Many thanks to all those who responded to the request for records of the three “target” species notified for specific interest 2018. The three species of special interest for 2019 will be Willow Tit, Marsh Tit and Bullfinch. The status of the first two is of national concern, the local status of the third is difficult to determine. I would be grateful if observers would note and submit a record of all sightings of these three target species during the coming year.

Richard Burness

County Recorder

Records can be sent to records@berksoc.org.uk or submitted online via berksbirds.co.uk or Birdtrack.

The BOC relies on volunteers to run the Club.  We are always keen to get new people involved and there are currently a number of vacancies.  Could you help us fill them?  We need:

• a Chair
• an elected Ordinary Committee Member
• a new organiser for the outdoor programme
• a publicity officer
• a managing editor for the annual Birds of Berkshire report.

The first two posts will be elected at the AGM on Wednesday 28th November.  If you think you might be able to help, there is more information here.   You can also find out more by contacting our President, Renton Righelato.  Please consider volunteering – your Club needs you!

Robert Gillmor has generously offered the Club the originals of his recent report cover paintings to sell in aid of Club funds. Offers are invited for the originals of either the Oystercatcher family at Theale (2010) or the Roseate Tern  at Queen Mother Reservoir (2011).  The paintings are water colours approximately 13 x 15 cm, unframed, for which a reserve of £250 has been set.

Sealed bids should be sent or handed to the Secretary, Sally Wearing, by 20:00 h on 28th November and they will be opened following the Annual General Meeting that evening.

  

We do not normally advertise on the BOC website, however, London Camera Exchange (Station Road, Reading) has supported the Club for many years and have told us of the following offer:

We have the following Ex-Demo Zeiss Victory SF binoculars (latest model).

1x 8×42 Demo [SOLD]

1x 10×42 Demo [SOLD]

These binoculars come boxed with all accessories but they are marked with the word DEMO on them.

Zeiss had a promotion on that we kept them for 12 months as demo units then we can sell them off at a reduced price.

The normal price is £1899 and I have them in our shop for £1399 but we can offer them for £1299 to BOC members.

Following an article in The Times referring to licensing the culling of Ravens in Berkshire, we contacted Natural England to find out  what was going on.  Their full reply can be seen here.  In summary, Natural England say that newspaper reports were erroneous, that there has been no increase in licensing to kill Ravens and that there is only one license, involving three farms, active in England in 2018.  We understand that the current license refers to a farm in Hampshire and that there are none involving Berkshire.

Though increasing in number, Ravens are still  rare breeding birds in Berkshire and we would be very concerned if measures were taken to destroy this iconic corvid.

To help with Swift conservation, the BOC is offering nest boxes to install on suitable buildings. But not everyone is able to install the boxes themselves. We urgently need a few competent volunteers equipped to fit the boxes under eaves (extension ladders and drill).  If you can help, please contact Renton Righelato.

We would also like to work with roofing contractors or builders who would be prepared to fit nest boxes or bricks on a pro bono basis while they are working on suitable buildings.  If you know contractors who might do this, please let us know.

If you have suitable sites where you would like to install Swift nest boxes and would like to apply to the BOC, see below for contact details.

email renton.righelato@berksoc.org.uk or phone 0787 981 2564

We have such a close involvement with the recording process that we can get mired in the technicalities of it all. Our overwhelming concerns become the scientific integrity of the records and the value of each sighting. This concern is then communicated to observers through the notes and newsletters published on the county’s various fora. It is no wonder, then, that we sometimes forget about the objects of our interest (and desires and obsessions!). We forget about the birds! The old mantra “the welfare of the bird comes first” is as relevant now as it ever was, perhaps even more so. Birds as species and populations are under tremendous pressure. Loss of habitat, persecution and the unknowns of climate change are just a few of the dangers they face every day. It is up to us, then, to consider our impact on birds as individuals. They suffer enough stress in their lives without us adding more.

Our behaviour in the field must be impeccable –  please follow the birdwatchers’ code:

• don’t risk flushing the bird by getting closer to get that “crippling” view or that ultimate camera shot;
• whilst you are looking for a specific bird, consider the impact that you are having on both the immediate habitat and other species that may be present;
• keep well clear of nesting birds and potential breeding sites;
• don’t distract birds during the breeding season by playing recordings of songs or calls;
• don’t disturb roosting birds, especially in the winter when energy conservation is critical;
• please comply with site access restrictions.

The intent of publishing this note is not to spoil everyone’s birding days by applying rules and regulations but it is to remind us that we derive a great deal of pleasure from birds and that we have responsibilities towards them that we should not forget. We can’t do much about large scale threats (except campaign and lobby) but we can exercise control over our own behaviour towards individual birds which will lessen their stress.

Derek Barker, Richard Burness

Although Great Crested Grebes appear quite successful in Berkshire, Little Grebes are in rapid decline and we do not understand why. So the Club is organising a survey of our rivers and lakes to find out how many grebes of both species are breeding and what their preferred habitats are.  This is a simple survey that all bird-watchers can take part in.  See our Grebes Survey page to find out more and when you visit a stretch of river, lake or gravel pit, whether or not grebes are present, please fill in the online survey form.

Professor Alex Kacelnik gave an engrossing lecture to the BOC last night on problem solving by birds. Fascinating video footage on the use of tools by New Caledonian Crows and the even brighter Goffin’s Cockatoo.  The cold weather may have caused some people to miss this event, but you can see some of the action on this video