News from Gravesend RSPB

Indoor Meeting - Pharaohs and Pratincoles

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 13:00:00 +0000

There is an indoor meeting this Wednesday, 10th March, at St Botolph's Hall.

John Wyatt, an expert birdwatcher and egyptologist, will talk about "Pharaohs and Pratincoles".

The meeting starts at 07:45.

Outdoor meeting - Cliffe Pools RSPB & Northward Hill RSPB

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:00:00 +0000

There is a meeting this Saturday, 6th March, at Cliffe Pools.

Meet in the new car park off Salt Lane ready for a 10am start.

Afterwards we will visit Northward Hill - meet in the Bromhey Farm car park.

Leader: Malcolm Jennings

Trip report -Stodmarsh 20 February 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 10:30:00 +0000

On a bright but very cold day Paul led about a dozen hardy souls on a round trip to take in Grove Ferry and the various hides at Stodmarsh. As the sun warmed up, the paths of frozen mud and ice thawed and we were left traipsing through thick mud! Great fun, but exhausting!

But plenty of birds to see. Bob saw yellowhammers at the entrance to the reserve and a buzzard circled over the car park. On the way to the first hide Irene and Joan saw siskins and redpoll feeding in the alders. Clifford spotted an amazingly well camoflaged snipe in the woodland area. Much of the water around the hides was frozen but there was a good selection of ducks on the open water including pintail. And a shout from Ian alerted us all to a bittern flying over to land in the reed beds. Cetti's were heard and little egrets and herons were around so perhaps the freezing winter has not been too hard on these species.

On the way to the mound Paul and Sam saw bearded reedling although others only heard them. From the mound there were large flocks of lapwings and Steve managed to spot greenwoodpecker along with stonechat in the surrounding fields.

Spring must be in the air as the Konic ponies were very frisky charging about, and a pair of marsh harriers displyed over the reeds.

But near the end of our visit we saw a delightful pair of little owls near the farm and to end the day a pair of bullfinches feeding in the bushes near the car park.

Overall we saw most of the birds you would expect to see, some 50 species in total.

Thanks Paul for a great day out!

Indoor Meeting - Marine Mammals and Wildlife

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 13:00:00 +0000

There is an indoor meeting this Tuesday, 23rd Feb, at Millbrook Garden Centre.

"Marine Mammals and Wildlife", by Jon Bramley.

On his last visit, we learnt about otters in Kent, now join us to hear what Jon has to say on this subject.

Meeting starts at 14:00

Outdoor meeting - Stodmarsh NNR

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:00:00 +0000

There is a meeting this Saturday, 20th Feb, at Stodmarsh NNR.

Meet in the reserve car park ready for a 10am start.

Leader: Paul Yetman

Indoor Meeting - Of Birds, Of People, Of Whatever

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Don't forget the indoor meeting this Wednesday, 10th Feb, at St Botolph's Hall.

The guest speaker is Andy Hay, an RSPB staff photographer whose work regularly features in the RSPB BIRDS magazine.

Meeting starts at 07:45

Trip Report - Shellness February 7th 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 20:25:00 +0000

A damp & cold day, but nevertheless there were a good number of us at Shellness, & later at Capel Fleet, to see 45 bird species. The highlight of the day was the 400-500 Brent Geese feeding on the fields at Shellness, one of which, according to Bob, was of the Pale Bellied variety!

The 45 species were;
Oystercatcher, turnstone, curlew, redshank, sandling, knot, ringed plover, grey plover, golden plover, herring gull, black-headed gull, common gull, brent geese, greylag geese, whitefronted geese, red-legged partridge, lapwing, pheasant, wood pigeon, crow, jackdaw, magpie, mute swan, mallard, teal, gadwall, shelduck, chaffinch, reed bunting, greenfinch, robin, blackbird, stonechat, kestrel, sparrowhawk, marsh harrier, starling, moorhen, coot, snipe, pied wagtail, green woodpecker, little egret, grey heron, & finally, redwing.

Outdoor meeting - Shellness NNR & Capel Fleet RSPB Watchpoint

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Don't forget the meeting this Sunday, 7th Feb at Shellness.

Meet by the sea wall as usual. **NB: this is different from meeting point in the 2010 programme - we may drive down to the hamlet car park depending on weather.

Afterwards, we will go on to the RSPB Capel Fleet viewpoint for some raptor watching.

Leader: Jeff Kirk

The Big Garden Birdwatch

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Don't forget this weekend is BGBW weekend!

A good excuse to spend an hour just sitting and watching the birds in your garden.

Post your results or submit them online via the RSPB website.

Indoor Meeting - the making of Cliffe Pools

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Come along to Millbrook this Tuesday afternoon to hear our very own Malcolm Jennings talk about Cliffe Pools.

The meeting starts at 2pm.

Herring Gull Update

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 11:11:00 +0000

Dungeness 17th Jan

Some of those who attended the outdoor meeting on Sunday noticed a Herring Gull on the beach with a ring. We have ascertained that this bird was ringed by the North Thames Gull Group on 10th January 2009 at Pitsea, and although it has been at Dungeness since 26th January last year, we are the first non-ringers to report it. When it was in its 5th calendar year or older.

Trip report - Dungeness 19th January 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:13:00 +0000

Plenty of people ventured out after the recent snow and enjoyed a fine sunny day with plenty of "year tick"s and a "life tick" for some with a penduline tit!

Species seen on the day:

(Lighthouse and Beach) Kestrel, Red Throated Diver, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Greater black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Great Crested Grebe, Pied Wagtail, Guillemot, Skylark, Snow Bunting, Magpie, Cormorant

(ARC Pits) Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Shoveler, Coot, Smew, Goosander, Goldeneye,

(Reserve) Blackcap, Mallard, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Marsh Harrier, Wigeon, Pochard, Barnacle Geese, Greylag Geese, Ruddy Duck, Water Rail, Slavonian Grebe, Canada Geese, Lapwing, Black-necked Grebe, Reed Bunting, Bearded Tit, Penduline Tit, Bittern, Redwing

TOTAL SPECIES FOR THE YEAR: 74

Wine and Wisdom Quiz Night

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 19:55:00 +0000
On Saturday, March 13th, our friends down the road, The Medway RSPB local group, are having a quiz night at the Memorial Hall, Holly Road, Wainscott, Rochester ME2 4LG.

They're looking for ten teams of 6 and the cost will be £3 per person. All proceeds will go to aid the RSPB.

Tea and coffee facilities will be available, but bring your own wine, nibbles and wisdom!

The hall will be open from 19:00 and the quiz will start at 20:00.

For more information or an entry form, contact David Saunders on 07772 221261 or 01634 251433 or by email

Outdoor meeting - Dungeness Observatory & Dungeness RSPB

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 13:00:00 +0000
This Sunday, 17th January, join us for a day out in Dungeness.

Meet in the Old Lighthouse car park for a 10am start, and afterwards in the main car park at the RSPB reserve.

Leader: Roy Gardner

Indoor Meeting - Wildlife of Australia CANCELLED

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 13:00:00 +0000
PLEASE NOTE: the meeting this Wednesday, 13th January, at St Botolph's Hall has been cancelled due to the continuing bad weather.

Outdoor meeting - Elmley RSPB

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 13:00:00 +0000
Time to brush off the festive cobwebs and get down to Elmley next Saturday 2nd January.

Meet in the reserve car park ready for a 10am start.

Leader: Malcolm Jennings.

**NB as the weather forecast looks like the snow and ice may be returning for the new year, better check with Malcolm that this meeting is going ahead.

Outdoor meeting - Shellness NNR & Capel Fleet RSPB Watchpoint

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:00:00 +0000
This Saturday, 19th December, we will be visiting Shellness NNR.
Park by the seawall ready for a 10am start.
For large numbers of waders and gulls plus the possibility of divers, grebes and sawbills.
In the afternoon we will visit the RSPB Capel Fleet watchpoint, where we hope to see several species of raptor.
Leaders: Malcolm & Sally Jennings.

Outdoor meeting - Cliffe Pools RSPB

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:18:00 +0000
This Sunday, 6th December, we are visiting Cliffe Pools RSPB reserve.
Meet in the new car park (off Salt Lane) in time for a 10am start.
During winter this reserve hosts spectacular numbers of winter waders and ducks. We will look out for goldeneye, rare grebes and hunting raptors.
Leader: RSPB Warden.

Coach Trip to the London Wetland Centre

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0000
I'm sure you don't need reminding that there is a coach trip this Sunday, 22nd November.

Be at the Woodville Halls pick up point ready for the coach departure at 08:30.

Run by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, it supports a wealth of wildlife, including kingfishers, bitterns, water voles and migratory birds. There are hides, trails and a visitor centre serving hot and cold food. A great way to spend a November day!

If you haven't got a ticket, ring Malcolm - there may be a late cancellation...

Outdoor meeting - Rainham Marshes RSPB, Essex

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0000
This Sunday, 8th November, we will be paying Rainham Marshes RSPB reserve another visit.
Meet in the reserve car park ready for a 10am start.
Possible species are bullfinches, ringed plovers, oystercatchers, golden plovers, water and rock pipits, little egrets, snipe, chiffchaffs, curlews, lapwings, dunlins, redshanks, shelducks, peregrines, kingfishers, short-eared owls (and that’s before leaving the visitor centre!)
Leaders: Jeff & Wendy Kirk.

Outdoor meeting - Elmley RSPB

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:00:00 +0000
This Saturday, 24th October, we will be revisiting Elmley RSPB reserve.
Meet in the reserve car park in time for a 10am start.
This is an excellent location for wintering wildfowl, waders and raptors, including harriers, peregrine, and several species of owl.
Leaders: Malcolm & Sally Jennings.

Malcolm gets an award!

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:14:00 +0000
Malcolm has been awarded the RSPB's prestigious President's Award in recognition of his outstanding commitment to nature conservation as a volunteer.

You can read the full article on the RSPB's web site here.

Outdoor meeting - Stodmarsh NNR (Grove Ferry end)

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 11:00:00 +0000
This Sunday, October 4th, we will be revisiting Stodmarsh NNR, but this time we will be starting at the Grove Ferry end of the reserve.
Meet in the car park at Grove Ferry ready for a 10 am start.
We should see a variety of waders, such as plovers, godwits and sandpipers, there should be numerous wildfowl, and we will be watching out for bearded tit, hen and marsh harriers.
Leader. Paul Yetman

Outdoor meeting - Dungeness Observatory & Dungeness RSPB

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:00:00 +0000
This Saturday, 19th September, we have an outdoor meeting at Dungeness.

Meet in the car park by the old lighthouse in time for a 10am start.

Afterwards we will visit the RSPB reserve, meeting in the reserve car park.

Country Fair at Bromhey Farm

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:00:00 +0000
This Sunday, September 6th, is the annual Country Fair at Northward Hill.

Open from 11am until 4pm.

If you're not volunteering at the event, come along with your family for a great day out!

Please follow the temporary signs as the entry to the fair is not via the normal Northward Hill entrance.