Hugh’s News – 12 September 2020

While Covid-19 restrictions still affect the Club’s activities, we are happy to continue publishing regular issues of Hugh’s News.  They are currently being sent more frequently than normal, in an effort to (hopefully!) keep you entertained and informed.  I should record that I cannot take all the credit for their publication. Together with the Newsletter (which has had to take a holiday), Bill and Jean are instrumental in their composing and editing; and various members contribute photos and (ideas for) articles.  So a big thank you to everyone who has been involved.

I have just read a book on the rewilding project at the Knepp’s Castle estate in Sussex.  It was a fascinating account albeit a little detailed in places!  The location was notable this year for recording the first wild breeding of White Storks in the UK for around 600 hundred years.  Coincidentally, Cheshire Wildlife Trust plan to release Beavers into Hatchmere Nature Reserve in Delamere Forest this October, 400 hundred years after their extermination! And there is a feasibility study underway into the possible release of Golden Eagles in Snowdonia.  My personal opinion is that the latter project is unlikely to proceed as there is little natural prey such as Mountain Hares there.

Barry reports hearing a probable Red Kite above his garden, but wasn’t able to locate it to confirm its identification. He regularly sees them at his daughter’s home in Oxfordshire, so is familiar with the call.

Work has just started at Burton Mere Wetlands on installing the new hide that the Club made a donation towards.  It is hoped this will be completed by November, and we will let you know when it is open.

Todays’ photos are:

Lapwing, Ruff and Black-tailed Godwit taken by Bill at Martin Mere WWT.

A pair of Magpies, juvenile Wood Pigeon, and juvenile House Sparrow in Barry’s garden.

A White Stork nest from Hugh – taken in Spain earlier this year, not Sussex!

Hugh Stewart