News archive

Friday, 23 February 2018

Local Group Wash Cruise - Book now!

Michael Cruchley is co-ordinating this event; to book your place email Michael:- mjcruchley@btinternet.com and he will reply with a booking form and payment details. Places on the boat need to be booked and paid for before the end of March, so the deadline for getting your booking and payment to Michael is the 23rd March.
The Wash is an incredibly important place for birds, both as a permanent residence and as a stop-off and refuelling site during migration. It is made up of a mixture of habitats, primarily mudflats and saltmarsh.
The South Linc. RSPB Group organise cruises out of Boston onto the Wash throughout the summer. Their best ever total is 84, and on a recent cruise 83 were seen - everyone was trying desperately to find a couple more. Each cruise is led by expert guides, who help with bird identification (if needed) and can also point out places of local historical interest. Cruises last between four and five hours, depending on the tides. The cruise boat, the Boston Belle is well equipped with seating both outside and in the lounge at the rear. The number of people on each cruise is limited to 50, which is well below the maximum the boat can accommodate. The crew serve refreshments from the galley, including hot and cold drinks and freshly made sandwiches and snacks.
Norman Adcock, who has organised the trips on behalf of their group for some years is coming to speak to our afternoon meeting on 20 March 2018 and will tell us more.
We have a provisional booking for 25 seats on the Boston Belle on Monday 20 August 2018 for a York Group Outing. We have also booked a coach for that day to take us. The combined cost will be £36.50 per person. This is a special cost for RSPB members - should you wish to bring a guest who is not a member, the cost will be £39.
This date is determined by the time of the tides that will allow us to make the trip in one day.

Thursday, 22 February 2018

Strensall Starling Spectacular!

The roost site is a area of hedges and trees near the railway to the south east of the village, (click Download File for a map). Good views of the flocks wheeling and swooping can be had either from Flaxton Road, looking north mid-way between the Moor Lane and the Lords Moor Lane turnings; or from a field off Southfields Road. Flaxton Road give a "wide angle" view and may be preferred for photos or video, the field gives a "close up" view of the roosting. As far as we know the field isn't a public right of way although there is quite a well used track through. If local group members would like exact directions please email me - robinball@ntlworld.com.
Thanks to Peter Reed for the information.
We visited on the 21st February, a fairly clear night, the first few birds appeared at 5pm, 25 minutes before sunset and the last stragglers landed at just before 6 pm.

Download file

Tuesday, 6 February 2018

Spring Dates for your Diary

The Minster Peregrine Days will take place at the base of the NW tower in Deans Court Garden, 10 AM - 4 PM:
Saturday 31st March,
Saturday 5th May,
Saturday 26th May,
and Saturday 25th August.

The Dawn Chorus Walks, lead by Barry, will be
Saturday 28th April 6AM Hob Moor
Sunday 29th April 6AM Rowntree Park
and Saturday 5th May 5.30AM York Cemetery
Check the Events section closer the date for the meeting points for the walks.

Tuesday, 6 February 2018

Birds, Ecology and Climate Change: Professor Sir John Lawton

Prof John Lawson's important talk was well attended, but there will be many (Sue and I included) who were disappointed to have to miss it and will want to read the slides from the presentation. I expect there will be members who did attend will want to revise the information presented too, so I am very pleased to be able to post this. The file you can download below is a PDF version of the slides (and is of course copyright).
If you would like a full sized version there is a link to the 10MB PDF on OneDrive

Download file