The latest PBC out-of-area trip was to Wales including the Elan Valley, Ynys-hir RSPB, Snowdonia, Cemlyn Bay and South Stack RSPB on Anglesey, and World’s End near Wrexham. 

We started by exploring the ancient oak woodland around Afon Elan just below the dam. Hearing birds was easy, but finding them amongst trees in leaf was more tricky, but eventually we managed to locate Pied Flycatcher, Spotted Flycatcher, Redstart and Wood Warbler.

A few people took the scenic route to Aberystwyth (where we were staying for the first night) and were rewarded with Wheatear and Ring Ouzel.

On day 2 we visited Ynys-hir and Snowdonia. Ynys-hir is a delightful reserve including deciduous woodland and fantastic views across the Afon Dyfi estuary.

En route to Bangor we stopped at Llyn Ogwen where we walked a little way up Glyder Fawr (we got to 400m above sea level whereas the summit is at 1001m). Surprising we saw a Great Crested Grebe and a pair of Canada Geese as well as Meadow Pipit, Stonechat, Cuckoo, and Raven. 

The third day was spent on Anglesey. Cemlyn Bay, a wild and wonderful place on the northern coast of the island, is home to a large tern colony which affords very close views of Arctic, Common and Sandwich Terns. We also saw Gannet, Red-breasted Merganser and Whimbrel.

Anglesey is actually quite flat, but that can’t be said of Holy Island the home of South Stack RSPB. Here we had great views of Chough and various auks including Puffin. We also saw Shag, Fulmar and Kittiwake, but only in small numbers unfortunately.

We briefly stopped at Holyhead Harbour to catch up with a few Black Guillemot before heading to Newborough Forest in search of Red Squirrel. We quickly worked out that the best approach to squirrel watching is to find a feeder and wait. Before long 5 appeared shortly before the sky turned black and the heavens opened. However, apart from an hour of heavy rain, we were blessed with exceptional weather – 20 degrees C, blue sky and light breeze.

 

On the final day we visited World’s End, an area of moorland near Wrexham. A few people made an early start and caught the end of a Black Grouse lek. However, everybody managed to see Red Grouse, Whinchat and Wheatear.

Overall we saw 101 species across deciduous and pine forest, moorland, mountain, rivers, streams and lakes, cliffs, shingle beaches, reed beds and estuaries.

Bird of the trip: a beautiful Redstart that sang endlessly on a open bough above Afon Elan. 

Biggest disappointment: we tried very hard, but we couldn’t find a Dipper. Instead we had to make do with a Robin impersonating a Dipper. Oh well, we’ll have to go again! 

 

 

OBJECTION BY PETERBOROUGH BIRD CLUB TO THE PROPOSED HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN THE DRAFT LOCAL PLAN NORTH OF THE A47 NEAR CASTOR/AILSWORTH

The draft Peterborough Local Plan has reinstated the proposal formerly known as Great Kyne which is situated north of Castor/Ailsworth and north of the A47. The proposal is for 1800 dwellings before 2044 and 1200 thereafter in three discrete “villages.” In addition there will be 13 hectares of employment land as well as essential infrastructure. The land is in public ownership in the form of Homes England, the land having originally been designated as part of the New Town Master plan in 1967. 

The issue of concern to Peterborough Bird Club is that the site lies just south of Castor Hanglands, a National Nature Reserve/SSSI of national importance. It is also a Nature Conservation Review site meaning that it is one of the most important places for nature in Britain. Its importance is broadly-based covering plants, invertebrates, insects and birds. In the City It is the ecological equivalent of Peterborough Cathedral. In Spring it receives a full set of migrant Warblers : Chiffchaff, Garden Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, and Willow Warbler. But its importance for bird-life is principally because it is the most northerly important site for Nightingales. Between 1967 and 2022 it has been estimated that Nightingales in the UK declined by 95%.  They are now only found in in a small area of southern and eastern England during the breeding season. Many sites have been lost because their scrubby woodland has been degraded and lost, often to browsing deer. 

There are now fewer than 6000 singing males left in Britain of which 35 or so come to Castor Hanglands. Various Conservation bodies jointly produce periodic assessments of Birds of Conservation Concern (BOCC) based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List approach. The Nightingale is one of 67 red-listed species and its inclusion is based on the decline in the breeding population. The continuing good numbers coming to the Hanglands are something to be cherished. For many years Paxton Pits down the A1 was the pre-eminent place to go to listen to Nightingales but they have greatly reduced there to a handful and Castor Hanglands is by far the County’s pre-eminent site. 

The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) has recently published results from its tracking of Nightingales, following on from its pioneering work on Cuckoos. This has shown that all the UK birds winter in the humid zone of West Africa in an area focussed on The Gambia. Unlike Nightingales which breed in other parts of the African continent, the British birds have no interaction with birds from other areas. They demonstrate what is known as “extreme migratory connectivity” between their breeding and wintering grounds. This leaves UK Nightingales vulnerable because any adverse issues can’t be mitigated by a wider population pool. So, any impact on breeding grounds will only exacerbate the difficulties Nightingales face in their wintering grounds. 

Nightingales favour dense scrub within woodlands and nest on or near the ground. The great danger is that locating several thousand houses adjacent to Castor Hanglands will lead to major incursions by cats – it has been estimated that cats kill 100,000,000 birds a year nationally - and much greater use of the Hanglands by dog walkers with dogs off leads. The latter behaviour has caused great problems further north at Hills and Holes NNR at Barnack. The proposal to create a country park south of the A47 to mitigate the potential damage is nonsense because it may divert some walkers but will not prevent an invasion by cats. Also, residents would have to use a bridge to cross over the dual-carriageway A47. It would be easier to head north to the SSSI. Currently, the A47 is an effective barrier but certainly not if the houses are built. However, this proposal for a new country park graphically demonstrates that Homes England and PCC recognise that there will be a major impact from the proposed development on Castor Hanglands NNR/SSSI just a few hundred metres away..

It should also be pointed out that the City Council has recognised John Clare Countryside as an area to be taken account of when developing policy and judging applications. Twenty-one Parish Councils have come together to produce Nature Recovery Plans – promoted by central Government - across this area which sweeps across the west of the city from the Welland valley in the north-east by the Lincolnshire border down to the Nene Valley in a NE to SW direction.  This area now has much land formerly exploited for minerals which has been restored for nature. Crossing in a SE/NW direction is a proposal by 3 large estates to link up their woods and adjoining land to create a conservation corridor from Peterborough to Stamford, including Castor Hanglands and other remnants of the mediaeval Rockingham Forest such as Southey Wood. These two initiatives will provide the lungs of Peterborough and give greater access to the countryside, but in a managed context to avoid damage to species. The landscape also has cultural significance as in many respects it still resembles the landscape described by John Clare, resident of Helpston just a few miles north of the Hanglands. He also wrote about the Nightingale. 

It should be added that major utility lines run across the Castor/Ailsworth site and the westernmost of the three “villages” proposed is crossed by a high-pressure gas main with a wide statutory safety margin around it. So this sterilises a wide channel for development and renders it pointless. In addition, the whole area is an archaeological treasury yet to be excavated. The internationally important Roman town of Durobrivae lies SW of Castor and Castor church lies within what was the largest building in Roman Britain, the Praetorium. Roman walls are exposed by the roadside just east of the church. The areas north, south and west of Castor include much post-Roman archaeology and need archaeological exploration.  The constraints mean that It would be sensible and logical for the City Council to drop this development and focus elsewhere.

A good alternative site would be the proposal for a new settlement of 4500 houses, the Sibson Garden Community, at the old Sibson Airfield just down the A1 where housing numbers can be met without a catastrophic hit on the environment. It has the advantages of better integration of housing and employment and better access to the A1. It wouldn’t create the problems that are likely to be generated by the Castor/Ailsworth schemes at the A1/A47 interchange. It is not within PCC’s administrative area at present but, if devolution proposals come into force in 2028, then the current Unitary Authority will be replaced by a new one, possibly/probably including Huntingdonshire where Sibson is located. So it will become within Peterborough’s ambit of interest and contribute to the new Authority’s housing target.

Finally, Nightingales have been recognised by the planning system as worthy of preservation in other areas. In Kent the famous case of Lodge Hill is a parallel to Castor where houses were proposed adjacent to a SSSI which was a major site for Nightingales. The application was refused by Medway District Council and, at appeal, the planning inspector supported Medway and refused development.  

So, in conclusion, this proposed development is in the wrong place for a whole raft of reasons, of which the negative and irreversible impact on Nightingales is the most emotive. We therefore register a strong objection to the proposals. 

 

KEITH LIEVESLEY 

Chair

 

On behalf of Peterborough Bird Club


If you wish to send an email expressing your objections to the housing north of Castor Ailsworth, you should send it to:

Planningpolicy@peterborough.gov.uk

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

20-21/09/25          Essex/Suffolk  2025

The autumn 2025 out-of-area PBC trip is to Essex & Suffolk on Sat/Sun 20/21 Sep 25.

The outline plan is to visit Abberton Reservoir and Fingringhoe Wick (both Essex Wildlife Trust) on Saturday and Landguard Point and Minsmere RSPB on Sunday.

We'll overnight in Ipswich. The suggested hotels are Holiday Inn Ipswich-Orwell or Premier Inn Ipswich South East. As per previous trips, please arrange your own accommodation - either at the Holiday Inn, the Premier Inn or elsewhere in that area.

Please let Richard know (rfw1967@hotmail.co.uk) if you want to join the trip or contact him if you have any questions.

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. 

19 people gathered in the Frampton car park at 1000 including a new member and 3 people through our link with the Langdyke Country Trust. It was a cloudy and cold morning. This was soon to change as the sun appeared for the remainder of our visit. 

We set off to walk down the road to the seawall, checking Marsh Farm in front of the car park there were thousands of birds, Mainly Lapwing, Wigeon, Teal and Golden Plover. 2 Peregrines were found sitting on the fence near the barn. On the reedbed scrape immediately behind the Visitors Centre was yet more Lapwing, Wigeon, 3 pairs of Goldeneye actively displaying. A single Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, several Avocet and several groups of Dunlin were also present. The only Pochard of the day was seen in the far corner. The Dunlin actively scurrying around in their typical fashion. As we were walking down the road thousands of birds were taking to the sky in regular large groups. One of the winter characteristics of Frampton. Further down the road we found more Black-tailed Godwits, a Great White Egret demonstrating how long it’s neck was, a single Ruff and several Redshank. Also the 2 Peregrines had relocated to near the seawall giving much better views.

We climbed the seawall steps into the usual Frampton icy wind.  Unfortunately there was a mist swirling around and coming and going out on the marsh towards the sea. This made viewing difficult. The only birds of note we could make out on the saltmarsh were 3 Marsh Harriers, several Corvids, loads of Starlings and masses of Wigeon. Flocks of Brent Geese were moving around the salt marsh and reserve all the time.

We continued round the seawall to the steps leading to the North Hide. We added several Ringed Plovers and Little Egrets before we reached the steps. The North Hide yielded no new species so we headed back towards the cross track and lunch. In the corner at the end of the cross-track we came across the Frampton resident Whooper Swan. It was feeding with 2 Canada Geese well away from the Mute Swans which tend to bully it. It is coming to the end of its second winter at Frampton being unable to leave due to a broken wing. En-route to the Visitors Centre we came across several confiding Stonechats flitting around the reeds feeding and giving point-blank views.

After lunch we set off to explore the Reedbed loop. The shrubs, bushes and trees were nearly devoid of passerines. However the disappointment was soon forgotten when Stewart found a Merlin hunkered down on the ground. We managed to get all the scopes onto it and everyone got acceptable views. As we were moving on it flew across the field giving excellent in flight views. Alas no Bearded Tits or Corn Buntings along the back bushes. Turning back along the cross track the confiding Stonechats appeared again. We checked the views from the Reedbed and 360 degree hide. Excellent views of the Avocets from the Reedbed hide and some great views of Pintail feeding close. We headed back to the visitors centre and were greeted by the Merlin zooming low past us heading towards the sea wall. A great bird to finish an excellent day with.

My bird of the day was the Merlin, but my birds of the day without doubt was the fabulous site of thousands of birds wheeling around in the winter sky. What a spectacle.

 

Hi, 
Happy New Year.

January is when renewal memberships are due to be paid. Thank you for those who have already paid the £12 fee. A quick reminder to those that haven't  paid yet or who are still paying the old amount, it is now £12. 

This will enable the club to continue 

well into the future.

It was a bit chilly to start with and squishy under foot, but after negotiating the track on the way in your car, a good time was had by the 20 or so people who turned up, including a few new members. Welcome to your first of many outdoor trips.

There were few birds around until we got to the first screen, when a lot of common waterfowl could be seen including Coot, Mallard, Black Headed Gulls, Canada Geese and the odd Wigeon. Sulking on the far bank of the lake was an Egyptian goose.

The route down to the hide was unfortunately rather uneventful, but right next to the hide, there were 4 Long Eared Owls, two easily visible about 3 metres away, but the other two were not so much of an exhibitionist. All of the party had time to see the two and try to see the other two coming away with one of their best ever views of Long Eared Owls.

Strolling alongside the main lake a number of pairs of Goldeneye could be seen, some starting to display, along with more Coot, Cormorants and a little Grebe amongst some Tufted Ducks. Also along this path, a pair of Jays were seen briefly and a Cetti’s Warbler was first heard then seen before disappearing off.

On the river bank, a Little Egret crept along the water’s edge while a few Buzzards soared above accompanied by a Red Kite and a seemingly large Kestrel kept watch from a small tree on the other bank. As we progressed round a small flock of Fieldfare flew from a hedge row into some taller trees before departing and being replaced by a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Further round, while surveying the old willow for the Little Owl, we came across a small tree sheltering a flock of Goldfinch. After some time and painstaking checking, Stewart found the Little Owl ‘hidden behind some wispy bits’. It gave us a few turns of the head and stared at us just to show it wasn’t a lump of bark.

Three of us ventured further to the railway bridge seeing three Moorhens on the river edge and then through the bridge a solitary Kingfisher perched on a branch over the river, lit beautifully by the sun. All appeared to enjoy the morning seeing some 31 odd birds and looking forward to the next outdoor trip to RSPB Frampton Marsh on Sunday 16th February. See you there. 

The morning weather forecast was for mist, so was another PBC outdoor meeting going to be
affected by the conditions? The outlook on the way to the reservoir was not promising, heavy mis
over the hills as I entered Rutland. However, upon arrival the reservoir was clear! 14 members, a
good turnout, ventured to the location to be greeted with good views several Pintails, Golden Eye
and 3 male Smew with a red headed female diving and being pursued by the males on
resurfacing.

We headed along the shore towards the bridge over the Eye Brook. On the way, a snipe was
spotted by Mr. Eagleye, Stewart, as it flew over the reservoir. We could see a group of Lapwing
on the muddy area at the bridge end of the water which also contained a group of Golden Plover
and several Dunlin feeding. A group of Greylag Geese were feeding in the ploughed field on th
opposite hillside that also contained two Egyptian Geese and on the edge of the field were tw
Stock Doves feeding around a pheasant feeder.

At the bridge is a well stocked feeding station which attracted different tit species, including
Marsh Tits giving good views as they fed.

We headed back to to car parking area for lunch after which several members departed leaving a
small group to head off to the other side of the reservoir. Before departure, Coal Tits were spotte
in ivy growing up a tree with a Rook behind. Upon arrival at the farm gate which allows views over
the dam end of the reservoir, the Sun very kindly appeared and some of the mist was dissipated
and a Raven was spotted flying between the mist clouds. From here we returned to the ca
parking area which marked the end of an enjoyable time birding at Eyebrook Reservoir resulting in
a count of 50 species of birds being identified during our visit.

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.