News Archive

12/11/12 For next years calendar we aim to include just images from within the square, so these can be of anything, so long as they are taken within SK58. These images will be used to compile the calendar with the best images from categories within SK58 used from the photo competition. So the deadline for SK58 calendar images (non photo comp) will be the end of June, and the photo comp deadline remains the September meeting.

12/11/12 Following on from last weeks preparation work, a hardy band of tree planters met at the entrance of Axle Lane. Armed with shovels, stakes & saplings we set too planting 400 plus trees, donated by the Woodland Trust.

We planted a mixture of Hawthorn, Hazel, Rowan, Oak and Birch.

The 400th tree was a sapling Oak, nurtured from seed grown within the grounds of a Royal estate!

We'll keep an eye on these and see how many of the 432 trees survive!

!NEW! 09/11/12 We now have stock of the 2013 SK58 calendar, containing images from the photographic competition. We've only had a few produced, so get them while they are in stock. They make perfect stocking fillers at Christmas.

!NEW! 07/11/12 The results of the 2012 SK58 Birders Photo Competition have been announced- click here for results! Photo Competition 2012 Results

27/09/12 A picture of some of the SK58 Members at Flamborough at the end of last month-after we had enjoyed a well deserved breakfast!

Pictured L>R Roy Butterworth, Andy Hirst, Mick Clay & John Gallagher @ Flamborough

20/09/12 After a summer break the Organisers held a meeting on Tuesday night planning events over the coming months. We've several things to highlight:

09/07/12 Following our move to Anston Parish Hall, we can report we've had one meeting there, which was a great success! The room was comfortable, with plenty of parking, although the car park was busy! We had a different topic-about the prehistory of Cresswell Crags, which was very interesting. At half time we had an interval where most indulged in tea, coffee and biscuits. We now have a summer break and return in September (although our field trips continue throughout). To ensure we can continue to afford to use Anston Parish Hall, please come along and support the indoor meetings. It's very costly running a group like ours. The subs almost cover the costs, but the extra we glean from indoor meetings (entrance fees & refreshments) means we can afford quality speakers! So why not make a point of coming to the next indoor meeting in September and support SK58 Birders.

11/06/12 We've moved! Following several cold, damp meetings, coupled with uncomfortable chairs, we have decided to move. For a while now we've contemplated moving venues for our indoor meetings. The Loyal Trooper, which had been our home for 20 years had become unsuitable, as a result attendance at indoor meetings had dropped off. Earlier in the year the Organisers looked at the various venues around SK58 and decided that the small meeting room at Anston Parish Hall was the most suitable and affordable.

Although the bar was handy, we will provide tea, coffee and biscuits at a reasonable price during the interval. The new venue is more costly than the old place but it should be far better with comfortable chairs and a lot warmer. We hope members past and present will come back to, or start attending indoor meetings. Our first meeting at the new venue is the June meeting.

Anston Parish Hall is accessed off Ryton Road, the B6060. From Dinnington drop down the hill, at the school (on the right), turn left down an access lane (well before the railway bridge, signposted Parish Hall). From the A57 turn down towards and go under the railway bridge. Continue to the school (on your left) and turn right on to the access lane (signposted Parish Hall). Follow the lane round to the large lit car park. The hall is in front of you. We are in the small meeting room.

30/04/12 Wader Scrape We've had a very wet April- bad news for most, but good news for gardners and farmers, and for our wader scrape. The rains have filled it right up, so much so it's almost overflowing. The scrape is currently fuller than it's ever been. As a result wader numbers up, we've had several Common Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover, Redshank and the Lapwing have young.

NAPT Wader scrape © Mick Clay

02/04/12 Tetrad Atlas Survey. In the same vein as the previous post. We still have a few tetrads left, 4 to be exact. It would be a shame if these didn't get covered as this survey is the most important thing we do, giving a valuable insight to the ups and downs of all the areas birds. See Andy Hirst if you can help. Each tetrad equates to 4% of the whole area, so even if one tetrad doesn't get covered it is a significant loss to the survey.

01/04/12 I received the following email from George Shentall, ardent RDOS member, who carries out the monthly winter wildfowl count- Can we help?

Hi Andy, Further to our quick conversation we had on Tuesday about my WeBS count which is mainly in SK58 from which I would like to retire from, and pass it on to the good care of one of your members who perhaps has the time and commitment to take it on.

The task itself is not too difficult as I have only ever done it in the winter months i.e.- Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Fe, and March. But of course anyone who takes on the job will put there own stamp on it and everything is optional but the waters bodies I have covered are as follows :

Sandbeck Park Lakes, Langold Lake, Carlton Lake, Brown Bailey’s, Shireoaks Hall Pools and Cinderhill pond. I will willing to spend some time with any of the volunteers should it be required. I do hope you can oblige as I know volunteers don’t grow on trees Regards George.

26/3/12 We are considering changing the venue of our monthly indoor meetings. If you know a community building that would be central and suitable for SK58's indoor meetings then please let Mick, Andy or Lyn know ASAP.

27/2/12 A follow up the water situation at NAPT. The Forestry Commission secured a pump and pipework for 3 days last week in an attempt to pump some water into the scrape. Unfortunately the pump only managed to achieve about half of the volume of water we were allowed. The FC aren't convinced this is the answer- However we've had a guy on site who says it will work and has spec'd out a pump and pipework to suit. This and the digger required to dig out a trench for a permanent pipe will come to about £2500. We have some money in reserve for conservation projects, so with this and a fund raising push, we hope to raise enough money by the autumn (and outside breeding periods), subject to the agreement by the FC and Land Trust who own the site. So currently we are dependent on Mother Nature to fill the scrape. Given the dry winters we've had for the past two years and fears of a drought already, it looks like being another waderless spring/ summer.

Glaucous Gull added to SK58 species list.

9/1/12 Duncan Bye the RDOS recorder has written another couple of site guides, which he has allowed us to use on our website. Click on the links Dinnington Marsh & Brampton Common or go to Locations

2/1/12 It's the AGM at our January meeting. If you want to nominate, stand, help out or bring anything up please let our Chairman know beforehand so we can include it the agenda.

23/11/11 Hot off the press are the 2012 SK58 Birders desktop calendars. These are desktop calendars in CD type cases. Each month is represented by a top image from this years SK58 Annual Photo Competition. These make great gifts or stocking fillers (providing the recipient isn't wearing the stockings at the time). They cost: 1 for £2.75, 2 for £5.00 or 3 for £7.00- Bargain, See any of the group organisers to purchase them. Or send a cheque to Andy Hirst- postage is an additional £1.50. Payable to SK58 Birders.

A group focused on recording the bird life of a single 10km square between Sheffield, Rotherham & Worksop

content & design by Andy Hirst