[Idle Valley Birder]

Originally Posted by Andy Hall

Is there a big Starling roost at Langford? <snip>

Sorry for the late reply Andy.
Went to watch the Starlings at Langford RSPB again last week.
It was a clear night and a marvellous sight. With 15000+ birds this time dropping into phase one directly opposite us.

Apparently the birds can roost in a different areas each night. So it's pot luck and they can be quite distant from the Cromwell side of the river.

Langford RSPB twitter site is estimating 20,000+ earlier this week.

NB: We viewed the site from across the river at Cromwell Lock, as the lane to the riverside car park is a boggy mess and very rutted.
Good luck.

[andy hale]

Can anyone tell me how to get to Spalford Pit, in the Girton pits complex to see the Ferruginous duck. There seem to be an awful lot of pits in the area.

[gonolek]

Andy, apologies for the late reply. Spalford Pit is at the northern end of the Girton Pit complex. It can be viewed from the quarry gate which is immediately south of the junction with Sand Lane (which leads into Spalford village), on the west side of the A1133.

I've not seen the Ferruginous Duck since the 30th despite having tried a couple of times.

[Idle Valley Birder]

If were honest, we are all very much aware that dogs are being allowed to run wild (Off lead) both in and around nature reserves.

Irresponsible dog owners allowing this to happen is no surprise to anyone today. I know from experience that this is a real issue and a daily and well documented occurrence in the Idle Valley. So why is it being allowed it to continue?

No one locally was surprised at last weeks most recent and horrific mauling and subsequent death of a Mute Swan, by a dog on adjacent land to the Idle Valley NR.

IMHO folks it's time for a total ban on irresponsible dog owners on nature reserves.

Those charged with protecting nature are failing the wildlife we love to watch. Ordinary people need to put an end to this sort of thoughtless act. Before the next Swan gets mutilated!

I truly feel this incident is a tragic indictment of conservations hypocrisy - While protecting wildlife, we continue to allow the many irresponsible, ignorant and selfish to ruin it.

(See video link below) NB: It's not for the squeamish.

http://youtu.be/id6b-ER1-G8

[Deseo]

I contacted ITV news who ran the story. Here it is....
http://www.itv.com/news/calendar/sto...y-dog-on-swan/

[Idle Valley Birder]

Nice one Deseo.
I emailed our Member of parliament and representatives from Natural England, Notts. Wildlife Trust, Bassetlaw Council and Nottinghamshire Police.

John Mann MP has done more than should be expected to help with these dog issues in the Idle Valley and I thank him for that.

Nottinghamshire Police responded immediately and were very supportive of local peoples efforts to remove this curse of irresponsible dog walkers in the Idle Valley and the adjacent nature reserve.

The Wildlife trust eventually replied saying "measures are being discussed about dogs and hope to be in place shortly"
The phrase after the horse has bolted springs to mind.

No response from Natural England yet but I did not really expect one.
They have never been much interested in wildlife disturbance the past, despite being fully informed of the well documented dog issues on their SSSI Reserve, right next door to the killing field.

One of the parties named above deleted my email without even reading it but did reply and apologise, after I made a direct complaint.

I spoke to 'The Retford Times' yesterday who are doing a piece on this horrific dog attack.
Having been reserve manager and head warden of the 'Idle Valley Nature Reserve' for over 20 years and able to give an informed view of the disturbance caused by dogs in the Idle Valley, they kindly asked me to forward a statement.

I look forward to seeing if they will print it.

[Idle Valley Birder]

Dogs on Nature Reserves discussion follow the link below.

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=248429

[GazH]

Much praise for Deseo for being on the ball with this unfortunate and sorry situation, for highlighting it both locally on the Lound Bird Club web site and nationally and regionally through media and TV.

The owners of the nearby Idle Valley Nature Reserve, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, will hopefully have a rethink about implementing stricter rules on allowing public access with dogs onto its reserve. I am personally in favour of a complete all year round 'NO Lead then NO Access' approach and I am also a dog owner myself.

What happened to that innocent Mute Swan highlighted graphically the raw instinct in all dogs to attack and kill so all dog owners should look at the evidence, listen to both sides and comply with the rules that are set.

[thebeard]

anyone done much gull-watching at colwick before? loads on the trout lake this pm but couldn't see much out of the ordinary. is it worth keeping an eye on?

might have a bit of gull ID practice down there, although i might just go mad in the process

[dwatsonbirder]

Could be worth keeping an eye on the roost, not had much success on Saturdays at Hoveringham (in respect to scarce gulls).

[plane_crazy]

Hi - had a rather cold visit to Attenborough this morning in the rather optimistic and unfulfilled hope of seeing the Bitterns..

Male and female Red-Crested Pochard by the visitors centre, lovely view of a Bullfinch in the trees just round the corner by the bridge, plus more usual Goldeneye pair, Teal, 5 Egyptian Geese (they are too well fed here!)

For anyone visiting, workmen are resurfacing most of the car park, so parking is quite limited.

Michael

[plane_crazy]

Hi- just to add to the dog debate, my daughter (a much better birdwatcher than me incidentally!) is really afraid of dogs due to some run-ins with uncontrolled ones over the years, but we find that despite the prominent notices there's still plenty of off-the-lead dogs at Attenborough which is really annoying and spoils her day enormously. A lot of dog owners really do not have a clue that other members of the public do not know what their dog is about to do when they see a random one coming at full lick down a path with the owner way back out of sight. The owner might know that the dog is tame but others don't, and often the dogs don't respond to owner's commands.

I really do thing that dogs on leads is a must for nature reserves both for the wildlife and those there to enjoy it.

Michael

[andyr]

Originally Posted by plane_crazy

Hi- just to add to the dog debate, my daughter (a much better birdwatcher than me incidentally!) is really afraid of dogs due to some run-ins with uncontrolled ones over the years, but we find that despite the prominent notices there's still plenty of off-the-lead dogs at Attenborough which is really annoying and spoils her day enormously. A lot of dog owners really do not have a clue that other members of the public do not know what their dog is about to do when they see a random one coming at full lick down a path with the owner way back out of sight. The owner might know that the dog is tame but others don't, and often the dogs don't respond to owner's commands.

I really do thing that dogs on leads is a must for nature reserves both for the wildlife and those there to enjoy it.

Michael

Totally agree Michael ... I originally come from Nottingham and get to Attenborough NR several times a year (will be there tomorrow, ahead of the mighty Notts County's match in the evening !) but always come across what you did.Shame, because it's a great place otherwise ... enjoyed by so many.

PS I see a Bittern was in front of the Tower Hide yesterday afternoon, according to the site's website ... not going to make you feel any better, but maybe worth another visit during this favourite Bittern weather.

Cheers

Andy

[plane_crazy]

Hi Andy,

We're also from "out of town", my in laws live a mile or so down the road from Attenborough NR so we get to go there a few times each year. We're usually either at Wheldrake or Fairburn if we go birding or the Aire Valley.

thanks
Michael

[andyr]

Originally Posted by plane_crazy

Hi Andy,

We're also from "out of town", my in laws live a mile or so down the road from Attenborough NR so we get to go there a few times each year. We're usually either at Wheldrake or Fairburn if we go birding or the Aire Valley.

thanks
Michael

No Bittern during the time I spent there yesterday (mid-am to early-pm), but a Water Rail was skulking around the flattened area of reedbed in front of the Tower Hide. ... and a pair of Pintail were showing well from there too.

Then I went off to Gedling Pit Top, to see if any Short-eared Owl were still about. Two SEO appeared at 3.30pm and quartered the highest area for the next hour, concentrating on the fringes and the areas just below, before flying off after showing very well.

Enjoy Attenborough Michael next time you are there ... another Squacco Heron like last year would be nice !

Cheers

Andy R.

[thebeard]

bittern flew between reedbeds on clifton pit this afternoon around 1.30. 1st i've seen there in 2 yrs. 14 snipe on the deck and c20 over on works pond too

[D0c]

I was down Attenborough NR today to check out my new Hawke Endurance ED scope and while I was there looking around the reed beds on Clifton Pond a crow flew into one of the reed beds flushing out two Bitterns, these flew up and then landed on the fence going around the reed bed.

It was a sunny day and they both sat on the fence in full view of 6 people inside the Tower Hide for a good ten minutes, just basking into the sun.

It was an awesome experience, and best view of Bitterns that I have ever had, and I have had a few.

[Idle Valley Birder]

[quote= <snip> I really do thing that dogs on leads is a must for nature reserves both for the wildlife and those there to enjoy it. Michael[/QUOTE]

Sign this then michael.

http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/Ans...e_Reserves_NOW

[andyr]

Hi All

Does anyone know which pit or pond this morning's Spoonbill is on ?

Cheers

Andy R.

[knotsbirder]

Originally Posted by andyr

Hi All

Does anyone know which pit or pond this morning's Spoonbill is on ?

Cheers

Andy R.

Works Pit. If you're in a rush, park at Meadow Lane end and walk through that way.

Sam

[andyr]

Originally Posted by knotsbirder

Works Pit. If you're in a rush, park at Meadow Lane end and walk through that way.

Sam

Thanks Sam ... couldn't reply earlier as I have only just got back home (see below !)

As most other birders did too, I got to Attenborough after it had flown ... but hey ho, if birding was easy, we wouldn't do it.

I was always planning to go on to Netherfield Lagoons anyway, but thoughts of "could "Spoony" have called in there for an hour or two were also dashed, as were any thoughts of those Black Redstart still being there when I arrived.

But you mentioning Meadow Lane in Attenborough (which is where I actually parked this morning) sets me up to say THE Meadow Lane was rocking this
afternoon, as I watched the mighty Notts County annihilate Colchester, even playing our youth team !

Either way, thanks for your response, especially as I think I remember you also being a Notts fan.

Cheers

Andy

[knotsbirder]

Originally Posted by andyr

Thanks Sam ... couldn't reply earlier as I have only just got back home (see below !)

As most other birders did too, I got to Attenborough after it had flown ... but hey ho, if birding was easy, we wouldn't do it.

I was always planning to go on to Netherfield Lagoons anyway, but thoughts of "could "Spoony" have called in there for an hour or two were also dashed, as were any thoughts of those Black Redstart still being there when I arrived.

But you mentioning Meadow Lane in Attenborough (which is where I actually parked this morning) sets me up to say THE Meadow Lane was rocking this
afternoon, as I watched the mighty Notts County annihilate Colchester, even playing our youth team !

Either way, thanks for your response, especially as I think I remember you also being a Notts fan.

Cheers

Andy

Arrived slightly too late myself too. You're right about my being a Notts fan. Not had much to celebrate this season so watching the young 'uns impress wasn't too bad!

Sam

[andyr]

Hi All

For anyone interested, two of the Gringley Carr Dotterel were still showing yesterday, when I made my first visit there.

Many of you may know the site, but if not, then a mile or so out of the village of Gringley-on-the-Hill, along Carr Lane, they were feeding in the very large pea field on the right hand side, at the far end of which is a clearly visible barn with blue doors.

A scope is essential, as is the ability to use it in very strong winds, as about ten or so other birders and I found out. There is some respite from a small hedgerow on the other side of the road however ... or you can tamely sit in your car and hope the birds pass across or along your particular furrows ! We all used a mixture of the two... and from my car, I managed this mediocre digiscoped record-shot. But hey, it was a life-tick after all !

Cheers

Andy R.