Join Steve, Steve and Matt for April's BoE review where we'll be discussing bird photography including the equipment and settings we use. We'll be sharing some of our favourite photo's and we'd love you to do the same - send your best birding pics to the email address below and they'll be featured on the show.
We'll also be looking at the fresh migrants that have arrived throughout the county, Steve G will be talking Eagles and Steve S plays a game of 'Rook or Raven?'. With further updates on the Rookery Survey and another fun competition for everyone to try we hope you can join us here on YouTube next Friday at 8pm
If you've got a question to ask us or wish to share your best pictures please email: ebwstalks@gmail.com
V-talk - Iceland and Back
Another chance to watch Brian Nobb's fascinating talk on the birds of Iceland and their migration habits.
Click the thumbnail below to begin, when the video starts playing click YouTube for a larger view.
National Turtle Dove Survey 2021
The Turtle Dove is in critical decline in the UK with numbers down by around 95% over the past 25 years and these beautiful birds need our help. The RSPB has contacted EBwS to ask whether any members would be able to assist in the 2021 National Turtle Dove Survey. This survey is vital in determining the population and breeding habits of Turtle Doves and is used to assess the effectiveness of current conservation efforts, and to help with future strategies to preserve this iconic species' breeding status in the UK.
A series of 1km squares are selected for survey, a sample of which can be found here. Ideally, participants are required to conduct two surveys during the breeding season lasting approximately two hours each, with a minimum four week gap between surveys. Full details of the methods by which the survey is conducted and how data should be recorded along with a guide to the type of habitat you should look out for can be found here.
If anyone is interested in participating or wants any additional information please contact Simon Wotton, Senior Conservation Scientist for the RSPB at: Turtledovesurvey@rspb.org.uk
Birds of Essex - March 2021
Last month we discussed scopes and binoculars, Little Ringed Plover ID, there's a birdsong quiz and Steve G turns 50! We've got updates on the Rookery & Turtle Dove surveys too.
Click the thumbnail to begin, when the video starts playing you can click again to watch via YouTube for a larger view.
EBwS 2021 Rookery Survey. A Citizen Science Project
I had a shock last week on returning home from a walk past my local Rookery. Twenty seven nests remained of the sixty three active nests I found there on 23 March in 2020.
The importance of the Rookery Survey we launched in our YouTube, 'End of Year Birds of Essex Review' became ever more pertinent. And affords something we can do wherever we are within the county - during an exercise walk, run, cycle or an essential drive. Read more..
How to... ID Spring Plovers
We look at some of the key differences between Ringed, Little Ringed and Kentish Plovers.
Click the thumbnail below to begin, when the video starts playing click YouTube for a larger view.
V-talk - Wild Ethiopia
Watch Steve Cale's excellent talk on the birds & wildlife of Ethiopia with superb photographs throughout.
Click the thumbnail below to begin, when the video starts playing click YouTube for a larger view.
How To... Report Ringed Birds
Steve Grimwade shows us how to report a ringed bird and explains why it's so important.
Click the thumbnail below to begin, when the video starts playing click YouTube for a larger view.
Photos
Latest Highlights
| Whetmead NR, nr Witham: 1 Red Kite |
| Naze, The: 1 Fulmar, 7 Cetti's Warbler |
| Mistley: 2 Black Swan, 1 White Wagtail |
| Great Totham: 1 Red Kite |
| Warley: 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet, 1 Red Kite |
| Copperas Bay, Stour Estuary: 3 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Red Kite |
| Warley: 1 Ring Ouzel, 2 Ring-necked Parakeet |
| Maldon: 1 Hen Harrier |
| Westley Heights: 1 Peregrine Falcon |
| Hall Marsh Scrape, Lea Valley: 1 White Stork, 1 Garganey |
Latest News
Stay at Home Wildlife Recorders Club
The British Naturalists Association have set up this online club to record all the sightings in gardens during the Covid-19 crisis. This is a great opportunity for everyone to take part in a BNA Citizen Science Project watching and recording nature in your garden. Full details are below.
WHAT TO RECORD AND WHAT NOT TO RECORD
1. Record only those species of birds, butterflies, wild flowers etc. that you see in your garden or from your garden or house.
2. Birds that you see flying that do not land in your garden can be recorded as can animals, deer etc. that you might spot from your garden in a nearby field so long as you can see them without leaving your garden or house
3. Any wildlife you spot whilst taking exercise away from your house or garden should not be included in your records.
4. Only record on your chart a species once, the first time you see it. If you see for instance a robin on a number of occasions in your garden do not record it on your chart every time you see it.
5. A chart is provided for you to keep a record of your own individual sightings, but feel free to produce your own chart.
6. Encourage others in your area to record wildlife sightings and then set up an online community group. Nominate a co-ordinator and send your sightings to that person to combine sightings onto one chart.
7. We have a team of experienced naturalists who can help identify difficult species. Please take a photo and send it to chairman@bna-naturalists.org and we can help you
Websites to help with identification
Birds: www.rspb.org
Butterflies: www.butterfly-conservation.org also www.ukbutterflies.co.uk
Wildflowers: www.seasonalwildflowers.com also www.wildflowerfinder.org.uk
Dragonflies: www.dragonflysoc.org.uk
Bugs: www.britishbugs.org.uk
Also for a range of species: www.first-nature.com
RSPB Old Hall Marshes car park closure
The RSPB have decided to no longer open the gate to RSPB Old Hall Marshes at the weekend, as of the 1st of February 2020. It will remain open as normal during the weekdays. It will still also be able to arrange access for organised groups wishing to access the reserve at the weekend.
Attached is a note that explains why they are doing this - as a result of a review of into the amount of resource put into maintaining a 7 day week operation at the reserve. By removing this they will be able to put more resource and time into carrying out vital conservation tasks and still maintain site security and prevent anti-social behaviour occurring on the reserve.