Leader: Peta Jellis

Telephone: 01933-356914

Email: pej@petaj26.me.uk

U3A BIRDWATCHING THROUGH THE SEASONS

 

At last the winter wildfowl are arriving and looking more handsome each week as they grow their breeding plumage.  

Teal and Widgeon have been here for a few weeks but now the Goldeneye ducks have started to arrive and are looking magnificent. 

Most of the bird watching undertaken by the group is at Summer Leys nature reserve (between Wollaston and Great Doddington) which has several hides and is a pleasant mile and a half walk around the lake. 

In early December, some of the group caught a brief glimpse of a Bittern which is a very shy bird and beautifully camouflaged in the reeds. 

Tufty ducks and Gadwall are permanent residents at the reserve along with Coot and Moorhen.  

Herons are common and Little Egrets are often seen with their big yellow feet which they wriggle around in the water’s edge to disturb the small fish. 

In the winter, Fieldfare and Redwing strip the reserve of its berries – but that’s why they were planted for winter food for the birds. 

In January the group will go to Stanwick Lakes in the hope of seeing Goosanders and perhaps some Bullfinches and Siskin. 

Then back to Summer Leys when in May, one of the county’s leading ornithologists will give a master class on summer warblers which breed on the reserve. 

In June, the group will be going to Rutland Water in the hope of seeing breeding Ospreys. 

Each season has its birding delights to offer. 

No restriction on numbers for outdoor activities so if you would like to come along, the group meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 9 am. 

Peta Jellis pej@petaj26.me.uk 01933 356914

Picture by Ann Cook

Northampton & Higham & Rushden Branches
Bird Watching Group
2011/12 Programme

Date of Meeting	Time and Length	Birding Site	Birding Highlights	Additional Information
Tuesday, 7 February 2012	9.00 am 2-2.5 hours	Summer Leys Great Doddington	Wildfowl and winter birds	No loos or cafe.  Coffee afterwards at Doddington Garden Centre.
Tuesday, 6 March 2012	9.00 am 2-2.5 hours	Summer Leys Great Doddington	Woodland Warblers	No loos or cafe.  Coffee afterwards at Doddington Garden Centre
Tuesday, 3 April 2012	9.00 am 2-2.5 hours	Summer Leys Great Doddington	Wildfowl, woodpecker and small birds.	No loos or cafe.  Coffee afterwards at Doddington Garden Centre.
Tuesday, 1 May 2012	9.00 am 2-2.5 hours	Summer Leys Great Doddington	Listen for summer Warblers	Walk led by John Ward Summer Leys Warden and bird expert.  £2.50 donation to Friends of SL.
Tuesday, 12 June 2012	10.00 am 2-2.5 hours	Rutland Water	Ospreys	Meet at Summer Leys car-park at 9 am to co-ordinate transport.  There will be a charge to go round the reserve.
Tuesday, 3 July 2012	9.00 am 2-2.5 hours	Stanwick Lakes	Terns and other summer birds	Meet in car park - £2 per car. Loos and coffee shop available.
No meeting August

NOTE:  Walking boots advisable. 

Sharing of transport for longer journeys to be arranged. 

Ad hoc meetings to be arranged to study DVDs on birds and learn birdsong. 

Further information contact: Mrs Peta Jellis by email pej@petaj26.me.uk or leave message on answer-phone 01933 356914.

 

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