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News Archive

! NEW ! 19/11/2021 December 2022 marks the start of the 30th anniversary year of SK58 Birders, I know, where have the years gone?! The organisers are looking for ideas to mark this milestone, with ideally projects and events through the years 2022 to 2023. To kick things off John Gallagher has organised a three day weekend at Spurn, staying at the plush Westmere Farm. The dates are 21st October 2022 for 3 days/ 2 nights, Friday to Sunday. If you would like to book (spaces limited) or for further information please email John.

A further reminder we are actively looking for someone to take over organising speakers for the indoor meetings. Geoff Facer has undertaken this for over twenty years. We've also been advised at the end of 2022, Jan Jarrold would like to step down as Treasurer, a role she has undertaken for many years also. Can I add a personal note, that we do need fresh blood and for people to come forward and volunteer if the group is to continue to thrive. It would be a terrible shame if we could no longer run indoor meetings, fold and become an informal group after 30 years of SK58 Birding! Hopefully it won't come to that?!

The group has also received a very nice email from the late Ivan Keeton's daughter Lynn, expressing her families appreciation and thanks for the plaque SK58 Birders funded. Lyn Facer replied that Ivan was a liked and respected member of the group.

! NEW ! 09/11/2021 After the stormy weekend, Monday, 8th November proved to be bright and calm, ideal for the monthly SK58 Birders walk at Langold Lake.

Numbers on the lake were low but included 6 Great Crested Grebes, 24 Canada Geese, a m Pochard, 4 Tufted Ducks and 110 Black-headed Gulls. Raptors were a couple of Buzzards and a Kestrel.

Around the site were a Great Spotted Woodpecker, 17 Robins, 23 Blackbirds, a Redwing and 5 Mistle Thrushes.
A Cetti's Warbler, which had been reported over the weekend, heard calling from the reedbed area between the lakes was a welcome addition to to the Langold checklist.

About 8 Siskins were along the lakeside and about 20 Long-tailed Tits were in the woodland along with 3 Nuthatches and a Treecreeper. Geoff & Lyn Facer.

! NEW ! 07/11/2021 I and SK58 Birders were saddened to hear today that Ian Wallace (D.I.M. Wallace) had passed away on Thursday. Where does one begin to recap on Ian's life and contribution to ornithology! He truly was a pioneer. I'll leave it to others to regale his pioneering trips, his identification papers and not least his several books on Birdwatching published over many decades.

From an SK58 perspective, Ian was a great, long term supporter of the group and of our recording ethos. Notably recording local birds and noting trends in populations of passage and breeding birds. We even gained a mention in his book 'Beguiled by Birds' published in 2004.

SK58 mention in Beguiled by Birds

Only this year I wrote to him, asking if he would write the foreword to the "Birds of SK58- 30 Years of Local Patch Birding"- a book I have started to write to celebrate SK58 Birders forthcoming 30th Anniversary in 2022. Of course he said yes and in his letter went on to mention the increase in his local Stonechat population, which is reflected here too in SK58.

One of the highlights was Ian's talk to SK58 back in 2000, entitled "Birdwatching Before Birding", this meeting held in Anston Parish hall, with a packed audience of 100+ from around Yorkshire. Everyone hanging on to his every word, delivered with his usual charismatic humour and charm. That's after we picked his slides up off the floor, when they were inadvertently knocked 15 minutes before he was due to start! Every year he would write and include a personal note of his birding year, often annotated with his sketches and of course I would write back, in much less neater handwriting. These letters, I treasure.

Local newspaper article on Ian's talk to SK58 Birders in 2000

D.I.M. Wallace, a pioneering ornithologist of international and local standing, I will miss our chats at the British Birdwatching Fair and the annual letters at Christmas recounting his local year, but above all his support and encouragement of our little group here in SK58- R.I.P. D.I.M. Wallace.

Andy Hirst- SK58 Recorder 7th November 2021

06/11/2021 Well, it had been predicted we hit our 200th species this year with an informal Sweepstake as to what that species would be. Today Mick Clay found a Cetti's Warbler at the top lake at Langold Lake, this Indeed was the groups 200th species and was a species predicted to turn up sooner rather than later. Well done Mick, just reward for hours spent birding/ recording/ finding local birds. I wonder what the 201st species will be- Cattle Egret?

29/10/2021 John Gallagher has a pair of Nikon 10x42 High Grade DCF Binoculars for sale-click here for details.

15/10/2021 Andy Hirst has a Pro Nikon ED 82mm telescope for sale in as new condition! - click here for details.

13/10/2021 A plea from Lyn Facer our Membership Secretary- if you change any of your contact details, such as email address or telephone number, can you let Lyn know, just so we have the latest information, should we need to contact you, or your next of kin.

12/10/2021 We've decided to organise a 'Christmas Do' this year. It will be a sit down Christmas meal, as we've done in the past, again at the Loyal Trooper on Wednesday 15th December. If you wish to go please can you let Lyn Facer have a £5 deposit per person and your meal choices by 1st December.

07/10/2021 After 20 years Geoff Facer is stepping down from organising speakers at our indoor meetings and a superb job he has made of it too. But its time to let Geoff rest on his laurels, so therefore we are looking for a replacement to fill the large shoes he's leaving behind. This isn't an onerous job but it is important, as without a speakers organiser, we have no indoor meetings. The role in a nutshell:

I'm sure Geoff will happily pass on the current list of speakers and offer lots of advice on the role. As we say, it is an important role which we must fill if indoor meetings are to continue. For further information contact Geoff directly here or any group organiser details here.

24/09/2021 For those intending to join the group trip to Spurn on Sunday, Mick is now unable to go. I'm at Spurn already that weekend. This means they'll be nobody to meet/ offer lifts at the Loyal Trooper on Sunday morning. We are aware of at least one person who requires a lift. If you can offer, or require a lift can you let me know before Saturday lunchtime.

The new rendezvous location is now the Bluebell car park at Spurn (https://w3w.co/spokes.studs.cycles). Just turn up when you can on Sunday, and we'll meet you there.

On Wednesday evening, the organisers held the first 'Organisers Meeting' for about eighteen months. We discussed many topics from the precautions at indoor meetings, to locations for field trips. The main points are summarised below:

23/09/2021 You may remember way back in February, whilst walking around Carlton Wood, Mick, Andy & Alfie found the fresh remains of a Buzzard. Fearing the worst (poisoning), they sent the carcass off for a post mortem, The results finally came through. The Buzzard died of starvation, so natural causes. Sad, but this does happen during prolonged bad weather and at least it didn't die due to human involvement.

13/09/2021 Not long now until our first indoor meeting for a long time. We'll be having an organisers meeting beforehand (Wednesday 22nd) to make sure we've organised and covered everything. If you have any concerns or ideas on how we run things, now is an opportune moment for change, then do let any of the organisers know.

07/09/2021 We've heard that some birders/ photographers have shown poor judgement when visiting Hodsock, by venturing into the field, to the waters edge for better views and pictures. I'm afraid this isn't acceptable for two reasons. 1). The welfare of the bird comes first- first rule of the Birdwatchers Code of Conduct. Many of the birds visiting Hodsock have travelled thousands of miles and are stopping off to rest and feed to enable their onward journey. Disturbance, no matter how minor can affect this and put them in jeopardy. 2). The site is private with access via a public footpath only. We have good relations with the landowners and instances like this can spoil it for all. Please only view from the track and do not enter the fields for the birds sake and for the sake of other birders. If you see any poor behaviour here or anywhere else in the square, please let the group organisers know.

24/08/2021 Thanks to Mick Clay, a plaque has been placed on the bench above the hide at North Anston Pit Top, in memory of Ivan and his dog, Suie.

Bench and plaque for Ivan @ NAPT © Andy Hirst

Plaque for Ivan @ NAPT © Andy Hirst

26/07/2021 We've added a new link to the latest page- Where you see the camera logo, this is a link and will take you to an image of the bird in the record. We'll see how much time it takes to include higher resolution images. Any feedback welcome.

08/07/2021 Last night the Organisers of the group held a video conference. The main points covered are listed below.

02/07/2021 Several members have just returned from Ivan Keetons' funeral. It was a dignified and simple service ending appropriately with Vaughan Williams "A Lark Ascending". The family expressed thanks to the group for providing an outlet for Ivan's natural history interests and for attending his funeral. No thanks necessary, Ivan will be missed especially on field trips.

17/06/2021 We've received details of Ivan Keeton's funeral. It will be held at Herringthorpe Crematorium on Friday 2nd July, at 1100. If any SK58 Birders wish to go, can they co-ordinate with Mick Clay-07759 531400, so we can ensure we comply with the latest Covid 19 restrictions.

 

22/05/2021 Ivan Keeton

I am sure like myself, all the members of SK58 Birders will be sad to hear of the passing of Ivan. He was seen often with his inseparable dog Suie on North Anston Pit Top. He was knowledgeable in all forms of natural history, especially ornithology and botany. I loved to walk with him as he would pass his knowledge onto me. Despite his age he was extremely fit and would walk miles on group trips, often away from SK58, especially on the Sheffield moors where he loved to go.

Although his favourite place was Spurn Point. On one of our first ever SK58 weekend trips in the mid-nineties, we stayed at the Riverside Hotel, not knowing our evening there involved karaoke and a disco. At 2330 I left Ivan to go to bed who was smoking a cigar after who knows how many pints of beer, and yes, he was the first to rise and raring to go with no ill effects the following morning.

He would often call me to find out what birds were around and would come on all the birding trips. I know we have all lost a great friend who will be sadly missed.

Mick Clay
Conservation Officer 20th May 2021

04/05/2021 With the cancellation of the Tetrad Atlas Survey this year, those longing to undertake survey work need not feel left out. The RSPB is undertaking a national survey of Turtle Dove. Although non of the allocated squares fall within SK58, they will let us take part covering squares where Turtle Dove once inhabited. We don't have the details of the survey yet, but I can't see it being arduous, and there aren't that many squares to cover, so if you want to get involved, let Andy Hirst or Mick Clay know ASAP.

19/04/2021 With the gradual easing of Covid-19 restrictions across England, subject to any setbacks or future restrictions, the group organisers, by email, decided to commence group activities from September 2021. We couldn't see much point organising any activities over the summer as we run indoor meetings from September to May, so no indoor meetings after the governments June 21st target date for easing of all restrictions. With folk unable to go away on holiday previously, we thought members would want to get away rather than attend local walks, so everything will commence from September. If you have any thoughts or comments to make on this please let one of the organisers know. Contacts.

We've removed Common Scoter from the list of species requiring a description. Although our first record of this species was only last year, through nocturnal recording and listening, it's now apparent this species migrates overland at night in flocks and could/ should be recorded annually.

29/03/2021 We've a had a rush of common migrants recently, so I've looked at the Earliest & Latest arrival dates page. 2020 saw earliest arrival dates for Hobby (20 years) from 26/04/00 to 19/04/20 and for Redstart (23 years) from 11/04/97 to 08/04/20. Not surprisingly migrants are appearing generally earlier.

Move on 15 years and you are now unlucky, if you go out anywhere in SK58 at dusk and don't stumble across a hunting Barn Owl. There can't be many Tetrads (a 2km x 2km square), which don't have Barn Owls in them now.

Paul Bloor & Alfie Bloor + Owl box @ Rackford Lane © Andy Murray

Wader Scrape @ NAPT © Mick Clay

I've speculated on this before; was 2020 a good year bird wise because it was generally a good year, with lots of passage birds recorded throughout the year, or was it because of the various restrictions imposed, which meant more birders were birding and recording locally? I suspect it was a mix of the two and a result of both being a good year and increased observer effort.

Over the almost thirty years of recording we have an immense record and knowledge of the status of local birds. Where populations have increased, although sadly outnumbered by populations which have decreased or indeed lost.

I don't like to boast, but I like to think SK58 were ahead of their time. We were birding locally 30 years ago, green low carbon birding, which appears to be the in thing now. Perpetuated by the various lockdowns, birders are finding hidden locations close to home and enjoying finding local birds. I have to say even now I do still stumble across a path or copse or small area that was hitherto unbeknown to me, and that's in a ten km square after living here for nearly thirty years.

So, my message is, get out birding locally. Find a local copse, woodland or pond and visit it as often as you can. Yes, most days you'll be looking at the same birds, but birds move and the weather and seasons play a dramatic role on what you see daily. It won't be long before you pick up on trends within your local patch. Birds moving in or out dependent on the weather. Picking up on earliest arrival dates. There's an immense satisfaction in knowing your local patch. It's the old adage, the more you put in, the more you get out. And believe it or not there are still parts of SK58 which are under-watched, so grab a map, find a spot and go find out what's there. And once this pandemic is over, continue to watch your local patch. You'll be amazed at what you find.
Andy Hirst 19/01/2021

All answers were taken from the Radio 4 series book 'Tweet of the Day'.

05/01/2021 Despite or maybe because of the ongoing Covid situation, 2021 looks set to be as good a year as 2020. So far the square list for 2021 stands at 67 species. Don't forget to send in your records for 2020 and 2021, ideally on a recording form PDF or recording form Excel Sheet to the recorder

Did you receive a smart phone for Christmas? Did know SK58 Birders has it's own Bird News Service? We have a "WhatsApp" group dedicated to broadcasting immediate bird news to members. It works on either iPhone and Android phones. Simply search, download and install the free "Whats App" app from the store on your device- then let our Recorder have your mobile phone number. You'll be added to the group, and then you'll receive news and updates on SK58 Birds straight to your phone as well as being able to broadcast to other members, any good birds you find within the square.

Black-headed Gull recovered @ Thurcroft © Mick Clay

17/12/2020 January usually sees the group hold its AGM. Currently all meetings are limited to 6 people outside. However we'll let technology solve the issue and hold our first ever online AGM. The rules will still apply, we'll need a quorum of 15 members, and organisers will give reports. Details of how to attend and log on will be emailed out to members. As usual if you wish to stand for any post, then do let any of the organisers know ASAP. Currently there is a vacancy for Secretary.

16/12/2020 We hit a milestone today- the SK58 Records Database now holds over 200,000 records. Mick Clay left a 'dollop' of records which took us over the 200,000 mark. We won't know the exact figure just yet as we'll have to rinse out any duplicates.

Burnt out vans @ Harry Croft's Quarry © Mick Clay

SK58 Birders @ Mineral Line © Andy Hirst