At the moment we have been advised by the RSPB not to conduct any branch activities before December 31st at the earliest. The RSPB is reviewing the situation on a monthly basis and will be making a further report on September 1st.
Sad loss of founder member of the Doncaster Local Group
We are sad to report that Sally Sinclair, a founder member of the group has died at the age of 99. Her cremation will be at Doncaster Crematorium on Wednesday 12th August at 3pm.
Group activities halted during the coronavirus crisis
As you probably know, all group activities have ceased with the exception of the committee working together remotely. See the events section of this website for further details.
Nature reserves and the wet weather.
The recent wet weather has caused problems on some nature reserves. In particular, can you note that the Tophill Low site is closed until at least April.
Old Moor – undergoing redevelopment
At the time of writing there is considerable development work going off at Old Moor thanks to a National Lottery funding grant. I went yesterday and there is restricted parking available due to work improving the car park area. Don’t let it put you off going and just park safely where you can.
New car parking meters at RSPB Fairburn and RSPB St Aidans
New car parking meters have been installed at RSPB Fairburn and RSPB St Aidans. They only take cards for payment. If you don’t have a card then go to reception. You need to display both your receipt and your RSPB membership card near your windscreen. RSPB members can park for free but you still need to get a receipt from the machine.
Group members find rare bird
On our first outdoor event of the new season, 14 members were the first to find a rare crake which was at the bottom of some reed beds on the Marshland Lagoon at Blacktoft Sands.
With the help of one of the local experts, it was established the bird was a little crake which has not been reported in Yorkshire since 1946. By the time the group left the site, there was a long queue outside the hide and the car park was full to overflowing. One of our members, Chas Harrison, was able to get a good picture which helped with the identification.
No more RSPB Weekends
We are sorry to report that the annual RSPB weekend events will no longer be continued. This year’s event, whilst enjoyable, continued the decline in attendance, so the event is no longer economically viable.
The Members’ Day and AGM will continue with the next one being in London in October.