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England Nottinghamshire

Barn Owl Tyto alba ŠSteve Blain http://www.steveblain.co.uk/

Nottinghamshire has an uncanny knack of turning up the unexpected as witnessed by some UK firsts such as Egyptian Nightjar, Lesser Yellowlegs, Dusky Thrush and, more recently, Redhead. The birding habitats vary from the Trent Valley with its numerous gravel pits to extensive woodland estates, some of which have no access at all! There is remnant heathland running patchily up the spine of the county, a stronghold for Nightjar and other heathland birds. Our highest point is a pit top, whilst equally man-made are the unpleasant prairies of modern farming in the northeast. The Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust has many reserves, large and small, from Attenborough in the south to Lound in the north.

Special birds include Honey Buzzard breeding in summer and lots of wildfowl and Golden Plover over wintering.

See below for the recently (June 2001) started news group and mailing list for all the latest in the county.

top sites

Clipstone Forest

(SK620617)is an area of extensive conifer and broad-leaved plantations and heaths and host all the expected species. Good access through a network of trails.

Colwick/Netherfield/Holme Pierrepont

(SK620395)The close proximity of three large sites means that they probably have the longest list of species in thecounty. County additions have included Bufflehead, Yellow-browed Warbler, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper and Long-tailed Skua.

Forest Country

(SK625745)Clumber lies at the centre of a number of sites which include Welbeck, Thoresby and Rufford. At Welbeck, there is a raptor watchpoint (SK580721) and is as good as any in England with Honey Buzzard, Goshawk and Osprey viewable over the private and well protected woodland. Clumber has all the woodland birds, noteably Hawfinch in winter.

Hoveringham

(SK699474)As big as Lound but more water dominated. A good site at any time of year with a large winter gull roost. The UK`s first Redhead occurred here on a pit which is part of the complex.

Langford/Besthorpe/Girton

(SK820650)Langford is the site of a proposed RSPB reserve and is attracting good numbers of waders. Besthorpe has seen better days while Girton is still working. All three sites are worth birding and often attract county rarities.

Lound

(SK693857)A vast complex of pits and scrub, complimented by arable fields and small copses. Probably the top Notts site, added Lesser Scaup (second UK record); Ring-billed Gull, Long-billed Dowitcher and Bairds Sandpiper to the Notts list.

The Carrs

(SK717957)consists of lowland farmland, ditches and river. In Winter its good for swans and raptors; on passage Dotterel are a highlight some years, and, in summer there are lots of Corn Buntings.

contributor

Mark Dennis
(Montreal)
markdennis@progression.net

county recorder

Andy Hall
10 Staverton Road, Bilborough, Nottingham, NG8 4ET
0115 916 9763
andy.h11@ntlworld.com

numbers

Number of bird species: 318
County Bird - Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus

useful reading

The Birds of Nottinghamshire

Annual Report for 1993 106 pages, b/w illus, map. Nottinghamshire Birdwatchers Publications
ISBN: 49460
Buy this book from NHBS.com

Where to watch birds in the East Midlands

by Rob Fray, Christopher Helm 2006 See Fatbirder Review
ISBN: 0713675306
Buy this book from NHBS.com

useful information

Proact

Coordinator: Mark Smithson
see: http://www.proact-campaigns.net/coordinators/contact.html
Members: 5
Join us at http://www.proact-campaigns.net/team

clubs

Netherfield Wildlife Group

http://www.netherfieldwildlife.org.uk
Monitoring the Netherfield Lagoons, Nottinghamshire - The Netherfield Wildlife Group was formed in August 1999 to ensure the continued wildlife interest of the Netherfield Lagoons. The lagoons were owned by UK Coal and had been used to settle the slurry washed from the coal at nearby Gedling Pit. When the pit was closed the lagoons became redundant and the owners planned to restore the site. There were various inappropriate plans being discussed by them and the local council and so the group was formed to provide a body to argue for a more ecologically friendly approach...

Nottinghamshire Birdwatchers

http://www.nottsbirders.net
A website giving information about birding in Nottinghamshire, web site includes membership details, sites to visit, updated bird news, events, etc. An excellently constructed site that is full of useful info. Membership details from Howard Broughton forestrub@aol.com & Annual reports from Reg Davis regdavisreg@aol.com

Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust

http://www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/nottinghamshire/
The trust has a unique and influential position. It is the only conservation group solely concerned with all aspects of wildlife conservation for the county of Nottinghamshire. Moreover, it is a partner in the largest voluntary organisation in the UK, whose principal aim is to protect and cherish the wildlife of this county.

RSPB Nottinghamshire Members Group

http://www.notts-rspb.org.uk
The Nottingham Local Members Group of the R.S.P.B. was started in 1974, and currently has over 300 members. They hold indoor meetings, which consist of an illustrated talk by a guest speaker at the Y.M.C.A. on Shakespeare Street in Nottingham on the first Wednesday in the month from September to May inclusive. Admission is Ł1.50 and tea and coffee is available. Nest boxes and a selection of bird food as well as R.S.P.B. sale goods are on sale. They also run monthly field trips throughout the year, as well as beginners walks, Nightjar watches and a birding weekend. Every type of birdwatcher is catered for from the first timer to the expert, everyone is made welcome...

Rushcliffe Barn Owl Project

http://www.rushcliffebarnowls.co.uk/
The Rushcliffe Barn Owl Project aims to conserve and increase the population of barn owls in Rushcliffe by: Discovering the size and distribution of the existing population. Increasing awareness of the needs of the barn owl through advice. Encouraging sympathetic management of feeding and breeding habitats. Providing artificial breeding sites in suitable locations.

reserves

Attenborough Nature Reserve

http://www.attenboroughnaturecentre.co.uk/
An award winning eco-friendly visitor attraction surrounded by the tranquil waters of the beautiful Attenborough Nature Reserve. Situated within easy reach of Nottingham and Derby. Barton Lane, Attenborough NG9 6DY...

King's Mill Reservoir

http://www.freewebs.com/kingsmill-birding/index.htm
King's Mill Reservoir is a medium-sized reservoir sandwiched between the towns of Sutton in Ashfield & Mansfield in west Nottinghamshire. It covers approximately 70 acres (28ha) and is maintained naturally by the River Maun. Most of the edge of the reservoir is vegetated with trees and scrub, predominantly willow but also ash, birch, popular, oak and sycamore. Patches of Phragmites and reedmace can also be found in several areas. In close proximity to the reservoir are a number of paddocks and areas of arable land, although these have been significantly reduced recently with the construction of the new (unwanted and waste of time) A617 bypass!

Wollaton Park Wildlife

http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/sitemap/the_future_of_wollaton_park
The main attraction in winter is the visiting wildfowl and the flocks of finches and thrushes. Several different ducks may be seen on the lake at this time including wigeon, gadwall, pochard and the odd shoveler. The new year sometimes brings more interesting species such as smew and goosander and in harsher weather goldeneye...

trip reports

Travelling Birder
http://www.travellingbirder.com
The Travellingbirder.com birding trip report search engine guides you to 7,000+ birding trip reports on the Internet. You can search for trip reports from a specific country and time of year. Not all these reports are in English. So, if you cant find the trip report you want on this Fatbirder page give them a try!

tour operators

Birding Pal

http://www.birdingpal.org/Unitedkingdom.htm
Local birders willing to show visiting birders around their area...

New Horizons Tours

http://www.newhorizonsonline.co.uk/
Welcome to our Birdwatching courses, tours and tailor made itineraries. Christopher & Alison Hall, New Horizons, Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, NG16 3DD Tel/Fax: 01773 716550.

places to stay

Browns B&B

http://www.s-h-systems.co.uk/hotels/browns.html
Approaching along winding country lane, visitors will be enchanted by the iron gate naming The Old Orchard Cottage, and a glimpse of the Grade II listed buildings, which date from the early 18th century. Entering the drive and crossing the shallow ford, which joins the two ponds surrounded by seasonal flora and rippled by a waterfall, guests will find themselves surrounded by a glorious English cottage garden.

mailing lists

Nottsbirdsnews

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nottsbirdsnews
To post to list:Nottsbirdsnews@yahoogroups.com
List contact:Nottsbirdsnews-owner@yahoogroups.com
To subscribe to list:Nottsbirdsnews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Welcome to Nottsbirdsnews. A forum for anyone in Nottinghamshire with an interest in birds to discuss news and views, on all bird sightings and bird related subjects around the County... The main aim of Nottsbirdsnews group is to improve communication between birdwatchers throughout the County and also to increase and encourage free and open discussion on all aspects of Birdwatching and birding throughout Nottinghamshire...

Birding in Nottingham and Beyond

http://www.nottmbirds.org.uk
Birding in Nottingham and Beyond is a personal record of sites in Nottingham, the rest of the UK and other parts of the World I have visited. The Nottingham section may be of interest to anyone who spends time in the City and wants to fit in some bird watching. Most of my overseas trips have been during school holidays and so the information gathered may be of particular interest to those birders who are also restricted to these dates to go abroad. The site includes a variety of photographs of birds and other wildlife. Trips to Kenya, various parts of North America and the Caribbean and parts of Europe are included. There is also a section of general tips for bird watchers based on personal experience.

Birds of Nottinghamshire

http://www.btinternet.com/~kingcj2/kingcj2/index.htm
At the moment there are no RSPB reserves in Nottinghamshire, but work is going ahead on the Langford Lowfields site. This resembles a muddy moonscape now but by the year 2020 when it is handed over to the Society it will be a premier site for Bitterns.

Clifton Grove Birds

http://cliftongrovebirds.com/
Since moving to Clifton in 1995 I have been using the grove area as my local birding patch and try to visit the area at least twice a week more if possible. To say that this area is underwatched by birders is a understatment i have only seen a handful of other birders in eight years of birding in this area. Good birds have been found at this site but only with a lot of dedication and time seaching the various woods, fields and ponds...

Eakring Birds Webpage

http://www.eakringbirds.com/
A Guide To The Birds Of The Eakring And Kersall Area Of Nottinghamshire, England. - Since 1998, when I first started recording the birds of the Eakring/Kersall area of Nottinghamshire, there have been numerous occasions when the transition from the former study area of Kings Mill Reservoir distinctly paid off. Although the regular sightings of some scarce county species and indeed some county rarities were sacrificed, this present area as a whole has produced a string of regular sought after rarities and local patch ticks, worthy of many of the traditional top birdwatching sites in Nottinghamshire. Site by Trevor Pendleton illustrated brilliantly by the author.

King's Mill Birding

http://www.freewebs.com/kingsmill-birding/
Reports & photographs from Kings Mill Reservoir...

Pauls Birding Site

http://www.paulos.uk7.net/index.html
Nottingham based birder with links, details of local birding and trips to Majorca and Lesbos.

Species Action Plan - Barn Owl

http://www.nottsbag.org.uk/pdfs/BAP/sap_barnowl.pdf
The barn owl is found in almost every continent and is one of the most widely distributed land birds in the world. It nests and roosts in tree cavities, old and derelict farm buildings and barns, and feeds mainly on small mammals such as voles, shrews and mice. Barn owls hunt mainly at night, and may be seen over areas of rough grassland, field margins, hedgerows and derelict land, as well as along water courses, woodland edges and newly planted woodland. The presence of barn owls is a good indicator of the health of biodiversity in lowland areas, as the range of habitats needed by the species is also vital for a wide variety of other animals and plants.

artists

Artist - Mike Warren

http://www.mikewarren.co.uk/index.html
Early paintings contained very decorative backgrounds to the bird subject. This emphasis has gradually given way a greater realism while retaining a strong design element. Pictures are painted with acrylics or watercolours on pure rag paper...

Bird Carver - The Bird Whittler

http://www.thebirdwhittler.com
Glyn is a professional bird whittler, and has extensively studied birds in their natural habitats. Each individual edition songbird is whittled from a block of lime, using only a knife. They are then hand painted with acrylics

Photographers - Ray & Gemma Purser

http://www.pbase.com/02purser/images
Bird pictures & more...

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