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For the third year
running, children, guides and volunteers, met at Bolderwood in the New
Forest, for the HOS, Hampshire RSPB Explorers Groups, and HWT Watch
Groups, Bird Trail. Last year was notable for the monsoon at the meeting
place at Bolderwood, followed by a freakish day of Goshawks, Redstarts,
Peregrine, Cuckoo and a superb flyover by a Honey Buzzard. The first
year was notable for being one of the hottest day of the year, a great
day out, but not too many good birds.
This year was notable for its grey sky throughout, intermittent drizzle,
not cold and just about okay. A kind of, ‘Mustn’t grumble, have a nice
cup of tea’ day. There were 120 children, split into 11 teams, and the
winners, The Redstarts, led by Nigel Jones, won quite easily, with a
score of 650 points, which was remarkable. Bear in mind though, some
teams were far bigger than others and the scoring system needs an
overhaul. Why did a Swallow qualify for 4 times as many points as a
Stock Dove? But little consequence, we all found it amusing, it was the
same for everyone, and besides, it was the taking part that counted: it
really was.
I never knew before that there was such a thing as over-enthusiasm, but
we learn. Claims for Ospreys, Peregrines, Montagu’s Harriers were
commonplace, possibilities were definites in some of the youngsters’
eyes, distant specks on the horizon were of course always rarities, ‘’I
think it might have been. How many points is that,’’ and when a shout
went up for an Arctic Tern - - - - - - - well, I have never been one for
corporal punishment, or bringing back the birch but - - - -
It is becoming a little tedious writing about successful events. It is
far more opportune to write about things going amiss, mocking,
ridiculing those who deserve it and even those who do not, so in case
you think we sometimes give an over-glossy tone to these events, here is
Nigel Jones’s report of his winning team.
‘’Our group was called Redstarts, from Knightwood School, in Chandlers
Ford. Ten keen youngsters, armed with binoculars and bird books, took
part in today's Bird Trail. We may not have seen the highest number of
species, but due to the points system, we managed to achieve the winning
score. Ornithological highlights included: watching a male and female
Goshawk soaring together as we sat and ate our packed lunch, a male
Firecrest singing in an oak tree a few feet away from us: a bright red
male and a green female Crossbill perched high in a conifer feeding and
calling: a pair of Hawfinches flying over the tree tops: listening to
the trill of a Wood Warbler and the drumming of a Lesser Spotted
Woodpecker as we stood by a smart New Forest stream; a pair of Grey
Wagtails feeding a recently fledged youngster; a smart male Stonechat
perched on yellow gorse: and watching the parachute display flight and
song of a Tree Pipit. And who will forget the scream of joy from the
group as they were told they had won and then being handed their
winners' packages from Chris Packham! A day they will long remember’’.
To walk in the magical New Forest in springtime beats, well anything
really, passing streams, bluebells, ancient woodland, pines, heathland,
and then you come to the viewing point, manned by astute observers Dan
and Rosie Powell. Here, a pair of Redstarts showed themselves well to
start with, but later, decided to sulk away in the flora. Skylarks were
seen, Crossbills, a Dartford Warbler was showing intermittently
throughout, every group saw the Stonechats and a very accommodating Tree
Pipit, who when not showing off his parachute display, sang away at the
pine trees in front of us. It was here too, that the undisputed
highlight of the day occurred, one of the highlights of a birdwatching
life that will probably never again be witnessed.
So, once again, a wonderful day, enjoyed it seems by everyone present.
Next year, perhaps the 11 groups can get away a tad quicker, but apart
from this tweak, there were no complaints from anyone. The real stars of
the show were once again the kids. For the third year , there was not a
tantrum, not a fight, an argument, a cry of ‘I’m bored’, ‘Are we nearly
there yet.’ Instead the children were playing, were watching, learning
and listening combined with some tree climbing and exploring, and
finished with a picnic. It does however beg the question as to why these
kids appreciate the simpler, but more important things in life, and why
they are so well behaved? Is it down to the parents, Chris Packham, the
guides, the schools, the New Forest, or is it a combination of these,
and just being out and about and away from the computers and
televisions? Those who forever moan, grumble and go on about ‘the
youngsters of today’ might care to volunteer and come on an event one
day. 5 or 6 hours from meeting up, they were still smiling, playing,
eating, or just running around. Not a mobile to be heard, no raised
voices, just a nice day out in this magical forest, with good company,
good birds, a good location and a good event.
Many times when we walk in a wood or heathland, little of consequence
will be seen, but we never know, and that is the fascination. Today we
were lucky, seeing an event that we will never witness again, that is
ingrained in our memory banks for life. A Cuckoo tried to lay her egg in
the nest of a Stonechat, in a gorse bush 400 yards from the observation
point. The Stonechats, accompanied by a Meadow pipit, chased it away to
the tree from where we were watching, back in fact, to the same branch
as last year, when the Cuckoo, the same one perhaps, made an appearance.
But this year, the battle was repeated 8 times, the birds totally
oblivious to us, fighting for their lifes, or rather their genetic
offspring’s lifes. The unforgettable moment was when a Stonechat rode on
the back of the Cuckoo, with pent up primeval fury pecking away for all
its worth. This beats an Arctic Tern in the New Forest any day.
We do not know the outcome of the battle, the Cuckoo was last seen being
mobbed at the Gorse bush and disappeared from view. Unfortunately, this
was only witnessed by the last group of the day, The Mistle Thrushes or
HOS group, and the explanation for my tears, it was set against a grey
sky. At this point, a nice blue sky would have ensured some good
photographs, and a retirement to the South Of France on the proceeds.
Simon Ingram would dispute this being the highlight of the day, as he
enjoyed the thrill of a lifetime, having finally met up with his 2
heroes, Itchy and Scratchy. A smile was fixed upon Simon for the
remainder of the day, but it has to be said, the 2 poodles have become
just a little bit haughty of late, possibly a consequence of celebrity
being thrust upon them at too young an age. Some can handle fame,
perhaps Itchy and Scratchy cannot. We have seen it before. Not so Chris
Packham, and the event would not be the same without him.
Whether he is speaking to one person or 5 million, he never flags in
putting over his love of the natural world. He is one of those select
writers and broadcasters who seem to have no, or very few, critics,
because although some of his views might be controversial, he is never
speaking from ignorance of the subject matter. Speaking to 8 year olds
but also adults of all ages, still generating smiles and loud laughter
after 6 hours, is an art that few possess. Getting children to whoop and
scream with joy, but without dumbing down on the wonders of nature, is a
gift. He retains the childlike wonder of our world with possibly
unsurpassed knowledge of British fauna, and combines this with humour.
More than any of this though, he remains a nice bloke, who despite
having the busiest workload imaginable, is willing to sign autographs
for hours, volunteering, in fact always asking to write for Kingfisher,
and we are fortunate to have him as our chairman of HOS.
We want to thank Don Fuller of the RSPB, the volunteers from HWT and HOS,
and all the volunteers on the day, but especially those who manned the
tents, Gordon Small and his partner manning the ‘Identify The Bird’
competition for the entire day, for Dawn Russell the chief organiser,
but most of all, once again, thanks to our wonderful children, who made
the day such a pleasant one for all concerned.
Let us continue with these events, trying to recruit more youth into our
society, even though it is a battle. Today’s children are our guides and
conservationists of tomorrow.
Ian Julian
www.natureandpictures.com |
