A very cold start to the morning and our first frost of the year, considering how mild it's been recently - a bit of a shock, so wrapped up warm in layers.
I've changed our FoTT tasks around this quarter, so we only have one task a month. Hopefully we can divide the volunteers and still get two tasks done in one weekend. A gentler litter pick and a scrub clearance task.
Today we were meeting at the Bevendean entrance for both tasks, as we'd decided to clear the path along the west side of the Tye.
A lovely sunny morning, so not too unpleasant. Two of us set about clearing the path, which was relatively easy as it's not too overgrown at this time of year and with any luck it means that we'll have less to do later in the year.
Many thanks to the resident who came out with orange juice to revive us part way through. Yes, even in the cold, it's thirsty work.
The litter pickers managed to pick 12 bags of rubbish from along the coast road and on the lower part of the Tye itself. Still notable is the amount of dog poo bags being fished out of the undergrowth. We've even had more bins placed around the Tye, so it would be much appreciated if these could be used! It's not very pleasant for us, when out litter picking, even worse when strimming paths and around the gates or for anyone else, avoiding the large quantity of dog mess all over the Tye.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Frozen Planet 'Faked' Polar Bear Sequence
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I for one don't care a jot and it doesn't make any difference to me that the sequence of polar bear cubs being born was filmed in a zoo!
In fact I'd have been more concerned if it HAD been filmed in the wild. The intrusion and disturbance to wild animals in their natural environment should be minimal when filming these amazing programmes. The whole research team is obviously well aware of this in the way these programmes have been so painstakingly produced.
The naivety of some people to think that everything they see is filmed 'exactly as it is' in the wild. I'm already aware, as I was curious enough to find out how on earth they'd been able to film some of the sequences for both this and other programmes, that many of the sequences are shot in the 'lab' or studio.
It's done nothing to detract from an amazing series and I certainly don't feel I was in anyway mislead or that the series should be dismissed as 'fake' or that it's some major scandal. I also would have felt it was more of an intrusion to have had some disclaimer put up on screen or the flow of the narrative broken by an explanation of how the sequence was filmed.
After all - we're not up in arms at the airbrushing presented to us every day in magazines and adverts and we certainly don't object to all the CGI that is presented on the big screen.
Well done BBC and well done to all the Frozen Planet team for a fantastic series.
Image via Wikipedia
Tuesday, November 08, 2011
Shore-watching From Telscombe Cliffs
Inspired by a certain Urban Birder's new Book, I headed down to the seafront for a good look at what was down there - rather than a cursory glance or distant views that I usually get when out for a run along the undercliff on Telscombe seafront.
The tide was on it's way out, so most of the birds were along the shoreline but I was delighted to see curlew feeding in amongst the gulls. The first one having a bath in one of the rockpools and then two chasing each other and a few minutes later a fourth flew past. I kept seeing them all along the shore as they either poked about in the weed or flew past, so not sure if it was the same four or if there were more of them.
Plenty of oystercatcher around in quite large numbers 10-12 at a time and I'm fairly certain those weren't the same group I saw each time, so there were at least 30 of them. Also at least 3 little egret and a few cormorant - mostly offshore and further along with wings outstretched in with a flock of gulls.
Now I'm just about OK with the more common species of gull but I could probably have spotted most of the species in the book when you start looking at the different ages, plumage, shapes and sizes. I did pick out - plenty of herring gull, lesser black backed gull and black headed gulls. My scope would have been useful for making sure there weren't any rarities or passing migrants in their midst and to improve my identification skills.
I did spot three completely black 'ducks' out on the water about 100m offshore. They just seemed to bob about not doing much and I couldn't make out what they were (needed that scope!) When I saw them again from up on the clifftop, they were still in much the same place. I saw one dive and thought I saw a paler underbelly when one of them had a stretch and a flap. I'm thinking common scoter - they do migrate around the coast in the winter and it's about the only bird I can think it could be (answers on a postcard).
I was just wondering if the peregrine was about when a bird of prey appeared over the cliff, quite far off to the west and being mobbed by a crow. It circled up over the sea until I lost sight of it without being able to make a positive id.
In the other direction I caught sight of a kestrel skimming along the clifftop before settling to preen on a clump of vegetation. In the same area a small flock of birds were making brief appearances on the edge of the clifftop - too far away to identify them from down on the undercliff. When I got back up to the top they turned out to be a few linnet in with flocks of starlings and a few house sparrows, feeding on the ground and washing in puddles, flying up to the rooftops every time a dog walker passed by. I was trying not to be too obvious while looking at people's roofs and gardens through my binoculars.
The seafront is just one of my local patches and next time I'll take my scope - who knows what I might be missing.
The tide was on it's way out, so most of the birds were along the shoreline but I was delighted to see curlew feeding in amongst the gulls. The first one having a bath in one of the rockpools and then two chasing each other and a few minutes later a fourth flew past. I kept seeing them all along the shore as they either poked about in the weed or flew past, so not sure if it was the same four or if there were more of them.
Plenty of oystercatcher around in quite large numbers 10-12 at a time and I'm fairly certain those weren't the same group I saw each time, so there were at least 30 of them. Also at least 3 little egret and a few cormorant - mostly offshore and further along with wings outstretched in with a flock of gulls.
Now I'm just about OK with the more common species of gull but I could probably have spotted most of the species in the book when you start looking at the different ages, plumage, shapes and sizes. I did pick out - plenty of herring gull, lesser black backed gull and black headed gulls. My scope would have been useful for making sure there weren't any rarities or passing migrants in their midst and to improve my identification skills.
I did spot three completely black 'ducks' out on the water about 100m offshore. They just seemed to bob about not doing much and I couldn't make out what they were (needed that scope!) When I saw them again from up on the clifftop, they were still in much the same place. I saw one dive and thought I saw a paler underbelly when one of them had a stretch and a flap. I'm thinking common scoter - they do migrate around the coast in the winter and it's about the only bird I can think it could be (answers on a postcard).
I was just wondering if the peregrine was about when a bird of prey appeared over the cliff, quite far off to the west and being mobbed by a crow. It circled up over the sea until I lost sight of it without being able to make a positive id.
In the other direction I caught sight of a kestrel skimming along the clifftop before settling to preen on a clump of vegetation. In the same area a small flock of birds were making brief appearances on the edge of the clifftop - too far away to identify them from down on the undercliff. When I got back up to the top they turned out to be a few linnet in with flocks of starlings and a few house sparrows, feeding on the ground and washing in puddles, flying up to the rooftops every time a dog walker passed by. I was trying not to be too obvious while looking at people's roofs and gardens through my binoculars.
The seafront is just one of my local patches and next time I'll take my scope - who knows what I might be missing.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
The Urban Birder - David Lindo
I finally picked up a copy of David Lindo's book The Urban Birder from the man himself when we met up at the London Wetlands Centre.
It's an excellent little book and an inspiring and easy read that tells David's story from his early days as a young and enthusiastic wildlife observer, keen to learn more and soak up every little bit of information he could find, to where he is today, still following his passion.
His enthusiasm for birds and nature simply bounces off the page and there's laughter and a smile on every one as he relates his early adventures pursuing his hobby and gaining a huge wealth of knowledge. No wonder he knows so much about birds (urban and otherwise) when he's been studying them for years and taking detailed notes along the way.
However, the important message is that you can see birds and wildlife in any situation and even the most unassuming, barren and apparently desolate, urban environments can be just as rich a source as some of the birding hotspots.
You don't need huge amounts of expensive equipment and you don't have to travel miles to see a rarity. They can and do turn up in urban gardens, parks and open spaces - you just need a little patience and as David is fond of saying to 'look up'.
Take a leaf out of his book - grab your binoculars, get out there, get to know your local patch and you never know what might turn up.
Follow David at @urbanbirder
It's an excellent little book and an inspiring and easy read that tells David's story from his early days as a young and enthusiastic wildlife observer, keen to learn more and soak up every little bit of information he could find, to where he is today, still following his passion.
His enthusiasm for birds and nature simply bounces off the page and there's laughter and a smile on every one as he relates his early adventures pursuing his hobby and gaining a huge wealth of knowledge. No wonder he knows so much about birds (urban and otherwise) when he's been studying them for years and taking detailed notes along the way.
However, the important message is that you can see birds and wildlife in any situation and even the most unassuming, barren and apparently desolate, urban environments can be just as rich a source as some of the birding hotspots.
You don't need huge amounts of expensive equipment and you don't have to travel miles to see a rarity. They can and do turn up in urban gardens, parks and open spaces - you just need a little patience and as David is fond of saying to 'look up'.
Take a leaf out of his book - grab your binoculars, get out there, get to know your local patch and you never know what might turn up.
Follow David at @urbanbirder
Sunday, October 09, 2011
London Wetland Centre
Finally, my first visit to the London Wetland Centre and what a treat. Set on the edge of the urban sprawl of London, beside the Thames, surrounded by tower blocks and with an almost constant sound of traffic and planes on their way in or out of Heathrow, this is a surprising oasis of wildlife.
My first sighting on the short walk from the station to the centre, was a small flock of the infamous ring-necked parakeets flying noisily in the trees around the nearby playing fields. I know these aren't a rarity in London parks these days but they're still a novelty for us out-of-towners.
After a cup of tea and a quick bite to eat (it was an early start out of Brighton), while wondering to head first, I decided to follow the obvious birders (clue = green jackets and scopes) out to the Peacock Tower which, with three levels, has great views over the whole of the reserve. Now I thought the lot at Pulborough were a noisy rabble, chatting away exchanging news, views and sightings, but there were treble the number in the hide and even more chat going on!
Over on the hospital building (left most building in the photo) were a pair of peregrine. One quite happily perched on the roof and the larger female, slightly lower down on the darker, windowless level.
Apparently their favourite spot and they're seen there quite often. It's worth noting that the hides have shelves under the windows, so a shelf clamp for the scope is more useful here than a tripod.
On the lake were plenty of wigeon, teal, shoveler and gadwall and at least nine heron. Several little grebe and a few tufted duck on the far side of the main lake (always nice to see) and out on the grazing marsh a wheatear popped up every now and then and a pair of stonechat did much the same, once they'd been tracked down.
My favourite bird, a snipe was spotted in the wader scrape - the locals know exactly where to find things, so it was just a matter of keeping eyes and ears open and asking if you're not sure.
OK my photo isn't going to win any awards but I'm new to digiscoping and it was hidden away in the bottom of the reeds.
A few swallow were still flying around over the water. It's still pretty warm for early October.
The centre is surprisingly large and well laid out considering it's location and is more open than Arundel.
There's a lovely sustainable garden with some very creative bug hotels - unfortunately I didn't get a photo of them - you'll have to make do with the WWT video of their 'creature towers'.
The World wetlands area with their pens of exotic birds from around the world, are on the other side of the Visitor's Centre, so separated from the 'wilder' areas. I didn't make it up the Wildside and reedbeds areas this time, as I met up with David Lindo and then attended his talk in the afternoon.
Having purchased his excellent new book "The Urban Birder" - I headed off back home via the packed, standing room only, Sunday bus service to Clapham Junction and then connected with the train back to Brighton - chuckling away while reading David's book. Not a bad excursion for a day out
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| Main Lake from Dulverton Hide |
My first sighting on the short walk from the station to the centre, was a small flock of the infamous ring-necked parakeets flying noisily in the trees around the nearby playing fields. I know these aren't a rarity in London parks these days but they're still a novelty for us out-of-towners.
After a cup of tea and a quick bite to eat (it was an early start out of Brighton), while wondering to head first, I decided to follow the obvious birders (clue = green jackets and scopes) out to the Peacock Tower which, with three levels, has great views over the whole of the reserve. Now I thought the lot at Pulborough were a noisy rabble, chatting away exchanging news, views and sightings, but there were treble the number in the hide and even more chat going on!
 |
| Wader scrape and peregrine tower (left) |
Over on the hospital building (left most building in the photo) were a pair of peregrine. One quite happily perched on the roof and the larger female, slightly lower down on the darker, windowless level.
Apparently their favourite spot and they're seen there quite often. It's worth noting that the hides have shelves under the windows, so a shelf clamp for the scope is more useful here than a tripod.
On the lake were plenty of wigeon, teal, shoveler and gadwall and at least nine heron. Several little grebe and a few tufted duck on the far side of the main lake (always nice to see) and out on the grazing marsh a wheatear popped up every now and then and a pair of stonechat did much the same, once they'd been tracked down.
OK my photo isn't going to win any awards but I'm new to digiscoping and it was hidden away in the bottom of the reeds.
A few swallow were still flying around over the water. It's still pretty warm for early October.
 |
| Green roof on one of the hides |
There's a lovely sustainable garden with some very creative bug hotels - unfortunately I didn't get a photo of them - you'll have to make do with the WWT video of their 'creature towers'.
The World wetlands area with their pens of exotic birds from around the world, are on the other side of the Visitor's Centre, so separated from the 'wilder' areas. I didn't make it up the Wildside and reedbeds areas this time, as I met up with David Lindo and then attended his talk in the afternoon.
Having purchased his excellent new book "The Urban Birder" - I headed off back home via the packed, standing room only, Sunday bus service to Clapham Junction and then connected with the train back to Brighton - chuckling away while reading David's book. Not a bad excursion for a day out
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Waders At Pulborough Brooks
Little StintEven with a scope they were little more than specks in the distance which were impossible to see unless they moved and distinguished themselves from the similarly coloured lumps of mud.
At one point both were next to a Little Ringed Plover which helped show the comparative size - tiny!
There were enough experts out spotting, to explain the differences between all the waders - which was just as well as they're not easy - variations in plumage, light, age, juveniles and adults make it difficult for the less expert. It always helps to have a knowledgeable expert around to help with identification.
It was also a busy day for visitors, including small family groups, who were equally keen to see the birds out on the Brooks and welcomed a chance to see them through the scopes. I usually have a spare pair of binoculars for those who've either forgotten theirs or come unequipped - although they can be hired from the centre and are essential for spotting the birds further out.
Little Ringed PloverPlenty of Little Ringed Plover around and a Ringed Plover along with Greenshank, several Green Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper and several Ruff - I counted six but there had been or were eight.A small group of Snipe were feeding out in the open near the fingers, which was lovely to see, as they're usually tucked away along the edges and more difficult to spot. The water levels were just about right - plenty of mud for the waders.
I walked back via Winpenny - no sign of any hobbies but did see two Redstart (a first for me at Pulborough) at what's now been named Redstart corner, between Winpenny and West Mead and got back in time for a good slab of bread pudding eaten with a cup of tea in the afternoon sunshine before heading home.
Images via Wikipedia
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Restoring Our Wildflower Meadow on Telscombe Tye
Our very own John Carden from Friends of the Tye was interviewed on BBC Radio Sussex today to talk about the work that we did last year to seed Telscombe Tye with wildflowers. The feature starts around 1:00 and John is on about 1:30.
Listen again - BBC Radio Sussex - Sussex Breakfast
We'll be holding another Working Horse event on September 24th to carry on this work and plant even more seed on the Tye. Look out for further details locally and on the Friends of the Tye website.
Some of the seeds planted for:
Ox-eye daisies
Red and White Rampion
Yarrow
Self-heal
Meadow buttercup
Common vetch
Black medick
Black Knapweed
along with several grass species.
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