Odiham Biodiversity Group - Newsletter November 2008

Garden Birds 1

Colin Ryall’s talk on the 23rd was very well attended and proved to be most interesting. There were some lovely photographs, some from the BTO and some of Colin’s own and Colin answered those tricky questions like ‘Where do all the garden birds go in the autumn?’ (to the countryside where natural food is plentiful) and ‘Should I feed the birds in the summer?’ (yes, it gives the juvenile birds a good start). He also had his own theory as to why waxwings, a winter visitor, often frequent supermarket car parks (they are less shy than other birds who avoid these busy areas). If you would like to contribute to the BTO’s Garden Birdwatch, you can get more details from their website – www.bto.org. Thank you to all who were able to come.

Garden Birds 2

All it takes is a cold spell to bring those birds back into the garden. I have noticed far more numerous blue tits, great tits, goldfinches and chaffinches, but the real surprise was a pair of goldcrest – a first for my garden. They weren’t actually on the bird feeders but were hopping about on the apple tree and seemed totally unaware of my presence just a few feet away. Another surprise was a nuthatch and I haven’t seen one of those in my garden for a few years. It really is rewarding feeding the birds and you can now get bird food locally – the hardware shop in Fountains Mall now has supplies.

If you would like come and watch these birds from my sofa, armed with a cup of coffee and a biscuit, please let me know and I will arrange another session. Obviously, it will have to be a last minute event, dependent on the weather, so let me have your telephone number if you’re not on e-mail.

Winter Bird Walk Sunday 30th November

Peter Hutchins has kindly agreed to lead a walk for us around Butter Wood. We will meet in the car park (please park in the field) of the Fox and Goose at Greywell – which will be open for our custom when we return. We aim to start at 10.30 finishing about 12.30. Please wear warm clothes and suitable footwear. Cost £1.

Palace Gate Pond

Peter Fountain has told me that Hart District Council has agreed to do the work to restore the pond. Perhaps someone who lives close by can keep me updated on this?

Sad Paw-note

It was whilst walking Heidi – a West Highland terrier of mature years I inherited from my mother four years ago – that the idea of the Odiham Biodiversity Group was born. Walking with her led me onto footpaths that I never knew existed and made me really appreciate the countryside around us and notice the plants, birds, butterflies and changing seasons. Sadly, Heidi died this week and I miss her terribly, but really there is nothing like a dog to get you out into the countryside. The only time I have seen a kingfisher on the canal was a really horrible, murky day and I was only there because Heidi wanted to go out for a walk.

Tree Trail Leaflet

Don’t forget, the first Tree Trail leaflet is now available as a pdf attachment. We are also having a few printed, so if you would like one of these for a small donation please let me know. Now that the leaves are dropping – finding the trees will be even more of a challenge!

Surveys and Observations – what’s it all for?

A couple of Saturdays ago I went on a Mapmate course at the Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre (HBIC). Mapmate is software for biological recording and is the preferred method for groups or individuals to submit records and observations to the county/national database. It is these records and more importantly the trends they indicate, that tell us what is going on in the countryside and the health of the environment we live in. The decline of the otter is a classic example – a direct result of pollution in our waterways. Clean up the rivers and the otters come back.

December Newsletter

A Christmas Competition, another Cross Barn talk and another winter walk – details of all of these happenings will be in the December Newsletter due out at the end of November. If you do not subscribe by e-mail nor have a hand delivered newsletter (i.e. you live on my route from Colt Hill to the Coop), they are available in the Library and the Post Office.

OTHER ORGANISATIONS EVENTS

Hampshire Wildlife Trust
Fungus Foray on Hook Common 10.30 am Saturday 1st November. £2. More details – Audrey Moss-Bradnam 01256 780074.

Scrub bashing on Velmead Common

Sunday 16th November. More details – Elliott Fairs 01256 381190.

Make a wreath at Bartley Heath

Sunday 30th November. £2. More details – Rachel 01256 381190.

RSPB

Basingstoke RSPB are visiting Keyhaven Marshes on the 16th November. More details from Peter Hutchins on 01256 770831.

For more information about the Odiham Biodiversity Group please contact Sheila Bates on 01256 701187.