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newsletter

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The RSPB Chichester Local Group

Dear Members, November 2013

By now we will be on our third indoor meeting in our new home. ... and what a start we have had –fantastic!

Please remember there is no meeting in December - hence the reason for two newsletters rather close together – but I hope to see lots of you at our January evening Members’ Meeting - this includes a presentation by Jim Bagley together with quizzes to test your knowledge, for which there is no charge, and includes refreshments.

Meanwhile back at my hot keyboard I am pleased to report that 168 of you have renewed your subscription. If you haven’t, there is a reminder with this newsletter. If you are not renewing, we are very sorry to lose you but if it’s something I’ve said or done, or you don’t like – please tell me – I am known to have two left feet!

I bought a new feeder in the sales at the garden centre (and yes, it’s very easy to clean). On opening the package it appeared a lot larger and rather a brighter green plastic than expected – no self respecting bird will surely go anywhere near this. Well, within a day they had arrived and emptied it, Greenfinches, the resident Robin, the family of Dunnocks, (also the even larger family of Pigeons – we are now on the mark three version with anti-pigeon landing baffles and spikes - Heath Robinson would be proud! ) The Coal Tit got the old sunflower seed feeder to itself, the Blue Tits could gather round another and the only unhappy person is the cat who is sitting down below this elevated hive of activity meowing– “I can get you, I can get you” ….. oh no you can’t.

This time of year brings all our wintering migrants back to our shores. The rhythm of the season continues and Pagham Harbour has new arrivals every day. The count of Widgeon, Teal and Geese grow and some of us get to see some rare visitors who are just passing through on the way to their wintering grounds. We are so lucky to have this fabulous place on our doorstep. I know this is a little early - but - I would like to wish you all a very happy Christmas and I look forward to seeing some of you out and about on our winter walks.

Kerry Jackson chichesterrspb@aol.com

01243 265783

see page 5 for details

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From the Newsletter Editor When you read the programme of outdoor meetings you will see there is a proposed visit to Medmerry on 12

th March 2014 to view the Environment Agency work on the realignment that has

been carried out over the last few years. This project has been groundbreaking and the first of its kind on the open coast. The scale of the realignment has been immense – the size of 300 football pitches! Many of you will probably have seen Adrian Thomas, who will be taking us around, interviewed on BBC South TV in September when the shingle bank was first breached. One of the fascinating aspects of the project has been the opportunity to look for archaeology. The clay needed to build the new flood banks was dug from large shallow pits within the scheme. The work was undertaken by students from University College, London and they made some amazing finds. So far several pieces of Early Neolithic pottery have been recovered and this has doubled the number of known features of this date (C4000-2500BC) on the Sussex Plain. Numerous Bronze Age (2500 -750 BC) features have been uncovered including three large and two small circular houses/structures, enclosures and field systems, water management features, ‘burnt’ mounds and a cremation crematory. It would appear that this landscape has been preserved under alluvial and storm beach deposits. What was a surprise to the archaeologists was the lack of Iron Age (750BC – AD 43) and Roman (AD 43 - 410) remains This may suggest that the low lying area of the site was regularly flooded making them unsuitable for settlement, but that the area could still have been used as pasture. In the Medieval (AD1066 – 1485) period several features including substantial ditches and wells suggesting a differing type of settlement. One of the wells was chalk lined with a timber ring template in very good condition. The quality of the construction suggests that the well was for domestic use. Three large boulders, carried to Medmerry by floating drift ice or icebergs at the start of the Ice Age, possibly 200,000 years ago, and became stranded there at a time of higher sea levels when the climate was changing. Equally they could also have been moved during coastal erosion or changing sea levels. These are important finds because they represent evidence of climate change and our geological past. The archaeologists will eventually submit the artefacts and data analysis to Chichester Museum. All the birds seem to have forsaken my garden; I can only hope that they are taking full advantage of the fruits and berries that are so abundant in the hedgerow this autumn. It will be very interesting to see how this mild spell affects the bird population. Can one, or even more, of our many experts let us have their views on this years exceptional weather conditions on the birds, for the next Newsletter. Correspondence or comments are very welcome. Don’t forget that the next RSPB Bird count will be at the end of January. Do join us for the visit to Arne. In the Winter RSPB magazine Nature’s Home Simon King, the well known cameraman and presenter says that ‘Arne offers an experience not to miss.’ Diann Berry

At our recent indoor meetings it has given me great pleasure to present long-service volunteer badges. These went to Martin Worsfold, Diana Grosvenor, Mandy and Dave Cross (all receiving 5 year award badges) Peter Callis - 10 years , and a gold award badge in the shape of a Golden Eagle to John Herring for 40 years volunteer work. (He must have started while still in his pram!) I thank them all for the hard work they have put into the group.

Kerry Jackson

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Hope for Nature – by Rob Yarham

I'll make a confession. There are some days when I wish I wasn’t a conservationist. I have even wished that I didn’t care quite so much about nature, about the environment, about the huge number of wonderful, spectacular species we’re honoured to share this planet with, especially birds. After all, there’s so much bad news, isn’t there? In Britain alone, from badgers to bees, from hedgehogs to English hen harriers, it can seem like we're fighting a losing battle.

My personal state of gloom and doom reached its depth this spring and summer when I was surveying several West Sussex farms for breeding bird surveys: some previously common bird species were conspicuous by their low numbers, or, worse, by their absence altogether. For instance, in a total of 10 days' surveying, I encountered a dozen house sparrows, five starlings, and two pairs of lapwing which failed to breed successfully among the sightings - many fewer of some of

the once-common species than I would have hoped to find.

Conversely, blue tits and goldfinches seemed to be doing well, and there were a number of personal highlights: good numbers of nightingales on land adjoining the farms, plus hobbies and lesser whitethroats. Overall, though, when I compare the numbers of birds I saw and heard to the numbers I encountered as a boy on the farmland I used to visit as a child in the 1970s, the change is noticeable. I'm not alone, either. Birding friends I speak to regularly are saying the same: the

countryside is changing.

As they say, the plural of anecdote is not data, so we must look elsewhere to see if the declines are being recognised on a national level through the valuable work of the RSPB and BTO. Sure enough, May's headline-grabbing report by the unprecedented alliance of British conservation bodies, entitled The State of Nature, which was mentioned in the September newsletter, makes salutary reading. As Diann wrote in her Editorial, about 44 million breeding birds have been lost in the last 50 years. UK indicators show that farmland birds and butterflies have declined substantially since the 1970s and 1990s respectively. Looking at farmland wildlife, of the 1064 species for which trends have been recorded, 60% have decreased and 34% have decreased strongly. In addition, 14% of all farmland flowering plants are now on the national Red List: 62 species in all.

The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has just issued another report in conjunction with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, assessing the state of the nation's biodiversity, concluding that 70% of priority species have suffered long-term declines since 1970. These declines don't just concern farmland - our uplands, lowlands, rivers, coasts and seas are all affected.

All this bad news raises a big question: what can we do about it?

In his recent book What Has Nature Ever Done for Us?, Tony Juniper highlights just a few of the many problems, such as the loss of soil fertility, decline in natural pollinators, scarcity of fresh water, threats to carbon-consuming oxygen-producing plankton, and more. But Juniper also begins to address the big questions of how we can redress the situation by seeing our economy in new terms which properly recognise the value of nature - the importance of the biosphere in supporting us. It requires a big change in society, and a change in the way we all think, but Juniper's book is a good place to start, and I recommend it to everyone who, like me, has begun to wonder what we can do to make things right.

But what else can we do in the meantime? Well, focusing on farmland wildlife, both reports recognise many of the changes in farmland wildlife are linked to shifts in farmland management, particularly those intended to boost productivity. But equally, many species groups, including birds, have benefited from conservation

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action, particularly through EU and UK Government agri-environment schemes. So we can start by telling our politicians - by writing to our MPs - how important these schemes are to helping farmers help wildlife. We can also vote with our wallets, and try to buy foods from supermarkets and food producers who support wildlife-friendly farming. Last week, the RSPB also asked members to call for a Common Agricultural Policy that supports wildlife-friendly farming with a 'Vote for Nature' - just visit www.rspb.org.uk/VoteforNature to register your support.

And there's more we can do. I believe it is no longer enough to just enjoy birds and wildlife. Caring for nature now brings with it a responsibility - we must ensure that future generations have the chance to enjoy what we have enjoyed. By volunteering for the RSPB, as many of you do, by showing the public birds and wildlife at the RSPB's Date with Nature events, by getting involved in pond-dipping at your local reserve, or by helping with practical conservation work, we all make a real difference. And, of course, by getting involved in breeding, winter and farmland bird surveys we can contribute to our understanding of what is happening to wildlife and how we can save it.

So there is hope after all. And that hope is us, dear reader - you and me. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RSPB welcome new president Miranda Krestovnikoff History and wildlife presenter Miranda Krestovnikoff has been elected as the new President of the RSPB, Europe's largest nature conservation charity.

The RSPB hopes that Miranda's enthusiasm and expertise will inspire more people to become interested in wildlife and do their bit to give nature a home. RSPB members at the RSPB's AGM in London on Saturday [12th October] elected Miranda as their new president. She is the third female president since the organisation was founded in 1889, and takes over from fellow TV presenter Kate Humble. The charity has now had a female President for more years than a male President.

Miranda is best known as a wildlife expert on BBC 1's The One Show and as one of the original Coast team members. She has also recently presented BBC1's Britain's Big Wildlife Revival, appeared on Celebrity Masterchef and become a regular on BBC Radio 4's Costing the Earth, Living World and Tweet of the Day.

Her interest in nature stems from a childhood spent outdoors in her family garden in Buckinghamshire and roaming around nearby Burnham Beeches, which led her to study a Zoology degree at Bristol University and volunteer with various wildlife organisations. A trained diver, Miranda is interested in wildlife both above and below the waves.

Miranda says: "Being asked to be President of the RSPB is a huge honour and a massive responsibility, but I'm very much looking forward to the challenge. When I was first asked if I'd consider putting myself up for election, I felt very flattered.'

Miranda takes over from Kate Humble, who has served four years as RSPB President.

Mike Clarke says: "On behalf of the whole organisation I'd like to thank Kate for her time as RSPB president. Kate made an important contribution to our conservation work by spreading her enthusiasm for nature and wildlife to others and increasing our support. She will continue to support us in any way she can and we look forward to our paths crossing in the future."

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Visit to ARNE RSPB RESERVE on Tuesday, 1ST

APRIL 2014

The coach will leave West Meads car park, Aldwick, Bognor Regis PO21 8SB at 8.30am sharp (entrance in Queen’s Fields West, free parking all day). For anyone who prefers to join the coach at Chichester there will be a pick up from the lay-by in Oaklands Way at 9.15. This is outside the Northgate car park, at the opposite end to the Chichester Festival Theatre, not far from the public toilets. The coach cannot stop there for long, so it is essential to be there ready when it arrives.

We will have a comfort stop at Rownhams services on the M27 close to the M3 junction (about half way). The journey time is roughly two and a half hours.

We will return to West Meads car park at 6.00pm, with earlier stop-off at Chichester (timing dependent on the traffic). We may be earlier if we leave Arne sooner if the weather is bad. Bring lunch and drinks - very limited facilities.

Cost is £18.50 per head; entrance to the reserve is free to RSPB members but do remember to take your membership cards.

Sue Phillips Tel: 01243 673383

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RSPB CHICHESTER GROUP – ARNE BOOKING FORM

1ST APRIL 2014 Please detach and send to: Sue Phillips, 44 Church Road, East Wittering, Chichester, West Sussex, PO20 8PS by 15th January 2014 Please book me ……………..places at £18.50 per person Name(s)…………………………………………………………………………………. Tel. ………………………………………..Mobile……………………………………..

I/we will be joining the coach at Chichester/Bognor Regis (please delete)

Please make cheques payable to RSPB Chichester Local Group

It may not be possible to make refunds for late withdrawals

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We welcome the following new members:

Carole & John Griffiths – Chichester Angela Colyer – Felpham

Celia Bird – Bosham Chris Furlepa - Aldwick

Gemma Hooper - Chichester Keith Morgan – Chichester Mary Worsfold – Petersfield

Please send any future reports and KAY OPTICS is now

interesting items about wild-life to : at Hunston Village Hall on the last Sunday of the month John Kelsall on:

john@johnkelsall.wanadoo.co.uk

and

Diann Berry on:

diannberry@btopenworld.com

Prizes for the

RAFFLE

are always needed

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Outdoor Meeting Reports Church Norton – 18th September Leader: Jim Bagley A large group of 21 members and visitors joined Jim Bagley on a cloudy but mild morning. After making room in the car park for funeral vehicles we set off through the church grounds. Very few small birds were in evidence, with robin and wren heard, and a collared dove flypast. On reaching the harbour, the tide was an hour off high tide so all the birds were on the far shore and on islands across the water. Little egret, cormorant, curlew and turnstone were picked up followed by oystercatcher and common turn. A lone peregrine was spotted on a perch and on the water were mallard, teal and quite a few great crested grebe. As we moved out on the spit and therefore nearer the roosting birds a sandwich tern was spotted amongst the oystercatchers and then a wheatear and meadow pipit hopping around the beach. A grey heron was seen lording it over a roost of ten little egrets and then a grey plover in semi-breeding plumage appeared. Looking inland a greenshank was seen in the inner pools together with redshank. Some goldfinches flew through. Looking out to sea all we saw was a flock of grey plovers. Then it was on to the “wryneck” territory. One was spotted two days ago and a small group of birders were lying in wait ahead of us. Sadly no wryneck views today but the bushes did give us linnet, whitethroat, lesser whitethroat and willow warbler. Turning inland into the arable crops we saw magpie, sparrowhawk and green woodpecker and on returning to the car park we were rewarded with spotted flycatcher in the trees. A very pleasant morning well led by Jim – a total of 38 species recorded. John Kelsall

Burton Mill Pond – 28th September Leader: Chris Vine A group of 20 met in the car park behind the old mill house to be greeted by drizzly rain. Fortunately it was not to last very long and it turned out to be a mainly dry morning. Unfortunately the dam across Chingford Lake is currently being improved and strengthened so our more usual circuit was not available to us. However there were still plenty of birds to see. From the viewing platform we were able to see gadwall, tufted duck, grey heron, coot , moorhen, mallard and shoveler. In the distance was a single mute swan and a roosting cormorant. Also on the mill pond were a pair of great crested grebe with at least 3 of this years offspring, almost as big as their parents but still with their baby stripes across their heads and still expecting mum and dad to feed them. In the woodland there were crow and their cousin the jay. Wrens were still singing and we saw a fairly large flock of bluetits, long tailed tits, great tit and chiff chaff. Out across the fields a green woodpecker was seen perched and another way back in the same tree, it was replaced by its cousin, a great spotted woodpecker. Once out into the open we were briefly overflown by a fast moving sparrowhawk. He scared a lot of small birds from the trees by the church but appeared to catch nothing. Other birds seem were both grey and pied wagtail, jackdaw, rook, greenfinch and chaffinch and a nuthatch was heard calling in the woods. The total of species seen was 34. Chris Vine

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Blashford Lakes – 6th October Leader: Chris Vine On a lovely autumn day 16 members found themselves at Blashford Lakes after sharing cars for the drive there. By the time we had all gathered together around our leader Chris Vine, at Ibsley Lake we had heard jay and seen meadow pipit, dunnock and blackbird. The large hide accommodated us all easily and we settled down to see Egyptian geese, coot, mute swan, great crested and little grebes and lapwings. Wigeon were calling among the flocks of cormorants who were doing their normal wing stretching. We also spotted shoveler, mallard and a solitary lesser black backed gull. Then it was across to the reserve centre to pick up nuthatch, blue, great and coal tits, chaffinch and greenfinch on the feeders. A single swallow swooped across as we visited the Woodland hide. Here in the woods the day had not warmed up and few birds were feeding so it was onwards to the other lakes. On the way a raptor was spotted across in the trees and after plenty of discussion and reference to a field guide the consensus was that it was a juvenile goshawk (probably). Round to Rockford Lake where we added pochard, longtailed tits, and a pair of waders which refused to stay still for a while but were eventually identified as green sandpipers. Three buzzards were circulating overhead. After lunch we headed to the far west of the reserve and after a longish walk we were rewarded by a flypast of a great white egret looking magnificent in the sunshine. The bird settled on the next lake and gave us all reasonable views through the trees. We also added kingfisher, little egret, teal and heard the squeal of a water rail. A final walk through to the Woodland hide added grey wagtail, collard dove and pheasant together with several examples of fungi. This gave us a total of 53 species of birds seen on a glorious day in this fine reserve.

We also had a good haul of butterflies, brimstone, speckled wood, comma, red admiral and small white. A roe deer was spotted having an afternoon siesta and we disturbed a bank vole as we walked past. A very enjoyable, interesting day well led by Chris John Kelsall

Chichester Marina – 16th October Leader: Kerry Jackson What a difference half an hour makes! At 1pm it was pouring – I was already in a second set of clothes- but half an hour later the sun came out and three of us met for lunch in the hide. The early birder as you know gets the worm or in this case good views of a female marsh harrier out over the fields. As she swooped and circled her pale crown could clearly be seen. We also had flitting reed buntings and a cetti’s was heard. We were joined by seven others who had all stayed at home until the rain had ceased ( and if it hadn’t I suspect I may have been on my lonesome!) We walked from the hide to the harbour edge where reasonable views were had of shoreline waders – including grey plover, curlew, redshank and assorted gulls including two common gulls. A walk through the woods was not productive apart from some far views of the aforementioned marsh harrier and a buzzard. There was a blackbird and try as I

(continued on next page)

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(cont.) might I could not make it into a ring ouzel(!) Oh wishful thinking. Back to the shoreline – there was a whimbrel and distant views of little egret and dunlin. At this stage someone said to me ‘your telescope is a bit wobbly’ – and then the leg fell off! Good job there were other telescopes in the group as our next views were also distant of greenshank and knot. A quick look at Birdham Pool produced heron, cormorant and 30 little grebe in various stages of summer/breeding and winter plumage. Despite the sunshine small birds were conspicuous by their absence. The list was 34 species. Thank you all for turning out, including one visitor. Look forward to seeing you all next time. Kerry Jackson

Itchenor – 3rd November Leaders: Martin Worsfold & Kerry Jackson

Someone said to me - after all, I am a sailor, “what is the wind strength today?” Force 6, gusting 7 I replied with great authority. Well folks – it was actually a force 8 at 9 am - so never trust a sailor! However 18 hardy souls agreed to tack their way down the eastern shore from Itchenor. Great Crested Grebe said someone – or was it a great crested wave (well I thought it was funny!) I think highlight of the day – alas missed by me so a rerun could be in order- was one of our party trying to do their impression of Gene Kelly dancing in puddles. I gather it was more like Ernie than Gene and hopefully there will be no ill effects from the resulting tumble. Anyway back to birding –

the shoreline had interest with close views of Black Tailed Godwits in full winter plumage, Black Headed Gull and Curlew. There was a fly past of Oystercatchers and Redshank. In the distance there was a large flock (very large) of Shelduck skimming the waves. Also, there was a lot a Dunlin seen in the distance – their white under parts showing well in the sunshine. Further down the path there was a roost of Egrets. Brent geese could be heard and seen bobbing among the waves. Supper was found in the form of a dead Red Legged Partridge (drowned?) A Buzzard showed overhead - the under markings showing well. Mr and Mrs Mallard were also looking good – the green head of the male particularly resplendent By now the tide was getting high and the wind was still gusting strongly. There was no point in struggling further down the coast path, so instead of a spinnaker run back to the cars it was decided to take an inland footpath to see what the fields may yield. Rooks and Jackdaws were playing in the fields, a male Kestrel poised briefly in a distant tree. Small birds were restricted to Blue tits, Robin, Wren (heard), Greenfinch and Blackbirds. A total of 30 species seen. All in all, a pleasant couple of hours (it didn’t rain!) In good company well led by Martin, with me bringing up the rear. Thank you all for supporting Kerry Jackson

Keep up to date with latest reports and events at the excellent web site:

www.rspb.org.uk/groups/chichester

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A Group member who lives in Middleton, and who can no longer drive at night, is unable to attend our evening talks and would therefore like to find someone who could give them a lift. If you can help please contact Kerry

Thank you

INDOOR PROGRAMME – November 2013 to May 2014

Meetings are held at The Pallant Suite, Masonic Hall, South Pallant, Chichester on Thursday evenings at 7.30pm

2013

28th November John Eyre – A Chinese Birding Odyssey

December – No meeting

2014

23rd January Members’ Evening - no entrance fee but donations welcome.

27th February Stephen Miles – Titchfield Haven 27th March Richard Coomber – Wildlife Wanderings Down Under 24th April Jill Sutcliffe – Nepal and its Birds 22nd May AGM – followed by Wez Smith

Site Manager, Langstone and Chichester Harbour RSPB Reserves

All welcome - local members £2.50 - visitors £3.50, includes refreshments

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OUTDOOR PROGRAMME – December 2013 to May 2014

For end of November walks, see September Newsletter or the website.

Sunday, Dec 1st - All-day walk around THORNEY ISLAND

Location: Grid Ref. SZ 756049

Turn left off A259 Chichester-Emsworth just before entering Emsworth, on to unclassified road s/p

Thomey. Pass Emsworth marina entrance on right then take turning off to left after approx. 100 yards

into Thomham Lane. Park immediately on verge at left.

Leader: Chris Vine

Time: 9:30 am, finish about 3:30 pm FULL DAY - so bring lunch.

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Wednesday, Dec 18th - Half-day walk around EAST HEAD

Location: Grid Ref. SZ 778985

Meet at West Beach car park (there will be a small fee for parking).

Leader: David Hart Time: 10:00 am £1 for car park

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Saturday, Dec 28th - Half-day Walk around DELL QUAY

Location: Grid Ref. SU 835029

Turn right off A286 Chichester-Witterings about 1.5 miles from A27, s/p Dell Quay & Apuldram. Go to end and park on roadside.

Leader: Roger Morris Time: 10:00 am

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Sunday, Jan 5th - Half-day walk around PAGHAM LAGOON & NORTH WALL

Location: Grid Ref. SZ 880976

From A27 by-pass take B2145 s/p Selsey. At first roundabout take first exit B2166 s/p Bognor. After

about 2.5 miles, at T-junction leave B2166 by going straight ahead on to unclassified s/p Pagham. Turn

right by holiday camp into Church Lane, park on verge at end.

Leader: Chris Vine Time: 9:30 am

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Wednesday, Jan 15th - Half-day walk around CHICHESTER GRAVEL PITS

Location: Grid Ref. SU 873029

From A27 by-pass take B2145 s/p Selsey. Take first exit at roundabout on to B2166 s/p North Mundham

& Bognor. At North Mundham turn left at chicane on to unclassified and park in village hall car park

Leader: John Herring Time: 10:00 am

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Saturday, Jan 25th - Half-day Walk around WEST FIELDS (meet at Pagham Harbour Info Centre)

Location: Grid Ref. SZ 856967

From A27 by-pass take B2145 s/p Selsey. The Reserve is just after

Sidlesham on left.

Leader: John Kelsall

Time: 10:00 am PROBABLY WET & MUDDY - bring suitable footwear. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Sunday, Feb 2nd – Half-day walk around THORNHAM LANE & GREAT DEEPS

Location: Grid Ref. SZ 756049

Turn left off A259 Chichester-Emsworth just before entering Emsworth, on to unclassified road s/p

Thomey. Pass Emsworth marina entrance on right then take turning off to left after approx. 100 yards

into Thomham Lane. Park immediately on verge at left.

Leader: Jim Bagley Time: 10:00 am

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Wednesday, Feb 12th - All-day walk around FARLINGTON MARSH

Location: Grid Ref. SU 679044

Take A27 west. Take exit for A2030, and at end of slip road at roundabout turn very sharp left into

unclassified back alongside the slip road. Park at far end of the lane.

Leader: Chris Vine

Time: 10:00 am - expected finish 3:00 pm FULL DAY so BRING LUNCH.

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Saturday, Feb 22nd - Half-day afternoon walk around PULBOROUGH BROOKS

Location: Grid Ref. TQ 059165.

Take A27 east, then left at Fontwell on A29. At Whiteways roundabout take second exit, B2139 s/p

Amberiey. After about 4 miles turn left on to unclassified s/p Rackham. At T-junction at end (about 2

miles) turn right and take next left. Turn left on to A283, and the Reserve is immediately on the left.

Leader: Rosemary Marshall

Time: Meet 1:00 am for sandwich lunch, 1:30 pm for walk. Price: Free for RSPB members

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Sunday, March 2nd - Half-day walk around DELL QUAY

Location: Grid Ref. SU 835029.

Turn right off A286 Chichester-Witterings about 1.5 miles from A27, s/p Dell Quay & Apuldram. Go to

end and park on roadside. Leader: Tony Nevard Time: 10:00 am

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Wednesday, March 12th – Half-day walk around MEDMERRY

Watch the website or ring 01243 265783 nearer the time for more information on meeting place.

Leader: Adrian Thomas Time 10.00 am

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Saturday, March 29th - Half-day walk to KITHURST HILL

Location: Grid Ref. TQ 063127

A29 to Whiteways Lodge roundabout, take 2nd exit on left B2139. Go through the village of Amberley

towards Storrington, Go past left turn to Rackham. You will then see Springhead Farm on your left, after

a further 300 yds turn right up a small track and continue to the top of the Downs. RSPB walk sign will be

on side of road opposite track.

Leader: Jim Bagley Time: 10:00 am -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Tuesday, April 1st - Coach Trip to ARNE NATURE RESERVE

Time at meeting place 08:30 am. For details, see booking form on page 5 of this newsletter

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Sunday, April 6th - Early half-day walk around THE DOVER

Location: Grid Ref. S U061064

Take A27 east past Arundel, and take the second turn left off the new dual carriageway unclassified s/p

The Dover. Park at far end.

Leader: David Hart Time: 9:00 am

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Wednesday, April 16th – Half-day walk around EBERNOE COMMON

Location: Grid Ref. SU 975278

Take A27 east and turn left on to A285 s/p Petworth. Continue through Petworth, and after 3.5 miles turn

right into unclassified s/p Ebernoe. After 1.5 miles turn right 20 metres past a telephone box into narrow

lane leading to Church car park.

Leader: Molly Pooley Time: 10:00 am

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Saturday, April 26th - Dawn Chorus walk around KINGLEY VALE

Location: Grid Ref. SU 825088 Meet at West Stoke car park.

Take the Old Broyle Road leaving Chichester. Just past Brandy Hole Lane, take the right fork on to West

Stoke Road. After about half mile straight across Hunters Race. After about 1 mile turn left towards West

Stoke. The car park lies just through West Stoke on a sharp right-hand bend.

Leader: Chris Vine Time: 5:00 am, finish around 7:30am

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Sunday, May 4th – Half-day walk around CHIDHAM

Location: Grid Ref. SU 793034

Turn left off A259 Chichester-Emsworth into unclassified Chidham Lane about 1.5 miles past the

Bosham roundabout alongside the Wheatsheaf PH. Park in sunken car park after about 1.5 miles

Leader: John Kelsall Time: 10:00 am

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Wednesday, May 14th - Full-day walk around WOOLBEDING COMMON

Location: Meet at the Trundle Car park overlooking Levin Down to share cars.

Leader: Chris Vine

Time: 9:30 am at Trundle, 10:00 am at Woolbeding, finish mid-afternoon

FULL DAY so BRING LUNCH

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Saturday, May 24th - Full-day walk around BURPHAM

Location: Grid Ref. SU 038089

Take A27 east to Arundel. Take first left after mainline railway station bridge into unclassified s/p

Warningcamp. Stay on main road to end (approx. 2.25 miles), park behind George & Dragon pub.

Leader Rob Yarham

Time: 9:00 am . FULL DAY so BRING LUNCH, finish about 3:30 pm -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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And finally........ Did anyone notice the error (deliberate of course!) in the last newsletter? - the wrong ‘thanks’ certificate got put in – here is the correct one..... For those of you that can operate Face book ( and this does not include me!) A message (is this a tweet?) went on the RSPB facebook site end of October, and on the pin badge page are listed the top five highest pin income for August.- the Chichester Local Group being at the top! Well done David and his team. If anyone else can help with a Pin Badge box please contact David on 01243814497 And talking of tweets – have you all been listening to ‘tweet of the day’ on Radio 4 at 0558. If you have not heard any of these or like me it’s far too early in the morning, you can download these as a ‘podcast’ on to your computer, tablet or phone (providing it’s not a steam driven one like mine!) They are very interesting to listen to - giving the call/song of the bird and a small piece of information about it.

Big thank you to the 102 members that have said yes to having their newsletter by email, thus saving money and resources on postage and printing. If you don't have your newsletter by email and are willing to do so please email chichesterrspb@aol.com

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HELP NEEDED We would like a volunteer (s) to help with the teas/coffees at our meetings to allow Val and Diana a break. No washing up or having to buy supplies - just help with pouring and tidying up!

Thank you - please speak to Kerry

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity. No. 207076