SK58 News

Latest News/ Information from SK58

Updated 25 August, 2010

News Archive

!NEW! 25/08/10 Some of you may have been alarmed to see warnings from your browser/ Virus protection- that the SK58 Website contained Malware- it didn't, but the server that's hosts the SK58 website, along with hundreds of others was attacked by hackers. This was flagged by Google. Despite there being no threat from the SK58 website we've uploaded a clean back up.

!NEW! 28/07/10 Just a reminder the Tetrad Atlas Survey visits should be completed by now. Can the completed forms be returned to Andy Hirst as soon as possible.

!NEW! 12/07/10 We've heard that Firbeck Hall has been sold, at the behest of the liquidators. We understaffed the complete site was sold as a single lot to a local person from Doncaster (item care of Friends of Firbeck Hall).We hope that access will be reinstated to locals and the group, as the area offers a good mixture of habitats.

05/06/10 We had an alarming phone call this afternoon of a father and son shooting birds at NAPT at lunchtime, with high powered air rifles. This was reported to us by a family out enjoying the site. They'd tried to contact the Forestry Commission without success, so contacted us. Mick Clay, Andy Hirst and John Gallagher were on scene within 10 mins, but despite searching the entire site nobody was found. If you witness anything like this then please contact the Police AND Mick or Andy straight away so we can take action. There are two laws being broken, firstly a having/ using a firearm in public place and shooting wild birds.

11/05/10 Another reminder that you should be contemplating/ undertaking your first Tetrad Atlas survey visit(s) within the next week. For details/ reminder on how to carry out the survey click Tetrad Atlas Survey 2010. Also a reminder that we currently have 2 positions that are currently vacant on the Organisers Committee. They are Publicity and Fund Raising. As a direct result of the efforts of our previous Publicity Officers, Tony & Jenny Drew we have directly recruited quite a few new members. If you think you can contribute please see Mick Clay or Andy Hirst Contacts

21/04/10 A reminder that annual subs are due in April. I'm sure Lyn Facer would be happy to see you clutching money. For our current subscription rates click

03/04/10 We are currently looking for a person/ couple to replace Jenny & Tony Drew who have done a sterling job with Publicity. Contacting the local press and radio informing them of SK58 events and happenings, as well as producing notices of events for local notice boards. Please see Mick or Andy if you think you can help. Their work has directly lead to an increase in membership, so it's vitally important we find replacements. I'd like to thank Tony & Jenny for their outstanding contribution over the past 18 months.

19/03/10 Following a description and on photographic evidence, we have added Red- necked Grebe to the Official SK58 list.

11/03/10 We've added Little Egret to the SK58 species list. At NAPT the warden Dougie, has done a sterling job and erected a screen at the side of the hide, with viewing slots. This to prevent people clambering over make shift fencing, and disturbing the birds on the scrape.

09/03/10 A new location site guide has been added to the website, thanks to Rotherham & District Ornithological Society (RDOS).Click on the locations button (left) and choose Anston Stones Wood.

08/03/10 A new feature added to the website is a table of the 'Earliest and Latest Migrants' recorded within SK58. This can be accessed from the 'Latest' page or from the 'Species' page.

10/02/10 The group enjoyed a great weekend in Dumfries between 22-24/01/10. We spent Friday at Caelaverock, home to 1000's of geese, swans & other wildfowl. Saturday was spent along the coast between Carsethorn Point & Mersehead. On Sunday we went around Loch Ken and the Red Kite Trail- a great weekend was had by all.

Group Carsethorn © Allan Parker 2010

01/02/10 Following on from our AGM at the January meeting, all the current post holders were reelected to their respective posts. The prizes were awarded for the Christmas Quiz and for the prestigious Photo Competition 2009. Just a note- our 2010 Calendars (see below) have been slashed- until the end if February they are £1.50 only, they were £3.95- from Andy Hirst. After this date, the cases will be used next year and the paper parts recycled- get them before they are gone.

18/01/10 It's our AGM next Wednesday (30th). It will be a busy meeting- As well as our AGM, we will present prizes & certificates from the 2009 Photo and SK58 Yearlist competitions. After which Andy Hirst will give a shortened presentation on North Ronaldsay Birding. Please get all nominations for Organisers positions to Mick Clay before the AGM. A reminder that there are a few of the groups 2010 calendars available- the Jan/Feb meetings will be the last times you get these.

02/01/10 HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!! Here's to a good year in SK58.

23/11/09 In January it's the group's AGM. As ever if you wish to be more involved, your help would be greatly appreciated. There is a nucleus band of people who do an enormous amount of work, much behind the scenes that most members wouldn't know about. If you wish to help, or maybe even stand at the AGM for one the posts or know someone who you think would do a great job in one of the posts then please let the Chairman (Mick Clay) have your nomination before the January meeting (27/01/10). One post which remains vacant is that of Fund Raising Officer. We are convinced there are pots of money available to the group from a vast array of sources, we just need someone who can spare a few hours a week to search out and apply for such funding. See Andy Hirst for details.

Calendar 2010

To celebrate the success of the groups annual photographic competition we decided to make calendars of the best images from each category. The 2010 desktop (cd style) calendars make ideal stocking fillers for Christmas and great value for money. The calendars are £3.95 each (plus postage at cost) or am amazing 3 for £10- why not solve your gift problems, help promote and fund SK58 Birders and save yourself money!

Below a sample from the 2010 calendar (actual size):

2010 Calendar

They are available from any committee member- but hurry, we've only had 100 made and they are sure to go quickly.