Wensum Valley Birdwatching Society

Christmas party:

Beating all previous records our Christmas knees-up was the best attended event of the year. On offer was a choice of leaded or unleaded punch on arrival then lots to eat and drink, a  quiz or two and a splendiferous raffle. A great success – next years is already pencilled in.

Field Trip:

After a weather cancellation we finally visited Rockingham Forest, near Corby for our last field trip of 2008. On a rare sunny November day over 20 members arrived at the RSPB reserve at Top Lodge, near Corby, for morning coffee then pressed on a few miles West to Eyebrook reservoir where several hours were spent looking at wildfowl. Large numbers of goldeneye were seen and wonderful views of a male smew. After lunch it was back to Top Lodge for a quick cuppa then on to the main event of the day. Parking on the edge of the forest at about 3pm the first Red Kite coming in to roost appeared over the west end of the woods. Then several more appeared, twisting and turning with the sun catching the brilliant orange brown of their forked tails. We watched until the light faded and, as we returned to the cars, we counted seventeen Red Kites in the air. Over the day we saw over fifty species and about twenty-five Kites. A successful day and a fitting end to the years outings.

Bird Workshops:

Toward the latter part of 2008 we arranged some bird recognition workshops under the tutelage of Norfolk based wildlife artist (and WVBS member), Steve Cale. The classes were followed by field trips to put theory into action. Members who took the course, especially newcomers to bird watching, felt the courses were a great success, everyone benefiting from Steve’s in-depth knowledge and his huge enthusiasm for the subject.

Diary dates:

Our programme of events for 2009 is complete. Talks will cover topics from the Norfolk coast to the Brazilian rain forest. Field trips will include a day at Minsmere, a week-end in Wales and a cruise on the Wash – tempted?  We have plenty of membership forms.

Thursday  19th Feb. ‘14 Years as a Bird Warden’, by Jed Andrews, warden of the NOA Holme Reserve. Weston Longville Village Hall, start 7.30 pm.  Saturday 28th Feb. we visit Hickling nature reserve and the Stubbs Mill raptor watch point.
Colin Wright  01603 740548  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.