Hi Everybody
I thought I would squeeze a Latest Happenings in before the County Show which is on Saturday so not much time left.
If any of our members are going to the show can I encourage them to call in at the RSPB Tent as there will be plenty going on in there including lots of information about the work of RSPB Orkney, photographs a-plenty, games for the young and not-so young. If you own a camera - and I suspect most of our members do - then why not have a go at the photo competition which is running until March 31st 2013? Don't leave it until the last minute but get snapping now! A poster at the show will tell you all about it and entry forms will be available in our tent.
There will be the usual sales table manned by local group volunteers so many thanks to all of these people for giving up their time to help out.
Another good reason to drop in is to meet Julian Branscombe & Anne Bignall who are spearheading the exciting Enjoy Wild Orkney project. Find out about exactly what will be happening over the course of the 3-year programme which will benefit both locals and visitors to Orkney. This is an great time to be a member of RSPB Orkney.
Wren nest amongst strands of baling band. photo Pauline Wilson
Wren Nest vacated!
As promised, I am attaching a couple of photos of the nest built by a wren in our byre even though it seemed a bit late in the season. We had been keeping a distance from the nest where possible so as not to disturb the birds. However, the other evening Peter was in the byre when 5 baby wrens shot like bullets from the nest! I was disappointed to have missed the spectacle but at least they safely fledged. We keep hearing a parent bird calling so presume the youngsters are still around but keeping their heads down in our neighbour's garden.
Gourmet Meal for Sparrowhawk
Two photos have been sent in by Claire Macdonald who lives in Salisbury, Wiltshire but is a friend of one of our local group members. Claire thought we might be interested to see these two pictures of a Sparrowhawk which was on her lawn eating an ill-fated collared dove! What great photos - how lucky can you get? Whenever I see anything like this I am usually so mesmerised that I forget about the camera. Many thanks to Claire for sending the pics. and nice to know she was delighted to see so many birds on her recent stay in Orkney.
Sparrowhawk photo by Claire McDonald
Special sighting of Cuckoo
Local Group committee member Grace Currie counted herself very lucky the other day when she witnessed a Meadow Pipit feeding a young Cuckoo!! What wouldn't we all give to see that? The location is being kept quiet but what an experience.
Birds at Dale
Our local group chairman Dick Matson works hard to feed the birds on his plot at Dale in Costa and is often rewarded with some good sightings, especially migrants. Even at this time of year, he has birds of note, for instance he recently reported as follows:
34 finches, mostly twite, but some linnets, feeding on my bountiful dockan crop.6 reed buntings.1 stonechat - either female or juv, seen against the light so couldn't tell which.A family of sedge warblers1 sedge warbler nest with eggs (rather late, so probably second attempt).
Roller Pics appreciated
Although most of us were not lucky enough to see the Roller in Finstown, members enjoyed seeing the photos I sent round by way of consolation! These are some of the replies:
Kate Barrett said:
Hi Pauline. thanks for info, I was there yesterday without any luck so it's good to see the pix. Cheers, KateJonathan Price What fantabulous pix of the roller! Amazing. What an interesting bird.
MaryBeth Warburton from America: Hi Pauline-thanks for sharing the pics of the Roller- that is so cool. Hope you to see it
Joan Howlett also from America: Wow. I saw this bird in So Africa. I might just have to return to the Orkneys for another look. We stayed on the Heddle Rd. last year
Poem about Orkney Holiday
Joan Howlett, mentioned just above, so much enjoyed here holiday in Orkney that she has written a special poem all about the birds she saw during her stay. She mentions a peregrine falcon and I know that will relate to the bird we saw on top of the cliffs at the Noup Head when Joan, Ann & MaryBeth joined us for our outing. If anyone is interested in reading Joan's poem then it can be found on her blog:
www.joanhowlett.com. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
Enjoyable walk on Rousay
I actually made the effort to go to Rousay for the walk around the Trumland Reserve with warden Izzy Morgan and her volunteer Abigail. Just my luck that August 2nd was a day of haar so no other people were tempted to join us. However, the three of us had a good and lighthearted walk around the reserve so thanks to Izzy & Abigail for their good company. I'm attaching a photo of Izzy (left) and Abigail during our walk.
Egilsay Wardsn Izzy Morgan and volunteer Abigail in the mist on Rousay. photo Pauline Wilson
Families Moths Day - Sunday 19th August
This is held jointly with the Field Club and Wildlife Explorers Group. It will be held at Jenny Taylor's, Burnside, Orphir (north-west end of Kirbister Loch) and starts at 10 am. Enquiries to 811231. This is always a popular event, made all the more so as who knows what might be caught in the moth traps set on the Saturday night?
Sunday 9th September - to Stronsay for Autumn Migrants
Time to start thinking about this outing to Stronsay to look for migrants - waders, warblers, flycatchers, etc. I can highly recommend this trip. To book tel. Dick Matson on 01856 751426.
Sunday 23rd September - to Sanday for Autumn Migrants
Situated just in sight of Fair Isle, Sanday can be a magnet for migrant birds. As well as passerine migrants it is hoped to see recently arrived ducks, geese, swans and waders. There's always the chance of a real rarity. To book tel. Grace Currie on 01856 8727
Best wishes, Pauline W/Local Group Sec.