Chairpersons Report April 2017

The Chairpersons Report was given last Wednesday evening by Allan. He gave a full and comprehensive account of the past year.

Full Report here (click)

Get ready... and click!

Lots of people say how much they enjoy the photos on our blog. It takes some patience and a bit of cunning to get a photo you're pleased with so if you want to have a go at home in your own garden here are a few hints to get you started ...... from a total amateur!

• Put small amounts of food out regularly – especially on bird tables. This keeps mess to a minimum and is healthier for birds as they are not eating old and mouldy food. Your birds will learn your routine and will be ready and waiting, so it's good to keep a camera or your smartphone handy.
• Put out food they have to stay and eat, rather than things they can fly away with – larger pieces mean they have to peck bits off while you get your photo. Bread isn't really good for birds, so try fatty scraps, invest in some sunflower seeds or fat balls and meal worms [dead ones in packets are not unpleasant to deal with].
• Wedge things like peanuts, fat or cheese rind into cracks in a stump or branch so they'll have to work a bit to get at them. Drill a few holes if necessary!
• Get to know where the birds like to perch – some prefer to pause on a nearby branch or fence post to check things out before they approach. So set one up or trim back a few twigs if they are in your way.
• give them some water too - a large plant tray will make a great bath for a flock of sparrows.

Whether you photograph them or not your garden will be a great place for birds - enjoy!

Chiffchaff Nature Reserve

      On a walk around the reserve today produced
      27 species and Green Woodpecker and Treecreeper
      heard but not seen, loads of Chiffchaff all over the
      reserve and the Little Grebes making a racket on
      the lagoon, I only seen one but it sounded like there
      were a few more on there, and 2 Goosanders were
      sunbathing up by the weir.