Page 2 - Out Birding Feb 2025

Contents
4-13 Event Reports 14-15 Events at a Glance
16 View from the Chair
17 Quarterly Commi􏰀ee Mee􏰁ng
18 Summer Birding in Ireland
19 Group Photos
20 The North Sea Bird Club
21 Quiz Answers
22 Regional Contacts
23 Commi􏰀ee Members
Cover: Goldeneye: Steve Jennings
Back cover: Calendar Spares: all credited
Gree􏰁ngs,
I hope you have not been too badly affected by the recent snow and floods. Two of my local RSPB reserves have been closed, curtailing opportuni􏰁es for birding, but floods can bring gains as well as losses with fish and invertebrate stocks being replenished - more food for the birds.
Fortunately the last three months of 2024 gave us be􏰀er weather and club members were able to a􏰀end the many events available. This is evidenced by the very pleasing number of reports in this issue covering northern Scotland down to the English south coast, and east and west.
The next three months provide many more opportuni􏰁es to go out birding with the club and I will echo Andy’s encouragement in his View from the Chair p 16 to join one of those events. You will find them listed on pp 14-15.
Dorothy has provided another one of her lively account of birding in the Republic of Ireland, with another rarity to add to her life list. It is one that isn’t on mine but there’s no ill feeling!
On the subject of lists, you will find an updated GBC UK List with this mailing. Having had no new birds since 2019, we had two last year; Hudsonian Godwit and Isabelline Wheatear. More details on that document.
Another list with an addi􏰁on is that of Regional Contacts on p 22. I am pleased to tell you that East Anglia now has three reps with Joanne having joined Duncan andRobert.
On page 20 you will find an ar􏰁cle about The North Sea Bird Club. I am grateful to Pam for drawing my a􏰀en􏰁on to this as it opened up a fascina􏰁ng new birding dimension for me. I hope you find it as interes􏰁ng as I do. If you go to the website you will find wonderful images of the many birds found on oil rigs and other structures in the North Sea. The book of the same name was published last October, details provided.
I have given you three quizzes some more challenging than others.
I hope you enjoy this Out Birding and some real life spring birding.
Pat
Copy date for the next edi􏰁on is 1st April 2025
Views expressed in OB are the views of the contributors and are not necessarily shared by the editor, commi􏰀ee or members of the GBC.
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