Hertfordshire News, Comment and Bulletin articles

This month

Tyttenhanger Pits Development Inquiry

Formation of the Hertfordshire Dragonfly Group

List of Committee members as at April 2000

Birding Beyond Hertfordshire: Fuerteventura

Letchworth Naturalists Society

Bulletin Editor's Winge!

News archive

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Development at Tyttenhanger Gravel Pits - the inquiry

The proposal to move the Bridleway at Tyttenhanger and for the extraction of the gravel from the causeway between the main two pits is to be decided by a 'Local Inquiry', headed by an Inspector from the Planning Inspectorate (Rights of Way Section) in Bristol.

All original objectors should have been advised by now. A document explaining how a 'Local Inquiry' works and what the Inspectors powers are, has been issued. This Inquiry will be held in public at a date, place and time to be advised. All interested parties, and all original objectors, (mostly Tyttenhanger birders, about 24 IIRC) are invited to attend to make their respective cases.

The loss of the sand martin colony in the causeway banks was the main issue for birders. (100+ sand martins over the causeway AM Sunday 11-06-2000) A rope barrier has been stretched across the entrance to the causeway.

Lafarge (the successors to Redland) already have permission to extract the gravel, granted several years ago, but to get at it they have to move the bridleway.

At a public meeting at Bowmans Farm on Thursday 29th Jan 1998, Lafarge and the Legerton family (tenant farmers of the land) put forward some proposals, with plans to landscape the two pits into one after extraction is complete. The plans provide for an artificial sand martin bank at the southern end as well as an area of shallow water (rather like it is at the moment) and some shingle islands. Quite bird friendly and not too difficult or expensive to implement.

The birders there (main spokesperson - Marcus Brew) thought this an acceptable compromise. Other objectors from the London Colney Residents Assoc. and Horse Groups (it is a bridleway) were less prepared to compromise and this may have forced the issue to an Inquiry.

Herts CC supports the application and wants it to go ahead.

Herts birders must be represented at the Inquiry. Our interest would be to ensure that the Inspector imposes binding conditions on Lafarge about the quality and completeness of the restoration of the pits after extraction.

Of course there are many more details and issues than this quick overview. Anybody who wishes to know more can contact me on robin.morden@granadafoodservices.co.uk where we can go into more detail.

47 species were recorded on site on 11th June 2000 including Little Owl and Little Ringed Plover.

Robin Morden

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Formation of the Hertfordshire Dragonfly Group

If you are one of those birders that turn their attentions to dragonflies during the quieter summer months, I am sure you will be interested to learn of the formation of The Hertfordshire Dragonfly Group, under the auspices of the HNHS. The first project to be put in place is a 6-year Atlas covering the years 2000-2005. If you are interested in participating in the Atlas, or would like to receive a copy of the bi-annual newsletter, please contact :

Alan Reynolds, 40 Rivershill, Watton-at-Stone, Herts, SG14 3SD. Tel. 01920 421140

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List of Committee members as at April 2000

Jonathan Braggs 32 Foxes Close, Hertford, SG13 7UA 01992 554675 email jonathan.braggs@tesco.net.com

Jeff Davies 16 Cherry Tree Rise, Walkern, SG2 7JL 01438 861803

Chris Dee 26 Broadleaf Ave, Thorley Park, Bishops Stortford, CM23 4JY 01279 755637 e-mail christopher.dee@roche.com

Peter Delaloye 34 Watford Road, Croxley Green, WD3 3BJ 01923 442182

Mick East 3 Patmore Heath, near Ware, SG11 2LS 01279 771570

Gary Elton 263 Muirfield Road, South Oxhey, Watford, WD1 6HZ 020 8428 3964

Ted Fletcher Beech House, Aspenden, SG9 9PG 01763 272979

e-mail fredthecelt@supanet.com

Alan Gardiner 199 Watford Road, St Albans, AL2 3HH 01727 863945

e-mail a.gardiner@btinternet.com

Tim Hill 6 Cromwell Road, Ware, SG12 7JS 01920 461969

Mick Ilett Nobland Green Farm, Wareside, Ware, SG12 7SJ 01920 462380

e-mail michael.ilett@uk.tesco.com

Lee Marshall 18 Williams Close, Rowner, Gosport, Hants PO13 9QP 02392 580425

e-mail L.Marshall@care4free.net

Ken Smith 24 Manderville Rise, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 7JU 01707 330405

e-mail 101560.400@compuserve.com

or ken.smith.research@rspb.org.uk

Jim Terry 46 Manor Way, Boreham Wood, WD6 1QY 020 8905 1461

e-mail jim@jayjoy.fsnet.com.uk

Joan Thompson 73 Raglan Gardens, Oxhey, Watford WD19 4LJ 01923 222747

e-mail j.thompson@argonet.co.uk

Graham White HMWT Grebe House, St Michaels, St Albans AL3 4SN 01727 858901

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Fuerteventura: quality not quantity!

I have recently returned from a weeks family holiday to Fuerteventura which is one of the seven islands which are commonly known as the Canary Islands, and lies approximately 60 Miles west from the coast of Southern Morocco. As you may appreciate the climate on the island is very arid and in some habitats you really do feel that you are in the Sahara. Due to this fact, and the island’s relative isolation from Europe and mainland Africa the number of bird species which can be seen here are low in comparison. But the fact that the islands are isolated means that some birds have developed into endemic species and are quite different to anything else in Europe or Africa.

My family and I stayed at the north end of the island in the resort of Corralejo where the majority of my Birdwatching outings were to be made. On arriving on the island in the late afternoon of the 30th May, I was keen to notch up my first species for the holiday, and was pleasantly rewarded by finding a breeding pair of Spanish Sparrow’s which had nested on the airports main terminal building and were seen feeding young. During the 45 minute coach trip to our resort I also saw Yellow-legged Gulls and a single Hoopoe.

The next morning I awoke at dawn and made my way to the beach at Corralejo, where I found a few waders, notably Kentish Plover, Grey Plover and Whimbrel which were feeding among the many rock pools that were now exposed due to the low tide. Also an immature European Spoonbill was seen in flight just off shore, a pleasant surprise. I was to see this bird again two days later. From the beach I then headed inland to the malpais (semi-desert) habitat, where I found dozens of the endemic Berthelot’s Pipit and a few Spectacled Warblers of the race orbitalis. I was visited the beach and malpais every morning of my stay and on the 1st of June I discovered another endemic species, the Canary Island’s Chat. This interesting species is similar to the European Stonechat and Whinchat, showing an intermediate plumage between both species. The bird was present on a small area of scrub just off the main beach where I managed to get very close views. Further along the beach I found another endemic species not normally associated with Fuerteventura, a single Canary that was feeding with a pair of Linnets. This species is usually seen on the Island of Tenerife so I can only conclude that this bird was a rare vagrant to the island. Of interest, all Linnet’s seen on the island are of the race harterti and I was fortunate to see a breeding pair feeding young opposite my apartment. Further along the beach I discovered a feeding flock of around 20 Trumpeter Finch which are of the race amantum. I found these to be very approachable and good views were had.

On the 2nd of June we made a short car journey to the malpais just south of the village La Oliva in search of the resident Houbara Bustard. This site is renowned as the birds regularly roost here at a nearby farm and it’s surrounding Fig plantation. We parked our hire car on a hill above the farm and waited patiently. At around 17:30 we had wonderful views of 3 Houbara’s in flight as they made their way down the hills to the Fig plantation below. From the car we had incredibly close views of this normally shy species. The Houbara Bustard’s that occur on the island are of the race fuerteventurae. Other species seen here included a flock of around 40 Lesser-short-toed Lark of the race polatzeki, several Rock Dove of the race canariensis a single Great-grey Shrike of the race koenigi, and a flock of approximately 200 Spanish Sparrow’s.

On the 3rd of June we decided to make a trip to the south of the island and while en route at Malpais Grande my wife Diane alerted me to a large raptor that she could see from her side of the car. I immediately brought the car to a halt and discovered the bird to be an immature Egyptian Vulture, my first and only one of the holiday. We had great views as it glided past us, it’s huge wingspan using the thermals to great effect. Thank you Diane! Further South at Playa de Matas Blancas I found another new bird for my holiday, a single Raven of the race tingitanus. Another was also seen later at Tiscamanita.

I found a total of 28 species during my stay on the island, not an incredibly high number, but certainly of high quality. I missed out on a few species notably Cream-coloured Courser, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Barbary Partridge and Barbary Falcon which are all resident.

The scenery on the island is very dramatic due to it’s climate and volcanic history and in some areas you would think you were standing on the surface of the Moon or Mars. All the beaches are of golden sand, not dark, like that of many of the other islands and were very quiet. At Corralejo Harbour you can catch the ferry to the nearby island of Lazorote where even more species could be added to your list. A very enjoyable holiday was had by all and the great birdwatching was a huge bonus.