News Archive
19/12/03
Our now traditional Christmas
curry, was again a roaring success. 27 people enjoyed fine food and
good company in the Bengal Tandoori. I think we will need more excuses
to return here!
15/12/03
Our last indoor meeting
of the year was well attended, when the RSPB's Keith Clarkson enthusiastically
explained the work of the RSPB, locally.
24/11/03
We have just added a couple
of new links to our links page, as well as adding our December and new
year events
29/10/03
Mick Turton from Barnsley
returned to give the group another entertaining and enthusiastic talk.
This time he illustrated a talk on New Zealand. A thoroughly entertaining
talk and much appreciated by the group.
5/10/03
Hot on the heels of our
weekend trip, we returned to the east coast, this time to Flamborough
Head for our annual twitchers trip. Seawatching was intended to be just
the morning activity, but we ended up seawatching until mid afternoon.
Lots of movement including skuas, with many Great, and several Pomarine
going through. Many Little Gulls flew N, Although a steady stream of
Little Auk were the highlight for me. There was also a steady
movement of Manx Shearwater with a few Sooty Shearwater thrown in for
good measure. At Filey it was too windy to give the hedges a proper
going over, but we tried. While Mick and Brian walked either side of
a hedge, the remainder of the group yelled in desperation to point out
a Hoopoe, that miraculously appeared unnoticed in front of the two.
Eventually they saw it, as did most of Filey!!
27-28/09/03
The group had another superb weekend away at
Spurn. The weekend began with a Barn Owl on the way. Each morning we
went sea-watching, this was very rewarding Sooty Shearwaters were seen,
with lots of Red-throated Divers moving south. There was lots of Skuas
recorded, mostly Arctic, but the occasional Pomarine and Great Skua
noted. The highlights of the sea-watching were juv. Sabines Gull north
and a Leach's Petrel the same day. Passerines were also found. As predicted
the easterly winds brought in Red-breasted Flycatchers, Yellow-browed
Warblers (several), plus a very obliging Barred Warbler. Common migrants
were a bit thin on the ground, but with a lively sea and decent passerines
we weren't too bothered. As ever we stayed in the Crown and Anchor.
The accommodation was fine, except for a red hot shower in my room,
which couldn't be turned down. The food was fine, as was the atmosphere.
The sweepstake on what new bird would be recorded the following day
was won by non-other than Brian Chambers. All in all another great trip,
great company and even better birds. If you didn't go you missed another
good un!
26/09/03
Phil Palmer gave another superb talk at our
indoor meeting on Wednesday night, the subject the Sea of Cortez, in
Mexico. Again illustrated with top quality slides, Phil explained how
varied the area is not only for birds, but for Whales and Dolphins.
26/09/03
At long last our 1999 report is out. Copies
available immediately, click on the link below
15/09/03
Our 1999 bird report is at the printers.
13/09/03
Our video production crew were out again this
weekend, this time recording on tape the development of the pit tops.
All this footage will be used in videos covering North Anston Pit Tops,
before, during and after the redevlopment, as a well as a site guide
to the top 10 birding sites in the square.
30/08/03
Our monthly trip witnessed four hardy souls
venture out at some ungodly hour to Flamborough. It was blowing easterlies,
but anticipation of good seabird passage was high. In between the heavy
showers little moved. Although Manx Shearwater were almost constantly
moving north. A mix of Sooty Shearwater, and Arctic Skuas and single
Red-throated Diver entertained the four. After a hearty breakfast we
did the hedges of Old and New Fall. Alas the easterlies did not produce
anything of note. We headed off to Spurn in search of eastern vagrants.
The Arctic Warbler eluded us, as did the Wryneck. Although a smattering
of common migrants did liven things up. Basically a nice day out, but
was was very much missable bird wise!!
26/08/03
The group tried out it's super-dooper new lens,
filming Golden Plover at Axle Lane. A snippet of the results can be
seen on our latest bird news page.
01/08/03
Bookings are now being taken for our annual
weekend trip to Spurn on September 27th/28th. Our annual
visits here always turn up something good. This time of year anything
can turn up, so be there or dip out! Spaces are limited (lack of accommodation),
so see Mick ASAP to guarantee a space. We normally set off early on
Saturday morning, have a full day in the field, then retire to our accommodation,
before relaxing in one of the local pubs. A superb weekend is always
had by all.
30/07/03
A departure from our normal subject at the monthly
indoor meeting last night. Barbara Adams from the South Yorkshire Badger
Group talked with passion and enthusiasm about the lifestyle, threats
and work the SY Badger Group undertake to protect and help badgers locally.
Anyone wanting more information on the SY Badger Group, then please
email Mick Clay
18/07/03
At long last our 1999 report has gone to the
printers. Our apologies for the delay. We tried a use several editors,
but the system failed us-hence the delay. Our report should be with
us at the end of July. Work has already begun on the 2000 report.
12/07/03
Brian and Andy did sterling work at today's
Harthill Carnival. We talked to lots of people and told them about the
group, as well as handing out lots of leaflets. Brian's silver tongue
resulted in record sales of our reports-well done Brian
02/07/03
We are on the lookout for volunteers again.
On Saturday 12th July we will have a stand at the popular Harthill Carnival.
Again we will have our display, plus reports as well as our videos and
a demo of this website. Any help, even for an hour or so would be helpful.
Contact Mick or Andy if you can help.