New Local Group Projects should prove popular
Members will now be accustomed to the usual outings which have proved popular over quite a time. However I can now give early details about two new ideas our Committee has come up with.
PHOTO COMPETITION - This is still in the planning stage but the sub-committee of Graham Brown, Kathie Brown and Aileen Meek are very busy pulling various ideas together for a photo competition in the county over the next 12 months. I can't give too many details yet but all will become clear before too long. With the guidance of the Orkney Camera Club, our local group will organise this ambitious project which will run from April 1st 2012 to March 31st 2013. There will be various categories for Orkney residents, visitors, several age groups for children. Different themes will be there to choose from and photos will be judged by a panel of 'experts'. Full details will be publicised as soon as these are to hand. Meanwhile, get the cameras dusted off and start shooting!
WILD-ART WORKSHOP WITH TIM WOOTTON - The two dates for this are Monday 14th May and Monday 28th May. There will be a maximum of 12 people
and the workshop will take place at Tim's Wildscape Gallery in Stromness. Names will be gathered for the first date then names will be held in reserve. If poor weather scuppers May 14th then the event will take place on the 28th. If May 14th goes ahead, the people on the reserve list can be offered a place on the 28th.
The session will last for an hour to an hour-and-a-half and no previous experience is necessary. Complete beginners are welcome. People will meet at Tim's gallery to do the indoor introduction then go out into Stromness (probably to the pier) to draw what birds they see.
All materials will be provided. There will be a charge of £5.00 per person. No decision has yet been made on the start time.
Aileen Meek will be taking names but I am not sure whether she has opened the bookings yet. As soon as she lets me know I will send round an email to members.
Many thanks to Aileen, Graham and Kathie for their enthusiasm in arranging the afore- mentioned events.
Winter Bird Race - Sunday 4th March
Dick Matson is now asking for bookings for this annual event when teams of four go around the mainland spotting as many species as possible. Please don't be put off if you are not an expert as there will always be somebody knowledgeable in each vehicle. Dick Matson gives us full details:
It's that time of year again when we try to forget the winter blues by rushing around the countryside counting bird species (actually we ask for a voluntary speed limit of 50mph). We are looking for teams of 4 or 5 with a balance of expertise, so if you have 2 experienced birders, at least one inexperienced person should be included; we rely on your judgement, after all one aim of the race is to show novice birders interesting birds and birding "hot-spots". Teams can start where they like. Counting commences at 9am and finishes at 5.30pm. Afterwards we meet up at the Lynnfield Hotel, Kirkwall, to compare notes and, if so desired, have a bar meal. Non-competiting relatives or friends will be welcome to join us at this stage.
For teams of 4 or 5, a species must be seen or heard by 3 of the team; for teams of 3 by 2 of the team and for teams of 2 by both members. I'm sure that folk don't need to be reminded that the welfare of the birds should be respected - no chasing of sick, injured or exhausted birds and that we should try not to be intrusive when looking into private gardens and ask permission before entering private property. Please e-mail or ring me (751426) if you would like to take part. If you have no team to join we will do our best to fit you in. Meals will be available at the Lynnfield afterwards. I will publicise the menu soon.
Birding by Bus - Sunday 1st April
Dick Matson is also the organiser of this popular event which the Local Group is staging once more. It was very popular last year as we toured the west mainland with Eric Meek as our guide, giving us all the facts and figures about the birds we spotted.
If you fancy joining this year's bus tour please don't delay - telephone Dick Matson on 01856 751426 so numbers can be assessed and an appropriate vehicle booked. I will give details later of meeting place and time. Please bring your own picnic and refreshments.
Harrier Sky Dancing - - Sunday 15th April
This will be the usual format and is a joint event with OFC. It will be a guided walk in the Birsay Moors to watch the spectacular countship display of the hen harrier. Other birds of prey should also be on view. Meet at Rendal Community Centre 9.30 am. Enquiries to Graham & Kathie Brown on 01856 841390.
RSPB Orkney Spring Meeting, Friday 30th March
Julian Branscombe will give a talk entitled 'Birds, Birds more Birds and a Salamander' which sounds intriguing. The event takes place at the St. Magnus Centre, Kirkwall starting at 7.30 pm. Refreshments will be served after the talk and we will have our usual raffle towards room hire costs. A small donation at the door would be appreciated. Our local group does not have many indoor events so it would be nice to see a full room for what promises to be a super talk. See you there!
WEX Events
Jane Beckwith tells us about forthcoming outings:
Sunday 26th February at 2-4 pm
St Marys Community Hall, Holm
Meeting called - Love is in the Air - looking at Bird behaviour and their families. Hopefully if the weather is dry we will go out for a walk with the group looking at the birds/nature on the seashore.
Sunday 25 March – 2-p.m.
West Mainland, specific venue still to be decided.
Meeting called – Be a Fossil Hunter and discover Orkney Rocks.
April 21st - We will join in with the Bag the Bruck session with the RSPB at Waulkmill May.
For all WEX enquiries please telephone Jane Beckwith (841212)
Income from Stamps
Morag has furnished me with details of amounts raised from the sale of stamps our local group members have kindly given us towards the Save the Albatross campaign.
A cheque for £200 was received in June 2010.
New amounts:
£30 March 2011
£40 April 2011
£40 Nov. 2011
Therefore for year 2010-11 a total of £230 was raised and for 2011-12 so far £80 has been received. I think it's a great effort for our small group.
Many thanks to Penny & Chris Park of SAS Supplies, Laing Street, Kirkwall for acting as a collection point for the stamps. Others drop them off in the Stromness office. Thanks also to Terry Meek who sells the stamps on our behalf, ensuring good prices.
Have you dropped off my list?
Occasionally my computer kindly 'loses' a name from my group email lists! Unfortunately I am never aware of this until that member might mention that it's a while since they have received emails from me.
If you suddenly stop receiving my emails please contact me so I can check then reinstate the name. It doesn't happen often but is a nuisance when it does! My email address is p.wilson410@btinternet.com
What's about?
As I was typing this email I received a phone call from Julian Branscombe to say there is a Grey Phalarope at Sandside Bay, bobbing about in the water towards the north end (by the old fish farm). As the rain was lashing and wind blowing I decided not to go take a look but maybe other members might be interested to see it. (Ian Cunningham sent us pics of a grey phalarope only the other day. His was at Newark but whether it is the same bird or not I don't know).
Eric Meeks tells us that the Oystercatchers are now starting to arrive in numbers so it will be nice to hear their raucous cries again. He says there were 80 at the Brig o' Waithe which is always one of the first gathering points for 'spring' arrivals.
Barrie Hamill says the wintering Whimbrel is in its usual spot on the short behind the Sands Hotel in Burray.
Ian Smith reports a Black-tailed Godwit at St. Peter's Pool yesterday afternoon.
Best wishes, Pauline W/Local Group Sec.