Sorry this is a bit late but here is the most recent 'Latest Happenings' from Pauline Wilson our Local Group secretary:
Hi Everybody
I hope a lot of you saw the Aurora Borealis the other night; unfortunately I was alerted a bit late and saw a fine display but nothing like the reds and greens captured on camera by my next-door neighbour!
There have been a lot of reports of a family of Otters at the Brig of Waithe but sadly I haven’t yet been in the vicinity to look for these, however I’m sure some of our local group members have seen them. One person who certainly did was Ian Cunningham and he has kindly let me have the attached photo of what looks like two of the otters. Ian was doubly fortunate as he also caught sight of an otter at the Loch of Tankerness eating a tasty eel! Ian explains that the attached photo was at the limit of camera range but it’s great to see this creature tucking into a meal! Thanks Ian!
Nature Festival bookings open
The programme for the 2014 Orkney Nature Festival is out now and bookings are being taken by Visit Orkney on 01856 872856. To download a copy of the programme and find out more go to www.orkneynaturefestival.org or pick one up from Visit Orkney or the RSPB office. It is also on the RSPB Facebook page and information is available from the Visit Orkney Information Centre in Kirkwall. The Festival runs from 10th to 18th May and includes a fantastic array of outings and activities. Highland Park Distillery kicks off the week then there is a picnic on Hunda; boat trips to Auskerry and Switha; a day of events on both Rousay and on Stronsay. Our local group is involved this year, running our popular boat trips into the Gloup in Deerness. Make sure you have a look at the programme of happenings during this special week and remember to book early - some events are already full!
RSPB Local Group Spring Meeting – Thursday 27th March
A rare opportunity not to be missed – we have a talk entitled “North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory” by Alison Duncan
North Ronaldsay is on the migration route of many common – and sometimes incredibly rare – birds. Alison Duncan describes the observatory’s vital function in the monitoring of bird movement through the island. Alison has played a key role in the running and development of the observatory almost since it was founded in 1987 and this illustrated talk is an opportunity to hear first-hand about the important role it plays. I know some of our members have stayed at the Observatory – in fact our local group organised an outing there a few years ago.
Members and non-members are welcome. Refreshments will be served. Admission is free but there will be a door collection towards the cost of room hire. I hope to see a lot of you there.
Posters to promote the Spring Meeting are starting to appear in Kirkwall and elsewhere. If you would like to print an A4 poster for your window, or your local shop, our Treasurer Graham Brown can email you a copy. Please contact him on graham.brown@gmx.com. Many thanks.
SOC Meeting – Thursday 6th March
The final meeting of the season takes place at the St. Magnus Centre, Kirkwall starting at 7.30 pm. It is entitled:
“East Scotland Sea Eagles”
East Scotland Sea Eagles is the third phase of the white-tailed sea eagle re-introduction in Scotland. Starting in 2007, the project aimed to release 100 sea eagles in Fife to establish a breeding population in East and Central Scotland. All birds are fitted with radio-transmitters and wing tags enabling their movements and survival to be monitored.
This talk should have local appeal given the appearance of the bird in Hoy last year (only a matter of time before they are on Orkney?) also those interested in raptors.
RSPB Members are very welcome to attend SOC Meetings – a donation towards cost of room hire is all that is asked for so I hope some of you go along to enjoy what sounds like a very interesting talk.
Pin Badges – a great little earner!
Morag gave me information about the sale of pin badges during 2013. This financial season has produced the magnificent sum of £2752.03.
What a great effort by the people who look after the boxes (which can be seen in many tourist and retail outlets throughout Orkney) and of course the generous visitors and Orkney residents who contribute by buying the badges, thus swelling the coffers. New badges are being added all the time so make sure your collection is up-to-date!
Stamps update
Morag has just received a cheque for £200 in respect of used stamps collected by the RSPB Orkney Local Group. This means more money towards the RSPB Save the Albatross Appeal. I have just finished sorting a few carrier bags full of stamps which our members have saved during and after Christmas.
Don’t forget to continue to save stamps and drop them off at SAS Business Supplies, 4 Laing Street, Kirkwall or at the RSPB Stromness Office. If foreign stamps can be kept separate this would be helpful.
Many thanks to all who have contributed stamps and to Penny and Chris Park for allowing us to use their premises as the collection point.
Bag the Bruck – Saturday 12th/Sunday 13th April
This is a joint event with Orkney Field Club and, as usual, I am appealing for members to lend a hand on either day. Marine debris can seriously harm our wildlife so the more hands the better to come along and help remove plastic rope, netting and other rubbish from our beaches. RSPB Local Group will tackle Waulkmill Bay on the Saturday and OFC will be at Marwick Bay on the Sunday. Come along anytime between 10 am and 2 pm. Contacts: RSPB office on 01856 850176 or Brian Ribbands (OFC) on 01856 751439.
Harrier Sky Dancing – Saturday 19th April
This is a joint event with Orkney Field Club. Take a guided walk in the Birsay Moors to watch the spectacular courtship display of the Hen Harrier. Other birds of prey should also be on view. Families and non-members are welcome. Bring a picnic and binoculars if available. Meet at the Rendall Community Centre at 9.30 am. To book: Dick Matson on 01856 751426.
The above are just two of the local group events taking place in 2014. Very soon members will be receiving the full programme of local group activities. We have a few new ideas for this year, including coal tits, puffin viewing and even a mystery tour so watch out for the programme landing in your in-box or letterbox before too long.
Winter Bird Race
Unfortunately I had to miss this event which took place on Sunday 2nd March attracting a total of 6 teams. The winning team, scoring 86 species, was made up of Julian Branscombe, Alistair Forsyth, Barrie & Linda Hamill. Two teams spotted 82 species, firstly Dick Matson, Malcolm Russell, Willie Smith & Celia Hills; secondly Steve, Sarah and Sami Sankey and Steve McCullen.
One team in particular had some great sightings – Greater Spotted Woodpecker and Grey Wagtail at St. Margaret’s Hope and Black-tailed Godwit at Loch of Banks – three good birds for Andrew Upton, Grace Currie, Rosemary McCance and Megan Taylor.
Dick’s team boasted a Little Gull in East Holm and a blue phase Snow Goose in Evie. They also saw a Merlin chasing off a Buzzard just after they had ticked off a Kestrel – a good day for raptors!
A few early-returning Lesser Black-backed Gulls also made it onto a few team lists.
Malcolm Russell went through the species list after the race and remarks:
It was a good day out, as usual, but for some reason all the scores were down a bit from the last few years. And yet Larks, Wrens and Dunnocks, etc were singing and some good birds found.
The day was rounded off with an excellent bar meal at the Lynnfield Hotel. Thanks must go to Dick for organising this event once again and to Malcolm for the species list which is attached for our members to pour over.
Please get in touch with me at p.wilson410@btinternet.com if you have any interesting items or photos for a future Latest Happenings.
Best wishes
Pauline W/RSPB Orkney Local Group Sec.