Notes and thoughts from the group leader.
If you have been keeping up with recent posts you will know that we have had some really interesting species in our garden – with, perhaps, the willow emerald damselfly being the best. However it has been a very odd summer with all sorts of new species passing through. We had a red rabbity looking […]
Norman and Sandra have been part of the RSPB team on the “Black-winged Stilt watch” at Cliffe Pools since the end of May. Two pairs of black-winged stilts laid eggs and volunteers have been assisting RSPB staff to ensure that the birds were not disturbed (or worse). Each pair had 4 young and and seven […]
On Thursday 11th May we held our Annual General Meeting before handing over to Brian Gallop for a talk on “Nature in Northumberland”. As is our normal practise we try not to spend too much time on the AGM and instead got quickly down to business including presenting our accounts – in a nutshell we were […]
With May upon us keep a look or listen out for the first swifts to arrive in your local area. Particularly low flying parties that scream with joy as they arrive back at their traditional nesting sites. Last year I observed the first ones had arrived back in my road on the 4th May. […]
Some of you will remember joining Peter Beckenham, a local birdwatcher and conservationist, for a walk at Swanscombe Marshes. The area is under threat of development by Paramount for an “Entertainment Resort”. Sally and I have have been back many times since then and I have occasionally posted a report on this website. The habitat […]
Our Tuesday indoor programme ended last week and will restart in September with a talk by Dr Brian Summerfield on India. But our summer Tuesday morning outdoor programme starts on 25th April 2017 with a visit to Riverside Country Park (10am – 1pm). See our programme for full details. Last year our visit to this […]
Our Tuesday afternoon talk last week was given by Jodie Randall. Jodie has been a keen nature photographer from a young age and she writes “I am now working hard towards a career in nature photography, constantly aiming to create images in which aesthetics play a primary role as well as capturing the character of […]
On Thursday 2nd March 2017 members of the Gravesend RSPB Local Group joined with David Arnold’s family and other friends on the occasion of his cremation at the Gravesend Crematorium. David was a founder member of our group and was our second group leader. Under David’s leadership the group established the organisation and routines that […]