RSPB Croydon Local Group
NEWSLETTER - AUTUMN 2016
Editor’s Piece
Welcome to the RSPB Croydon’s Local Group newsletter for 2016. This time I have been looking at how people’s attitude
towards raptors has changed (or not) over the years.
From the archive: going back through old material I found a
cutting from the Croydon Guardian dated September 17
1997. It was a letter headlined “Birds of prey must be killed”.
The letter included the following comments:
“The skies around Valley Park, Croydon are full of winged
murderers.
“There must be at least five breeding pairs in the Ikea Towers
feeding their young.
“I know that all birds of prey have been a protected species
since 1954, which did not include the sparrow-hawk, these
birds being protected some 10 years later.
“I feel it is high time that their numbers should be looked at.
“The increasing population of the sparrow-hawk is the major
contribution to the declining numbers of the songbirds in the
British Isles.”
An interesting letter! I somehow doubt that the Ikea Towers
(or anywhere else in Croydon) would actually support five
pairs of Sparrowhawks, or did we miss a breeding population
of colonial Lesser Kestrels?
As for Sparrowhawks being the main cause of song bird
declines, a long term study at Wytham Woods has shown no
such cause and effect. And this logic certainly wouldn’t
account for the dramatic increase in numbers of Goldfinch in
recent years.
In the news recently: a recent Daily Mail headline read ”Kite
Fright! Dive bombing birds of prey are leaving children
terrified and even bleeding in alarming attacks.” More than
a touch of plus ça change.
This was about Red Kites in The Chilterns that have flourished
since their reintroduction, no doubt aided by people putting
out food for these scavengers. The ‘attacks’ are primarily
incidents where birds that are used to being fed coming down
to take food out of people’s hands and catching them with
their claws. One of the ‘witnesses’ also reported a decline in
song birds (apparently attributed to these scavengers).
Another comment, this time about gulls, is distinctly
erroneous. “Even seagulls remain protected, further
contributing to their rising numbers and widespread
complaints about gull attacks.” Once again most of the
‘attacks’ are habituated birds feeding themselves; a nuisance
perhaps but not an attack. And the fallacy? Herring and
Lesser Black-backed Gull (there is no species called ‘seagull’)
numbers are NOT increasing, but decreasing to the extent
that they have been placed on the amber list of birds of
conservation concern.
It goes on to blame Hen Harriers on grouse moors for the
decline of species such as Golden Plover, Ring Ouzel,
Wheatear, Lapwing and Dunlin, without mentioning that
nesting Hen Harriers have ‘mysteriously disappeared’ in those
same areas.
And in all these different scenarios the way to maintain the
delicate balance of nature is to control predator numbers by
culling them. Even if the above is evidence for culling Nature
has its own method of regulation – too many predators would
eat all available food and would starve to death!
John Birkett - e-mail: [email protected]
RSPB Croydon Local Group Information
GROUP LEADER:
MEMBERSHIP:
John Davis Tel: 020 8640 4578
Chestnut Cottage, 9 Cricket Green, Mitcham, CR4 4LB
e-mail: [email protected]
Derek Lea Tel: 020 8660 2722
21 Russell Hill, Purley, CR8 2JB
RSPB CATALOGUE SALES:
COMMITTEE SECRETARY:
Margaret Greenfield
Gill Jones Tel: 020 8777 3572
155 Shirley Church Road, Shirley, Croydon, CR0 5AJ
TREASURER:
NUTS & SEEDS SALES:
Katharine Nolan Tel: 07530 054921
Michael Bishopp Tel: 020 8407 1257
94 Mayfield Road, South Croydon, Surrey, CR2 0BF
NEWSLETTER EDITOR & ENVIRONMENT:
John Birkett
24 Briton Hill Road, Sanderstead, Surrey, CR2 0JL
e-mail: [email protected]
COMMITTEE MEMBER:
Sheila Mason Tel: 020 8777 9370
5 Freshfields, Shirley, Croydon, CR0 7QS
We hold monthly meetings at Whitgift Sports Club, The Clubhouse, Croham Manor Road, South Croydon, CR2 7BG
We have a series of talks available to give to local organisations (see page 5 for details)
Further information about the RSPB Croydon Local Group can be found on our website:
http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/croydon
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity:
in England & Wales no. 207076, in Scotland no. SC037654
Group Leader’s Piece
OUR VOLUNTEERS
For several years we have asked for volunteers to join our
committee with a view to injecting new blood. This year,
whilst still needing extra help to run the Group, our call is
for new fund-raising ideas.
offer of between-talk hospitality for our speakers. The
onus of this was falling on too few people, such that it
became a chore rather than a pleasue. Such is the pace of
life in 2016.
Now in its second year, you heard at the AGM how
successful John Birkett’s Croydon Challenge has become.
This and the ever-popular Quiz Night with Supper
organised by Diane Tarran, are now our main fund-raisers,
following our decision to cease the Autumn Fair. So we
really need more ideas, and people to start and run them.
Our Group is not all about raising funds, although this is
obviously our raison d’etre. The Croydon Bird Survey
continues, thanks in no small measure to John B (again).
This has become an ever more important gauge of our local
bird population, giving us an insight into the effects of
climate change and of urban garden problems. Please
keep the surveys coming, however sparse your sightings
may be throughout the year.
We can take nothing for granted. Merely hoping that
things will run themselves is short-sighted and foolish. If
we are to continue to support the RSPB, we must diversify.
Diane has been organising the Quiz Night since 1995. Not
surprisingly she has announced that 2017 will be her last
effort, but has offered to assist and advise a new volunteer
as to the mechanics of this once-a-year success. I’m sure
all will agree that raising in excess of £1,000 each year is
not something we should abandon, yet the baton must be
handed to a new recruit – your committee is already overstretched to take on this important role – so please
consider helping us out.
We have continued to give the RSPB support by reaching
our budgeted donation target, thanks to massive efforts by
John Birkett, Diane Tarran, Michael Bishopp and Gill Jones,
plus their teams of unsung hero helpers. We also promote
the Society through our field trips. These are organised in
the main by John Parish with able assistance from Derek &
Deirdre Lea and new recruit Sarita Fonseca. The lack of a
nominated leader for our monthly mid-week trips
continues to be a problem, but we are managing to keep
the field visits afloat.
Promoting the name is as important as raising money. We
wave the Society flag at numerous local fairs and fetes
throughout the year, and visit non-RSPB organisations to
give these most professional talk-and-photo shows – all
carried out by volunteers. A glance at the revenue
accounts will show how important these activities are, but
they also push to the fore what RSPB is trying to achieve on
the national and international stage.
The year past has seen a few changes, chiefly to the
group’s liaison with RSPB HQ. The main hub for contact
has switched from Petty France in Central London to the
South East Regional Office at Brighton. After a few hiccups
we hope this move will lead to better back-up for our
efforts.
My thanks as ever go to the wonderful volunteers and
committee – committed they are. Without their efforts
there would be no group activities at all. But I reiterate, we
need new ideas, and new people to promote them. Please
offer to give us an extra hand.
The monthly talks continue to attract good audiences,
during both the afternoon and evening sessions – unique
amongst RSPB groups. However we have had to drop the
John Davis - Tel: 020 8640 4578
Group Membership
The Croydon Local Group was originally established in 1973
as the South London Group, becoming the Croydon Group in
1975. From the outset we had considered all ‘national’ RSPB
members living in our Croydon area as being automatically
members of the local group. To save costs we now ask
members to sign up to join the Group and to say whether
they want to receive our Newsletter and, if so, how.
If you have received this Newsletter but are not a member
of the group we invite you sign up. It costs nothing – all you
have to do is give your name, address and contact details to
the Group Leader (John Davis) or Membership Coordinator
(Derek Lea). Your personal details will not be shared with
any other parties and will only be used to contact you about
matters relating to the Croydon Local Group or that the
committee considers you should be made aware of. Please
tell us how you wish to receive the Newsletter, the choices
being:


an electronic copy sent to you by email
a printed copy which you will pick up at a Group
meeting
 a printed copy to be posted or delivered to your
address.
Once you have signed up, please do not forget to tell us if
your contact details change or you would like to change the
method of receiving the Newsletter or if you no longer wish
to receive the Newsletter. The Newsletter is also posted on
the Group’s website (www.rspb.org.uk/groups/croydon) as
soon as it is published.
Please note that the views expressed in this newsletter are not specifically endorsed by the RSPB or the Croydon Local Group.
RSPB website: www.rspb.org.uk
From Red-backed Shrike to Ring-necked Parakeet
(or The Importance of Keeping Bird Records)
I was prompted to write this after hearing a plea for more
people to fill in the monthly bird surveys. For many
decades daily records have been kept for my garden and
they demonstrate the importance of regular surveys. Who
in 1950 (or, indeed, even in 2000) would have imagined a
time when Ring-necked Parakeets with their exotic green
plumage and raucous squawking would be daily visitors to
the garden? Conversely, who in 2016 will believe that in
1950, aged 8, I recorded, among other birds visiting the
garden, a Cuckoo, Hawfinch and Red-backed Shrike!
Admittedly they were probably unusual sightings even
then as I can still visualize exactly where in the garden I
saw each of them; however, I assure you that I did see
them - my mother was a keen amateur naturalist and
taught me the names from an early age.
Another change in bird activity which can be clearly traced
in our records is the disappearance of the House Sparrow
from the garden. After being recorded in every month for
years, it became a spasmodic visitor in the 1990s and the
final record was in 1998 (except for a single brief
appearance of one male sparrow in 2014 when I suspect it
was looking for a new territory, as many ivy-clad trees
were blown down in a severe storm).
Keeping regular records fulfils several functions:
1.
It enables you to see a pattern of behaviour
emerge during the year – the resident birds which
disappear to the woods for a few months; those
birds which only visit for the nesting season, and
then the migrating birds which put in a brief but
very welcome appearance en route, eg Chiffchaffs
in spring and autumn, Redwings in winter.
2.
In the longer term it enables those who collate
and analyse records to see the changes in bird
distribution, as illustrated by our own records for
our garden.
3.
By no means least is the pleasure you derive from
the exercise! I could write much more about the
clever tricks of the crows in my garden, but that is
another story….
So, I hope this will encourage you to make 2016 the year to
start keeping your own records.
Valerie Woodley
Editor’s note:
Valerie submitted this article totally unsolicited and I couldn’t have expressed
her sentiments any better. It is still not too late to start keeping your own
records in 2016 and then continue into 2017 and beyond. Those of you who
have read our book “Two Centuries of Croydon’s Birds” (and copies are still
available if you haven’t yet read it) will know that Red-backed Shrike last bred
in Croydon in 1965 and that the last confirmed records of Hawfinch were in
1988.
Red-backed Shrike by Alan Pearson
Beddington Farmlands News
Despite the obvious disruption caused by the building of
the hotly opposed incinerator and its new approach roads,
the Farmlands continue to produce a wealth of birdlife
either as residents or just passing through. The monthly
visits, led by John Parish, by Croydon Group members
always produce good sightings of a number of species. All
members are welcome, but need to register with John to
satisfy Viridor Health & Safety rules.
Highlights of 2016 so far include TWO White Storks in one
week. One was a long stayer and was viewed by birders
from all over London & Surrey. A pair of Cetti’s Warblers
bred on the farmlands for the first time (4 young ringed), at
least 4 pairs of Tree Sparrows bred producing 12 young (an
improvement on last year’s 2 pairs) and Lapwings again
bred, but with fewer nests. Young Peregrine Falcons often
pay a visit to the consternation of the ever-present Gulls on
the tip & the lake. Most fine days also find Buzzards & the
occasional Red Kite drifting overhead. 21 Black Terns were
present for a few minutes recently.
450 new birds have been caught & ringed so far this year
including Teal, Coot, Siskin & Redpoll.
Viridor have recently introduced a new initiative by having
Open Days at the Farmlands in an effort to engage with
local people. They are advertised through the local media.
Mike Netherwood
The Croydon Challenge, Results for 2016
2016 saw the second running of ‘The Croydon Challenge’.
Once again we asked people to raise a team of up to four
people, get family, friends and work colleagues to sponsor
them (either for a set amount or for so much per species),
spend up to 24 hours birdwatching at either a single location
or going round a variety of sites within the Croydon
boundary, collect the money and give it to the Group. There
were to be two awards; one for the team raising the most in
sponsorship and one for the team recording the most species
during their Big Day.
In the end we had seven entries. They spent their time in
different ways and should be an inspiration to those of you
who didn’t think you could do anything. The teams and their
events were:
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Kings Wood Dawn Chorus. A one man band who did a
dawn chorus at King’s Wood, Sanderstead.
The Lakesider. Spent a couple of hours recording species
at South Norwood Lake.
The Miller. An hour spent by an individual at Millers
Pond.
The Pittville Gardener. Carried out a birdwatch from his
kitchen window.
Praying for a Dry Day (formerly known as The Croydon
Listers) A team of two who spent 15 hours this year
going round much of Croydon (and only getting a little
damp at the start of the day).
Queens Road Cemetery. Spent two hours watching birds
in the cemetery.
The Riddlesdown Recorders. A team of two who spent
about 7 hours visiting Riddlesdown, South Norwood
Country Park, South Norwood Lake and King’s Wood.
A total of 71 species was recorded by the different teams
who have, so far, raised a grand total of £694.45 (once all
pledges have been collected). Several other species were
known to be in Croydon on the days that some of these
events took place, meaning that the overall total could have
been nearer 75.
The Croydon Challenge Trophy
for recording the most species
was won by Praying for a Dry Day
who recorded an impressive 69
species during the day (smashing
their record of 61 seen last year).
In second place with 54 species
were The Riddlesdown Recorders.
Congratulations are therefore
due once again to John Birkett
and Simon Harris. Hopefully noone will cry ‘fix’, as the gap
between first and second place
was so big. Their long hours in the field certainly paid off.
The more important result related to the main aim of raising
money for the RSPB. The prize for the team raising the most
in sponsorship was a goodly collection of bird-themed ales
and was also won by Praying for a Dry Day who managed to
raise the superb total of £339.75. Congratulations also go to
Gill Flinn and Nicola Hunt who still managed to raise £195.70
for their efforts.
The Champions
I would like to thank all those individuals who took part, for
their dedication to the cause and ability to extract sums of
money from their acquaintances. If they can do it, why can’t
you? (Watch out for the invitation to participate in next
year’s event – the Big Croydon Birdwatch – which will take
place in May 2017.)
Recycling
We collect Aluminium cans (but not steel ones).
Please flatten them to save space. These are dealt
with by Roger Tarran and may be taken to the
monthly meetings or to his home address (64 Purley Downs
Road, South Croydon, CR2 ORA), but please telephone first
on 020 8660 2664.
Postage StampsƗ should be sorted into 2 lots - British (UK)
and Foreign (including Isle of Man, Guernsey & Jersey).
Please trim them around, leaving a small protective border.
Please do not give us stamps that have large borders, or
ones that are torn or defaced by pen or sellotape.
Inkjet cartridgesƗ – currently Hewlett-Packard and Canon
cartridges (but only those with jets and their electrical
connections) are of value for recycling. We do not collect
laser printer cartridges.
CoinsƗ We can sell pre-1947 British coins.
The RSPB accepts Binoculars & TelescopesƗ for overhaul
and onward supply to deserving people elsewhere in the
world.
Items marked Ɨ can all be taken to the monthly meetings.
The Croydon Group is not in a position to collect Mobile
phones.
Bird Talks for Local Organisations
We have a series of high quality digital presentations (including birdsong) with the following titles: ‘Garden Birds’ - ¾ hour (Birds commonly seen in our gardens).
 ‘Local Birds’ - 1 hour (Includes garden birds, but with additional species seen in open spaces).
 ‘Countryside Birds’ - 1 hour (Birds and their specific habitats).
 ‘Visiting Birds’ -1 hour (Our Summer & Winter Visitors.
 ‘What is Happening to Croydon’s Birds?’ – ¾ hour (Recent changes in status of some of Croydon’s birds).
 ‘Gardens 4 Birds’ – ¾ hour (How to make our gardens more attractive for birds).
 ‘Introducing Birds’ – ½ hour (Specially designed for school classes and youth organisations).
The approximate length of these talks is indicated above, but can be tailored to requirements.
Other talks are available and we may be able to prepare a bespoke talk for specific requirements.
We do not charge a set fee, but request a donation which goes towards protecting birds and improving their habitats. We
also suggest a small contribution towards the speakers’ travel expenses.
If you are interested in booking one of our talks, please telephone.
Pat Webster - Tel 020 8668 5073
Ordering from the RSPB Catalogue
If you wish to order anything from the RSPB catalogues,
If you want a Catalogue, please call 0345 034 7733.
especially for Christmas, please look through them and
place your orders with Gill Jones, so saving yourselves
hassle and postage. Please order early - particularly
calendars, diaries and crackers. When your goods are
ready, they can be collected from a Group meeting, from
Gill Jones or other arrangements can be made.
Payment can be made in cash or by cheque (made payable
to RSPB Sales Ltd.)
As well as taking orders from the catalogue, Gill also attends various events through the year where supplies of some of the
RSPB goods are available for sale. The next will be Guide & Brownies Fair, St Paul's URC, Croham Park Avenue, South Croydon
on Saturday 12th November 10am-noon. Future events will be posted on our website as News items entitled ’Meet the
Group’.
Gill Jones - 155 Shirley Church Road, Shirley, Croydon, CR0 5AJ (Tel: 020 8777 3572)
RSPB Seeds & Peanuts
RSPB nuts and seeds can be bought at meetings or from our house. We can deliver reasonably sized orders. Prices correct at
time of writing, but may change at short notice and can be checked before buying, either on the Group’s website or by
telephoning us (see contact details below). PLEASE NOTE that when telephoning us can you please let the ‘phone ring for a
while as we may not be able to answer it immediately.
We can supply the following in pack sizes as shown. As the plastic bags we use for our 2.5Kg packs cost us 3½p each, we would
appreciate your returning them when convenient.
500g
2.5Kg
12.75Kg
Table mix
£0.80
£4.00
£20.00
Sunflower hearts
£1.40
£6.70
£34.00
Black sunflower seed
£0.90
£4.40
£22.00
No-mess sunflower mix
£1.30
£6.50
£33.00
Feeder seed
£0.90
£4.50
£22.50
Feeder seed extra
£1.10
£5.40
£27.00
Nyjer seed
£1.25
£6.10
£31.00
Premium peanuts
£1.50
£7.25
£37.50
We can also supply 500ml Suet & Chopped Peanut Hanging
Bird Cakes with raisins, insects or mealworms depending on
availability in single (£3.50) or triple (£9.25) packs and packs
of 5 High Energy Suet balls with sunflower seeds and
cereals. (£1.00).
Michael Bishopp - 94 Mayfield Road, South Croydon, CR2 0BF (Tel: 020 8407 1257)
Local Bird Walks
Details of some good birdwatching sites in Croydon are given
on our website, but here are a coupleof suggestions around
the peripheries of Croydon that may be of interest. Please let
us know if you try them out and whether they were worth
the effort. Even better, why not send us your suggestions for
local walks.
1. Little Woodcote Estate.
Park in nearby Oaks Park, where you should be able to find
some of the common woodland species. Then, from the
northern end, cross Woodmansterne Road to walk along the
Oaks Track to Woodmansterne Lane and back passing various
smallholdings. In spring and summer you will hopefully find
the local small population of breeding Swallows along with
Skylarks, House Sparrows and Starlings. Wheatears often
stop off on migration as do occasional Ring Ouzels. There is
apparently Little Owl in the area and Short-eared Owl has
been seen there.
(I did the walk in early September and had a Sparrowhawk
and Kestrel sparring with each other. Ed)
2. Woldingham/Chelsham area.
There is no specific route here, just look at a map and select a
route along the public footpaths. Keep your eyes looking
skywards for raptors with a good chance of Red Kite and
Buzzard as well as Kestrel. There is even an outside chance of
a Raven. Skylarks can often be heard and Lapwings have been
seen displaying. In spring and autumn check out fields and
hedgerows for migrants such as Wheatear, Whinchat and
Ring Ouzel. There have even been reports of Little Owl, Barn
Owl and Short-eared Owl.
3. New Addington area.
The fields behind the Vulcan Way industrial estate around
Layham’s Farm have a mixture of crops (beans in 2016) and
meadows. This is an excellent area for Skylarks in summer
with several territories. Linnets can be found in a couple of
places and Whitethroats seem to favour the pile of felled
trees. Rooks are hard to find in Croydon, but the school fields
and houses near Vulcan Way provide the best opportunity;
these birds seem to fly over the fields to a rookery beyond. A
wintering Peregrine has been seen perched on a pylon and
flying over Rowdown Wood and Buzzards can turn up over
the fields.
Our annual Quiz Night with Fish and Chip Supper will be on Saturday 4th March 2017
We are returning to All Saints Church Hall, Onslow Gardens,
Sanderstead, 19:00 for a 19:30 start, with the same popular
Quiz Master, Mark Cooper and his team of markers.
The quiz will follow the usual format - tables of eight
comprising full teams or made up of individuals. Alternative
suppers (vegetarian or chicken) are available, but only if
ordered in advance. As for last year the number of people we
are allowed to accommodate is 152, so early booking is
essential to secure your place/table.
Tickets are £12.50 each, covering the quiz costs and supper–
you are encouraged to bring your own nibbles, drinks and
glasses. Tickets will be on sale from the 12th December 2016
meeting at the Whitgift Sports Clubhouse, Croham Manor
Road, South Croydon, CR2 7BG, and at subsequent RSPB
Croydon Local Group meetings, (usually sold out by the
February meeting), or direct from Diane Tarran.
To reduce our costs we have undertaken to prepare the hall
ourselves in advance of the quiz, and to dismantle everything
at the end of the event, returning the hall, toilets etc. to the
condition in which we found them and we would really
appreciate help on the night. If you are able and willing to
assist in either setting-up or cleaning up afterwards, please
make it known to Diane at the time of booking your tickets.
STOP PRESS
The Mental Blocks, who are regulars at our Quiz Night and have won once, will be
o
appearing in EGGHEADS, episode N . 25 (to be broadcast at 6pm on BBC2, probably
in February 2017). You may recognize them from the photo.
Diane Tarran - Tel 020 8660 2664
email - [email protected]
RSPB Croydon Local Group
Programme 2016/2017
Indoor Meetings & Events
Our monthly meetings are open to everyone, not just RSPB members. Admission: £4.00 (includes tea/coffee). They are held at Whitgift
Sports Club, The Clubhouse, Croham Manor Road, South Croydon, CR2 7BG between 2pm-4pm and again between 8pm-10pm.
10th April 2017 - “Pineapple Peril” by Ann Scott. Many long-term
Croydon members will recall talks given by the late Bob Scott. His
widow, Ann, created The Bob Scott Memorial Appeal, an amazing
effort to save Kenyan habitat for migrants and endemic species
like the Sokoke Scops Owl. Hear more about coastal forests of
Kenya being destroyed to provide pineapples for the Western
World with little thought given to wildlife.
We meet here
Buses 64 and 433 stop
in Croham Road
14th November 2016 - “Penguins – Fish With Feathers”. A fish
with feathers was how an early explorer described these strange
birds of Antarctica. Dr Michael Leach has had the privilege of
working with all 18 species in the world today, from the
Galapagos to mainland Antarctic. This talk covers identification,
myths, habits, breeding and predators of these amazing birds.
12th December 2016 - “A Nature Photographer's Year at Home &
Abroad”. Robert Canis brings our year of talks to a splendid end.
Robert considers himself to be very much a stay-at-home nature
photographer, repeatedly visiting the same locations and
spending extended periods photographing his subjects. This talk
will be concentrating on birds from the UK plus those from
northern and eastern Europe.
9th January 2017 - “Russian Far East”. Chris Collins has been
working on projects around the world for 10 years. This talk
promises to give us a comprehensive review of the birds and
wildlife of this amazing region covering the Sea of Okhotsk,
Sakhalin Island, the Kamchatka Peninsula and further. Species
include Auks, Steller’s Sea-eagle and Siberian Rubythroat as well
as searching for Spoon-billed Sandpiper.
13th February 2017 - “Trinidad & Tobago Birding”. Martyn
Kenefick is a Board member of Asa Wright Nature Centre
(AWNC). The AWNC is part of Trinidad’s Arima Valley and boasts
13 species of Hummingbird. A network of trails provide
opportunities to see Trogons, Woodpeckers, Flycatchers,
Tanagers and a many other species including Oilbird.
13th March 2017 - “Birds Without Borders” We are very pleased
to welcome back Peter Holden, MBE who has been passionate
about birds and wildlife for as long as he can remember and
devised the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch. Today’s talk tells the
story of bird migration – including many of the amazing facts that
we are discovering about their journeys. It will also include some
of the migration strategies of other animals and insects.
8th May 2017 - “Reserved for Birds”. We welcome back Brian
Nobbs, of the Sevenoaks Local Group, who has entertained us in
the past. Today he takes us on a trip around various RSPB
reserves in Scotland, Wales and England. Each requires a
different management regime to maintain habitat and the RSPB
works in conjunction with other organisations to make the most
of the land its manage. Brian will give us his personal insight into
such important work.
10th July 2017 - “Gardening with Wildlife” by Adrian Thomas. In
2010 Adrian wrote “Gardening for Wildlife” as part of the RSPB
book range. There is something uplifting about having butterflies
in your flowerbeds, frogs in your water feature and birds in your
bushes, knowing that they're here because of you. He busts the
myth that wildlife gardens have to be 'wild'. If you love wildlife
this talk will help you sow the seeds and reap the rewards.
14th August 2017 - General Meeting (afternoon) and AGM
(evening). These will be accompanied by a talk from the
environment committee.
11th September 2017 - “Footloose in Namibia”. It helps to have
an expert in your midst. Having been let down by a number of
potential speakers, step forward John Lawrence, who is Leader of
East Surrey Group. “Footloose in Namibia” promises to be a fun
packed excursion heading north from Cape Town via the Skeleton
Coast and Etosha National Park. There will be lots to see and
plenty of anecdotes to keep everyone amused.
9th October 2017 – “Birds in Art”. Jackie Gardner as a part-time
education officer at Gloucestershire's Nature in Art has been able
to indulge her love of wildlife art. Jackie’s wildlife paintings
mostly concentrate on British animals and birds. The first part of
this presentation looks at the changing trends in the depiction of
birds. The second part relates to Jackie’s personal long-term
interests in birdwatching and painting.
13th November 2017 – “Finland”. Jennie Hibbert has become a
favourite with RSPB Croydon audiences since she regaled us with
tales of struggling into the middle of her local river with camera
and gear at the dead of night and then transporting us to Japan
in the cold grip of winter. Now we have thawed out Jennie will
take us to visit Finland. During her visit the temperature sunk to 27C, so the images she brought back to show the group will
undoubtedly set us up for winter!
11th December 2017 – “Essex & Suffolk Estuary Wildlife &
Habitat”. We had hoped to hear Alex Bass’s talk in 2015, but
circumstances robbed us of the opportunity. The talk explores
various Estuaries, Heybridge Basin, Hamford Water, The Stour,
Flatford, Snape Maltings, Iken Cliffs, Orford Ness and Hen
Reedbeds. Being close to Croydon you may need no second invite
to make a day trip to these wonderful areas. There will be
seasonal fayre, courtesy of members, served during the interval.
Field Outings 2016/17
Guided visits to the premier birding sites of south-east England (many of them also excellent for butterflies and dragonflies during the
summer months). All outings will be in shared cars unless stated otherwise and willingness by drivers to share their vehicles with other
participants will be greatly appreciated. Everyone is welcome! Note: Entrance fees are chargeable at sites marked * and at some RSPB
Reserves for non-members.
Weekend outings start from near the bend by Leafy Way on the northern section of Park Hill Rise, East Croydon, at 08:00 unless otherwise
specified. Contact John Parish for more info on 020 8681 7475 (or 07887 565191 on outing days only).
Midweek outings normally start at the venue at 10:15, although for most of them someone will be in the car park at Tesco Purley Extra
near the recycling bins and furthest from the store itself at about 09:00 to arrange car sharing if necessary. Details about meeting points
and of leaders and contacts for individual outings will be given on our website - http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/croydon/events/.
Postcode; OS refs & co-ordinates that can be used with satnav are given below for meeting points at venues, those for Tesco are postcode
CR8 2HA; co-ordinates for entrance; 51.337108,-0.115782.
Any changes relating to outings will be shown on our website and this may be at short notice.
October, 2016
Wed 19th - Nutfield Marsh & Holmethorpe [Please note that this
is a Wednesday not a Tuesday.] [RH1 4EU; TQ299517;
51.249639, -0.139471]
Sun 23rd Isle of Sheppey, Kent
Sat 17th Ashdown Forest & Weirwood Reservoir, East Sussex
Weds 21st – Farnham Heath RSPB, Surrey [Parking at Rural Life
Centre - GU10 2DL, SU859433, 51.18243,-0.77239]. Please note
that this is a Wednesday not a Tuesday.
November, 2016
Sat 5th - Foreness & Reculver, Kent
Tues 15th – London Wetland Centre, Barn Elms WWT* [SW13
9WT; TQ227767, 51.47718,-0.23522]
Sun 20th - Farlington Marshes, Hants
July, 2017
Sat 1st – Borden & Iping Common, West Sussex
Sat 15th – Springhead Hill & Waltham Brooks, West Sussex
Tues 18th – Oare Marshes NR, Kent [ME13 0QD; TR013647;
51.346065, 0.889172]
Sun 30th – Cliffe Pools RSPB, Kent
December, 2016
Sat 3rd - Pegwell Bay & Grove Ferry, Kent
Sat 17th - Swanbourne Lake & Burpham, West Sussex
Tues 20th - Beddington Park & Farmlands [SM6 7DJ; TQ287652;
51.370446, -0.152535]
August, 2017
Sat 12th – Titchfield Haven* & Farlington Marshes, Hants
Tues 15th – Leechpool and Warnham LNR*, West Sussex.
[Leechpool, Harwood Road, Horsham.52.069464, -0.298270]
Sat 26th - Dungeness, Kent
January, 2017
Mon 2nd – Shellness, Isle of Sheppey, Kent
Sat 14th – Pagham Harbour RSPB, West Sussex
Tues 17th - Sevenoaks Wildlife Trust*, Kent [TN13 3DH;
TQ520565; 51.286112, 0.180967]
Sat 28th – Rye Harbour, East Sussex
September, 2017
Sat 9th - Oare Marshes, Kent
Tues 19th - Rye Harbour NR, East Sussex [TN31 7TT; TQ942190;
50.937061, 0.762827]
Sat 23rd – Beachy Head, East Sussex
February, 2017
Sun 12th – Lee Valley, Herts/Essex
Tues 21st - Rainham Marshes RSPB, Essex [RM19 1SZ; TQ552792;
51.49040, 0.23413]
Sat 25th - Burton Mill & West Dean Woods, West Sussex
March, 2017
Sun 12th - Dungeness, Kent
Tues 21st – Pagham Harbour RSPB & Medmerry RSPB, West
Sussex [PO20 7NE, SZ857966, 50.763115, -0.785525]
Sat 25th – Motney Hill & Cliffe Pools RSPB, Kent
April, 2017
Sun 9th – Wat Tyler Country Park & Two Tree Island, Essex
Tues 18th- Pulborough Brooks RSPB, West Sussex [RH20 2EL;
TQ058164; 50.93729, -0.49562]
Sat 22rd – Fingringhoe Wick* & Abberton Reservoir*, Essex
May, 2017
Sat 6th – Seaford Head & Cuckmere Haven, East Sussex
Tues 16th – Dungeness, Kent [RSPB reserve TN29 9PN, TR062197,
50.93980, 0.93364]
Sun 21st - Stodmarsh, Kent
October, 2017
Sat 7th - Hayling Island & Pagham Harbour (east side), W Sussex
Tues 17th - Nutfield Marsh & Holmethorpe [Mercers Country
Park car park, RH1 4EU; TQ299517; 51.250123, -0.139397]
Sun 22nd Isle of Sheppey, Kent
November, 2017
Sat 4th - Foreness & Reculver, Kent
Tues 21st– London Wetland Centre, Barn Elms WWT* [SW13
9WT; TQ227767; 51.47718,-0.23522]
Sun 19th - Farlington Marshes, Hants
December, 2017
Sat 2nd - Pegwell Bay & Grove Ferry, Kent
Tues 19th - Beddington Park & Farmlands [SM6 7DJ; TQ287652;
51.370446, -0.152535] NB may include a ringing demonstration.
Sat 16th – Swanbourne Lake & Burpham, West Sussex
Other Events
Saturday 4th March 2017 - Quiz Night with a Fish & Chip Supper
at All Saints’ Parish Church Hall, Sanderstead at 19:00 for 19:30
start, tickets £12.50.
May 2017. Choose your own date during May to participate in
the Big Croydon Birdwatch 2017.
June, 2017
Sat 3rd – Lakenheath RSPB & Weeting Heath*, Norfolk. NB this is
a 7.30 start (not 8am)

Wear appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather and ground conditions. Avoid bright or white clothing.

Bring a packed lunch and drinks.

Bring RSPB or other membership cards as appropriate when visiting reserves.

Make a contribution to driver’s costs on car outings and avoid muddying cars on wet days.

Making a noise and not keeping together increases disturbance.
CROYDON BIRD SURVEY
CROYDON BIRD SURVEY
YEAR:
LOCATION :
YEAR:
LOCATION :
MONTH
JAN
Grey Heron
Canada Goose
Sparrow haw k *
Kestrel *
Black-headed gull
Feral pigeon
Woodpigeon
Collared dove
Ring-necked parakeet
Sw ift *
Green Woodpecker
Great-Spotted Wood'r
Sw allow
House Martin *
Pied Wagtail
Wren
Dunnock
Robin
Blackbird *
Fieldfare
Song Thrush *
Redw ing
Mistle Thrush
Blackcap *
Chiffchaff
Goldcrest
Long-tailed Tit
Coal Tit
Blue Tit *
Great Tit
Nuthatch
Treecreeper
Jay
Magpie *
Jackdaw
Carrion Crow *
Starling
House Sparrow *
Chaffinch
Greenfinch *
Goldfinch
Siskin
Bullfinch
FEB MAR APR
MAY JUN
MONTH
Grey Heron
Canada Goose
Sparrow haw k *
Kestrel *
Black-headed gull
Feral pigeon
Woodpigeon
Collared dove
Ring-necked parakeet
Sw ift *
Green Woodpecker
Great-Spotted Wood'r
Sw allow
House Martin *
Pied Wagtail
Wren
Dunnock
Robin
Blackbird *
Fieldfare
Song Thrush *
Redw ing
Mistle Thrush
Blackcap *
Chiffchaff
Goldcrest
Long-tailed Tit
Coal Tit
Blue Tit *
Great Tit
Nuthatch
Treecreeper
Jay
Magpie *
Jackdaw
Carrion Crow *
Starling
House Sparrow *
Chaffinch
Greenfinch *
Goldfinch
Siskin
Bullfinch
JUL
AUG
SEP OCT NOV DEC
Name :
Address :
Name :
Address :
Postcode :
Tel :
Email address :
6 figure OS map reference for your garden :
Postcode :
Tel :
Email address :
6 figure OS map reference for your garden :
#
Return completed form to John Birkett, 24 Briton Hill Road,
Sanderstead, Surrey, CR2 0JL.
Or e-mail to [email protected]
Return completed form to John Birkett, 24 Briton Hill Road,
Sanderstead, Surrey, CR2 0JL.
Or e-mail to [email protected]
The Croydon Bird Survey
We have been running our survey since 1995 to monitor the status of birds in the Croydon area. If you take an interest in the
birds visiting (and flying over) your garden or local open space you can take part in the survey. Even a list of birds seen when
looking out of the kitchen window while washing up or seen on a walk to the local shops is of value to us. The results are
collated and published in an annual report which is available to purchase at our meetings and other events. When first started
it primarily collected information about garden birds, but has now been extended to include information from open spaces in
the Croydon area. While we would prefer the records to be submitted on the proper form (one for each site) a list on a sheet
of paper or e-mail will do, so long as we can identify which month(s) the records relate to for each species.
Some basic instructions for completion of the Survey Form






Include all species you have identified that have been seen/heard in/from (or flying over) the garden or open space.
Simply tick the appropriate box to record the presence of a species in a given month (although we would appreciate
additional information as given below, that is not essential).
Additional species seen/heard can be written on the form after the listed species.
Remember to put your name and address at the bottom of the form.
When recording birds in your own garden you only need to write 'GARDEN' as the location at the top of the form,
otherwise give the name of the open space.
Return the completed form to John Birkett either at a Group meeting or by post to 24 Briton Hill Road, Sanderstead,
South Croydon, Surrey, CR2 0JL. Or you can email a copy to [email protected]
Optional additional information
The following are useful, but not essential, details that can help us monitor species more closely if you wish to include them.
 Approximate counts of the maximum number of birds (of the same species) seen together at any one time during the
month.
 A note of any breeding activity (eg nest building, occupied nests, recently fledged young or number of territories).
 For less common species a note of number, sex and exact date would be of value.
 Further contact information (eg telephone number and email) is useful if we need to contact you about any
interesting sightings. We will not share your personal contact details with any other organisations and (unless you
have signed up to become a member of the Group) we will only contact you in connection with the survey.
Information supplied for our survey may be shared with the London Natural History Society and Surrey Bird Club. Most of this
is summarised, but some individual records (usually of less common species or interesting activity) may be submitted with the
observer’s name but NOT their address or other contact details. Unless you state otherwise, by participating in our survey you
are agreeing to this information being passed on.
Environment News
By the time you read this, the 2015 Croydon Bird Report,
giving details about how our birds are faring, should have
been published. Highlights include first confirmed records
of Cetti’s and Yellow-browed Warblers in Croydon and a
wintering Bearded Tit. The Cetti’s Warbler turned up at
South Norwood CP in December and has been present ever
since, while the Yellow-browed Warbler was at
Riddlesdown on 10 October 2015, along with Firecrests and
Goldcrests. There was another first for Croydon in 2016
when a pair of Egyptian Geese had several goslings at
South Norwood CP, but none survived (and neither did a
second brood hatched there later in the year). And on the
subject of breeding, a pair of Mandarins had a duckling
with them in May at Millers Pond. A pair of Peregrines
successfully bred at a location within the borough, fledging
two young, while a second pair was present elsewhere, but
failed to breed.
Records of Buzzards and Red Kites continue to increase and
it should only be a matter of time before they are proved
to breed within the borough boundaries (although the
former probably has done so already). Place your bets as to
where that will take place.
Research findings have been published about a couple of
recent status changes. Over the past few decades there
have been increasing numbers of Blackcaps wintering in
this country; these are birds from central Europe, which
have migrated to Britain instead of going down to the
Mediterranean. Taking advantage of our milder winters
(and food we provide), these birds get a head start when
they get back to their breeding grounds and their offspring
are now programmed to come here – evolution in action.
Goldfinches are now far more frequent garden visitors,
with numbers increasing. This has been linked to more
suitable food being put out.
John Birkett
Current news about birds in Croydon is on the Croydon Birders website: http://croydon-birders.wikia.com/wiki/Latest_News
By the time this newsletter is distributed the 2015 Croydon Bird Report should be available at Group meetings and events or
by post from John Birkett. Price (tbc) £3.50 at meetings and £4.50 by post. Cheques payable to “RSPB Croydon Local Group”.