoneaster family. Not all trees are enormous and some of the smaller ones produce excellent crops for wildlife. Crab apples are a favourite for the thrush family, and some varieties such as golden hornet, don’t drop their fruit straight away so some remain right through into February. They are also only about 15-20ft high. Hedgehogs also like some of the crab apple fruits if they can find them on the ground so leave some where they fall.

The flowering dogwoods also provide a tasty snack and have the advantage that their leaves turn fantastic colours in the autumn and have red stems and branches for a bit of winter colour. If you are looking

is still a food source available. Ivy is also good as it flowers late in the autumn and is a haven for sleepy wasps and bees for food. The berries are highly calorific just when the wildlife needs it most.

Cotoneaster Waxwing For the larger garden nothing beats the colourful Rowan tree (Mountain Ash) for attracting birds. It produces a large amount of berry clusters that shine in the sun on a winter’s day and attract the birds for miles. You may even be lucky enough to draw in a few Waxwings who will strip a tree in a few days if given the chance. They are visitors from Northern Scandinavia and Russia, are about the size of a starling and are often appear during the winter months, particularly along the east coast and in Scotland.

Something a bit more unusual for the garden, Dormice have been reintroduced in many counties and they are doing well, but still need help. If you know they are in your area plant some hazel trees in your hedgerow and leave some brambles which will provide a feast for them before their hibernation. They use hedgerows to traverse from woodland to woodland and providing a good stock of hazel nuts and a few blue tit boxes may encourage them to your hedgerow for their winter hibernation There are plenty of other suitable bushes but mainly look for Crabapples the plants that produce smaller berries as these for something scented, try the honeysuckles, these are easier for the birds to swallow, although some grow just about anywhere, smell glorious in the sum- birds look for bigger fruits and berries and feed on mer and feed the birds in the winter. Another suitable the seed within the flesh. Most berries are black or plant for the garden is the holly. The red berries are red so they are more obvious for the birds to find so not the bird’s favourites and so get left until last but these tend to be eaten first - white berries will often this means that as the winter draws into spring there be the last ones remaining.

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Wing and a Prayer, Wild Bird and Owl Haven is a wild bird rehabilitation charity based in Stratton Strawless, near Norwich, whose aim is to release as many abandoned and injured birds back to the wild as possible.

As a registered charity, we are run by a dedicated team of volunteers and funded entirely by donations from the public and our own fundraising activities. We are very proud of our high release rate, which we believe is due to the hands on care given to the birds and the nutritionally balanced diets provided. _____________________________________ The Haven was formed over seven years ago, when one of our trustees was given three baby great tits to care for after their nest had been destroyed. After successfully hand rearing all three in her dining room, word quickly spread and more and more birds were brought in by the public to care for.

From there on things snowballed quickly and, when the dining room became full to capacity, the first volunteer was recruited and a small hospital extension was built.

At the same time people also started making donations towards the care of the birds and without realising it the Haven became a not for profit organisation.

The biggest project however, came in May 2011, when it was decided to build a new hospital. This second hospital, which was built on a shoestring budget and using donated materials where possible, has proved vital to the work we do and allowed us to take in and care for over 700 birds in the last year.

It’s building also coincided with the Haven achieving charity status, which has made a real difference to fundraising activities and helping us obtain our sponsors. __________________________________________________________ We look after many different birds at the Haven, but rarely a kingfisher, so when this stunning fella came to us in the Summer our volunteers were almost queuing up to peek at him!

As the years ‘flew’ by the number of birds in need continued to increase annually and gradually the site was extended to include outdoor aviaries and a reception area.

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He was found by the roadside suffering from severe concussion, but, after a couple of days he started taking food willingly and responding well. From then he got progressively stronger and was soon restored to full health. He was successfully released by the river and flew away really well. ___________________________________________________________

Nicole Floyd about a gentle tawny owl named Whisper.

Whisper came to us after being hit by a car, and despite her physical recovery, we believed that she also had a brain injury as she would sit placidly for hours unaware of anything going on around her. She became very special to us, and then one day it was as if she just ‘woke’ up. For us, her story is a reminder that time really can make a difference and that it’s always worth giving a bird a chance.

With spring here, we’ll soon be gearing up for another baby season. Although relentless and forever hungry, the babies ___________________________________________ are so rewarding and their eagerness knows no bounds, as This bedraggled short eared owl is a bit of a celebrity at you can see from this little flappy goldfinch. the Haven. Aptly named ‘Chopper’, he came to us in December 2011 after being flown in by helicopter to Norwich Airport. He’d been found on a rig in the north sea and was covered in oil. Fortunately, with some bathing and tlc, Chopper soon recovered and was successfully released in the following spring, but not before the local press came and took their pictures

A Careful Whisper Whisper, a wise name for me For I have a vow of silence Kept sacred by me for many moonshines An unkind coma has crept over me Like a harsh hoar frost it’s grip so iron, I can barely turn my head My eyes mirrored flint, reflect inwards I am shallow, hollow Have I a heart beat even, to shake my ribs?

The Earth’s motion matches my “motionless” Sun rises. Nothing dawns on me My thoughts, so small an ant could carry them away My hoots so silent, the deaf hear them Now, a reflection of a thought So small, a butterfly’s life could fill it Disturbs the shallow pool of my mind If you have the faith (which you surely do by now) And listen so very hard You can hear a careful whisper “I am in here” And the signs of a hopeful thaw This beautiful poem was written by one of our volunteers,

At Wing and a Prayer, the average cost of rehabilitating a bird is £25.00. Interested in helping? There’s lots of ways you can show your support:• Donating • Sponsorship • Text TWIT22 followed by the amount you wish to donate to 70070 For more information and ideas visit: www.wingandaprayerhaven. org.uk

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Alien Invaders Ring Necked Parakeets Psittacula krameri Ring Necked Parakeets, or Rosy Ringed Parakeets nest in holes. They lay 3-4 eggs which are incubated for 22-24 days with the youngsters fledging after 40-50 days. They are 40cm long including the tail and the male parakeets have a black throat and a black and pink neck ring.

They were first recorded in London in 1969 and bred in 1971. Outside of London the first recorded pair were seen in Norfolk in 1855. There are now several large roosts across London and in the South East of England but they originally came from sub tropical Africa and India. Smaller colonies are gradually moving north to Essex and occasional odd birds are being spotted in gardens in Suffolk. Places such as Hornchurch Country Park, Romford and Ingrebourne Valley now have regular sightings.

It is believed that the current breeding birds escaped from captivity but there are varying rumours involving film set escapes and quarantine breakouts. They are very intelligent birds and have been known to master up to 250 words in captivity.

Parakeets roost in large numbers. The largest roost is in Hersham in Surrey with over 15000 thought to be gathering together. They feed on buds, berries, seeds, fruit, vegetables and nuts and can travel several miles to forage. Garden feeders are also visited on a regular basis so they colonise mainly urban areas but they do fly to agricultural land to feed. A large colony is established in Richmond Park and there is concern that due to increasing numbers and the amount of seeds they eat, they may be a threat to the red deer’s food source. However, it seems an unlikely concern as reed deer mainly rely on grasses, acorns and shrubs.

In 2009 the Government, without the necessary evidence, officially classed the parakeets as a pest so they can now be shot without special permission if they are causing a problem. This is stated to be as a precaution only.

Imperial College London started an enquiry in 2010 into the effects the birds are having but this has only produced a small amount of evidence against the parakeets.

A few buildings such as churches have reported damage to tiles as the parakeets try to find a hole underneath to nest in. There is concern about the roost of 4500 birds at Stanwell as they are only 900 meters from the end of the runway at Heathrow, but there have been no incidents of

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bird strikes from the Parakeets to date.

It is expected that they will continue to spread and expand their range so more sightings in Suffolk and possibly Norfolk are likely. Oxford University and MAFF are currently doing research into the colonisation and possible future problems but there is little information available at the present time.

Love them or hate them, the roosts can be spectacular to watch. The big roosts are still mainly in London and the South East but it won’t be long before large numbers can be watched in East Anglia. At some venues several thousand birds gather together as the sun goes down.

Wormwood scrubs is a good place to go for a large roost.

You might want to take ear plugs as they make a great deal of noise.

Four-spot Chaser between the two others. This article concentrates on the first two suborders.

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Dragon or Damsel?

For many newcomers to wildlife identification one of the problem areas is deciding on the difference between a dragonfly and a damselfly. Summer is an excellent time to get out and look for them so here is a basic guide to help you decide.

All damselflies and dragonflies come from the same order which is a level of classification that people who name animals called taxonimists use to determine a different group of species, This family group is Odonata which means “toothed jaw” as they have serrated mouth parts The order is further divided into three suborders Ansoptera, the dragonflies, Zygoptera the damselflies and Anisozygoptera which is a group in

Banded Demoiselle

Apart from a few subtle differences there is little to tell them apart and many things they actually have in common, for instance both rely on fresh water, they both have compound eyes to see all around them, they both have 6 legs that they hold in a basket shape to catch insects, both predate insects for food and both have a good list of species that think of them as a delicacy.

Because of this they are considered an important part of the food chain and of the ecosystem.

• Damselflies are mostly smaller than dragonflies and do not fly so strongly. As they are weaker in flight they stay close to the water’s edge, whereas dragonflies can be found a fair distance away from water.

• If looking at the larvae, damselflies have three external plates at the end of their abdomen which act as accessory gills, dragonflies do not as there gills are inside the body • Damselflies tend to hold their wings along the body when resting where as dragonflies hold their wings out from the body.

• Damselflies have eyes that never touch and appear separated whereas dragonflies are are bigger and always meet somewhere near the top of the head.

• The wings of a damselfly are equal in size a dragonflies wings are dissimilar with the hind wings being broader at the base • Dragonflies are usually stocky but the damselflies tend to be slender and therefore appear long, however, out of the UK the largest Odonata is the Helicopter Damselfly from Hawaii – just to confuse things.

The largest UK dragonfly, a Hawker, has a 120mm wingspan and the largest damselfly which is a demoiselle,is 60mm • The life expectancy of a dragonfly is longer .

In the UK a typical dragonfly will live out of water for around 2 months but the damselfly will only live for two weeks.

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Wildlife Photography

HOW TO START Where to start can be a bit daunting, but it needn’t be, the first thing you need to decide is what you want to get out of it. Is it just a hobby for you? Do you want to print and display to other people or do you want to go further? Once you have decided this it will determine whether you need a good bridge camera or a DSLR. For the hobbiest, there are many excellent bridge cameras on the market with a good in built zoom so your family camera can extend its range and take some photos of wildlife a bit further away. This is also easier than carrying heavier DSLRs and lenses. These cameras are continually improving so you will need to do your research to make sure it has all the functions you need. They don’t all offer the same facilities; some don’t offer the better quality RAW files, others don’t have continuous burst shooting (several shots one after the other), and some are actually very complicated to use with settings and controls well hidden in the menus. Sometimes bridge cameras won’t allow you to combine settings, such as shooting RAW files when you want to do a continuous burst. With both typesof camera it is not all about how many mega pixels the camera has, but about the quality of the processor and generally the more you spend the better the processor is.

DSLRs are not so varied mainly because there is not so much choice on the market. The two main players are Nikon and Canon, but Sony have a good range and Olympus and Fuji have a limited range with just a few interchangeable lenses.

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If it is just the cost putting you off a DSLR then don’t worry, (some bridge cameras work out as being nearly as expensive). There is always the option of buying slightly older equipment on the second hand market. Companies such as WEX, London Camera Exchange and the Norfolk Camera Centre sell good quality second hand gear that has been checked out with a guarantee, or you could try your luck on the web auctions. Just make sure that the equipment, especially lenses, are not too old, as glass/fluorite lenses do have lifespan before they start to deteriorate. Generally the cheaper the body the less actuations (shots) it will take before the processor gives up.

Canon EOS 700D Is a perfect starter camera

Most of the DSLR body makes are very similar and of equally good quality so it is really personal choice as to which you go for. Lenses can however vary greatly in price and weight. Think before you buy and have a look to see who offers the most versatility for what you need.

Remember with photography the higher the number in milimetres the

Canon 100-400mm Lens further you will be able to reach. It is better to have a lens designed specifically for your make as they will be more balanced but obviously going for something like a Sigma lens will be a lot cheaper and can also give decent results.

Going into a shop and looking at a large array of lenses can make a choice difficult as there are many to select from. With wildlife it is simplified as you either need distance or macro (close up for insects and plants). To start, 50mm lens will be how the eye sees i.e. 1:1 so therefore a 400mm lens will be 8 times magnification. Then it gets a little more complicated as some camera bodies are full frame and some have a crop sensor adding to how you see through the lens.

With lenses it is very much a case of the more you spend the better the

Nikon DSLR

expensive.

It can be very difficult when starting to get the right equipment and many shops will sell what they make the most profit on and not necessarily what is the best for you, so do some of your own research and if you have a friend with a DSLR ask if you can borrow it for a couple of hours to try it out . If you wish to spend a bit more a go for a more professional

camera, hire the model first before you buy and give it a try. The forums can also be useful but some give very conflicting information as there is more than one way to get a good picture and sometimes the information is actually incorrect.

Then book yourself on a beginner’s course in your local area and find out more about your camera, the law and some basic field craft.

‘‘Food so good, the entire population of Norfolk should be queuing to get in’’

Bird watch Week ing end

The Guardian

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quality the lens. Most cheaper lenses are plastic which will not deteriorate as much as glass lenses, but will not give you such a sharp image. Cheaper lenses will generally take longer to get focus or hunt and this can be very frustrating if you are trying to capture a moving target or doing close up macro work. Remember the bigger the diameter of the lens the more light it will let in allowing you to shoot in poorer light conditions and get more detail.

If your lens comes with a lens hood, use it. It will protect the lens and stop side flare (light coming in from the side) allowing you to use the whole frame. With digital cameras you do not need to buy filters to protect your lens and add effects. The hood will protect the glass and you can add effects later in photoshop, a filter will reduce the quality of your image.

Make sure you buy enough memory cards. Nothing is more frustrating than having a Bittern suddenly appear and wander past the hide you are in to find you used up your lasts shots on the cute Mallard chicks that wandered into view. You don’t need to buy massive cards as they do break and corrupt and then you have a lot to lose, it is better to buy a few medium sized ones. Buy as much speed with the cards as you can afford as this affects the time it takes to write the information to the card, which will be more of a problem if you like to use continuous burst. The bigger the mega pixels of the camera the longer it takes to write and the more card space you will use.

Batteries are also important. With the professional cameras this is not such an issue as the batteries themselves are very large and will last over 1000 shots. With entry level DSLRs and bridge cameras it is very necessary to buy spares and keep them charged as some only last 200300 shots before the batteries die.

Generic batteries can be useful to keep a spares if genuine ones are too

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Photographing Schedule 1 Bird Species

will enable excellent views with patience and possibly photographic opportunities without disturbance or the need to leave the footpath.

There is actually nothing wrong in photographing birds during the breeding season with common sense but that’s where the main concerns start. Most birds are creatures of habit and so territorial movements can be seen from a distance and by observing the routine first, it may help you achieve better photographs.

Barn Owl There seems to a growing trend of people starting in bird photography and bird watching with little or no knowledge of what they are actually photographing and totally unaware that wildlife and especially a number of bird’s, are protected under legislation called the Wildlife & Countryside Act of 1981.

I hear you say “what’s that and how can that affect me”. Well, a large number of bird species are protected from disturbance during the breeding season and it is illegal to wantonly take appropriate steps which may affect the welfare of young birds still dependant on regular feeding from adult birds.

The act enables anyone to be prosecuted where disturbance to a nest site has caused adults to abandon the young in the nest. It is actually a fairly emotive subject as the guidelines do not give a clear indication on what the photographer or observer is actually allowed to do but the desire to get that award winning shot can easily lead to some form of disturbance. The wildlife should be respected and working within the guidelines of the legislation should allowed the continued enjoyment for watchers for years to come.

The Dartford warblers on Dunwich Heath in Suffolk have attracted a number of photographers who seem to have overstepped the mark to the extent that the local press have highlighted the issue recently. There are a number of males holding territory on the heath which can be seen singing from regular bushes on their patch, careful observation 16.

Tape luring is strictly forbidden and against the law and can lead to adult birds abandoning their nests causing failure in breeding. The footpaths that criss-cross the heath are designed to protect both birds and habitat and therefore moving into the heather and the birds territory to gain that extra few feet is not appropriate behaviour.

The best advice is to keep away from the area during the breeding season to reduce disturbance to a minimum.

Give them time and visit the area for photography later in the year when breeding has finished.

I often see stunning images of Barn Owls on the net which suggest that the photographer has stood just outside the next box. We know of one example where Barn Owls nesting in a church tower in Norfolk failed to fledge because a local photographer sat on a step ladder outside the church for four days until the young birds were so desperate that they actually came to the opening looking for the adults. The photographer had little respect or concern for the birds welfare, only about Dartford Warbler

winning a club photography competition. To him it was only a bird.

Let’s hope we can educate everyone to work with the Wildlife and Countryside act of 1981 and be aware that birds such Kingfisher, Barn Owl, Cetti’s Warbler to name a few are protected and disturbance should be kept to minimum. It should however be common sense in the first place to disturb no wildlife whilst in the breeding season.

Below is the list: Avocet Bee-eater Bittern Bittern, little Bluethroat Brambling Bunting, cirl Bunting, Lapland Bunting, snow Buzzard, honey Capercaillie (Scotland only) Chough Corncrake Crake, spotted Crossbills (all species) Divers (all species) Dotterel Duck, long-tailed Eagle, golden Eagle, white-tailed Falcon, gyr Fieldfare Firecrest Garganey Godwit, black-tailed Goshawk Cetti’s Warbler

Grebe, black-necked Grebe, Slavonian Greenshank Gull, little Gull, Mediterranean Harriers (all species) Heron, purple Hobby Hoopoe Kingfisher Kite, red Merlin Oriole, golden Osprey Owl, barn Owl, snowy Peregrine Petrel, Leach’s Phalarope, red-necked Plover, Kentish Plover, little ringed Quail, common Redstart, black Redwing Rosefinch, scarlet Ruff Sandpiper, green Sandpiper, purple Sandpiper, wood Scaup Scoter, common Scoter, velvet Serin Shorelark Shrike, red-backed Spoonbill Stilt, black-winged Stint, Temminck’s Stone-curlew Swan, Bewick’s Swan, whooper Tern, black Tern, little Tern, roseate Tit, bearded Tit, crested Treecreeper, short-toed Warbler, Cetti’s Warbler, Dartford Warbler, marsh Warbler, Savi’s Whimbrel Woodlark Wryneck 17.

Desert Warbler in Norfolk The first spring record of Desert warbler was recorded on Blakeney Point between the 27th of May and the 1st of June 1993. The bird proved to be very popular with a constant stream of admirers visiting the site over the Bank holiday weekend. The bird was located near halfway house which meant a reasonable distance to walk to catch a glimpse of this mega bird.

The bird was showing extremely well and during the morning it was sitting up on top of sueda bushes often coming as close as twenty feet. It was soon noted that bird was actually attempting to make a nest and was seen carrying material to a small clump time and time again. Later in the afternoon the bird was heard in full

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song so was identified as a male.

The Desert Warbler was overshadowed on the Sunday

by Britain’s first twitchable Pacific Swift at the nearby nature reserve of Cley Next the Sea, which was discovered around 11.00am in the morning. Birders arriving for the warbler soon found themselves in a mad dash back down Blakeney Point for this incredible record. Over the next few hours a deluge of birders arrived from all over the UK, but many were disappointed as the bird had left by around 4.00pm in the afternoon.

There were some birders who had been fortunate to add three birds to their list in one day as the Oriental Pratincole at Gimingham had still been drawing a small crowd on a daily basis.

Blast from the past

Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides) is a migrant which breeds across Southern Europe with vagrants often finding their way to the Brisitsh Isles in early spring with birds recorded in southern counties. This adult took up residence at Earith fishing lakes in Cambridgeshire in August 2007 and was seen moving through the lily pads giving excellent and attractive viewing.

White-crowned Sparrow ( Zonotrichia leucophrys) which is native to North America is an extreme vagrant to the British Isles with this individual representing the fourth record for Britain. The bird was located in private gardens at Cley-next-the sea in January 2008 and delighted the visiting birders for a number of weeks with the added bonus of raising funds for the local church restoration fund.

Thrush Nightingale (Luscinia luscinia) is fairly common throughout its range in Eastern Europe but occurs in Britain only as a vagrant generally in the spring. This individual was photographed at Land guard nature reserve in Suffolk along the ridge North of the ringing compound in September 1995. The bird was very elusive at first but during its stay, could often be seen foraging out in the open. The bird has a distinctive rufous tail and is generally a darker brown in appearance than its cousin the nightingale

Red-rumped Swallow (Cecropis daurica) breeds throughout Southern Europe and often occurs in Britain as a spring overshoot and has been recorded in most counties with greater numbers of records from the south. The structure is different to barn swallow with a more prominent fork in the tail, slight streaking on the breasr and generally dusky underparts. Often found with migrating swallows and martins especially hawking over open water. This individual was photographed at Great Barling in Essex in June 1994.

19.

Did you know?

Butterflies don’t have lungs – they breathe through holes in their abdomens called spiracles.

A barn owls range can cover as much as 5000 hectares. The barn owl’s heart-shaped face collects sound in the same way as human ears. Its hearing is the most sensitive of any creature tested

The correct name for the Wren is the Winter Wren but as the UK has only one species most only know it as the Wren. Per unit of weight, the wren’s song is 10 times the power of a cockerel.

Hedgehogs have 5000- 7000 spines which fall out yearly. Thee name hedgehog was first used in the 15th century.

Adders are Britain’s only venomous snake. The adders eyes are very unique for the British species, being large with a reddish colour and vertical pupil.

The little owl was introduced to Britain from Holland in 1889 and it was then known as the ‘fierce little foreigner’.

The only two animals that can see behind itself without turning its head are the rabbit and the parrot.

Ladybirds are pretty poisonous (and pretty) and can bleed foul-tasting poisonous brightly coloured blood from their knees.

Water voles are very strong swimmers and can swim up to 500m on the surface or 15m underwater.

20.

Red-footed Falcon, Horsey, Norfolk

Bitterns

Botaurus stellaris. Family Ardeidae The Bittern has the highest protection level in the UK as it is listed as a schedule 1 species of the Wildlife and Country side act of 1981 – conservation status RED. Although The Bittern is in decline elsewhere it is not considered at risk worldwide.

Bitterns were fairly common in the UK but after becoming a favourite on the Tudor dinner table and finding themselves the target of taxidermists in the 18th and 19th Century, numbers declined sharply. Towards the end of the 19th century they were actually extinct in the UK but began to re-colonise Norfolk in 1911 from Europe. After the 1950’s further loss of reed bed habitat compounded the struggle until in 1997 only 14 were recorded More recently due to better land management and reed bed protection, numbers are beginning to increase. Researchers discovered that it wasn’t just the loss of habitat but the drying out of the reed beds that was affecting them, so this has been reversed.

The majority of Bitterns are still found in Norfolk and

Suffolk but they have spread to Somerset, Lincolnshire, Lancashire, Kent and other parts of Southern England.104 male bitterns were counted booming in 2011 which was a positive jump from the 87 recorded in 2010 and most were recorded on nature reserves.

The Bitterns mating call or boom can be heard from over 2km away (mainly from March to June). To make the sound they fill their gullets with air and then expel it, creating a sound unique to each individual. The males often mate with several different females who lay up to 6 eggs deep in the reed bed but the male does not help with nest building or rearing the young. There is little difference in appearance between male and female apart from size which is difficult unless you have a pair standing together, but the male is slightly larger The diet of the bittern consists of what they can find in the marshes, fish, amphibians and insects. Their feath-

ers are so beautifully camouflaged with the reeds that they can virtually disappear especially as they can stand still for quite a while. If they are startled they raise their beaks skyward to blend in even further with the background. They are quite distinctive in flight with rounded wings and have a wingspan or 130cm.

Some Bitterns stay in the UK throughout the winter although finding food can be a struggle. Whitlingham Broad in Norwich has been a good spot to see them during the winter in the last few years as has Strumpshaw RSPB. The winter of 2009/2010 was particularly cold and

the RSPB put out a request to its reserves with Bitterns to allow supplementary feeding after prolonged spells of ice.

The tidal surge and bad weather during November 2013 has flooded some of the Bitterns breeding grounds. Salt water kills the fish they feed on so although they may return to the coastal reserves affected, their food source will be depleted. We will have to wait and see if they are still able to breed in 2014 23.

Norfolk Papilo Machaon Britannicus

Swallowtails There are 59 different types of butterfly in the UK. One of the rarer species is the Swallowtail butterfly, only found in fenlands and places where there are sustainable amounts of milk parsley. They are the largest British butterfly with a wingspan of around 10cm, and are now only found in Norfolk. Swallowtail butterflies lay their eggs on milk parsley plants, which is the caterpillars only food source. The adults also need nectar from flowers such as flag iris, ragged robin or common valerian.

ty counting them The scientific method is called transect recording and it is where a walk is set up that lasts about 45 minutes to an hour that provides a fair representation of the habitat you are recording. The route must also be placed considering how the reserve or area might change in the future, and should then be split into 5-15 sections that represent a change in habitat or management. This route is then followed throughout the year and is not changed. The walk takes place once every week from the 1st of April till the end of September. Regardless of the day of the week, the count begins on the 1st of April, and lasts until the 7th For the count to be estimated, at least half of the weeks have to have been recorded. Many areas that have been recording swallowtail sightings have only been casually recording the data (a less scientific way of collecting the data that is explained later); therefore it is difficult to compare older data with more accurate, modern data. However, recently there has been a large push to try and improve the way that they are being recorded.

Yellow Flag Iris

The swallowtail butterfly is found in places in the Norfolk broads where the vegetation consists of lower level bushes and trees. This is because taller vegetation can overshadow the milk parsley and prevent it from growing as big as the butterflies need it to be.

Mostly, there is only one brood of Swallowtails a year, starting in May to mid or late June. However there is often a second, smaller brood that flies in August.

The scarcity of these butterflies can lead to difficul 24.

Some recordings go back to the seventies, however, many have only been set up recently. Bure marshes started recording numbers for all butterflies using the transect method in 1976, Hickling started in 1995 and

Strumpshaw started in 2008. Wheatfen, Ranworth broad, Catfield fen and a different Strumpshaw route started recording Swallowtail butterflies in 2010 which means that whereas you can see where butterflies have been in those reserves, you cannot judge how many have been there in the past. Sutton fen also started a transect count in 2010.

The most reliable figure is the abundance index and this is can be different to the total due to gaps where the data was estimated. From the data from 2008 to 2010, there was an increase in the number of recorded butterflies. For instance, in 2008, Bure Marshes recorded an index of 24 butterflies but in 2010, they recorded 42. Hickling broad recorded 9 swallowtails in 2008 but in 2010 this was increased to 22. In Strumpshaw fen, there have been the same amount of swallowtail recorded but by far the most impressive data is from the new transect route in Sutton fen. In 2010 they recorded 78 swallowtail butterflies.

Casual sightings 2006,2007,2008,2009,2010 & 2012.

The second way of recording butterflies is less scientific and can only be relied upon to collect data about where the butterflies have been seen. Figures 2,3,4,5 and 6 show where people have seen butterflies and reported it. This method is far less accurate as you can see from a few of the maps; there are anomalous results, which could have occurred for different reasons. The butterflies may well have been another species such as the more common European swallowtail or could have been illegally released from someone who bred them.

Though not by much, the population of the swallowtail butterfly is slowly rising thanks to management in reserves and awareness. With the current trend, we can expect to see more and more of these butterflies in our reserves and wild places with each year.

Written by Roanna Benfield

With thanks to Chris Dawson, Butterfly conservation, Norfolk transect co-ordinator David Nobbs Ted Ellis Trust, Warden Maps– Andy Brazil, Norfolk County Butterfly Recorder.

25.

Local Reserve

Minsmere RSPB

Red Deer

The jewel in the RSPB’s crown, Minsmere, is on a beautiful piece of coastline between Southwold and Aldburgh. There is visible evidence of the area’s history, on a small mound to the South of the reserve, where Sizewell Power Station’s globe rises over the horizon.

Here are the ruins of a chapel which was originally part of Leiston Abbey. In more modern times the land was farmed until it was flooded as part of the second world war defences of which the anti tank concrete cubes can still be seen on the beach. The RSPB leased 610 hectares of land from the Ogilvie family and then purchased it in 1977. Since then more of the surrounding farm land has been purchased. The reserve now covers more than 4 square miles of varied habitat with many miles of lovely walks.

The reserve is made up of reed beds, open water, woodland, scrub, lowland heath, grassland, dune and shingle. Nearly 3.5% of the UK’s reed bed is at Minsmere, creating many areas hidden from the public for rare species to thrive and breed. The reserve is open every day, except 26th and 26th December, from 9am to 5pm to members and non-members, however there is quite a hefty £7.50 entry fee for adults if you do not have a RSPB membership card. There is a long circular route with 7 hides overlooking woodland, reed Bittern

26.

bed, scrape and open water and there is a public hide on the beach, which gets a bit windy. All the hides offer great views, and give the opportunity to spot one of over 100 species of bird resident on the reserve.

During much of the year, it is a good reserve to see Bittern wandering around the water’s edge or flying over the reeds, and in the summer you can watch the aerial antics of hobbies snatching dragonflies out of the air.

Summer is a good time of year to view the Marsh Harriers that thrive on the marshes.

At one stage, Minsmere had the last 4 Marsh Harriers in the UK before habitat management changed to stop the decline of reed beds. Now they have bred and dispersed across the UK, they are often seen in East Anglia.

One of the more common birds, the Swallow, breeds in the sluices on the South corner of the reserve and when the young are becoming more independent they sit in the brambles and on the footpath sign posing

Adder, Clouded Yellow,

View from Bittern Hide

for photographs. Near the visitor centre there is also a large sand bank in which Sand Martins sometimes breed. There is a path at the bottom of the bank where you can stand and watch as they fly overhead, calling.

The reserve does have a good list of non resident visitors such as Spoonbill, Pallas’s Warbler, Roseate Tern, Yellow-browed Warbler, Short-eared Owls, Little Bunting and Great White Egret and it attracts many of the more common species of migrants as they pass through.

Minsmere isn’t just about the birds, it also has a large herd of over 650 red deer that are often visible from the hides or whilst walking around. The woodland

walk is a good place to see them, as is the drive into the reserve, and they can sometimes be just a few feet away. Bittern hide is a particularly good spot as they frequently use the path to the dyke just under the hide, to cross from the woodland to the reed bed and need to swim the dyke to get there. Family groups sometimes stay on the path for a while waiting for the whole group to cross. In the autumn local trips are organised to see the rut but currently there is a charge of ÂŁ75 per person, however you may be lucky enough to see the Red Deer rutting whilst on the reserve. Muntjac Deer are also regulars of the woodland and use the dyke running alongside the woodland to drink from.

Otters have firmly populated the reserve but are mostly hidden from view. If you have the patience to wait, they sometimes come near Island Mere Hide or may be seen swimming across the water in front of Bittern Hide and luckily viewings are becoming more

Swallow

you see someone retreating hastily, as not everyone is pleased to see them.

For those interested in other forms of wildlife the reserve has a very impressive list of moths and butterflies. So far there are over 1018 species and some areas of reserve have yet to be moth trapped. 2013 was a particularly good year for butterflies and the reserve had many visiting clouded yellows an immigrant from Southern Europe and North Africa, Look out for fungi in the autumn under the trees in the woodland as many forms are found here.

Round Up

Spring: Migrants, Waders, Nightingale, Waterfowl, Northern Wheatear, Green Woodpecker

Summer: Marsh Harrier, Bearded Tit, Hobby, Kingfisher, Spoonbill, Butterflies, Dragonflies, Terns, Swallows.

Martins and Waders, Autumn: Migrants, Sea Birds, Waders, Harriers, Red Deer and Waterfowl.

Spoonbill, Nightingale

frequent as numbers in the area continue to increase.

Spend a while on the beach watching the sea and you may be able to see one of the common seals that live on this coast. They are easier to spot when the water is calm and still but they often look to the shore to see who is watching.

When you visit keep your eyes open for Minsmere’s reptiles. If you visit in early spring on a warm sunny day, Adders and common lizards can sometimes be seen either in the grass edge or on the footpath, sunning themselves, or basking. The North Wall can be quite a suntrap if it is not too windy, but they can be quite difficult to spot, although you may find them if

Winter: Waterfowl, Waders, Finches, Buntings, Bramblings, Waxwings, Short Eared Owl, Snow Buntings, Red Deer and Otter Hobby

27

If you haven’t already been – the Farne Islands are a must if you have a love of wildlife and history, and if you have been, revisit, it is always special. Nothing beats the cacophony of sound that greets your ears when you first step off the boat or the pungent smell of seabird.

St Cuthbert lived on the islands and established laws in 676 to protect the eider ducks and other seabirds, creating the first recorded nature reserve. The islands then remained occupied by a small group of Monks until Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries. The first lighthouse on the islands was built in

The Farne Islands are made from igneous dolerite rock and range from 2.5-7.5km from the coast at Seahouses. The islands are accessible by boat only and there are several companies with organised trips at the harbour, leaving several times a day following the tides. Most trips circle the Islands, and get close to the lighthouse, for around £13 per person but some offer the chance to Land on Inner Farne and occasionally Staple Island. There is a further charge to pay to the National Trust as an entrance fee to the island, which is currently £6.40 from May to July and £5.40 at other times. This is payable on landing to the National Trust Wardens, but if you are a member it is free on showing your card. All boat trips include a tour, with information on the story of the lighthouse, the wreck

1673. The current Longstone Lighthouse was built by Joseph Nelson in 1825 and cost £4,771 (approximately £400,000 today*). The lighthouse is famous for the story of Grace Darling, who moved to the lighthouse in January 1826. She and her father bravely rescued 21 people from the sinking ship the Forfarshire.

Currently no one lives on the Farne Islands except for Kittiwake the wardens who live in the old Pele Tower on Inner of the Forfarshire and wildlife of the area. May and Farne and in the lighthouse cottage on Brownsman.

July are the most popular months to visit as it is during the breeding season. This gives the opportunity to get up close and personal to many of the species with young. There are more than 20 species resident in the breeding season on the islands including Puffins, Guillimotts, Arctic Terns, Sandwich Terns, Shags, Razorbills and Kittiwake. The wildlife has got used to the boats bringing visitors to see them and often launch from the rock faces, right over the top of visitor’s heads. They then head out to sea to fish in the rich waters along the Northumberland coast.

If you watch closely you may see them return with beaks full of sand eels, small fish and invertebrates, for their young.

29.

Trips are subject to the weather but the best way to see the birds is to land and spend an hour walking around the island. It is advisable to take a hat during the breeding season in case they decide you are too close to their nests and try to peck your head. If you do land, be advised that disabled visitors would find getting on and off the boat and climbing the path up to the top of the island treacherous.

research and a Farne Island Arctic Tern still holds the record for the longest distance travelled. It was ringed in the Farnes in 1982 and made it all the way to Melbourne, Australia Rare visitors have been known to visit the islands including an Aleutian tern in 1979, a lesser crested tern from 1984 – 1987 and a bridled

Arctic tern

tern in 2013. During the spring and autumn migration other visitors such as Bluethroat, Olive-backed Pipit, Yellow-breasted Bunting and Rustic Bunting sometimes appear.

The islands are also home to a large colony of around

There are approximately 150,000 birds on the islands but most visitors go to see the puffins who oust the local rabbits during the breeding season as they nest below ground. This seems a very sensible move as gulls hang around outside burrows trying to steal sand eels before the puffins can disappear below ground. There are around 90000 burrows on the islands and thankfully numbers have begun to increase over the last few years. The 2013 census showed an 8% increase on the 2008 survey.

You do need to watch your feet as terns breed right on the edge of the footpath and puffins scuttle across the path when you are least expecting it. This makes it a perfect place for photography and it is even possible to get a full frame shot with a wide angle lens, the birds get so close. Make sure you are ready though, with only an hour on the island you don’t want to waste time setting up your kit. Because of the number of visitors and the shortage of space on the boats, a tripod will be a hindrance so if you need support, a monopod is a great idea.

Many of the young birds are ringed every year to aid Puffin

30.

Bridled tern

Grey Seals

3000 breeding grey seals and visits to the islands to see the pups can be arranged in October on Staple Island. Diving trips may also allow for contact with the seals.

The National Trust Rangers have a Farne Island blog for more information. http://farnephoto.blogspot. co.uk/staple Island. *measuringworth.com Razorbill

Puffin, Guillimott,Atctic Tern Chick, Arctic Tern Adult, Guillimott, Arctic Tern, Shag, Puffin

Identification of Common, Arctic and Roseate Terns.

The three species are all members of the family tern Family Sternidae.

Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii Basic Description: The Adult birds have a thin black bill and in the breeding season the base of the bill becomes redder. It is shorter-winged and has faster wing beats than Common or Arctic Tern. The upper wings are pale grey and it’s under parts white, it also looks very pale in flight, like a small Sandwich Tern, although the outermost primary flight feathers darken during the summer.

The adults have very long, flexible tail streamers and orange-red legs. In summer, the under parts of adults can appear to have a pinkish wash. The juvenile birds are very similar to Common tern except the bill is completely black.

Range : The breeding range in the UK is restricted to Northumberland with the island of Coquet off the coast at Amble having over a hundred pairs. Here the

32.

breeding success has been aided by the RSPB Wardens putting out nest boxes to protect the terns from marauding gulls.. There is strictly no access to the island during the breeding season but after post breeding some birds may be seen roosting on the beach on Inner Farne and along the beaches in the

Basic Description: The Common Tern’s upper wings are pale grey, but as the summer wears on, the dark feather shafts of the outer feathers become exposed, and a grey wedge appears on the wings.

The rump and tail are white, and on a standing bird the long tail extends no further than the folded wing-tips.

There are no significant dif-

Adult Roseate Tern in breeding plumage

vacinity. The birds are often recorded at east coast sites such as Cley in Norfolk and Minsmere in Suffolk as they begin their migration back to the areas of West Africa.

Fact The Roseate Tern is primarily a tropical bird and breeds across the world in tropical oceans.

Common Tern Sterna Hirundo

ferences between the sexes.

In non-breeding adults the forehead and under parts become white, the bill is all black or black with a red base, and the legs are dark red or black. The upper wings have an obvious dark area at the front edge of the wing.

Juvenile Common Terns have pale grey upper wings with a dark carpal bar. The crown and nape are brown, and the forehead is ginger, wearing

on Inner Farne in Northumberland making this a good place to compare the differences in plumage.

Fact In North America the Coomon Tern is ometimes called the Sea Swallow.

Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea

Adult Common Tern taken in August showing wear to outer primaries

to white by autumn. The upper parts are ginger with brown and white scaling, and the tail lacks the adult’s long outer feathers. Birds in their first post-juvenile plumage, which normally remain in their wintering areas, resemble the non-breeding adult, but have a duskier crown, dark carpal bar, and

often very worn plumage.

Range : Their breeding is not restricted to coastal scrapes and so they breed throughout the UK and can often be found nesting on inland waterways on gravel spits or man-made rafts positioned in suitable habitat. They breed alongside Arctic Terns

Basic Description The adults are grey above, with a black nape and crown and with white cheeks. The upper wings are pale grey, with the area near the wing tip being translucent. The tail is white, and the under parts pale grey. Both sexes are similar in appearance.

The winter plumage is similar, but the crown is whiter and the bills are darker. The bill is a deep blood red in

Adult Common Tern in breeding plumage in early summer

33.

breeding plumage and they appear shorter in appearance as the orange-red legs are shorter than on Common Tern.

Juveniles differ from adults in their black bill and legs, “scaly� appearing wings, and mantle with dark feather tips, dark carpal wing bar, and short tail streamers than those of the adults, Range: Breeds throughout the Northern Hemisphere and in the UK the soutern most breeding site is now located on the Farne Islands in Northumberland. They tend to breed in small colonies on coastal areas from the Farnes and northern isles including Shetland and the Orkneys. They also are often recorded on passage in the south with birds moving through inland sites in small numbers.

34.

Fact Arctic Terns travel greater distances than any other bird whilst on migration - around 40,000km to its wintering grounds off Antartica.

Above Adult Arctic tern in Summer Plumage. Below adult with chicks on the Farne Islands

Find the 7 differences. Answers on the inside back page

35..

Listing

36.

Bird watching is a hobby where many likes to record

what they have seen - listing. The birdwatcher can use any form of listing from the simple check-list where all new sighting are just ticks on a list or using special software enabling the user to make a comprehensive

list of their sightings.

If you are serious about listing you may consider the following lists.: 1.

Garden list including anything that has landed

or flown directly over the area in question 2.

Local patch which includes the area you check

on a regular basis 3.

County list 4.

British life list 5.

Year list Continuing sheets will be in following editions of the magazine.

37.

Wildlife Reserves Abroad Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Florida There are many great nature reserves to cover, so this edition of the magazine starts with a small reserve in South Florida, Wakodahatchee. This reserve is easily accessible from the Miami area being just 56 minutes to the North, and is in a suburban area which can be tricky to find, in Delaray Beach, Palm Beach County.

If you are visiting the area on Holiday, there is plenty if accommodation in the nearby areas of Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Boca Raton. Like most of the small reserves we found in Florida this reserve has free admission which is a bog bonus and a good sized car park. There is no visitor centre.

The reserve is only 50 acres but is packed full of easy bird watching and wildlife viewing. It is actually a water filteration system for the Water Utilities Department who pump two million gallons of highly treated water into the reserve everyday to let the marsh naturally filter out the last of the nutrients. The wetlands are a great example of how you can treat water safely and give something back to the environment at the same time. During inclement weather the area is also used to take storm water to protect the local area and to help stop further downstream from flooding. The word Wakodahatchee originates from the Seminole Indian language and means “created waters”, so the reserves name is highly appropriate.

Getting around the reserve couldn’t be easier as it is accessed via a ¾ mile well constructed boardwalk which has small canopied areas in case it gets too hot. It is divided into sections with open water with shelved edges, wet forest, scrubby islands, marsh grassland and reed edges. Much of the wildlife is viewable from only a few meters away and some may even land right next to you on the hand rail or be just below your feet feeding by the side of the boardwalk.

For a relatively small reserve it has an impressive species list, with some 140 birds recorded, plus turtles, frogs, reptiles, marsh rabbits and alligators. It is easy to

Green Heron, Alligator and Wilson’s Snipe 38.

tick 40 species in a fairly short amount of time, including, Pied Billed Grebe, Solitary Sandpiper, Sora Rails, Wilson’s Snipe, Blue Winged Teal, Tri-coloured Heron, Black-necked Stilt and Eastern Screech Owl (which often has its head out of a box watching the bird watchers). Alligators are so close it is possible to get wet from the spray when they spin close to the boardwalk trying to drown their prey.

There is a good list of wetland flora all year round including large areas of fireflag, pond apple , carolina willow, spikerush, pickerelweed, duck potato, sabal palms and arrowhead.

It is a very friendly reserve where the locals show great

delight in helping visitors by pointing out things you may miss. We only dropped in at the end of the day for a few minutes but enjoyed it so much we got up early and went back for a second visit the next day. This is definately a camera friendly reserve, even with a small lens, and great to introduce the family to some wildlife too as you don’t need to spend hours waiting to spot something – it will come and find you. Also we will point out that this is probably the best reserve we have ever been to for wheelchair users.

There are other good reserves in the area such as Green

Cay Nature Centre, Boynton Beach which is 17 minutes away which is a new reserve with 100 acres of wetlands with 1.5 miles of boardwalk, Gumbo limbo is also in the area and is a nature reserve and a turtle rescue centre which is 26 minutes south. Palm Beach County has a further 12 Nature reserves so it is a great area to spend a few days.

Blue Heron, Black-necked Stilt, Purple Gallinule and Red Bellied Turtles

Major Bird Ecology of the Mashatu Region, Botswana Extracts from an Essay by Samantha Benfield

There are a wide range of strategies and adaptations utilised by birds within the Mashatu region, which aid survival within the complex environment. Problems encountered include, but are not limited to; scarcity of, and access to food, predation, climate, breeding, and finding a mate. This report focuses on some of the most successful birds observed within the region, and considers some of the strategies and adaptations utilised by each.

Some birds encountered within the Mashatu region are also seen within the British Isles, Such as the Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica). Yet despite the differences in environment, including climate, these species easily survive in both regions. There are many others that do not migrate, and remain only within Africa.

As such, some attempt has been made to consider the general ecology of birds within the UK in comparison.

However, due to the vast ecology of birds, the following report is only a brief summation of some aspects of ecological importance.

Diet

Within the United Kingdom, birds are predominantly insect-eaters, or seed eaters, with the notable exceptions of the raptors and carrion eaters, of which there are a few. Within the Mashatu region, however, there is a much greater range of diets, from the grass seed eaters and the insectivorous, to those that feed on nectar – such as Sunbirds, and a greater array of raptors that feed on reptiles, carrion, and smaller birds, for example.

Red Billed Quelea (Quelea quelea)

The Red Billed Quelea is a grass seed eater that relies on the 927 distinct species of grass that can be found in Mashatu during the summer. One of the most abundant species on earth, the Quelea are colonial, and gather in huge numbers where there is good quality grass seed. [Fig.2] As local migrants, they move away during the dry season to follow the food source. Their beak is wide and blunt, designed for prising open the seed cases to get at the protein within. Due to their high numbers, they are regarded as a pest species (Elliot, 2008). In the UK, a similar bird might be the House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), that can gather in relatively large number 40,

in urban areas.

Red-billed Queleas

Vultures

Vultures are specialized carrion eaters, though some have been observed to participate in social hunting in times of scarcity – particularly the Lappet-Faced Vulture. (Aegypius tracheliotos ) Typically most vultures are solitary when travelling, though often come together in large groups around a kill, for breeding, or when they gather on the ground to bask after feeding.

Vultures are known for demonstrating food partitioning, according to ecological niches. For example, the White backed Vultures (Gyps africanus) [Fig.3] are relatively numerous, and low flying – as a result they are more likely to identify a kill site first. They prefer softer organs, particularly eyes and stomachs. Hooded Vultures (Necrosartes monachus ) are usually next present at a kill, and have a longer reach than White backed vultures, allowing them further into the body cavity to reach the softer organs. Lappet-Faced Vultures are the largest of the three species, and usually the last to reach

the kill site. A sharper hooked bill allows the Lappet Faced vulture access to the tougher ligaments, skin and tendons that the other species do not eat. Due to their size, Lappet-Faced Vultures also practise kleptoparasitism, and will steal choice morsels from other species.

As such, the arrival of the larger species often results in the temporary retreat of the smaller vultures, while they digest their pickings and allow the Lappet Faced vulture free choice.

For a long time, the primary industry within Botswana has been beef exports. This limits the ranges of game, and vultures, and has caused a dangerous decrease in numbers of many vulture species. In some places, vulture populations are limited to game reserve areas (Bamford, et al, 2009). With the increasing popularity of ecotourism and game ranges, the area dedicated to those game reserves is increasing, and numbers of vultures are once again on the rise (Murn and Anderson, 2008). A similar bird within the British Isles might be the Red Kite (Milvis milvus), who feed primarily off carrion. However, the Red Kite does not land to feed, as the vultures do, preferring to ‘airlift’ food whenever possible

White-backed Vulture Nesting

Within the British Isles, and the Mashatu Region, there are a large number of nest forms that each require specialisations and adaptations. From birds such as woodpeckers, particularly the Bearded Woodpecker (Dendropicos namaquus) and the Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) who live in trees, to ground nesting birds, or tree nesting birds. Adaptations include dull colouring, often adopted by ground nesting birds, nest construction – using different styles or materials, or different foot structures.

Southern Masked Weaver (Ploceus velatus)

The Masked Weaver is a small passerine, or perching bird, with three forward facing toes, and one backward facing (An Anisodactyl foot structure). They nest in trees, building neat, well constructed nests of

grass, with inflorescences, hair and soft grass for insulation. [Fig.4] They are social birds, and though they build individuals nests, there will usually be several nests on one tree, with a nest for non-breeding individuals nearby. The male will construct several nests for the female, who will destroy the creation if not satisfied. This trait often leads to differing styles for each male (Walsh, et al, 2011), and also more effective nests for more experienced males. (Walsh, et al, 2009) Typically, nests are found on the Northwest of a tree or shrub. This is to keep out the cool night winds, but also places the nests in the sun during the late afternoon, aiding the incubation of the eggs within. Masked weavers are not predominantly territorial, though do not seem to share trees with weavers of other species, such as White-browed Sparrow Weavers (Plocepasser mahali ). In the UK, birds such as the House martin (Delichon urbicom ) have similar nest building systems, though tend to nest only in pairs, and may share roof spaces with other species.

Southern Masked Weaver female Blacksmith’s Lapwing (Vanellus armatus)

Blacksmith’s Lapwings are ground nesting birds. Rather than constructing elaborate nests, they utilise shallow scrapes in the ground. These can be nothing more than hoofprints in soft mud which are then widened by the bird. A male will often prepare several scrapes in a small area, for choice by the female. Maintenance of the nest is done primarily by removing stones – a process in which both male and female participate (Chittenden, 2012). These lapwings are highly territorial, and both members will defend the nest and surrounding area – even by mobbing approaching animals, such as Chacma baboons. (Papio ursinus) [Fig.5] Being more aggressive than many other species of lapwing, Blacksmith’s Lapwings do not utilise the dull colouring, seen in other ground nesting species, including the closely related Crowned Lapwing 41.

(Vanellus coronatus) and the Northern relative (Vanellus vanellus). As ground nesters, Lapwings have no need for the the Anisodactyl foot structure with the reversed digit. These birds are found primarily in wetland areas, or near river systems.

Mashatu region, this coloration comes from a need to meld with the vibrant flowers, the lighter foliage, and the greater sunlight levels.

It would appear that the factors influencing adaptations are similar in both the Mashatu region and the British Isles, but those factors have inspired different adaptations, for the different ecological niches provided by the different environment.

Below are some example of other wildlife sharing the same habitat.

Blacksmith’s Lapwing mobbing a Chacma Baboon Above Red-billed Hornbill. Below Crested Barbet

Strategies for survival within the Mashatu region are generally very similar to those in the UK in design, if not in execution. Methods of nesting, for example, can be matched between Weavers, who build their own nests with grass, to martins who construct nests in the eaves of houses in the UK, and also between lapwing species. However, there are also differences in design.

There are no vultures to be found within the British Isles, for example, which may be due to a lack of bigger game and resulting carrion. However, the Red kite shares a similar diet, and has adapted differently to survive from smaller prey, with similar bill styles and purpose, and different flight and feeding patterns.

There are also differences in the coloration of birds between Mashatu and the British isles, for example the bright yellow coloration of the Masked Weaver male is a direct contrast to the House Sparrow. This is likely due to need for camouflage – in the British Isles, there is more a need to blend into a dull background, with dark tree trunks and typically grey skies. In the 42.

Lilac-breasted Roller. Next page Vervet Monkey

UK Rarity Round Up Broomhead Reservoir in South Great Spotted Cuckoo was delight- Yorkshire had up to five birds ing crowds near Tenby in Pem- with twelve birds in Gloucesterbrokeshire during the middle of shire in the Forest of Dean, one March. at Dove Stone RSPB in Greater Manchester.

An American Coot was still pres- On Saturday 26th of April an ent until at least the 14th of April Alpine Accentor put in a brief in Highland region at Loch Flem- appearance at Holme Dunes ington.

NWT in Norfolk for a quick photograph but could not be An adult Male Cretzschmar’s relocated despite extensive Bunting was still present on Fair searching Isle until at least the 30th of April alongside the stunning male Cas- A superb male Collared Flypian Stonechat. catcher was discovered at St The period between March and April Abbs Head , Scotland on 28th sees the change from winter to spring Early March saw a number of of April and remained there unwith some birds still lingering before their return to the breeding grounds major rarities with a 1st winter til the 30tth with a Subalpine of Northern Europe and beyond. The Red flanked Bluetail taking up res- Warbler at the same site. White-

Rare Bird News for the UK in March and April

flocks of Brambling wintering on reserves such as Sculthorpe Moor in Norfolk saw some birds almost attaining full summer plumage before their departure.

Early migrants such as Chiff Chaff and Willow Warbler returned from their wintering grounds in Africa arrived in Good numbers but swallows and martins seemed to be thin on the ground. If rarities and twitching is the scene you follow there was plenty to wet your appetite and a number of exciting birds were recorded throughout the country.

These are just some of the sightings.

One of the highlight birds of April that attracted a good crowd of birders was the Crag Martin at Flamborough in East Yorkshire which performed on and off from Friday the 11th of April to Sunday the 13th when the departed early morning. The bird had been relocated at Thornwick bay on the afternoon of the 12th just a short distance north of Flamborough.

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Two-barred Crossbill, Lynford Arboretum idence at Marshfield in Gloucestershire until the 9th. Another individual was recorded on the 30th of March on Fair Isle which represented the 1st record for this site.

Lynford Arboretum in Norfolk hosted at least two 1st winter male Two-barred Crossbills throughout March and April and

billed diver saw impressive numbers seen from a diver trip off Portsoy with at least 14 birds recorded on the 6th of April. Also there was one off Burghead from the 2nd of April.

Baikal Teal at Fen Drayton Pits from at least the 29th of March then later moving to the Ouse

Washes where it remained until at least the end of April suggesting that the bird may have orginated from a wildfowl collection.

A lovely Chinese Pond Heron re-

tacted a number of visiting birders.

Two Red-rumped swallows were over the Cam Washes at Upware on the 20th of April with other sighting from across the southern counties.

Black- winged Stilts saw an amazing record of 10 birds present on Brading Marsh on The isle of Wight on the 12th of April, also other pairs were recorded in Essex and Dorset with some suggestions that mating had occurred.

The incredible news was the report in West Sussex of a major nearctic passerine in the form of a Savannah Sparrow which many dropped everything to rush off and see. Sadly the news turned out to be negative and fairly quickly an eloborate “hoax.� soon began to unfold.

For those of you interested in rare Gulls a first winter American Herring Gull was located in Argyl at Cambelltown during March which appeared intermintly.

An adult Spoonbill appeared at Minsmere on the 4th or April and continued to move from the levels mained in the area of Hythe in Kent but unfortunately was later Franklin’s gull at Llaneli from the to the scrapes.

25th to the 27th of April found dead.

There have been many other sightA Long-billed Dowitcher resid- A Collared Pratincole at North Bur- ings during the period but just mened at Keyhaven in Hampshire rows Country Park, Devon stayed tioned the birds that feel are of inthroughout March and April with from the 26th of April intermittant- terest and we hope to expand the Lesser Yellowlegs at Lepe Country ly until April 30th which gave excel- information in later additions. lent views. park.

Hoopoe, Kessingland

A splendid summer plumage Pied Billed Grebe was present at Rutland Water on 9th and 10th of April and another located at Loch Thorn Clyde still present until the 29th of April.

An Adult Male Sardian Warbler was on Dursey island from the 20th of April and was still present at the end of the month.

Norfolk and Suffolk attracted the usual passage of Ring Ouzels recorded at regular sites along the coast with Kessingland Beach a favourite.

This stretch of beach also attracted Dotterel and Hoopoe which both at-

Spoonbill at Minsmere 45.

Wildlife Events in East Anglia June to Early August Here are just a few of the great activities and events that are happening in June and July.

This is just a selection as there are so many to choose from so please support some of your local Wildlife Charities and go along.

1st June 10-4pm. Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Lackford Lakes. Spring Birds Late Migrants. Learn to identify visiting bird populations as well as resident birds in the varied habitats of this stunning reserve. Suitable for beginners/less experienced.

4th June 6.30-8.30pm Norfolk Wildlife trust. Evening walk at gressenhall Rural Museum. A walk around the farm and river out of hours. Cost £3 per person Booking essential 01362 697783. Mid Norfolk Group 8th June 12p-4pm. Essex Wildlife Trust.Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor Centre.Opening of the Wind in the Willows Wildlife Garden. oin us to celebrate the exciting opening of our Wind in the Willows Wildlife Garden! There will be music, a trail on the reserve where there will be the chance to meet all the characters from The Wind in the Willows story, and the opportunity to make a mini bug hotel to help attract wildlife to your own garden!

Bookable slots for the trail between 12 noon and 4pm for the trail, 46

booking for this is essential. 01268 711001

11th June 10-4pm. Essex Wildlife Trust, Abbots Hall Farm.

Wildflower Identification. A training sessions learning how to identify wild flowers with the aid of books and keys. The day will include time for a field visit to look at varying habitats. The day is suitable for complete beginners who wish to know more about the wild flowers around them, and for those who want to improve their skills. It is recommended that a hand lens of c10x magnification be brought and, if possible, a copy of Francis Rose’s Wild Flower Key. To book a place on an adult course please contact Abbotts Hall Farm on 01621 862960 14th June Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. Gibralter Point. Breeding Birds. 8.30-11am. Take a guided walk around the reserve to see the breeding birds displaying and singing on territory. Free 14th June 2-4pm Cambridgeshire Wildlife Trust. Fulborn Fen Orchid Walk. By mid-June in a ‘normal’ season most of the cowslips, one of the reserve’s highlights, will have faded away. However, the orchids, which make up one of the other highlights, should be in their full splendour. The principal area is the East Fen meadow. The preponderant varieties are Early and Southern Marsh orchids, with a fair sprinkling of Bee Orchids, which appear in flower slightly later that the Marsh Orchids.

Meet at 2pm at car parking area at the end of Stonebridge Lane, Fulbourn

14th June 1.30-3.30pm. Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Carlton Marshes.

Wildlife Watch. Monthly children’s activity club for 6 - 12 year olds. Beach Forage. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and footwear. Parents are welcome to stay.

14th June 10.30-12:30pm Essex Wildlife Trust, Roding Valley Meadows, Chigwell.A wildflower walk.Come and join Tricia Moxey (local naturalist) and Patrick Bailly (EWT Warden), for a guided walk through these wildflower rich meadows. All donations greatly received. David Lloyd Entrance - Car Park, 21st June 12-4pm. Cambridgeshire Wildlife Trust, New Decoy Information Point, B660 between Holme and Ramsey St Marys, Cambridgeshire. Dance of the Dragonfly. Drop-in and discover dragons and damsels at the Great Fen Information Point.

21st June RSPB big wild sleep out at all RSPB reserves. Booking essential. Please contact you local RSPB reserve for more information or www.rspb.org.uk. You will require your own tent.

22nd June 2-4.30pm RSPB Strumpshaw Fen. Butterfly and Dragonfly Walk Price: Cost: £7 adults; £3 children (RSPB members £4/2) Booking essential 01603 715191 23rd June 7-9pm. Norfolk Wildlife Trust. Thorpe Marsh Guided Walk, free. Wellies recommended.

28th June 10-12pm Essex Wildlife Trust Abberton Reservoir. Summer Simmer. Discover some of our summer wildlife species.

Join our guide on what we hope will be a lovely sunny walk around the nature reserve to discover the birds, butterflies, dragonflies and other insects that make their homes here.

29th June 11-2pm Essex Wildlife Trust Bellfairs Woodland Centre..

Join our Woodland Ranger Ashley Pinnock to catch a glimpse of the rare Heath Fritillary butterfly Meet at the Belfairs Woodland Centre to join Ashley on a walk through the Belfairs reserve and hear about the conservation work being undertaken to promote and conserve this beautiful species.

We would hope to see other woodland butterflies on the walk including Brimstones, Speckled Woods, Holly Blues and Ringlets Ideal for age 10 upwards.

4th July 9pm-10pm, Essex Wildlife Trust, Fingringhoe Wick Visitor Centre. We are taking part in this national moth survey! If you want to find out more about moths and how they are caught join us!

BOOKING ESSENTIAL. This evening you can see us setting up the traps and chat to local moth enthusiasts about how the traps work and what we hope to catch. Please note that this event is weather dependent - we will not be able to go ahead in heavy rain, please call us to check if you are unsure. £2 adults, £1 children. 01206 729678 5th July Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.

Wild-time Junior Wardens (10-16) Whisby Nature Park 10am-1pm.

Practical hands on tasks and activities for youngsters who want to get involved in nature conservation and wildlife projects from pond

dipping to woodland management, there is something for everyone!

5th July 10am RSPB Havergate Island RSPB members £12, non members £19 (no child discount) Booking essential. Join us on our regular monthly boats to Havergate Island. After a 20 minute boat journey from Orford Quay you’ll spend 4.5 hours exploring this unique island in the Alde-Ore estuary before returning by boat to Orford. The island’s famous hares were badly affected by the floods in December 2013 but should still be found. Look for breeding gulls, spoonbills and flowers in summer, autumn waders or wintering ducks, depending on the season. Places are strictly limited, so please book early. 01728 648281 12th July 8-9am, RSPB Strumpshaw Fen, Moth Morning. Get close-up views of some of the country’s most amazing moths with an expert guide. Price: Cost: £5 adults (RSPB members £4) Booking essential 01603 715191

27th July. 11-3.30pm Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, Snipe Dales Open Day. Guided walks, children’s activities, home-made teas and cakes and Trust goods for sale. Come and enjoy a day out at our local reserve and country park. No charge for events. (There is a parking charge).

Snipe Dales is located on the B1195 between Spilsby and Horncastle.

28th July 2-4pm. Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Cley Beach Car Park. Life on the Edge, join us for a walk along the edge of Norfolk. Learn about the amazing wildlife and landscape of Cley’s shingle ridge and how both natural forces and the impact of people continue to shape the Cley to Salthouse Living Landscape.

Booking essential, please call 01263 740008

13th July 10-4pm Cambridgeshire Wildlife Trust Training - Introduction to grass identification with Brian Davis. The aim of this workshop is to be able to identify common grasses in the field using basic characteristics. Participants will be encouraged and helped to use keys and books in the classroom for some of the grasses collected. £35 standatd, £115 professionals, free to BCN Wildlife Trust volunteers.

Book by email trainingworkshops@ wildlifebcn.org

28th July 1-3pm. Norfolk Wildlife Trust, West Runton Beach. Rummaging in Rock Pools Come along with sturdy shoes and keen eyes and help us carefully investigate the secrets of the seashore. If you don’t know a barnacle from a belemnite the experts will be on hand to identify your finds. Please arrive 15mins early to sign up. .

29th July 10-30-12pm Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Holme Dunes.

Coastal Creations. Join in with a strandline scavenge to find natural materials before using them to decorate your own coastal creations.

We’ll be there to tell you if you are using a belemnite for a beak or a barnacle for brain. £3 members, £3.50 non-members. Non-member car park fee applies

26th July to 3rd September Norfolk Wildlife Trust. Summer Treasure Trail at Cley Marshes 10-4.30pm.

A self-guided themed activitiy for families with children. Cost £1 per child. No booking required.

15th-17th August. British Birdwatching Fair at Rutland Water.

Tickets can be purchased o nthe door or in advance. A great event for the whole family. http://www.birdfair.org.uk/ 47

bwfp Great Value Birdwatching Breaks

British Wild Flower Plants www.wildflowers.co.uk

Attract more birds to your garden with native wild flower plants A great source of food and nesting materials Attractive to native insects that act as a food source for birds Come and talk to us at Birdfair and see what you can do for the birds in your garden!

01603 716615 office@wildflowers.co.uk

T: 01206 210662 E: info@swallowbirding.co.uk W: www.swallowbirding.co.uk

Good Value - Good Fun - Good Birds

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Please feel free to call us on: 01254-826317

For a selection of superb bird and wildlife photography holidays please also take a look at our website or call 01254 826116

Red-winged Fairywren, Western Australia (Pete Morris)

We’re sorry we couldn’t be there with you this year, but we’d still love the opportunity to take you on the holiday of a lifetime!

Whooper Swans, Japan (Pete Morris)

Readers Page Cuckoo by Kevin Durose

Which bird is this? See back page for the answer.

My New Beginning into Nature & Wildlife Photography

By Trevor Hannant

My love for birds started back in the mid eighties, when I bred Parakeets, I bred for different ranges in colour mutations and spent many years breeding these birds, this led me into photography as I needed to keep records of these birds, as a result I had photos published in cage & aviary and a American magazine, articles were also written along with the photos, I also won an award for the best in show with one of my Cockatiels as this was the first ever recognized cockatiel club in the UK, this path guided me to where I am now.

I bought my first digital SLR in September 2011. It had been over 16 years since taking pictures with a film camera, so for me this was a new beginning and needed help in learning all the new skills. I have a keen interest in Birds & wildlife, so I sought advice from local professional photographer to teach me.

It was like a whole new world for me discovering new areas of Norfolk & Suffolk and the range of birds that are around, the skills were much needed, I have spent many hours learning the craft of photography and enjoyed many moments, to capture the Barn owls and Kingfishers which even now are my favourite birds to see, I still get the buzz from seeing these magnificent birds in their environment.

With the vast array of birds we have in Norfolk and still finding out new locations I am still learning, I look forward to exciting times ahead.

Song Thrush. Trevor Hannant

Something to say? email wildlifeeastanglia@gmail.com

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To Include: Titchwell RSPB North Norway Trip Report Wildlife Artist Russ Heselden UK Wildlife - Wolves do they have a place.

Pond ecology at Mannington Hall Alien Invaders - On the river bank, Balsalm Identification - Bar-tailed and Black tailed Godwits.

Habitat Rivers Blast from the Past Rarity Round Up Wildlife Events For back editions please contact the offices below. If you have a suggestion for a feature we would be delighted to hear your ideas.

All articles are as accurate as possible but we may make mistakes.Llet us know if we have and will try and correct it.

For advertising and editorials.

Please contact: wildlifeeatanglia@gmail.com

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