WVBS - March 2012
Winter Count: Small teams of birders start from different parts of the Valley to see how many species they can record in a day. The day ends with a count up and conviviality at the Fox and Hounds. Best sightings were a Short Eared Owl at Great Ryburgh and a Tundra Bean Goose near Fakenham. A record 94 species was recorded for the day. The ace team of Ian Brittain, Paul Riley and Tony Forster turned in an impressive 77 species and were presented with the winter count trophy.
Indoor talk: Dr Kevin Elsby is a world travelled naturalist with a particular interest in the wildlife of the Arctic, the Antarctic and tropical rainforests. He is also a wildlife tour guide and has a Masters Degree in Wildlife Biology and Conservation and, if that was not enough, he is also a full time Norfolk GP (who says’ men can’t multitask!).
Dr Kevin’s talk described a visit to the Galapagos, a world heritage site of thirteen islands situated 1000Km off Ecuador. The Galapagos were visited by Darwin in 1845 and are thought to have been the inspiration for his publication ‘The origins of Species’. The islands are fed by the nutrient rich Humboldt Current which travels up the coast of South America from Antarctica and are home to some of the world’s rarest species, many endemic to individual islands. We were shown unusual birds such as the nocturnal swallow tailed gull, the red billed tropic bird and the comic courtship dance of the blue foot Booby and of course the different species of Galapagos finches who have adapted in order to survive the different habitats of each island. We also saw land and marine iguanas, lizards, tortoises and thousands of sea lions who can be seen snoozing in various places in town. In all it was easy to see why the Galapagos attracts over 100,000 visitors a year. An interesting and informative talk which attracted a record attendance of well over 70 members.
Dates for March: Thursday 15th, at Weston Longville Village Hall, bird artist Steven Cale, will be talking about the art of birds. Starts at 7.30 p.m. On Sunday 25th we have a trip to the Brecks looking for Breckland specialities.
Colin Wright [01603 740548] www.wvbs.co.uk