16 members and 2 guests meet on a very cold but sunny morning at the start of the cycle track in Thorley Road for a walk to Barnfield and return. Our only Fieldfare of the morning was seen at the start of the meeting and it was noted that we could not see or hear the Rook which normally frequent the fir trees across the road. They did put in an appearance at the end of the walk.  Although there was not as much water on the meadow at Rofford Marsh we did manage to see 3 Snipe as well as some Teal and a couple of Shoveler. A Kingfisher was also seen. Here we saw 16 Moorhen, more than we normally see. Moving on we saw about 20 Mallard in the river opposite ‘Off the Rails’ café which are fed by children. 10 House Sparrows and a Dunnock was noted as well as a female Bullfinch in the hedgerow along the track. On the estuary we saw Redshank, Oystercatcher, Turnstone, Dunlin, Black Tailed Godwit, about 100 Black Headed Gull, 2 Great Black Backed Gull, 4 Herring Gull and 10 Common Gull and 10 Shelduck and many Wigeon and Brent Goose. On the mud and on a field opposite we saw at least 50 Golden Plover, some were near enough to see their lovely golden plumage in the telescope and later 2 Grey Plover was also spotted so that the differences in the plumage could be seen. There were approximately 200 Lapwing both with the Golden Plover in the opposite field and on the exposed mud of the estuary. A total of 5 Little Grebe were seen: 2 near the café and 3 on the estuary. Two Grey Heron and 3 Little Egret were also noted as was a Marsh Harrier. On the Barnfield scrape the Spotted Redshank that has overwintered here for some years was picked out to everyone’s delight. In all 46 species were noted. Jackie Hart

There were 9 Members and 2 guests.  Dave Fairlamb kindly offered to lead the walk in the absence of Jackie Hart.  On the way up to the gate we spotted or heard Buzzard, Green Woodpecker, Wood Pigeon, Jay, Robin, Blue Tit, Great Tit, & Long tailed Tit.  We also had brief sightings of 2 Spotted Flycatchers.  We continued with Herring Gull, Swallow and Magpie- followed by Chiffchaff, House Martin and Kestrel.  There were Carrion Crow, Jackdaw and Rook in the fields below the path.  We finally heard Goldfinch before we reached the gate.  After going through the gate, we turned off to the right where we saw 2 Dartford Warbler, Whitethroat and several Tree Pipit and also heard Willow Warbler.  We then took a path toward the cliffs when we saw a fall of about 100 Yellow Wagtail.  Spectacular!  We also had about 5 Wheatear 2 Stonechat 5 Rock Pipit and a Meadow Pipit.  A very successful walk which everyone enjoyed. Toni Goodley

Although it was very windy 12 members met at the far car park on Culver Down for a walk in the area. A Pheasant was walking along the road as I drove along. However, only a few birds appeared in the blustery conditions with Crow, Rook, Jackdaw and Magpie and two Raven. Great Black Backed Gull and Herring Gull patrolled the cliff top, and a Kestrel hung in the wind. At least ten Skylark were either seen or heard and a Meadow Pipit was heard calling. A small flock of Goldfinches were seen near the old coastguard cottages and Blue Tit were in the bushes further along. Whilst preparing to leave the car park at the end of the meeting I saw three Swallows fly by. We also spotted two Red Admiral butterflies and a Speckled Wood. Jackie Hart

As part of the 50^th anniversary of Golden Hill Country Park the Society was asked to conduct surveys during 2020. This could not go ahead because of the Covid 19 pandemic so we decided to conduct the bird meeting now. The Country Park obtained some lottery funding and have provided a directions board in the car park and we followed the wildlife walk. Half of the park is taken up with tree cover with the rest as open spaces. As the weather forecast was for heavy rain only five people attended. The birds were mainly in the tree cover or shrubs as they are busy raising young at this time so it was mainly an exercise in identifying bird song. Three species of warblers were identified, Chiffchaff (the most numerous), Blackcap and Common Whitethroat. Robin, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Wren, Dunnock, Magpie and Song Thrush were the representative resident birds. Three Jays were about and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard. 20 species were recorded. Jackie Hart

Two groups of six people met at the beginning of the cycle track at the end of Laundry Lane for a walk in the area. The start times were staggered to try and avoid both groups meeting up and Jim Baldwin and I led the walks. Both groups were able to see two White-tailed Eagles at the start as they were both perched on two bare trees on the main marsh. Between us we noted 46 species during the course of the beautiful morning. Other special species seen were Marsh Harrier and Great White Egret. The migrants that visit us each spring are arriving with Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Blackcap and Whitethroat represented. We also heard the explosive call of many Cetti’s Warbler which are resident. Many Skylark were singing and the odd House Martin and Swallow were seen. By the pools south-west of Carpenter’s Farm were a group of at least 40 very vocal Mediterranean Gull with about 10 Black-headed Gull so we were able to see the differences in the head markings at this time of the year. Whilst my group were walking along the raised footpath to Bexley Point we were delighted to see both White-tailed Eagles flying over and then heading south west, one of them being pursued by Kestrel and then Buzzard. The difference in sizes was very apparent. In the ‘triangular’ field the Great White Egret was spotted both by us and then two Grey Herons who harassed the egret until it flew off. Jackie Hart

Unfortunately we will not be able to hold the meeting at Blackgang as the rule of 6 does not yet apply. The April meeting will hopefully go ahead but booking is essential.

The meeting scheduled for 16th January 2021 has been cancelled because of the current restrictions.  As soon as we are able a new meeting will be arranged. Jackie Hart

Having had to suspend all meetings with Society members since the Covid 19 crisis commenced on 23^rd March 2020 we have experimented with an outdoor meeting held under the current restrictions. This meant we had to form groups of a maximum of six people each. To help keep the two groups apart we staggered our start times with the first one leaving at 9.15 am and the other at 9.30 am. (Our next meeting will have the option of three groups).

Inevitably the total species seen between the two groups varied with Jim Baldwin’s group seeing 42 species and Jackie’s group 35. Having compared the two lists we clocked up 45 species between us.

A group of six Grey Heron was noteworthy in that it is many years since I have seen so many together at this site – we now see Little Egret more regularly, as we did today. The first group saw more waders with Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, Snipe and Greenshank in addition to Black-tailed Godwit, Golden Plover, Curlew and Lapwing. The second group spent some time looking at the ‘water’ birds for a member new to birding to see and get to know the wonderful variety in plumages. Fortunately, on our return the sun had appeared so we could see the Golden Plover in a better light as they were at rest on a far bank. Kingfisher is always a target bird here the first group was luck but not the second. We saw Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Shelduck and Little Grebe. One of the Cormorant was already showing its breeding patch and, of course, we saw Canada Goose and Brent. Cetti’s Warbler was heard calling from three locations and a Water Rail heard near the converted railway station. We now hope to hold regular monthly meetings; a programme will be sent out with our February mailing and in the meantime please check the IWNHAS website. Jackie Hart

Please note that the email address given in the e-bulletin sent out recently is incorrect. It should be should be: jackie30hart@gmail.com

The Ornithology group will experiment with holding the following bird meetings observing the current government restrictions. It is essential to pre-book a place as currently we will only be able to meet as a group with a total of six people.

• Two leaders have been arranged, Jim Baldwin and Jackie Hart and in January Dave Fairlamb will be able to take a third group
• Please either email Jackie at jackie30hart@gmail.com or telephone her on 01983 612677 and leave a message
• One group will meet at 9:15am and the next at 9:30am so that social distancing can be maintained
• You will be contacted with which group you have been allocated.

Sunday 20^th December 2020 at Yarmouth – meet in Thorley Road

Saturday 16^th January 2021 at Bembridge Harbour – meet in Latimer Road, St Helens.

Please note than we will not be able to accommodate any unbooked person on the day.

If these are successful we will hold a meeting in February so please watch this space. You should be receiving our published half-yearly programme in the next mailing due at the end of February.