Final Indoor Meeting of 2012

Marsh Harrier

Just a quick reminder to say that tomorrow evening's (Friday 14th December) presentation talk in the Derby Room at Leigh Library is 'Sky Dancers' by ornithologist and conservation expert Keith Offord.

The 'Sky Dancers' in question are Harriers and these magnificent birds of prey are perhaps one of the most enigmatic and interesting groups of birds.



Of the eleven species of harrier in the world, Britain is host to three, Hen Harrier, Montagu's Harrier and Marsh Harrier and Keith will explain the present state of health of the populations of these three breeding species.

It's a presentation not to be missed and doors open at 7:15pm with the meeting starting at 7:30pm. This is the last meeting of 2012 and as usual everyone including non-members are welcome.

Indoor meetings will resume in the new year on 4th January 2013 with the first fieldtrip of the year being to Marshside RSPB and Hesketh Out Marsh RSPB on 13th January.  Again, everyone is welcome to bring friends and family.

Full details of these and future events are on the meetings and fieldtrips pages.

Gift Aid

A gift aid form will be included the next L.O.S. newsletter. Could members who are able to claim gift aid please return the completed forms to me (my address is on the form).

Thanks, Raymond

Photo of the Week

Here's a stunning Short-eared Owl photo by David Shallcross:

If you like to see some more of this great set of photos, visit David's Flickr site here: David Shallcross Flickr Album

Message from ERAP

This message was received via our online form this week:

We are an ecological consultancy based in Preston and are looking for competent bird surveyors who can carry out breeding, wintering, and resident bird surveys in the North West region and possibly elsewhere. If you know of any person (s) that would be suitable or interested  I would be most grateful to hear from you.

With thanks and regards

Brenda Gemmell
brenda.gemmell@erap.co.uk

ERAP  Consultant Ecologists

L.O.S. September Newsletter

The L.O.S. Newsletter for September 2012 (July and August sightings) is now available online here:



The newsletters can also be viewed, printed, downloaded and saved from the Reports Page.

Photo of the Week

I thought I'd start a 'Photo of the Week' section off today so that LOS members can show us what they've been up to in between meetings and fieldtrips.  I'll get the ball rolling with a photo of a Jay taken today in my Tyldesley back garden through closed patio windows:

If you have a photo which you'd like to see published here, just e-mail it to me at leighos.webmaster@gmail.com and if you have a Flickr site, send me the address and I'll add it to our website.

L.O.S. Members' Evening

Just a quick reminder that this Friday (23rd November) is L.O.S. Members' Night from 7:30pm onwards at the Rugby Club in Leigh.  There will be a buffet at £4 per head payable on the night and a presentation of birding photographs will be given by L.O.S. Chairman David Shallcross.

If you haven't booked a place yet please get in touch with either David or Tony for ticket availability.

Would all those members who are attending please consider bringing a small prize for the raffle which contributes to the Society's funds.  A great night will be had by all.

L.O.S. receives WBHN 2012 Award

The Society has been recognised by Wigan Borough Environmental Heritage Network for its contribution to the promotion of the Borough’s local environment and heritage.

The award was received on behalf of the Society by Chairman David Shallcross and Vice Chairman Tony Bishop. The Society is represented at Network meetings by honorary member Dave Wilson, David and Tony. 

At the event David and Tony gave a slide presentation showing how Pennington Country Park was formed by coal mining subsidence, and how it has developed over time to its present status.

David Shallcross

Ornithology and Conservation in the Leigh District 1938-1956

LOS Conservation Officer Roy Rhodes has provided this link to the LeighLife website on which there is information by Tom Edmondson about the history of birding in the Leigh area from his perspective.

On the same website there is also a collection of photos and cuttings about the chequered history of Pennington Flash and the flooding which used to occur and that seems relevant too.  There is also a section on what was then called 'Astley Flash' east of the tip at Astley Green.

I've only scanned it at present, but I think I'll be printing it out as it looks a really interesting read to find out what the birding and habitat was like in the past. Here's the link again to make sure you don't miss it!

Ornithology and Conservation in the Leigh District 1938-1956

Peat Extraction at Chat Moss Refused!

LOS Treasurer Raymond Meredith, who is a volunteer for the Lancashire Wildlife Trust, has forwarded this e-mail about the peat extraction at Chat Moss:

Hi Everyone,

Fantastic news! We have just heard, after a very long fight, that the appeal to allow more peat extraction on Chat Moss has been refused! A huge well done to everyone involved in such a long and difficult campaign. Although this is just one site, we have high hopes for this to become a test case for the rest of the country and possibly beyond! 

You can read the news story here:
http://www.lancswt.org.uk/news/293/15/Wildlife-Trust-joy-over-peat-extraction-ban

Lindsey

Lindsey Poole
Marketing and Communications Manager
The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside

This is great news for all who signed the e-petition.