SK58 News

News Archive

26th November Our Recorder, Andy Hirst is clearing out some old magazines; "I've a load of old magazines I want to dispose of. Complete sets "BTO News" and RSPB "Birds" both from 1986- to-date. BTO News are filed in yearly folders and boxed. Birds are just boxed. I'm having a bit of a clear out- so if you're interested in taking either Birds of BTO news, lock stock and barrel, let me know andy@gonebirding.org. Maybe a library or institution you know may be interested? If I still have them in the New Year, then regrettably, they're going to recycling- which would be a shame."

21st November At our Organisers Meeting on Wednesday we decided to hold membership fees at 2025 rates. We've managed to maintain our subscription rates at the current level for several years now due to the canny running of SK58 Birders by the group organisers. We hope you agree, SK58 membership offers great value for money. Monthly Indoor meetings, field trips, newsletter and exclusive access to bird news via WhatsApp groups.

A timely reminder that subscriptions are due from January 1st 2026 (which you can pay from now). For current rates and how to pay Although any donations in addition to your subscription would be greatly welcomed, to offset the ever increasing cost of speakers for example.

Although not quite December, we are looking ahead to our AGM during the January meeting. At this moment in time all current post holders are standing for re-election, but that doesn't mean, if you think you can do a better job, you can't stand. Nominations for any post to any group organiser before the January organisers meeting on the 21st January, ahead of the actual AGM on the 27th January. Even if you don't want to to stand officially, any help towards the continued successful running of SK58 Birders would be appreciated.

5th November Note a change of subject at our November indoor meeting. It's still Ron Marshall, but the talk title is "Alaska", and not "A Birding Year" as previously advertised.

One from the archives, a Black-throated Diver at Harthill Reservoir. Although outside SK58, it was found a young James Clay, Micks son, way back in February 1994.

Black-throated Diver @ Harthill Reservoir 1994 © Andy Hirst

15th October Den Jarrold has relayed the sad news that former member Chris Odale has passed away. Den summed him up accurately, "A birder and a nice man".

30th September This past Sunday a group of us enjoyed a trip, despite the early start, to one of our regular autumn haunts, Spurn Point. It was a bit of damp to start with, but enlivened by a fall of Goldcrest and good numbers of Stonechat The highlight was a Dusky Warbler, which remained elusive throughout the day in Church Field. But in by the end of the day we had clocked up a very respectable list.

SK58 Birders Seawatch @ Spurn © Jenny Coe

12th September There's lots of work going on behind the scenes in relation to NAPT. Public consultations and lots more to try and put into place a scheme to reline the wader scrape, so it's actually of some use. Mick Clay our Conservation Officer has been heavily involved, as have Parish Councillors and RMBC.

SK58 Birders report on past & present development & birds at NAPT

19th August On Sunday 17th a group of us enjoyed a days birding at Flamborough, basing ourselves around the headland. Seawatching first thing was productive with good numbers of Gannet, lots of terns, a few Arctic Skua, several single & small groups of Manx Shearwater, but the highlight were 3 Sooty Shearwater. Following a very hearty breakfast we walked from the lighthouse to Old Fall Hedge and back to the lighthouse, which was surprisingly sparse of migrants, given the North Easterly winds. We finished up at South Landing and short wander around the wooded valley and onto the beach.

Mick, Bill & and "All day Breakfasts" @ Flamborough © Andy Hirst

Michael, Phil, Bill & Mick @ Flamborough © Andy Hirst

16th August Another from the archive, this time a field trip to Anglers Country park near Wakefield in January 1994, featuring much younger (left to right) Yuri Gabrilovich, Steve Wilson, Alan Potter (scope) and Rob Hardcastle (unknown furthest right).

SK58 Birders @ Anglers Country Park January 1994 © Andy Hirst

25th July Following our summer Organisers Meeting, Conservation Officer Mick Clay sent in images of the nestboxes constructed by members. An astonishing achievement, well done to all for constructing the boxes and a particular "well done" to Mick for sourcing the funding, wood and co-ordinating the project. Just need to find a hundred trees in which to erect them!

Nestboxes @ SK58 © Mick Clay

19th July Another image from the archive, this time Harry Vilkaitis, ringing winter thrushes at NAPT , taken in November 1993. Harry was often found ringing birds at NAPT, or driving around in his white Jeep with ringing poles strapped to his roof rack.

Harry Vilkaitis & Redwing @ NAPT- November 1993 © Andy Hirst

1st July You may have noticed we've revamped our logo. The old black & white logo was looking a tad dated, after all it has been around for over 30 years. We've replaced the logo on the web and will be changing it on our documents. Let us know if we've missed any!

30th June Our Conservation Officer, Mick Clay has been very busy co-ordinating and constructing, along with several group members, a variety of nest boxes. There's still more to come in, but it looks like they'll be no shortage of nesting sites from Robins to Barn Owl in SK58! Well done to all involved!

Variety of nestboxes © Mick Clay

24th June The summer break is upon us and a bit of a lull in bird activity, giving us time to pause and think. SK58 Birders are a very active group with indoor meetings and field trips throughout the year. Is there anywhere you want to go, either locally or regionally on a field trip? Or a particular topic or speaker for an indoor meeting? Now is the time to let the group organisers know as we think about the autumn and next years' programme of events. Contact any of the Group Organisers with your suggestions.

17th June With the increase in accessible wildlife and the improvement, quality and portability of camera gear, there has been a sharp increase in the number of folks taking bird pictures. Every year social media is flooded with images gleaned by would-be photographers- BUT... we see a lot of images of specially protected species. ALL birds at the nest are protected by the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981, but rare nesting species are afforded extra protection under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, where it is illegal to disturb the nest without a Schedule 1 licence. This is wildlife crime, as much as the illegal killing of raptors, disturbance is major factor in the decline of some species such as Capercaillie.

If you think any wildlife crime has been committed the information can be emailed to the RSPB Wildlife@rspb.org.uk giving as much information as possible. Unfortunately ignorance isn't an excuse. For more information on Act and in particular Schedule 1- see https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/schedules.

13th May Jan & Den Jarrold brought this to our attention:

Swifts have lost more than half their population in 20 years. A simple £35 brick in new builds could help save them. Labour used to support this - now they're planning to backtrack. Sign the petition now to show them the public still backs this nature-friendly fix: https://act.38degrees.org.uk/act/swifts-petition-v?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=blast110635#has_regular_donation=false

6th May Apparently only about half the members have returned their GDPR statements. This is quite important, as you may miss out on receiving important group news an updates. If you've not received the email please contact Liz, our Membership Secretary to receive the email, to be completed and returned.

24th April Unfortunately we've had to cancel our trip to Frampton Marsh this coming Sunday. We'll try to reschedule for some time in May.

16th April Hopefully all members have received and returned their GDPR statements. If not, can you do so ASAP, so we have up to date records and send you information, how you want to receive it. In other news Whitethroat was our 100 species this year. Summer migrants are now arriving in number, so we should see a boost in birds and species.

23rd March With the last newsletter was a second email asking members to complete a Data Protection statement. Previously this was a Word document, but to cut down on paper we've made it into an email. To return the information simply 'reply' to the email, changing the return email address from recorder@sk58birders.com, to membership@sk58birders.com, scroll down and complete/ delete the multiple choice options that are not relevant, then send. Please remember to return this to the Membership Secretary.

21st March The Events page has just been updated with the line up of top speakers for the remainder of 2025. Also following on from the organisers meeting on Wednesday, our Conservation Officer Mick Clay has confirmed we have funding in place to begin making a variety of nest boxes. Mick has several volunteers lined up already but would welcome any additional help making nest boxes. For further information contact Mick- conservation@sk58birders.com

At the meeting we also discussed future field trips. If there's anywhere you think we should go, either locally or further afield do let any of the organisers know. We've not run any weekend trips for while, so we could have a long weekend away, such as the Farne Islands. It was also suggested a weeks birding trip overseas- Cyprus being one destination. Do let us know if any of the appeals.

11th March We are delighted to announce that Liz Nugent has kindly accepted an offer to be our new Membership Secretary. Liz joined SK58 Birders last year and is a keen supporter of SK58 Birders. So from the next meeting onwards please direct all membership enquiries to Liz. Her details can be found on the Join Us page and Contacts page.

18th February A reminder to those who haven't renewed their subscriptions for 2025, which were due on 1st January. It's not too late to continue your membership, but do it quickly as the February newsletter will be your final reminder to renew. After this you'll be removed from the membership list!!

Individual Membership	£15.00	children under 16-FREE
Family Membership	£20	covers all at one address
Concessionary Membership	£10	retired, unemployed or student

10th February We've gone through the common summer & winter migrants and updated the Earliest & Latest Migrant dates.. We've also completed the 2024 species list which topped out at 135 species from 5501 records.

27th January SK58 Birders have switched from X (formerly Twitter) to Blue Sky, and can be found at @sk58birders.bsky.social

One from the archives. A few of us would rise early to undertake "Viz-Migging" - Visible Migration watching. Here past member Harlon Senior, looking North for passing migrants at dawn on a September morning in 1993 at NAPT. Note my Opticron HR60 telescope!

22nd January Don't forget our first indoor meeting of the new year is on the 28th. This is our AGM, then Mick Clay regaling his trip to Cyprus. Don't be put off by the AGM, it only takes 20-30 mins and offers an insight into how the group is fairing.

17th January Puffin description (July 2024) added to the Descriptions page.

14th January The SK58 Species List has been amended to account for the lumping of Redpoll. Previously (and not too long ago), they were split into Lesser Redpoll (UK species) and Common or Mealy Redpoll (northern species now a race). This reduces the SK58 list from 203 to 202 species.

3rd January The new year is off to a flying start! By this morning 77 species have been recorded already in 2025! In 2024 we resurrected the friendly "Year List Competition", for individual members to record as many species whilst out and about birding in SK58. We can declare Mick Clay the winner with 125 species recorded within the confines of SK58 within the year. Congratulations to Mick, no star prize just a shiny certificate and the respect of your peers! Although a light-hearted affair, it does highlight the decline of local species. In previous years (a decade ago), the winning tallies were in the 130's and 140's.

31st December Why not kick start your new year with a resolution to do more birding locally? This will benefit you physically and mentally and help SK58 Birders with records. It will also increase your appreciation of local birds as you pick upon trends, migration and weather movements of your local birds.