We have agreed with the Langdyke Countryside Trust to promote each others events. They put on a number of interesting events during the year based around nature and the John Clare countryside, ranging from archaeology to art as well as the more pure nature events. Details can be found by clicking Events – Langdyke Countryside Trust or going to their website. 

Cancelled Titchwell trip on 5th January rescheduled to 26th January. 

We have tried to vary the day of the week and locations to appeal to everyone and this year we have visits to the same locations, but at different times of the year to try and provide the opportunity to see a greater range of species. Also this year, we have two Dawn Chorus walks.

Please take a look and see which you would like to join us on. See you there.                   

26/01/25        RSPB Titchwell & North Norfolk (Rescheduled)
Following the cancellation of the trip on the 5th January it has been rescheduled to the 26th January. Hopefully the weather will be kinder. Traditional New Year year list booster trip to Norfolk. Hopefully a 50 to 70 species day. Start the day at RSPB Titchwell with a very varied mix of birds on the reserve and sea. There is an entry charge to the reserve for non-members. After lunch we will make a decision on whether to stay at Titchwell or whether to head further east along the coast in pursuit of rarities or a winter Harrier roost. Meet at 1000 at RSPB Titchwell car park PE31 8BB. Leaders Ian Wilson / Adrian Hallam

15/01/25          Eyebrook Reservoir
A smallish reservoir just outside Uppingham. An excellent site for winter waterfowl and usually holds both male and female Smew at this time of year. Possibility of passage waders at the inlet. Meet at the Stoke Dry car park. Drive past Stoke Dry church LE15 9JG to the waters edge. Park in layby here, Leader Bob Payne.

05/02/25          LWT Deeping Lakes
Another winter regular. In winter an excellent site for overwintering waterfowl, plus the chance of Little owl and roosting Long-eared Owls. Meet at 1000 at reserve car park PE6 8RH. Leader tbc

16/02/25          RSPB Frampton
A whole day visit to RSPB Frampton for winter ducks, waders, harriers, owls etc. Meet at car park PE20 1AY. There is an entry charge for non-members. Leader tbc

05/03/25          Harrier and owl Roost Watch
Meet 1500. Site to be announced neare date depending which of the possible local sites has the best roost. Leader Ian Gordon

23/03/25          The Brecks
The first of 2 trips to this area, We will start with a roadside Goshawk watch at Cockley Cley. At 1200 we will move to Lynford Arboretum for lunch and a search for Hawfinch, Firecrest, Brambling, Siskin etc. If there are any rare winter visitors in the area we will then move to search for them. Meet at the roadside at Cockley Cley at 1000, directions to be issued nearer the day, or Lynford Arboretum IP26 5HW at 1200. Leader Ian Wilson

12/04/25          Old Sulehay
 A visit to Old Sulehay. A small Wildlife Trusts reserve outside Wansford. Has previously held Turtle Dove, Nightingale and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. In 2024 both Turtle Dove and Nightingale have been recorded. Meet at 1000 at Old Sulehay PE8 6PA. There is limited parking, mainly off-road. Leader Bob Payne.

27/04/25          Woodwalton Fen
This season we will try 2 Dawn Chorus walks. This, the first, is targeted at warblers and other song birds. Woodwalton is one of the best Warbler sites in the PBC area. We can expect to hear upto 9 species of warbler singing. There are usually several Grasshopper Warblers reeling. We may also hear booming Bittern and several other species of songbird.Meet at 0700 by the entrance bridge to the reserve. Park alongside the drain adjacent to the reserve PE6 7QB. Leader Ian Gordon.

04/05/25          Castor Hanglands
Our traditional Dawn Chorus walk followed by breakfast at the Granary café at Willowbrook Farm. As well as a good selection of warblers there should be several singing Nightingales. Meet at 0600 at Willowbrook Farm PE6 7EL. Leader Keith Lievesley.

14/05/25          Rutland Water Nature Reserve
A second visit to the fabulous Rutland Water, this time to the nature reserve. As well as the usual wide selection of birds there should be nesting Ospreys. Meet at 1000 at the nature reserve car park LE15 8BT. There is an entry charge for non-members. After lunch plan to drive round to the Lynden visitors centre for a short walk to the hides on Manton Bay for good views of Osprey on the nest. Leader tbc

07/06/25          RSPB Lakenheath Fen and Weeting Heath
A second visit to the Brecks. This time to the fabulous RSPB  Lakenheath Fen reserve. The reserve is newly extended with additional land added along the river.  At this time of year we have an excellent chance of multiple Bittern sightings, nesting Marsh Harriers, Hobby hawking dragonflies and Cuckoos. There is also a chance of seeing the breeding Crane population. Please carry a packed lunch and drink with you as the plan is to take lunch at Joist Fen to give the maximum time searching for target species from this fabulous viewpoint. After lunch we will walk back along the river bank to the visitors centre. From here we will take a 10 minute drive to NWT Weeting Heath. This is a specialist reserve targeted at breeding the rare and endangered Stone Curlew. For RSPB Lakenheath park at the visitors centre IP27 9AD. For NWT park at the visitors centre IP27 0FD. Both reserves have entry charges for non-members. Leader Stewart Short & Ian Gordon

28/06/25          RSPB Titchwell  and NNR  Dersingham Bog
An afternoons birding at RSPB Titchwell followed by a Fish and Chip supper at Erics and then transfer to NNR Dersingham Bog where we will arrive by 8PM for anybody wanting to just join for the evening. The main aim of this visit is to hear, and hopefully see, the unique Nightjars churring and flying around sunset time. This is the nearest site to Peterborough for you to enjoy this unique spectacle. In addition to Nightjars, we hope to see Woodlark, Woodcock making their roding flights, Stonechat and Tree Pipits. Meet at RSPB Titchwell car park PE31 8BB at 1500. Meet at Dersingham Bog PE31 6HA at 2000hrs. Leader Stewart Short/Ian Gordon

We look forward to welcoming you to one or more of this season’s indoor events.

All are at St Mark's Church Hall, Lincoln Road, Peterborough, PE1 2SN

 7.30 pm Wednesday 29 January The John Clare Countryside
JUSTIN TILLEY
The landscape between Peterborough and Stamford is well known and well loved by naturalists. Here we’ll explore this area, its past, its present and what the future may look like for the wildlife, habitats and people who care about the area.    Justin is a board member and trustee of the Langdyke Countryside Trust and has worked in the local Natural England Team for the past 20 years covering a host of roles.
 

7.30 pm Wednesday 26 February The Best of Scotland
STEPHEN LOVELL
A condensed tour of the very best of Scotland with its birds, mammals, locations and folklore  Steve ran his own garden design and wildlife garden creation business for 30 yeas up to 2023. He is a qualified adult education tutor and teaches natural history related topics. He had short spell working for the RSPB as a community project officer. Since 2015 he has been leading his own bird/nature tours in the UK and is the only registered nature guide for his  home County of Lincolnshire.  

7.30 pm Wednesday 26 March Global Seabird Conservation
DR RICHARD PHILLIPS
Seabirds are amongst the most globally-threatened of all birds. This talk will provide an overview of the main threats to seabirds, including fisheries, invasive species and climate change, and how research on their demography can help us understand the drivers of population change and prioritise management effort to improve their conservation.   

Richard is the leader of the Higher Predators and Conservation group within the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) Core Science Ecosystems programme, an Honorary Professor at the College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, and an Honorary Research Fellow at the Dept. of Zoology, University of Cambridge. He also works closely with the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP), including as convenor of the ACAP Populations and Conservation Status working group, and is a member of Expert Group on Birds and Marine Mammals of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR).His research concentrates on the population, physiological and evolutionary ecology of seabirds, particularly albatrosses and petrels. His main field sites are Bird Island (South Georgia), Signy Island (South Orkneys) and Rothera (Adelaide Island).
 
7.30 pm Wednesday 30 April The Spanish Pyrenees – Birds, Butterflies and Orchids
BOB GILL  
A look at the flora and fauna of this spectacular region  Bob is a Northampton-born and bred naturalist with a keen interest in all things wildlife. A birdwatcher since his schooldays his interests have since developed to cover moths, butterflies, dragonflies and, more recently, bugs and beetles. For many years he has been Chair of Northamptonshire Bird Club and he has led many Club trips in Britain and overseas. Since the pandemic he has also co-led some tours for Naturetrek to Ardnamurchan in Scotland and to Iceland and Mallorca.

Our group met in the car park at Welney on what turned out to be a much warmer day, though the skies were cloudy. Walking towards the Visitor Centre, we were greeted by lively Tree Sparrows and House Sparrows fluttering around the feeders.

After purchasing our entrance tickets, we were delighted to receive complimentary passes for a future visit, as only one hide was open due to flooding.

From the Visitor Centre, we surveyed Lady Fen, which was alive with bird activity. Among the numerous species, we observed Geese, Lapwings, Ruff, Redshank, Black-tailed Godwits, Dunlin, Shelduck, Wigeon, Shovelers, Teal, and a lone Whooper Swan. In the distance, a Marsh Harrier glided gracefully, while Roe Deer grazed   and more Whooper Swans arrived overhead.

We made our way to the main hide, enjoying its welcome warmth since the paths to the other hides were impassable due to flooding. Here, we saw a good number of Pochard, mostly males, along with a scattering of Whooper Swans and distant Pintails. On our way back across the bridge, we spotted six Cattle Egrets on the bank of the drain.

The sun broke through the clouds as we strolled along the grassy path at Lady Fen. A cameraman kindly pointed out a Short-eared Owl camouflaged in the grass. Other highlights included a Kestrel, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Meadow Pipit, Stonechat, Curlew, with Whooper Swans, and  Geese flying overhead. At the far end of the fence, we spotted three Cranes in the distance. On our return, a Hare crossed our path, pausing briefly to be admired.

Back at the Visitor Centre, flocks of Golden Plovers arrived in spectacular fashion, with a lone Grey Plover spotted among them. Chinese Water Deer grazed on the fen, adding to the afternoon’s wildlife sightings.

After indulging in a well-earned late lunch at the café, we returned to the main hide for the swan feeding session. As we waited, we found a single Bewick’s Swan among the Whoopers, along with more Marsh Harriers patrolling the area. The feeding began with Pochard diving energetically for food just below the hide’s windows..

As the day drew to a close, we crossed the bridge again to the evocative calls of Whooper Swans. On Lady Fen, a group of 13 Cranes had just arrived, providing a fitting finale. In the car park, a Water Rail called in the gathering dusk.

The day was memorable not only for the 54 species recorded but for the sheer abundance of birds, the stunning variety of wildlife, and the camaraderie of the group.  

Stewart

A surprising number of people brave the icy cold and windy weather at Eldernell on our latest trip. These were rewarded with the site of a peregrine tracking backwards and forwards in front the woods straight out in front of us on the washes. To add to the display good views of a sparrowhawk which flew around the trees behind the houses behind us. Unfortunately we weren’t able to locate any short eared owls and the tawny was not present in the usual tree, however we did manage to find two long eared owls in the bushes to the left. This did take some describing to ensure everyone could see them.

One surprise was the number of fieldfare occupying the odd trees and bushes close to us and the wooded edges, some 250 if not more. In a separate bushy hedge we found three redwing sat in the top of the bush clearly visible in the late sunshine. A bit later, two lots of whooper swans flew across the washes in front of us, five in first group followed shortly afterwards by four.

Other birds seen were a few marsh harriers, grey heron, carrion crow, cormorant, little egret, snipe, mute swan, a flock of linnets, tufted duck, coot, kestrel, red kite and great white egret. Due to the dropping temperature we cut short the outing. There were rumoured to be a short eared owl and some cattle egret, but we could not locate them. Thanks to all those who braved the weather conditions and we hope the birds more than made up for it. 

Look forward to seeing you on the next outdoor meeting at Welney on 30th November at 10:00 or the next indoor meeting on 27th November given by Dr Chris Hewson about the results and where next with the Cuckcoo Tracking Project. 

Peterborough Bird Club Outing Report – 27th September 2024
Location: Frampton Marsh
Weather: Wet and windy 
On the morning of the 27th of September, the Peterborough Bird Club gathered at Frampton Marsh for what turned out to be a memorable day of birdwatching. Despite the wet and windy conditions, the group's spirits were high as we began our outing in the car park with four Spoonbills flying relatively low over head before moving to the Visitor Centre. 
At the Visitor Centre, we were treated to views of several species of wildfowl. Notable sightings included a Bar-tailed Godwit and an escaped Bar-headed Goose, providing an interesting start to our day. The gusts of wind didn't deter us, and the group soon made its way to the 360 Hide. 
From the hide, we observed a large number of Wigeon, which are starting to gather in impressive numbers as the autumn migration progresses. Among them, a few striking Pintail added to the variety. A particularly exciting moment came when a group of eight Whooper Swans flew over the sea bank. It is likely they were en route to the Ouse Washes, marking the start of their winter migration. 
Our next stop was the Reedbed Hide, which provided both shelter and excellent views. Here, after a careful search, we were rewarded with good views of a Snipe nestled in the reeds. Just when we thought the morning couldn’t get any better, an Osprey made a surprise appearance, flying through the area, much to everyone’s delight! After such an eventful and rewarding morning of birdwatching, we gathered for a well-earned coffee break to reflect on the morning’s highlights. It was a great outing, despite the challenging weather, with some excellent sightings to mark the day. We look forward to our next adventure!

Following the success of the PBC out-of-area trips to East Yorkshire (May 24) and Rye/Dungeness (Sep 24), a further trip is being planned to Mid/North Wales in May 25. The idea is to car share with contributions to fuel and stay overnight in ‘Premier Inn’ type accommodation.

The aim is to see lots of birds – especially birds that we don’t tend to see locally – but also to enjoy the Welsh countryside and relax with friends over a cup of tea or glass of wine. Target birds include Arctic Tern, Black Grouse, Black Guillemot, Chough, Dipper, Manx Shearwater, Peregrine Falcon, Pied Flycatcher, Puffin, Raven, Redstart, Red-breasted Merganser, Red Grouse, Ring Ouzel, Rock Pipit, Roseate Tern, Shag, Spotted Flycatcher, Wheatear, Whinchat and Wood Warbler.

Inevitably there’s lots of driving, but once we get to Wales, the journeys will be broken up by the various birding stops. And some walking will be required. At RSPB Carngafallt it’s possible to see some fantastic birds without leaving the car park, but the other sites will require some exertion. The distances walked at each location will vary between 3 and 5 miles at worse case, across modest to rough terrain – people may choose to do less walking, but still see some great birds.

The aim is to visit

For more details or if you wish to join the trip, please email me on rfw1967@hotmail.co.uk or call on 07375 470335 letting me know your accommodation plans and your preferences re driving and car sharing.

If you have any questions please email or call.

The second PBC out-of-area trip, this time to Rye Harbour (East Sussex) and Dungeness (Kent) was accompanied by glorious weather – 20 degrees C, no rain and a gentle breeze.

We started at Rye Harbour where we were given a guided tour by James, a local volunteer warden. James was a larger-than-life character and a very enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide. The highlights included a Kingfisher flying over the sea, an Osprey fishing out at sea, some Wheatear and some Yellow Wagtails, and a little group of a Dunlin, a Knot and a Redshank (really useful for honing ID skills). James also introduced us to Least Lettuce which is very rare apparently. See pic.

Our next destination was the ARC Pit at Dungeness RSPB. But at James’s suggestion we stopped off en route at Scotney Sandpit (this isn’t a reserve and it’s not marked on the map; it’s literally just a sandpit at the side of the road between Camber and Lydd). As we got out of the car, we disturbed a large flock of Golden Plover – some in summer plumage, some in winter plumage and some in transition. After a short flying display, they forgave our intrusion and settled back on the ground in search for food. At the pit itself, we stood at the top and looked down. This gave us excellent views of whatever was inside. And on Saturday afternoon, this included a Red-necked Phalarope, 3 x Green Sandpiper, 2 x Common Sandpiper, 3 x Avocet, a Black-tailed Godwit and a Hobby. 

We then headed to the ARC Pit where we had clear views of a Pectoral Sandpiper and a less good view of a Glossy Ibis which was just leaving as we arrived. The light was fantastic and it afforded us the opportunity to study a drake Gadwall in detail. Gadwall are lovely birds which mustn’t be overlooked.

At 5pm we called it a day and headed off to the local Premier Inn (Ashford) which was uncannily similar to the Premier Inn that we stayed at in Bridlington with the only exception that the menu didn’t include fish pie. 

On Sunday we headed back to Dungeness where we spent the morning exploring the area around the Old Lighthouse, the Bird Observatory and the Nuclear Power Station. On Dungeness Beach, Owen, Reserve Manager, gave us a fascinating talk on the area, its history and its wildlife. We watched a number of Arctic Skua pass by heading west, a few Common Scoter headed east and some very noisy Sandwich Tern fishing just offshore. Owen spotted a Balearic Shearwater, but it was too far out at sea for him to guide any of us on to it. However, we all saw lots of Porpoises enjoying themselves in the sun.

Black Redstart, Peregrine and Raven nest around the power station and we saw all three. The Peregrines and the Ravens were very vocal which gave us the opportunity to learn their calls. Not far from the power station is the observatory where we saw lots of Wheatear and Stonechat and one Whinchat.

We then moved a couple of miles to Dungeness RSPB where an American Golden Plover had been seen the day before. We found a plover and along with a hide full of birders, tried very hard to convince ourselves that we were looking at a US vagrant, but the collective conclusion was that our bird was a Eurasian Golden Plover. However, we did find a couple of juvenile Black Terns.

It's interesting to reflect on what birds weren’t seen. We didn’t see a single thrush, not even a Blackbird, and apart from ubiquitous Linnets, no finches either. That is, until we were loading the car before heading home, when a single Chaffinch appeared, to thank us for our visit.  

Summer finally arrived for the 19 members and guests who attended the Club's trip to Lakenheath Fen and Weeting Heath.

We started out at Lakenheath Fen and were rewarded with 39 species, the highlights being a single Crane (amazingly spotted at some distance in tall vegetation), Bittern in flight, a good number of Marsh Harriers, slightly less good numbers of Hobbys, and a pleasing number of Swifts. The "aaah" moment was the sight of a Great Crested Grebe carrying it's young (or "humbug" as someone called it) on it's back.

The full list of birds seen at Lakenheath Fen can be found here.

A picnic lunch was had at Lakenheath Fen before we all drove to NWT Weeting Heath for the Stone Curlews. Good sightings of the adults and their young were had from the West Hide. A visit to the East Hide revealed little else of note apart from a distant Buzzard.

A coach party of RSPB members from Lincoln were also at Weeting Heath, and earlier in the day they'd seen a male and female Nightjar in the woodland adjacent to the Heath. Stewart Short and Ian Gordon went to investigate and found the male on a low branch in bracken.

Thanks to Ian Wilson for leading this trip.