Happy New Year and Good Birding in 2012

Update on latest Club activity and what to look out for in 2012

The year 2011 was a successful one for the Club as both the number of observers offshore and the number of records received continued to rise from recent low numbers.

The year culminated with good exposure on BBC's "Autumnwatch Live" programme, thanks to our long-serving member Lennie Simpson based on Maersk Curlew. We have had several emails from folk who were not previously members or who sent in records many years ago - saying that the programme prompted them to join or re-join!

This time of year is particularly quiet for birds offshore but there has been an influx of what are known as "white-winged gulls" into the northern UK. There have been high numbers in Orkney and Shetland and also on the Aberdeenshire coast, particularly at the fishing ports of Peterhead and Fraserburgh.

So what to look out for are the Glaucous gull and the Iceland gull in particular. Both species are quite similar, with the former being a generally heavier and more "agressive looking" bird! Both species have different stages in their plumages - often looking creamy rather than white. if you check your bird books or go on line you'll see the plumage differences.

The Annual Report for 2010 was sent to the printer in December 2011 but he had moved! I have been in touch with a new contact and hope to progress the publication as soon as possible. A NSBC Bulletin will be published (paper and electronic version) with the next two weeks.

Keep spreading the word about the Club and best wishes for a "Birdy" 2012!

Andrew Thorpe

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