Lynn's Retirement and the Election of Our New Group Leader
Dave Yates was elected as our new Group leader at the AGM on 27 April.  We are all very grateful to him for saving the Group from closure, and the committee look forward to working with him.

To thank Lynn for her dedication to the group over her 17 years as leader, the members presented her with a bouquet and a cheque for £200.  Jenny Sweet, Volunteering Development Officer for the RSPB South East Region, also presented Lynn with a framed Avocet print and a letter from the Regional Director, Chris Corrigan.

26 members enjoyed a meal at Blacksmiths Restaurant to mark the end of Lynn's leadership of the Group and to welcome Dave as the new Group leader.
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Lynn's Swansong
I have thoroughly enjoyed my 17 years as Group Leader, and I would like to thank all who have been committee members during that time, and also those members who have helped in a wide variety of ways or who have supported us by coming to meetings and outings. I should also thank Ian Rumley-Dawson who started the Group in 1973 and led it for the first 17 years, and (posthumously) Robin King who kept it going for 3 years and finally persuaded me to take over during a beached bird survey in February 1993 just before the Group was about to close.

I am delighted to report that I have had to change what I was going to say next. At the February talk a new member, Dave Yates, spoke to me and he has volunteered to stand as the new Group Leader at next month’s AGM. There are formalities to go through but it looks as if the Group will survive and we hope to welcome Dave as the new Leader.
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Introducing Dave Yates
I am Dave Yates and have lived in Sussex all my life.  I grew up in a hamlet on the Hampshire border and used to wear my YOC badge with pride.  I arrived in Battle in 1993 by way of Bosham, Crawley, Haywards Heath and Bexhill, moving with my different postings with the Fire Service.

I have only recently re-joined the RSPB after an absence of a number of years, though I have maintained my membership with the Sussex Wildlife Trust.

I have an average knowledge of British birdlife, though I struggle to identify the difference between a garden warbler and chiffchaff, other than their songs.  I am hoping that mixing with experts of the group will help improve my skills.

I love to walk in the countryside with my two dogs and feel refreshed being close to nature.  I have learnt that you rarely return home without seeing or hearing something new.

I look forward to supporting the many activities of the Group and assisting the committee to maintain and develop the group into the future.
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Meal at Blacksmiths
To mark the end of Lynn's leadership we plan to have a meal at Blacksmiths Restaurant in Battle on Wednesday 28 April at 7pm for 7.30pm. All are welcome (including partners) and we shall have the supper menu which consists of a choice of half a dozen or so starters, main courses and desserts (including a vegetarian option). The price for 2 courses is £15.75 and for 3 courses £19.95. I need to know numbers beforehand so please put your names down at the March meeting or ring or e-mail me by 26 April to confirm your attendance.
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AGM
I do hope that the AGM on Tuesday 27 April will be well attended. It will mark the end of my Leadership and, unexpectedly, we have a good candidate willing to take over the post. Most of the existing committee are prepared to continue, at least for a while, but we shall also be looking for some new people.

Two representatives from the RSPB will be there – Jenny Sweet who is the Volunteers’ Organiser for the South East Region and Colin Higgins who will give us a talk which may end with a little hilarity.
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Brief Reports on Some Recent Field Trips
Half a dozen of us visited Oare Marshes near Faversham in early September and saw or heard just over 40 species. Waders included hundreds of black-tailed godwit, and many golden plover and redshank. Avocet were present in good numbers but ruff numbers were lower than expected, a few curlew sandpiper and one greenshank were among other waders. Marsh harrier and kestrel were seen and a hobby swooped on a group of waders in peregrine fashion right in front of the hide. Late in the day on the other side of the Swale we saw what we were 80% sure was an osprey. Among the smaller birds we saw and heard bearded tits, there were brief views of a yellow wagtail and a kingfisher, and sandmartins and swallows fed over the water. As the glossy ibis (which was seen at Oare a few days after our visit) was at Stodmarsh, and we were about 10 days too early for the first ever British sighting of a tufted puffin, we had no problems with busy hides!

On a windy but mostly dry late November day seven of us visited Dungeness where water levels were very high after heavy rains in preceding weeks. The day started well at the ARC hide with a close view of an overhead peregrine for a few of us, then a marsh harrier which remained perched for some time, a flying bittern, a distant buzzard as well as good numbers of a variety of duck which showed well when the sun emerged. Transferring to the reserve we saw the two glossy ibis flying then landing in full view. An eighth person joined us at the visitor centre, where we were greeted with mulled wine and mince pies. On the reserve we saw a female goldeneye and had a brief view of the great white egret before it flew off. A total of 46 species were seen or heard, although three of these were only seen by Roy before the rest of the group arrived, including a juvenile penduline tit.

The five people who began the walk at Rye Harbour in December had dwindled to three who continued round to Castle Water. We started the daywith a close view of a kestrel sitting in a bush near the road to the river mouth, and watched meadow pipit (and a possible rock pipit which was too far away to be sure).   We had an early lunch in the new hide while it rained but the day improved by the afternoon when were fascinated by the changing light and clouds. We saw a flock of about a dozen grey partridge on the farm although they disappeared behind a ridge when we moved to get them in a better light. Then a marsh harrier flew across in good sunlight and at Watch Cottages we watched a flock of long-tailed tits moving through the shrubs near the path.  At the Long Pit we had good views of a drake goldeneye – its eye shining in the sun as well as pochard and great crested grebe. As we entered the Castle Water hide we were pleased to see a smart drake smew very close and there were good numbers of teal, gadwall, wigeon and pintail showing well in the afternoon sun.. In total 53 species were seen or heard during the day.

At Rainham Marshes in January we logged up nearly 50 species including a group of 7 jack snipe and the resident peregrine. There were good numbers of wigeon and teal and several pintail. We saw all the commoner gulls but the only person to see the glaucous gull was Roy who was there earlier than the rest of us.

We had not got the best tide for our visit to Elmley in February nor the best of days but there were spectacular numbers of birds on the Swale. Included in the three dozen or so species seen during the day were huge numbers (14,000) of wigeon and our only owl was a barn owl seen late in the day.

Only 3 of us met at Exceat on 20 March to walk by the Cuckmere to Seaford Head. Despite the unsettled forecast the day stayed dry although the wind was strong and blustery. We saw a total of 43 species which included chiff chaff, blue tit and long-tailed tit in the alder trees in the car park. There were still a number of wintering wigeon on the river along with a group of 4 little grebe. Throughout the day we were serenaded by skylark and a green woodpecker was very vocal. After lunch we saw our first wheatear of the year and were pleased to see a group of 20 or so brent geese fly over. As we walked along the cliffs we enjoyed the spectacle of a pair of peregrines hanging in the wind, stooping, gliding and greeting each other. Occasionally one would appear close to us from below the cliff edge as also did the fulmars as we neared Seaford Head where some kittiwakes were sitting tight on their nests. A good day which ended in the teashop!

Seven of us went to Stodmarsh on a hot late May day and were also joined for part of the walk by 2 other members holidaying in the area. We started with some good woodland birds including blackcap and garden warbler (of which we saw a few during the day) and a few had a brief view of a little owl on a post.  Reed warblers were singing from low down in the reeds and reed bunting were also spotted. Good views were had of male marsh harrier and hobby although the clear blue skies probably accounted for the lack of low-flying swifts. From one of the hides we saw a kingfisher fly past. At the viewpoint an osprey was spotted and flew around for some time whilst being harried by various birds ranging in size from marsh harrier to common tern all of them smaller than the osprey and it was fascinating to see the comparative sizes.
After refreshment at the pub some briefly saw one of the turtle doves which we had heard at various times during the day. Then we heard and saw a cuckoo flying and, later, perched.
A pair of garganey rounded off a long, hot day on which between us we saw or heard 57 species.

Only five of us went to Darwell Wood in June on a perfect evening for nightjars – warm, clear, still and with a lot of moths flying. After a walk during which we heard blackcap, song thrush and robin we waited for the nightjars. Our wait was rewarded when one flew across quite silhouetted against the orange/pink late evening sky. It then came back even closer, then around again and settled out of sight churring loudly. Even better the pair then flew around twice, close enough for us to clearly identify the male in front by his white wing patches. While we waited in case they returned we listened to the hooting of a tawny owl. On our return walk we found just one glow worm.

A lovely July day saw nine members gather for a walk at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, and we were rewarded by the sight or sound of almost 60 species of bird. 3 pairs of little tern with chicks were seen among the decoys which had encouraged them to nest relatively safely behind the electric fence rather than on the beach. The many Sandwich and common terns had larger chicks as did the black-headed and Mediterranean gulls. The water levels were low at the wader scrape and the quarry but we saw redshank, a dunlin, a little egret and a whimbrel. The yellow horned poppies were looking good and on the valerian near the Parkes hide a few of us watched a humming bird hawkmoth sipping nectar. The pools on Harbour Farm yielded a little ringed plover. Good views were had of a sedge warbler singing near the road past the barns and here we also spotted a few newly emerged Essex skippers. We also saw a few six spot burnet moths.
At Castle Water hide we had good views of two green sandpiper and a ruff among the numerous lapwings. Hirundines were sparse but we saw a few house martins and swallows. Our only raptor was kestrel which included a view of a family of three fledged young on a derelict barn. We had hoped for hobby as we saw numerous damselflies (probably common blue) and a few dragonflies however it was a good day.
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Winter 2009/10
This has been a particularly cold winter (and there may yet be more bad weather) but it has had its benefits for birdwatchers. Fieldfare and redwing have been plentiful and those who visit the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve and in particular the Castle Water hide have had many treats. In particular there have been close views of bittern right in front of the hide. I visited several times and had several very close views of bittern, also of water rail and snipe.

In the garden I note the date of the first frogspawn each year and it tends to arrive around Valentine’s Day. At the time of writing (3 March) there has been some frog activity in the pond but no frogspawn as yet.

There has been plenty of rain over the last few months. In November I recorded 266mm (more than 10½in) the most in any month since I started recording in 1995. To put it into perspective this amounts to around a third of my average annual rainfall. The official November figure for Hastings was 221.2 mm. “February fill dyke” produced another 185mm in my garden, over 7 inches.
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The Nature of Farming Awards
2009 was the second year of the Nature of Farming Awards made jointly by Countryfile magazine, the RSPB, Plantlife and Butterfly Conservation. The Awards celebrate the work that farmers undertake to help wildlife. Hundreds of farmers entered and the overall winner came from Northern Ireland but the winners in the South East were David and Marian Harding who run a mixed farm at Court Lodge Farm on the Pevensey Levels.

Their main focus has been on wet grassland management and to this end they have managed water levels and grazing and created scrapes with the aim of providing suitable breeding habitat for lapwings. Ditches are cleared in rotation to create a succession of flowering plants and to provide suitable habitat for the fen raft spider. Young trees of the rare black poplar have been planted and hedges are cut on a three year rotation to provide nesting sites.

Future plans include the creation of a seven hectare reedbed in a naturally wet area with the hope of attracting bittern and marsh harrier.

Some years ago one of our members, Ivan Hurry, undertook a Volunteer and Farmer Alliance (V&FA) study on the farm and led us on a walk there.

Our congratulations go to the Hardings.
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‘Stop Lydd Expansion’ Campaign  -  RSPB briefing
At a special meeting on 3 March, Shepway District Councillors voted to approve expansion plans for Lydd Airport in Kent, against the advice of their own council officers, their own ecological consultants and Natural England, the Government’s nature conservation advisor.

The RSPB has been objecting to the expansion plans since 2005 as they would increase passenger numbers from the current 4,000 a year to half a million per year.

The Airport is next to our Dungeness Reserve and near to the Dungeness to Pett Levels Special Protection Area (SPA), designated for its internationally important bird populations, and the Dungeness Special Area of Conservation (SAC), designated for its great crested newt populations and rare shingle habitat.  If approved, the Airport’s expansion plans will be disastrous for the area.  They could irrevocably damage the area’s internationally protected wildlife, including internationally important populations of birds and a range of plants and other wildlife.  Some species at risk are unique to the Dungeness area.

A larger airport would also degrade the wider environment, not least through the extra pollution that will be generated by both the additional flights and the increase in road traffic from people getting to and from the airport.

The RSPB believes that the decision by Shepway Councillors potentially contravenes key elements of UK and EU laws.  Additionally, the decision is both regionally and nationally controversial and will have significant impacts outside the immediate locality of the airport.  Taken together, these factors means that the airport expansion plans should be called in by the Secretary of State for determination at a Public Inquiry:

1. Conflict with UK and EU law
When councillors decided to approve the airport expansion plans, they did not fulfil their legal requirement to properly consult Natural England.

2. Regional, national and international controversy
An expanded airport at Lydd risks adversely affecting internationally protected wildlife sites.  Therefore, approving the plans to expand Lydd Airport would clearly be controversial regionally, nationally and in a European context.

3. Wider impacts
By its nature, the airport’s expansion is bound to have impacts outside the immediate locality.  These will include the likely damage to both the SPA and SAC, increases in road traffic and noise, and the impact that the increased emission of greenhouse gases will have on climate change.

To add your voice to the call for a public inquiry, please write to:
Jennie Gilks
Sustainable Communities Directorate
Planning Casework Manager (Surrey and Kent)
Government Office for the South East
Bridge House
1 Walnut Tree Close
Guildford
GU1 4GA

Please refer to the three reasons given above in your letter.
________________________________________

For your information, below are the key concerns that the RSPB raised when objecting to the Airport’s proposal.

Managing the bird strike risk
The Airport will need to reduce the risk of bird strike by controlling birds and managing nearby habitats.  They produced a draft plan outlining how this will be achieved, however the RSPB has serious concerns as the plan lacks sufficient detail to fully assess the potential impacts on the internationally important bird populations.  For example they have not provided information on the location and scale of habitat management required, and the impact that shooting and dispersing hazardous species would have on non-target species which use the internationally protected habitat.

Pollution
Air pollution is already known to be high in the Dungeness area.  The undoubted increase from additional aircraft movements and road traffic will add to this.  It is likely to cause irreparable damage to the lichens and mosses, which underpin the fragile ecology of this unique area and are legally protected because of the SAC designation.  The Airport claims that the new flights will not cause enough pollution to damage the important plants, but we believe they have failed to take proper account of the existing and future background pollution levels.

Disturbance
The increased numbers of flights will increase both noise and disturbance to the wildlife and people trying to enjoy the area’s tranquillity.  The noise envelope will have direct impacts on parts of the SPA and the airport has not demonstrated that this will not have negative impacts on important bird populations.

Adverse impact on protected wildlife
The RSPB does not believe that the airport has demonstrated that there will be no adverse impact on the area’s internationally important wildlife.  This is something that they are required to do because of the high level of legal protection for the area’s wildlife.  If they fail to do so, they must prove that there are no alternatives to their plans and that they are of overriding public interest.  The RSPB does not believe that they could meet either of these tests.
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Local Wildlife Websites There's an excellent website called Wild Rye, with lots of information about Rye Harbour Nature Reserve and the Rye Bay area.  Check it out at www.wildrye.info.

You should also visit www.wildhastings.org.uk for an insight into the remarkable wildlife that can be found in the coast and countryside of Hastings and St Leonards, and another website giving all the latest wildlife news & events from Hastings, Rye Bay, Dungeness & Romney Marsh is rxwildlife.org.uk , especially good for recent sightings.
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