tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3684814097128021612024-03-14T03:47:17.895+00:00L.O.S. Young Birders' ClubLeigh Ornithological Society's Primary School Presentation TeamGeekTeacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17123681974508581833noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-368481409712802161.post-44798856872337934722018-01-29T22:24:00.002+00:002019-11-07T14:46:17.248+00:00What is the LOSYBC and what do we do?<b>LOSYBC</b> stands for <b>Leigh Ornithological Society's Young Birders' Club</b>.<br />
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We are an award-winning team consisting of four members of the <b>Leigh Ornithological Society</b> (L.O.S.) who visit schools and youth groups free of charge to give talks on birding, as well as the wider context of nature and the environment. To see some examples of the work we do please click <b><i>'</i>Older Posts<i>'</i></b> at the bottom right of this page.<br />
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The <b>L.O.S. </b>is essentially a bird watching club whose members care passionately about the natural environment. It has been in existence for nearly 50 years and its founding members were directly responsible for helping create <b>Pennington Flash Country Park</b> as well as many other conservation projects in the area.<br />
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The <b>Society</b> meets regularly at <b>Leigh Library</b> where presentation talks are given by visiting speakers and these are followed by weekend fieldtrips on Saturdays or Sundays. The L.O.S. has been recording the bird life in the Leigh and nearby areas since it began in the 1970's and an annual report is produced each year.<br />
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The <b>LOSYBC</b> team consists of:<br />
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<li>Martyn Jones (former teacher)</li>
<li>George Pike (former teacher)</li>
<li>Brian Fawcett (former teacher)</li>
<li>Tony Bishop</li>
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<li>We can also call on another five members of the L.O.S. for fieldtrips.</li>
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<b>Sessions</b></div>
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We provide free interactive sessions which can last between 1 and 2 hours including a presentation about bird identification, practical work, quizzes and games. We can deliver a programme suitable for Years 3 to 6 as well as for mixed age ranges at Cubs and Brownies.</div>
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<b>Fieldtrips</b></div>
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We can also offer accompanied field trips to local places such as <b>Pennington Flash </b>and <b>Lilford Park</b>. We can provide all the materials needed to do a fieldtrip such as checklists, clipboards, binoculars etc and so all the school or association has to do is provide the transport and adequate supervision for the children.</div>
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<b>Content</b></div>
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Our presentations consist of projected slideshows with photographs, drawings and videos showing different types of birds in various habitats. A key part of these slides is to describe how to identify the different types of birds in these habitats and to explain why the birds live there in terms of their adaptation to the environment.</div>
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We follow this with practical work which consists of making a Bird ID Dial and using this to do a number of quizzes, each with increasing difficulty. We also sometimes make bird feeders out of recycled materials which can be hung up in the school grounds or at home.</div>
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We often finish off a session with a game of Birdy Bingo in which all the bird identification skills learnt in the session are recapped and used to play the game.</div>
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If you click <b><i>'</i>Older Posts<i>'</i></b> at the bottom right of this page, you will see examples of the work done in a number of schools and youth groups in the Wigan and Leigh area.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Feed</div>GeekTeacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17123681974508581833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-368481409712802161.post-14086077598364354072014-10-03T14:24:00.001+01:002018-01-30T17:24:16.043+00:00The New Season Kicks Off at Gilded Hollins PrimaryWe began our new series of presentations at <strong>Gilded Hollins Primary School</strong> in Leigh today. It was the turn of <strong>Mr. Bansel's Year 4</strong> <strong>class</strong> to learn about how to identify birds as well as a little about feeding them.<br />
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After our normal introductions, George began the presentation by describing the main features used in bird identification. He used this diagram to explain the different parts of a typical garden or woodland bird.<br />
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At the end of this section, the pupils were given a blank bird outline to label themselves and they seemed to enjoy this. The pupils were very good at writing and spelling and finished the task quite quickly.<br />
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Next Tony, Martyn and George each took it in turn to describe two birds commonly found in gardens, parks and school grounds. These were: Blackbird, Magpie, Robin, Blue Tit, Goldfinch, Woodpigeon. There was a slide for each bird together with some information about it a recording of their song. At the end of this section the pupils were asked to write down the names of all the birds which had been described from memory. Many of them got all six correct.<br />
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When they had finished, Martyn showed them how to use the Bird ID dial to identify birds. Once that was done the pupils were given some photographs of birds which they had to identify and write their answers on a quiz sheet. <br />
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Some of the pupils were so good they got on to a second harder quiz where the photographs only showed some parts of the birds. At the end of this section the pupils marked each other's answers and the results were very good.<br />
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Our presentation was finished off with Tony telling the pupils why it is important to feed the birds in the winter time and the sorts of food they eat. He showed them three different types of feeder and explained that they could be bought very cheaply at local stores. The class was then allowed to choose one of the feeders to put in the trees outside their own classroom.<br />
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A video of the Great Crested Grebes' courtship 'weed' dance was shown to complete our presentation. Unfortunately we didn't have time today to demonstrate the use of binoculars and a spotting scope, but hopefully we'll come back and do that at a future date.<br />
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So ended another successful LOSYBC presentation. The children were all brilliant and we hope to do some further work and perhaps a fieldtrip with them next year.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Feed</div>LeighOS Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00149001720979103966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-368481409712802161.post-14955485787921890602014-09-22T14:23:00.000+01:002014-10-03T16:59:31.826+01:00LOSYBC at Leigh Rotary Club<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong>Martyn</strong> and <strong>George</strong> were both very proud and very honoured to be invited to give a talk about the work of our <strong>Young Birder's Club</strong> to the <strong>Leigh Rotary Club</strong> today. Unfortunately Tony was in Crete and Brian was still in France, so they couldn't make it.<br />
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After having lunch and completing some Rotarian business, George began the presentation with an explanation of how Leigh Ornithological Society was formed in 1971, largely as a result of the work going on at Pennington Flash at the time. A photo of our founder members and a map of the Flash were used to illustrate the talk.<br />
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After this Martyn explained the aims of our Young Birders' Club and described the work we have been doing with local primary schools and youth groups over the last 18 to 24 months. Lots of photos were shown of children engaged in outdoor activities including guided walks, wildflower planting and birdwatching. Here's a short video showing some of the best photos:<br />
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The talk was finished off with this slideshow entitled 'The Beauty of Birds', which consisted of a number of photographs taken mainly in the L.O.S. recording area by our chairman David Shallcross and Martyn Jones.<br />
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The presentation seemed to be very well received by the Rotarians and they generously donated £50 to our Young Birders' Club to help continue the work we do. Thank-you.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Feed</div>LeighOS Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00149001720979103966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-368481409712802161.post-1742613132611148782014-07-25T14:22:00.000+01:002014-10-03T15:07:12.343+01:00LOSYBC Win Two Wigan Greenheart Awards<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_dLv5_4cYmY/U7MKu_1byzI/AAAAAAAABCk/3jcGnnf4Y_A/s1600/grenheart+awards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_dLv5_4cYmY/U7MKu_1byzI/AAAAAAAABCk/3jcGnnf4Y_A/s1600/grenheart+awards.jpg" width="590" /></a><br />
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The <strong>L.O.S. Young Birders' Club Team</strong> won two awards at the Wigan Greenheart <strong>'Big Thank You 2014'</strong> event held at St. Peter's Pavilion in Hindley on Friday 27 June. Various presentations were given by a number of local volunteer groups and other organisations such as Natural England and the GM Ecology Unit. <br />
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<strong>Martyn Jones</strong>, <strong>Tony Bishop</strong>, <strong>George Pike</strong> and <strong>Brian</strong> <strong>Fawcett </strong>were presented with the <strong>'Overall Winners'</strong> award for the work they and the extended team which includes <strong>Joan Disley</strong>, <strong>Jeff Hurst</strong>, <strong>Roy Rhodes</strong> and <strong>Dave Wilson</strong> have been doing with young people in the Wigan and Leigh area over the last 18 months - his came as quite a surprise to us.<br />
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Unfortunately Brian couldn't be present at the award presentation as he is on his annual summer migration in France, but he was emailed the details and photos from the ceremony.<br />
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<strong>Martyn Jones</strong> also received a Wigan Greenheart <strong>'Community Champion'</strong> Award following a nomination by the other members of the LOSYBC for the work he has done in helping organise <strong>27 events</strong> involving around <strong>900 young people</strong> in local primary schools, Cubs, Beavers and Boys' Brigade packs. Here's a short video slideshow showing some of the things we have done.<br />
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These Greenheart awards reward the hard work that has been done by all the LOSYBC team members and give us the inspiration to continue our work with more young people in the future. To read about the sort of work we've been doing with LOSYBC visit our website: <a href="http://www.losybc.blogspot.com/"><strong><span style="color: #992211;">www.losybc.blogspot.com</span></strong></a><br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Feed</div>LeighOS Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00149001720979103966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-368481409712802161.post-47042144742373326452014-04-27T20:02:00.000+01:002014-04-27T20:17:02.341+01:00Planting in St. Catherine of Siena's Wildlife Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today some members of the <strong>LOS Young Birders' Club Team</strong> went back to <strong><a href="http://www.lowtonstcatherines.co.uk/">St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Primary School</a></strong> in Lowton to do some wild flower planting in their wonderful wildlife garden with <strong>Mr. Clegg's</strong> <b>Year 3</b> class. <b>LOS Conservation Officer </b><strong>Roy Rhodes</strong> very kindly donated many plants from his own garden to boost the stock here with the aim of increasing the biodiversity in this excellent school resource.
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Greenfingers! </div>
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In our previous visit here we had carried out a short bird survey as part of the <strong>RSPB's Big Schools' Birdwatch</strong> with Year 4 pupils.</div>
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Today it was the turn of <strong>Year 3 pupils</strong> and the aim was to increase the number of plants which would attract insects, spiders, moths and butterflies in the summer months when we hope to be back to do another 'bioblitz' day.</div>
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Getting 'stuck in'</div>
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The pupils came out well-prepared with their wellies in three separate groups of ten, each time accompanied by a member of St. Catherine's staff and they quickly got kitted up with gloves and trowels ready to start work.</div>
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Roy gave each group a short talk about why we are doing this activity followed by a demonstration of how to plant the wild flowers in the holes which we'd prepared earlier in the day.</div>
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Teamwork </div>
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All the pupils were very enthusiastic and keen to 'get their hands (well gloves) dirty' on the job. The LOS members worked with them in groups of three or four showing the pupils where to put the plants and talking to them about nature and wildlife in general.</div>
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Roy selected these plants from his garden because, fingers crossed, he thinks that they should do well in the soil conditions here.</div>
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We explained that some of the plants should grow and have flowers this summer, some will flower next year and many should self seed and produce even more plants for the garden.</div>
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The plants will attract insects and in turn we hope that these will attract more birds into the garden. This is what is meant by increasing the <b>biodiversity</b> of an area.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IYfn4zDCCNY/U11E3bJNUmI/AAAAAAAABAc/ZmxjOF4pxsg/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IYfn4zDCCNY/U11E3bJNUmI/AAAAAAAABAc/ZmxjOF4pxsg/s1600/5.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="590" /></a></div>
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Jeff showing an interested pupil what to do</div>
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Here's a list of what we planted:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cXELQdeTLow/U11FOlre3gI/AAAAAAAABAo/DXVbAJVHMxE/s1600/g2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cXELQdeTLow/U11FOlre3gI/AAAAAAAABAo/DXVbAJVHMxE/s1600/g2.jpg" height="218" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div>
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The pupils were very keen to answer questions</div>
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<ul>
<li><b>St John's Wort</b></li>
<li><b>Wild Garlic</b></li>
<li><b>Vipers Bugloss</b></li>
<li><b>Foxglove</b></li>
<li><b>Mullein</b></li>
<li><b>Yellow Archangel</b></li>
<li><b>Dame's Violet</b></li>
<li><b>Red Campion</b></li>
<li><b>Jack-by-the hedge</b></li>
<li><b>Feverfew</b></li>
<li><b>Forget-me-not</b></li>
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The <b>LOS Young Birders' Club Team</b> hope to be back sometime in July with Roy's <strong>Moth Mobile</strong> to do another mothing session and to see what else the new plantings have brought to the garden.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yAyf503CBbk/U11G9CJ26uI/AAAAAAAABA8/7PRGDquZlF4/s1600/g1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yAyf503CBbk/U11G9CJ26uI/AAAAAAAABA8/7PRGDquZlF4/s1600/g1.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="590" /></a></div>
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Year 3 Pupils from St. Catherine's holding the wildflowers before planting them</div>
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It was a great couple of hours and everyone worked well together. Thanks must go out the LOS members who volunteered for this session - <strong>Jeff Hurst</strong>, <strong>George Pike</strong> and <strong>Martyn Jones</strong> as well as our <strong>Conservation Officer Roy Rhodes</strong> who planned and lead the group today.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pXekaqw3dlU/U11GLJL8goI/AAAAAAAABA0/9mTrbyqrFZY/s1600/g3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pXekaqw3dlU/U11GLJL8goI/AAAAAAAABA0/9mTrbyqrFZY/s1600/g3.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="590" /></a></div>
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More Year 3 pupils from St. Catherine's in their Wildlife Garden</div>
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<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">All photographs (c) Martyn Jones 2014</span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">You can click on any of the photographs to enlarge them</span></b></i></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Feed</div>LeighOS Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00149001720979103966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-368481409712802161.post-77153811763413018422014-03-28T20:46:00.000+00:002014-04-27T21:47:57.841+01:00LOSYBC Presentation to 8th Wigan Boys' Brigade<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Today we gave our first presentation to a <b>Boys' Brigade </b>Company. The <a href="http://8wigan.boys-brigade.org.uk/"><b>8th Wigan Boys' Brigade</b></a> is based in <b>Hindley</b> at the <a href="http://www.stpeterspavilion.org.uk/"><b>St. Peter's Pavilion</b></a> which has a wonderful set of facilities for the groups which meet there. We thought that this presentation would prove to be quite a challenge due to the 8 to 18 age range of the boys there, but as you will see, it went very well.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pU8jVQ0upng/UwdEDqOYS3I/AAAAAAAAA8s/-2zpRKF_V6g/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pU8jVQ0upng/UwdEDqOYS3I/AAAAAAAAA8s/-2zpRKF_V6g/s1600/14.jpg" width="590" /></a></div>
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The Company sat on the floor in front of the large screen at one end of the hall and we started the presentation with our usual introduction and video of a <b>Barn Owl</b> and a <b>Kestrel </b>hunting in the snow, to show how marvellous birds are and why we enjoy watching them.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QCAGN6m6gaU/UwdElYxbMsI/AAAAAAAAA88/Q2A7xomeB4w/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QCAGN6m6gaU/UwdElYxbMsI/AAAAAAAAA88/Q2A7xomeB4w/s1600/4.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a>Then Tony, Brian, George and Martyn each took it in turn to describe the main features of two common birds and how to identify them. The song of each bird was also played to explain how to recognise these birds when you don't always see them.<br />
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Following this the Company was divided into an older group and a younger group and each did some activities appropriate to their age. George and Tony took the older age range to do a new worksheet which we call <b>'Beaks and Feet'</b>.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OO-CUS2oAU/UwdFMIPCgZI/AAAAAAAAA9M/8hKrCMI3XrM/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OO-CUS2oAU/UwdFMIPCgZI/AAAAAAAAA9M/8hKrCMI3XrM/s1600/5.jpg" height="192" width="200" /></a></div>
In this activity the boys had to read the text about birds beaks and feet and match this to some bird drawings in order to identify them. We weren't sure how well this would go down with the older boys, but they seemed very interested in it and worked hard to answer all the questions. There was also quite a lot do discussion amongst the group.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qf0ug3ug0rk/UwdEUfuiSII/AAAAAAAAA80/YOOrLXmSBKA/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qf0ug3ug0rk/UwdEUfuiSII/AAAAAAAAA80/YOOrLXmSBKA/s1600/8.jpg" height="166" width="200" /></a><br />
Brian and Martyn took the younger group which started off by learning how to use <b>binoculars</b> and <b>spotting scopes</b>. Some bird drawings were placed on the wall on one side of the room and the boys had to look at them through the binoculars and identify them if possible.<br />
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It was very rewarding to find that the youngsters could remember the names of most of the birds we had described previously and with practice could identify them through the binoculars or scopes. Even the volunteer staff got involved in using the equipment and helping the boys to use it, which was great.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QqkxTY82qBE/UwdE7G3U_wI/AAAAAAAAA9E/9Hd-IuZgKrw/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QqkxTY82qBE/UwdE7G3U_wI/AAAAAAAAA9E/9Hd-IuZgKrw/s1600/13.jpg" height="200" width="178" /></a></div>
After about half an hour we swapped activities, giving the binoculars and scopes to the older group whilst the youngsters did a bird ID quiz where the photographs of nine common birds had to be matched to their descriptions and so identify them by name. Whilst they were doing this the older group was doing our new '<b>Bird Optician' </b>activity with the binoculars!<br />
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This is where a drawing of a bird is shown with some text, but each line of text gets smaller as on on an optician's eye chart. The bottom line is the smallest size and this gives the name of the bird in the drawing. This new activity seemed to go down very well and so will feature in all our presentations from now on.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RQsghCFX3-U/UwdFfFe9l5I/AAAAAAAAA9U/jOF2d7NxSN0/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RQsghCFX3-U/UwdFfFe9l5I/AAAAAAAAA9U/jOF2d7NxSN0/s1600/9.jpg" height="135" width="200" /></a></div>
After the youngsters had marked the answers to their bird identification quizzes (and some got all nine correct), Martyn showed them some examples of real <b>birds' wings </b>which had been kindly lent by another member of the L.O.S. Everyone, including the adults were fascinated by these, especially how soft the feathers and how light the wings were. Brian explained that this is because the bones are almost hollow having a honeycomb structure just like a <b>Crunchie</b> chocolate bar to reduce their weight - it's funny but Crunchies don't seem to reduce my weight!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qogch1K33ng/UwdFp9pVWwI/AAAAAAAAA9c/XsMq1-HnWj8/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qogch1K33ng/UwdFp9pVWwI/AAAAAAAAA9c/XsMq1-HnWj8/s1600/3.jpg" height="151" width="200" /></a></div>
Finally the Company all sat down in front of the screen again and Martyn finished off the presentation by showing them the <b>LOSYBC website </b>and mentioning that it might be possible to take them on a guided walk around <b>Pennington Flash </b>sometime later in the year.<br />
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A video of two <b>Great Crested Grebes </b>doing their mating dance was shown to finish off and Martyn explained that this behaviour can often be seen at the Flash in spring.<br />
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At the end of the evening we were thanked by the Boys' Brigade leaders and voluntary staff and we left feeling that it had gone down very well and that we would be happy to return at sometime in the future.<br />
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<b>P.S. </b>It would be great if you left your name in the comment text so we know who you are.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Feed</div>LeighOS Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00149001720979103966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-368481409712802161.post-2412638632541000482014-02-07T20:26:00.000+00:002014-02-09T01:28:43.599+00:001st Culcheth Cubs Presentation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Tonight we visited the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1stculchethscouts.org.uk/about-us/"><b>3rd Warrington East 1st Culcheth Cub</b></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> pack to give a slightly different version of one of our Young Birders' Club presentations. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1stculchethscouts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/scout-centre-inside-480x360.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1stculchethscouts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/scout-centre-inside-480x360.gif" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the excellent facilities</td></tr>
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Our first impressions of the organisation were very good as the Cubs and Scouts here have their own <b>purpose-built Scout Centre</b> building with plenty of space and facilities. And in addition to <b>Akela</b>, there were also plenty of volunteer helpers to make the activities run smoothly.<br />
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Before the young cubs arrived we'd set up six tables on which to do some bird ID activities and on each we left a pair of binoculars, a bird book and some bird photographs.<br />
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As the cubs came in they immediately showed an interest in these items and some even started drawing the birds on paper using the photographs. One particular young man drew an excellent Kingfisher which we'll publish here if he sends it in.<br />
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After our usual introduction, we started with the video of a barn owl and kestrel trying to catch a mouse. We've used this a few times now and it always grabs the audience's attention, especially when the owl swallows the mouse in one!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x5Jkkm95CDg/Uvad4DUhAGI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/cKZZkzurWSc/s1600/badge.jpg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x5Jkkm95CDg/Uvad4DUhAGI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/cKZZkzurWSc/s1600/badge.jpg.png" height="199" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cubs Naturalist's Badge</td></tr>
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We then moved on to the main point of our visit tonight, identifying birds.<br />
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The cubs are working towards their <a href="https://members.scouts.org.uk/supportresources/1426/naturalist-activity-badge/?cat=12,67,127&moduleID=10"><b>Naturalist's Badge</b></a> and they need to be able to identify at least six birds as part of the badge. I think you can probably see where we come in here then!<br />
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We'd created a new worksheet with bird pictures on it for the cubs and space to write down two facts about each bird we described. <b>Martyn</b>, <b>Brian</b>, <b>Tony </b>and <b>George</b> each took it in turns to talk about two common birds, pointing out some of the key features which help identify it.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5AE8U4lq1OY/UvajrgoOybI/AAAAAAAAA4w/X6xD1B95MFw/s1600/act0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5AE8U4lq1OY/UvajrgoOybI/AAAAAAAAA4w/X6xD1B95MFw/s1600/act0.jpg" height="178" width="200" /></a></div>
After each bird was described using a large picture projected on the screen, the cubs had to write down <b>two facts</b> about it, such as its colours, shape and size, beak shape and colour, feeding habits or behaviour. Breaking the identification down into small chunks of information made it easier for the cubs to remember some of the facts.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GaiSsA8ISgM/UvajqGD9jyI/AAAAAAAAA4s/Z2aqzql-6QU/s1600/act1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GaiSsA8ISgM/UvajqGD9jyI/AAAAAAAAA4s/Z2aqzql-6QU/s1600/act1.jpg" height="180" width="200" /></a>After another short video showing a garden bird frenzy around some bird feeders, the <b>22 strong pack </b>then split up into six groups to work at the tables.<br />
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Here they had a quiz where they needed to match some written descriptions of birds to photographs. Each of the volunteers went to a different table to help the cubs and it didn't take long before the room was buzzing with activity.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jI00E3paiiQ/UvajwY5hi3I/AAAAAAAAA5M/Pgo6etSuzBU/s1600/scope2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jI00E3paiiQ/UvajwY5hi3I/AAAAAAAAA5M/Pgo6etSuzBU/s1600/scope2.jpg" height="162" width="200" /></a></div>
As each of the cubs completed this activity they were shown how to use the <b>binoculars</b> or <b>spotting scope</b> that we had brought along. As it was dark outside, we couldn't use the binoculars on real birds, so we'd printed some pictures of birds and put them at far end of the room for the cubs to look at them and practise their newly learnt identification skills.<br />
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This was the first time we had tried this activity and, as it went so well, I'm sure we'll be using at all our future presentations.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-myqS0zPM3e8/UvajsLp-YiI/AAAAAAAAA48/A591DAgl4V8/s1600/act3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-myqS0zPM3e8/UvajsLp-YiI/AAAAAAAAA48/A591DAgl4V8/s1600/act3.jpg" height="139" width="200" /></a></div>
Finally the pack came back together to check their answers to bird ID quiz and to have a go at naming some of the birds they'd seen through their binoculars.<br />
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They all did really well and they were so enthusiastic it was difficult to get them put their hands up to answer the questions instead of shouting out the answers!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qt-nivVrcIg/UvaYpRolxvI/AAAAAAAAA4I/03OZ8o-lsvw/s1600/badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qt-nivVrcIg/UvaYpRolxvI/AAAAAAAAA4I/03OZ8o-lsvw/s1600/badge.jpg" height="197" width="200" /></a></div>
As we finished we were thanked by Akela and the cubs and we were presented with a very nice commemorative badge which celebrated the fact that this Cub and Scout Group is <b>65 years old</b> this year.<br />
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This is a testament to the respect that everyone has for the leadership and her volunteer staff here and they are a great model for how a youth group like this should be run.<br />
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Everyone seemed to enjoy our presentation, we certainly did and we'd be very happy to go back sometime soon.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click on any of the photos to enlarge them</td></tr>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Feed</div>LeighOS Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00149001720979103966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-368481409712802161.post-28332871905499941512014-02-07T13:36:00.000+00:002014-02-14T18:37:27.397+00:00St. Catherine of Siena Primary School Revisited<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We paid our third visit to the <b><a href="http://www.lowtonstcatherines.co.uk/">St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Primary School</a></b> in <b>Lowton</b> today. As we'd been twice before and had also visited the Cubs which are based here, many of the pupils are getting to know us now and it was really nice that they greeted us with a smile and tales of what we did last time.</span><br />
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St.Catherine's has the most amazing <b>wildlife area</b> that we've ever seen in a primary school. It's divided into a number of sections including a sensory garden with scented plants, a small pond with a dipping platform, a large bird screen and many other areas such as weather station area, a geography garden and plenty of shrubs planted over the whole area. <br />
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There are also some trees within the area and a small wood bordering one side, giving plenty of cover and perching places for birds.<br />
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We started the session by introducing who we are and reminded them of where we're from and why we'd come today. We won't need to do this any more here because they all know us by name now! <br />
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Our fabulous Barn Owl and Kestrel video was then shown and the children we totally absorbed by the different ways they hunt.. Of course the high light of this video is when he Barn Owl swallows the whole mouse it has just caught in one go - we never get tired of seeing this!<br />
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The main purpose of today's visit was to do some fieldwork on identifying birds in the wonderful garden and so we began by briefly describing some of the more common birds we were likely to see today. <br />
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The pupils were given a worksheet with bird pictures and they had to write down two facts about bird from the information we gave them. As always they were very enthusiastic about learning about birds and especially what they eat.<br />
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Then, armed with our six new pairs of binoculars and bird checklists on clipboards, we divided the class into four groups and set off to explore their mini <b>nature reserve</b>. <br />
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The first bird we heard was a <b>Robin</b> singing away from a tree, but in spite of looking for it, we couldn't see it.<br />
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However it wasn't long before we did see some <b>Collared Doves</b> flapping away overhead and from that moment on we saw lots more.<br />
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The best place today was definitely in the wood that borders the wildlife garden where several <b>Woodpigeons</b> were perched and lots of small birds including <b>Chaffinches</b> and <b>Blue Tits</b> were constantly flying around. <br />
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We could also hear the distinctive <b><i>'Teacher, Teacher'</i></b> call of a <b>Great Tit </b>in the wood, which was very appropriate considering we were in a school. Perhaps it was warning us that the teacher was coming!<br />
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Each of the groups visited the different areas in turn often finding something that hadn't been seem before. But perhaps the best sighting today was that of a pair of <b>Buzzards</b> soaring high over the gardens. Finally on the way back to the classroom we had a quick look at the school playing fields where we saw some <b>Magpies</b> and <b>Black-headed Gulls</b>, both of which are very common in school grounds. There were also some <b>Goldfinches</b> flying overhead.<br />
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Here's the full list of what the children saw and identified today:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H0B6gisDJGA/Uvfjq0XtozI/AAAAAAAAA7w/J9kxp8BbN8k/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H0B6gisDJGA/Uvfjq0XtozI/AAAAAAAAA7w/J9kxp8BbN8k/s1600/5.jpg" height="400" width="326" /></a>
<li>Robin</li>
<li>Jackdaw</li>
<li>Blackbird</li>
<li>Collared Dove</li>
<li>Chaffinch</li>
<li>Great Tit</li>
<li>Blue Tit</li>
<li>Woodpigeon</li>
<li>Magpie</li>
<li>Goldfinch</li>
<li>Black-headed Gull</li>
<li>Herring Gull</li>
<li>Song Thrush</li>
<li>Buzzard</li>
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What a fabulous resource their wildlife garden is, with so much to see on their doorstep. There are a variety of habitats here that will attract all sorts of wildlife throughout the seasons. If only all schools had access to something like this, we're sure that more children would be interested in nature and wildlife.<br />
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Back in the classroom we still had work to so, so after the coats and wellies had been taken off we set about doing a bird ID quiz from some photographs on a sheet. The children had to use the knowledge they learnt from today's fieldwork and the facts they'd recorded on their worksheet to name the nine birds on the handout. Most of them found this quite easy now as they are becoming very good a recognising the key features of common birds.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d-PATgTbt3o/Uvfj5_fohcI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/M6D65yrhHmQ/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d-PATgTbt3o/Uvfj5_fohcI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/M6D65yrhHmQ/s1600/9.jpg" height="200" style="cursor: move;" width="190" /></a>The class then went on to a harder bird ID quiz using the posters kindly provided by the <a href="http://rspb.org.uk/"><b>RSPB</b> <b>(Royal Society for the Protection of Birds)</b></a><b>.</b><br />
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The children were give written descriptions of nine birds and had to match them to the photographs and text on the wallchart and so identify each bird. <br />
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They worked in pairs and soon the whole classroom was buzzing with very thoughtful discussions about which bird it could or couldn't be in the photograph.<br />
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We finished off the session by going through all the answers and found out that the children had done really well. So it seems they can easily remember what they've learned today and in past visits and can put their knowledge to good use. This is very encouraging to the <b>Young Birders' Club Team</b> and it's what makes our visits to schools and youth groups so rewarding.<br />
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We hope to see you all again soon, and who knows, perhaps we'll even be able to take you around <b>Pennington Flash</b> sometime soon to see a wider variety of birds than you can see in school or in your garden.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hopefully another Young Ornithologist in the making!</td></tr>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Feed</div>LeighOS Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00149001720979103966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-368481409712802161.post-69735677529352688012014-01-23T21:07:00.000+00:002014-01-26T22:05:40.553+00:00LOSYBC visits Astley Beavers<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For our first presentation of 2014 we made a visit to the <b>Astley Beavers</b> pack in Astley Green. We've been here before to see the 1st Astley Gillwell Cubs, but this was a much younger group aged between 6 and 8 years old, and so we had to adapt our material to suit them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Martyn began the presentation with a cut down version of our usual introduction about who we are and why we're visiting groups of youngsters in Beavers, Cubs and schools. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then he showed a video of a <b>Barn Owl </b>and a <b>Kestrel </b>both hunting for food in the snow, to explain why we're interested in birds - this captivated the boys, especially when graceful creamy white Barn Owl flew silently over the snow listening for mice.</span><br />
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The boys held their collective breath when the Kestrel mobbed the Owl trying unsuccessfully to make it drop the mouse it had just caught.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XduAmPx8jdY/UuQbW9SmNAI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/zHEUfLZnbEs/s1600/Kestrel.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XduAmPx8jdY/UuQbW9SmNAI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/zHEUfLZnbEs/s1600/Kestrel.jpeg" height="133" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A funny moment was when the Kestrel returned to its icy telegraph pole and skidded across the top and off the pole - fortunately it can fly and so didn't come to any harm! </span><br />
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The video finished off with a shot of the Barn Owl swallowing the mouse whole and we all watched with wonder as its tail and back legs slowly disappeared down the Owl's throat - luckily we'd all had our tea beforehand!</span><br />
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After the video, Martyn went on to quickly describe four birds that can easily be seen in most gardens - the <b>Blackbird</b>, <b>Blue Tit</b>, <b>Goldfinch</b> and <b>Collared Dove</b>. This was done with the aid of RSPB pictures projected on to a screen and the sound of each bird's song or call. Tony then covered another four birds - the <b>Chaffinch</b>, <b>Great Tit</b>, <b>Magpie</b> and <b>Woodpigeon</b>. These birds were chosen because they can be seen on most days.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_YVa-LQDlTI/UuQacEBboCI/AAAAAAAAA20/DgKvHm9siFg/s1600/It+started+raining+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_YVa-LQDlTI/UuQacEBboCI/AAAAAAAAA20/DgKvHm9siFg/s1600/It+started+raining+027.JPG" width="590" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Making the Feeders</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Following the presentation, Brian then described how a simple bird feeder can be made from a recycled plastic bottle, some garden wire and a fatball. He gave very clear instructions in an excellent step by step demonstration of how to make the feeder, which everyone found easy to understand. Two tables were then set up fro the boys to work on and the materials were handed out. </span><br />
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With help from the Beavers leaders and the L.O.S. team, work then began on making the feeders. There was the constant hum of enthusiastic chatter as the feeders took shape, and one by one the finished products started to appear. All the boys were very pleased when they'd completed their own feeder and they started to think about where they could hang them up at home.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hHWfoh4DAPI/UuQapuDIQkI/AAAAAAAAA28/vTt65zJJXoo/s1600/It+started+raining+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hHWfoh4DAPI/UuQapuDIQkI/AAAAAAAAA28/vTt65zJJXoo/s1600/It+started+raining+029.JPG" width="590" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Finished Product</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After this practical activity the boys sat back down and Martyn told them about the <b>Big Garden Birdwatch</b> event at <b>Pennington Flash</b> this Sunday (<b>26 January</b>) where we will be taking guided birding walks around the hides. A letter and bird checklist was handed out about the event for each of the boys to take home to show their parents. The <b>L.O.S.Young Birders' Club</b> website was briefly mentioned and displayed.</span><br />
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Finally we finished the session off with a question and answer quiz about the birds we had described earlier using some photographs - the Beavers were really keen show that they had remembered the information discussed earlier and most of the questions were answered correctly. It was really good to see how enthusiastic and interested they were.</span><br />
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At the end of the session, the Beavers thanked us for coming and we all went home very happy. Hopefully we'll be coming back some time soon to do some field work looking for birds with binoculars.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Feed</div>LeighOS Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00149001720979103966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-368481409712802161.post-80708833168057630942014-01-21T23:18:00.001+00:002014-01-21T23:20:55.568+00:00Big Garden Birdwatch Event at Pennington Flash - Sunday 26 January 2014<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">It's that time of year again, the last weekend in January when the</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><strong>RSPB</strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">asks us all to take part in an hour of recording the birds in our garden, parks and schools.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Bird populations are a great indicator of the health of the countryside. That's why it's so important to take part in surveys like the</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><strong>Big Garden Birdwatch</strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">to keep an eye on the ups and downs of the wildlife where we live.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">To recognise this national initiative, the</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><strong> Leigh Ornithological Society</strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"> is holding an event in partnership with</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><strong>Wigan Leisure and Culture Trus</strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">t (WLCT) at Pennington Flash from 10am to 3pm on Sunday 26th January. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">We're particularly keen to get young people involved in birding, nature and the environment, but all the activities are equally suitable for adults and families.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">This year there will be stalls manned by the</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><strong>RSPB</strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><strong>Greater Manchester Ecology Unit</strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">and the</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><strong>Friends of Lilford Park</strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">as well those from the L.O.S. and WLCT. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">The activities will include:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RixGD6W8kTs/Ut59M46WGuI/AAAAAAAAA2U/YZK9--hPpQ4/s1600/bgb2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #992211; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RixGD6W8kTs/Ut59M46WGuI/AAAAAAAAA2U/YZK9--hPpQ4/s1600/bgb2.jpg" height="136" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; position: relative;" width="200" /></a></div>
<ul style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 2.5em; padding-right: 2.5em; padding-top: 0px;">
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: initial; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">Guided birdwatching walks to and from the main bird hides</li>
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-color: rgba(128, 128, 128, 0.496094); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">Free bird ID sheets and identification help from experienced LOS members</li>
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-color: rgba(128, 128, 128, 0.496094); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">Making bird feeders with the WLCT staff</li>
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-color: rgba(128, 128, 128, 0.496094); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">Nature and wildlife quizzes with the GM Ecology Unit</li>
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-color: rgba(128, 128, 128, 0.496094); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">and hopefully a birds of prey display (to be confirmed)</li>
</ul>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">The RSPB will be giving out information about how you can join their organisation and so gain free access to their many bird and nature reserves around the whole country, as well as having books, bird food and other products available to buy.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Yt6K3dazkM/Ut5_h4Fk7nI/AAAAAAAAA2k/vktUM5MnRTQ/s1600/bgb3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #992211; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Yt6K3dazkM/Ut5_h4Fk7nI/AAAAAAAAA2k/vktUM5MnRTQ/s1600/bgb3.jpg" height="143" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; position: relative;" width="200" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">We hope you can join us at Pennington Flash from 10am onwards and come for a walk round the hides to see which birds we can see during this exciting season. We'll lend you some binoculars or a spotting scope and give you a free bird ID checklist to use as we walk round.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">You can also take part in the</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><strong>Big Garden Birdwatch</strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">at home or in school by following the links shown below:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><br />
<ul style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 2.5em; padding-right: 2.5em; padding-top: 0px;">
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: initial; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><a href="https://www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch/" style="color: #992211; text-decoration: none;"><strong>Big Garden Birdwatch 2014</strong></a></li>
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-color: rgba(128, 128, 128, 0.496094); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><strong><a href="https://www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch/index.aspx" style="color: #992211; text-decoration: none;">Big Schools' Birdwatch 2014</a></strong></li>
</ul>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Why not have a look at the report of last year's event here on our Young Birders' Club Website:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://losybc.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/big-garden-birdwatch-event-at.html" style="color: #992211; text-decoration: none;"><strong>Big Garden Birdwatch 2013</strong></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"> - hopefully it won't be as cold this year!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">See you soon</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><strong><i>Leigh Ornithological Society's Young Birders' Club Team</i></strong></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Feed</div>LeighOS Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00149001720979103966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-368481409712802161.post-20716070051307293112013-10-22T10:37:00.001+01:002013-10-22T10:53:47.692+01:00The New Season Kicks Off<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We're very pleased to tell you that the new season of the <b>L.O.S. Young Birders' Club</b> (LOSYBC) has now started with a presentation at the <b><a href="http://www.lowtonscouting.co.uk/sections/cubs/">3rd Lowton St. Catherine's Cub Scouts</a></b> and some free guided walks around Pennington Flash on <b>Saturday 26 October 2013</b>. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A full report with photographs about our evening with the <b>3rd Lowton Cubs</b> will appear here shortly and full details of next Saturday's free guided walks are available now on our <b><a href="http://losybc.blogspot.co.uk/p/meetings.html">meetings page</a></b>.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Feed</div>LeighOS Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00149001720979103966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-368481409712802161.post-7732876802353299812013-08-16T09:55:00.003+01:002013-08-16T09:57:21.730+01:00Wildlife and Heritage Fair at Pennington Flash - Sunday 18 August<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ezxThKWN9Pw/UgfqXg4HyPI/AAAAAAAAAzU/KUOpKcyhI_Y/s1600/small+wildlife+%2526+heritage+fair+flyer%2528cs%2529%255Bsmallpdf.com%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ezxThKWN9Pw/UgfqXg4HyPI/AAAAAAAAAzU/KUOpKcyhI_Y/s400/small+wildlife+%2526+heritage+fair+flyer%2528cs%2529%255Bsmallpdf.com%255D.jpg" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Click to enlarge</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Red Rose Forest</b> have teamed up with the <b>Lancashire Wildlife Trust</b> to host a <b>Wildlife and Heritage Fair </b>at <b>Pennington Flash</b> on <b>Sunday, August 18</b> from 11.30am to 4pm. We do hope you can join us to celebrate three years of the <b>Lightshaw Meadows</b> project.<br />
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<b>Leigh Ornithological Society</b> will have a stall in the marquee and will be taking guided walks to some of the hides as part of our <b>Young Birders' Club</b>
initiative. There will also be live music, a birds of prey display,
woodland crafts, traditional games and storytelling as part of the day's
activities and everything is free!<br />
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A <b>guided wildlife walk</b> will also take place before the event led by <b>Mark Champion</b> of <b>Lancashire Wildlife Trust</b>.
This will start at Pennington Flash and head to Lightshaw before
returning to Pennington Flash to enjoy the wildlife and heritage fair.<br />
<br />
Please note that places are limited for the walk which starts at 9.30am. Call <b>Jess Thompson</b> on (0161) 872 1660 to book or email <b>jessicat@redroseforest.co.uk </b><br />
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You can also visit the <a href="http://www.redroseforest.co.uk/web/content/view/34/662/">Red Rose Forest website</a> for more information.<br />
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We hope to see you there! <div class="blogger-post-footer">Feed</div>LeighOS Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00149001720979103966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-368481409712802161.post-5462238154899182472013-06-13T09:24:00.000+01:002013-06-16T11:55:14.320+01:00LOSYBC visits 1st Astley Gilwell Cubs<span style="font-size: large;">We had a very interesting visit to the <a href="http://astleyscouts.org.uk/cubs/"><b>1st Astley Gilwell Cubs</b></a> tonight where we gave one of our <b>Bird Identification</b> presentations to the mixed pack of about 30 boy and girl cubs all aged between 8 and 11 years old.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JSXt_9ViMk8/Ub2YDa6DF8I/AAAAAAAAAtQ/luNTAPGbruY/s1600/cubs4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JSXt_9ViMk8/Ub2YDa6DF8I/AAAAAAAAAtQ/luNTAPGbruY/s320/cubs4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The set up was quite different to the schools we have been visiting this year, with the cubs sitting on the floor to watch our slideshow and answer questions.<br />
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The age range was also more of a challenge to us, as the Young Birders' Club team are more used to having just one age group in school classes. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MvimMsF69sA/Ub2X9n57CBI/AAAAAAAAAtE/lNs_iPmAbpU/s1600/cubs3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MvimMsF69sA/Ub2X9n57CBI/AAAAAAAAAtE/lNs_iPmAbpU/s320/cubs3.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
After our usual introduction of '<b><i>Who are we?</i></b>' and '<b><i>Why were are we here?</i></b>', we moved on to the basics of identifying birds on the basis of size and shape, colour, bill colour and shape, leg colour and shape, song, behaviour and habitat.<br />
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To illustrate our talk we showed some detailed diagrams of a few selected common birds as well as playing the sounds of their songs.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XcaEyZ5sHSA/Ub2YDJxxRkI/AAAAAAAAAtU/JNRMP2dWI60/s1600/cubs2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XcaEyZ5sHSA/Ub2YDJxxRkI/AAAAAAAAAtU/JNRMP2dWI60/s320/cubs2.jpg" width="320" /></a>Following this, the cubs were shown how to make a simple <b>Bird ID dial</b>, which they did in groups at tables set up in the middle of the hall. Later they used the dials to identify some common birds from photographs on sheets.<br />
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We finished the session by going through the answers and many of the cubs got full marks, so well done!<br />
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We enjoyed the experience of delivering our presentation to the Cubs and were very well recieved by everyone there.<br />
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They were all very enthusiastic and keen to learn as well as tell us what they knew about birds. We hope to be back sometime to do the same again for another pack here.<br />
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If you are a member of a <b>Cub, Scout, Brownie</b> or <b>Guide</b> pack and would like a visit like this from the <b>L.O.S. Young Birders' Club</b> team, please contact us at:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">leighos.webmaster@gmail.com</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9iO34HWgUCs/Ub2YBtnPssI/AAAAAAAAAtM/WvGxoS2bLSY/s1600/cubs1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9iO34HWgUCs/Ub2YBtnPssI/AAAAAAAAAtM/WvGxoS2bLSY/s640/cubs1.jpg" width="590" /></a></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Feed</div>LeighOS Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00149001720979103966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-368481409712802161.post-1212984837807965482013-06-11T16:52:00.001+01:002013-06-12T19:59:58.436+01:00New sections added to the LOS YBC website<span style="font-size: small;">I've just updated the <b>LOS YBC website</b> with some new sections including:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://losybc.blogspot.co.uk/p/photo-gallery.html">Emails</a></b> with questions and our answers - please send in some more!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">A <b>Bird ID Dial </b>to download in the new '<b><a href="http://losybc.blogspot.co.uk/p/bird-feeders.html">Things to Do</a></b>' section</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">The <b>LOS YBC Bird Database</b> in the modified '<b><a href="http://losybc.blogspot.co.uk/p/your-sightings.html">Sightings</a></b>' section</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;">The new '<a href="http://www.losybc.blogspot.co.uk/p/artwork.html"><b>Artwork & Photos</b></a>' section now contains any drawings and photos that have been emailed or given to me. We are always looking for more of your creative work.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">If you would like to see something that we have not thought of on this website, please e-mail your ideas to:</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>leighos.webmaster@gmail.com</b></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Feed</div>LeighOS Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00149001720979103966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-368481409712802161.post-7422108582879510292013-06-10T09:01:00.001+01:002013-06-10T12:33:33.091+01:00LOSYBC in the Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mY8YJHYJeq0/UbWQRHzgdXI/AAAAAAAAAsE/g_d1N-pqbMI/s1600/fair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mY8YJHYJeq0/UbWQRHzgdXI/AAAAAAAAAsE/g_d1N-pqbMI/s200/fair.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Four members of the L.O.S. were in <b>Lilford Park</b> in <b>Leigh </b>yesterday for a family fun day involving the <a href="http://www.folp-leigh.co.uk/folp-leigh.co.uk/Welcome.html"><b>Friends of Lilford Park (FOLP)</b></a> action group and a fun fair.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TpQRqwajTSc/UbW2CKrFmiI/AAAAAAAAAsU/lB7YAkKhczU/s1600/fair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TpQRqwajTSc/UbW2CKrFmiI/AAAAAAAAAsU/lB7YAkKhczU/s320/fair.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
The <b>FOLP</b> were asking members of the public to sign a petition which is lobbying for the park toilets to be refurbished, as well as a lot of other improvements.<br />
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These are an essential public facility needed for this superb community resource, especially on days like these.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.folp-leigh.co.uk/folp-leigh.co.uk/Park_Funday_2013.html">Click here</a></b> for more fun day photos.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zUHeCb6-gAQ/UbW2H7CwTTI/AAAAAAAAAso/SmJJl_Wdfgo/s1600/group1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zUHeCb6-gAQ/UbW2H7CwTTI/AAAAAAAAAso/SmJJl_Wdfgo/s320/group1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Dave Wilson</b>, <b>Tony Bishop</b>, <b><b>Martyn Jones</b></b> and L.O.S. chairman <b>David Shallcross</b> had a stall with materials publicising the <b>L.O.S.</b> and <b>Young Birders' Club</b> in the hope of attracting new members of all ages. We took a lot of signatures from interested families to add to our e-mail mailing list for future events.<br />
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As well as this we took several youngsters and their parents on short guided bird watching walks along the new path at the edge of the woods. There wasn't too much about to see, but <b>Dave Wilson</b> is an expert on bird song and calls and so <b>12 bird species</b> were identified in the area.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DWjNvlnBCZE/UbW2J_tBTTI/AAAAAAAAAsw/2XsL56cvirM/s1600/group2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DWjNvlnBCZE/UbW2J_tBTTI/AAAAAAAAAsw/2XsL56cvirM/s320/group2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
It was really nice to see a good turnout from some very keen pupils from <b>St. Thomas' C.E. Primary School</b> which we visited for the second time last Wednesday (report to follow) - Hi to <b>Amy</b> and older sister <b>Lauren</b>, <b>Darren</b> and brother <b>Ethan</b>, <b>William</b> and not forgetting <b>AJ</b> and his friend.<br />
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We made lots of new friends and contacts and have even arranged to do a presentation at <b>1st Astley Cubs</b> next Thursday evening. We also hope to be doing another guided walk around Pennington Flash in the near future so keeping reading the website for details and have a look at our <b><a href="http://losybc.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/blog-post.html">new calendar here</a></b>.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7-OJewLv40k/UbW2DdGguVI/AAAAAAAAAsg/0dmojm4R54Q/s1600/bench.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7-OJewLv40k/UbW2DdGguVI/AAAAAAAAAsg/0dmojm4R54Q/s640/bench.jpg" width="590" /></a><br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Feed</div>LeighOS Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00149001720979103966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-368481409712802161.post-71515317335666930002013-06-02T20:15:00.003+01:002013-06-10T11:42:07.646+01:00<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" scrolling="no" src="https://www.google.com/calendar/embed?mode=AGENDA&height=350&wkst=1&bgcolor=%23FFFFFF&src=nhtrbv88pomi865rfhpk1703ck%40group.calendar.google.com&color=%23875509&ctz=Europe%2FLondon" style="border-width: 0;" width="600"></iframe>
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Please click on any time for more details.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Feed</div>LeighOS Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00149001720979103966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-368481409712802161.post-42400807069191502172013-04-25T15:45:00.002+01:002013-04-28T17:06:02.054+01:00LOSYBC Logo Competition<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">After weeks of looking at all the excellent designs submitted by pupils from four local primary schools, we finally have a winner for our '<b>Design a Logo</b>' competition. We're sorry this has taken a little longer than anticipated, but the standards were very high and it was difficult to choose just one winner.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The lucky winner is:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Kimberley Butterworth</b> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">from <b>St. Richard's Primary School</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Well done Kimberley, t</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">he <b>L.O.S. Young Birders' Team</b> will also be visiting your primary school to present your prize soon. Here is Kimberley's logo and you will also be able to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">see it at the top of our webpages for the next year.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1uykR74tTl0/UXvOnMmYyRI/AAAAAAAAEbc/2ojRL5GzjMo/s1600/losybc+logo1.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1uykR74tTl0/UXvOnMmYyRI/AAAAAAAAEbc/2ojRL5GzjMo/s320/losybc+logo1.tif" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thank-you to everyone who sent in a logo design, a lot of thought and hard work has gone in to all of them. Some of the designs which gave us such difficulty in choosing are now available to see in our <a href="http://losybc.blogspot.co.uk/p/artwork.html">artwork gallery page here.</a></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Feed</div>GeekTeacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17123681974508581833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-368481409712802161.post-21719294177919623172013-03-31T09:35:00.000+01:002013-04-11T12:03:02.253+01:00LOSYBC Easter Guided Walks at Pennington Flash<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hx6vTVO7__0/UWZ21M5aOUI/AAAAAAAAAlo/7bK4gw16wFI/s1600/P1030077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hx6vTVO7__0/UWZ21M5aOUI/AAAAAAAAAlo/7bK4gw16wFI/s640/P1030077.JPG" width="580" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam Wade gets an eyeful of birds!</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The <b>L.O.S. Young Birders' Club</b> met at Pennington Flash for the second time on <b>Easter Sunday</b>. It was quite cold but very sunny and so the prospects for bird sightings were good. British Summertime had started in the early hours of this morning and so our 10am start was really still 9am for the birds!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oJ9q_K2b_y4/UWZ_bupn6GI/AAAAAAAAAl4/foOIAEJHMfc/s1600/P1030079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oJ9q_K2b_y4/UWZ_bupn6GI/AAAAAAAAAl4/foOIAEJHMfc/s320/P1030079.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joan Disley talking to Mr Chapman about Frank Horrocks</td></tr>
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Armed with checklists and a set of identification photographs, the youngsters were all very keen to record as many birds as possible. Pairs of binoculars were lent to those who needed them and a scope was set up for viewing distant birds.</div>
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We actually spent far longer on the car park than anticipated but there were such a lot of birds to see on the Flash, including <b><a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/g/goldeneye/index.aspx">Goldeneye</a></b>, <b><a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/w/wigeon/index.aspx">Wigeon</a></b>, <b><a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/g/greatcrestedgrebe/index.aspx">Great Crested Grebe</a></b> and <b><a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/c/commongull/index.aspx">Common Gull</a></b> as well as the 'usual suspects' of <b><a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/t/tuftedduck/index.aspx">Tufted Duck</a></b>, <b><a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/c/coot/index.aspx">Coot</a>, </b><b><a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/m/mallard/index.aspx">Mallard</a>,</b> <b> <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/m/muteswan/index.aspx">Mute Swans</a></b> and <b><a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/b/blackheadedgull/index.aspx">Black-headed Gulls</a></b>. </div>
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We were treated to an extended flypast by our resident <b>Muscovy Duck</b> (probably a collection or farmyard escapee) with two of the L.O.S.'s most experienced birders (David Wilson and Roy Rhodes) both saying that they'd never seen one fly so far before!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8CrHWatogN4/UWZ_xaa5hGI/AAAAAAAAAmA/MYEkn5-ls7s/s1600/P1030081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8CrHWatogN4/UWZ_xaa5hGI/AAAAAAAAAmA/MYEkn5-ls7s/s320/P1030081.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did you see it? It went that way!</td></tr>
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Seven members of the L.O.S. were on hand to give help and guidance where needed, although it has to be said that some of the youngsters didn't need it. </div>
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We were all very surprised as a Gull quickly flew past and when asked what it was, Kristian quickly replied, "<i><b>A <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/c/commongull/index.aspx">Common Gull</a> </b></i>". And after Roy Rhodes had checked it out with his scope, the young birder was proved to be absolutely correct!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--sB4g0KT68U/UWaToFFmY4I/AAAAAAAAAnM/oBoExtPricI/s1600/P1030082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--sB4g0KT68U/UWaToFFmY4I/AAAAAAAAAnM/oBoExtPricI/s200/P1030082.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
With the checklists completed for this area, we next visited <b>Horrocks' Hide</b> where most of the birds were quite distant. The usual pack of <b>Cormorants</b> were on the end of the spit, with some holding their wings out to dry in a characteristic pose. There were also many Gulls present, including <b><a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/b/blackheadedgull/index.aspx">Black-headed</a></b>, <b><a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/l/lesserblackbackedgull/index.aspx">Lesser Black-backed</a></b> and <b><a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/c/commongull/index.aspx">Common Gulls</a></b>. The keen eyes of the L.O.S. members managed to point out both <b><a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/r/redshank/index.aspx">Redshank</a></b> and <b><a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/s/snipe/index.aspx">Snipe</a></b> to the party, the latter of which are very hard to spot.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nH57Hgcnckk/UWaPsNFOpjI/AAAAAAAAAmo/x5D9Im_lKM4/s1600/P1030087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nH57Hgcnckk/UWaPsNFOpjI/AAAAAAAAAmo/x5D9Im_lKM4/s200/P1030087.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
From here we went on to <b>Bunting Hide</b> feeding station which rarely fails to please. The birds here are much smaller and many are referred to as <b>LBJ's</b> (a technical birding term meaning Little Brown Jobs) as they often move too fast to be seen clearly. But at this location you will always get a good view without any special equipment except for your eyes, and particularly when there is food on the tables.</div>
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Here's the full list of what we saw:</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F20EF1qCGCk/UWaTmE4HPPI/AAAAAAAAAm8/tvcAlrWTFwU/s1600/P1030085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F20EF1qCGCk/UWaTmE4HPPI/AAAAAAAAAm8/tvcAlrWTFwU/s320/P1030085.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I hope you've got your sunglasses on!</td></tr>
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<ul>
<li><b><a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/r/reedbunting/index.aspx">Reed Bunting</a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/w/willowtit/index.aspx">Willow Tit</a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/b/bullfinch/index.aspx">Bullfinch</a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/g/greenfinch/index.aspx">Greenfinch</a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/d/dunnock/index.aspx">Dunnock</a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/g/greattit/index.aspx">Great Tit</a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/b/bluetit/index.aspx">Blue Tit</a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/c/chaffinch/index.aspx">Chaffinch</a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/r/robin/index.aspx">Robin</a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/s/stockdove/index.aspx">Stock Dove</a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/m/magpie/index.aspx">Magpie</a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/m/moorhen/index.aspx">Moorhen</a></b></li>
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That's <b>12 species</b> from just one hide in no more than 15 minutes! Not bad, eh? The youngsters were fascinated watching the birds coming and going around the feeders and tables here - sometimes it was a hive of activity with many species on view at the same time, and then suddenly they flew away because something had spooked them, such as a loud noise or a nearby Sparrowhawk. It wasn't be long before they came back though.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-btWkVqIqUcA/UWaAYtMRMUI/AAAAAAAAAmM/drNBqfQO_S4/s1600/P1030096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-btWkVqIqUcA/UWaAYtMRMUI/AAAAAAAAAmM/drNBqfQO_S4/s320/P1030096.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Finally we had a quick look in <b>Teal Hide</b> where we saw <b><a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/g/goosander/index.aspx">Goosanders</a></b>, <b><a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/s/shoveler/index.aspx">Shovelers</a></b>, <b><a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/g/gadwall/index.aspx">Gadwall</a></b> and, of course, <b><a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/t/teal/index.aspx">Teal</a></b>.</div>
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And that was that - a very pleasant morning spent in the company of some enthusiastic young birders and their families. A total of<b> 42 species</b> were seen during our 2 hour tour of the hides.</div>
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If you're interested in coming on one of our guided walks, look in the '<b><a href="http://www.losybc.blogspot.co.uk/p/meetings.html">Meetings</a></b>' section of this website for details of the next one, which will be in late April or early May.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K0ooQUgoj5s/UWaPboEAI_I/AAAAAAAAAmg/2W1Ic-BwwEU/s1600/P1030092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K0ooQUgoj5s/UWaPboEAI_I/AAAAAAAAAmg/2W1Ic-BwwEU/s640/P1030092.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How can you tell it's Easter?</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>P.S.</b> You can click on any of the bird names in this report to find more information about each bird from the RSPB website.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Feed</div>LeighOS Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00149001720979103966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-368481409712802161.post-59853207873279820132013-03-29T15:53:00.005+00:002013-03-29T15:58:40.516+00:00L.O.S at Leigh Library - Saturday 30th MarchSome members of the L.O.S. will be at Leigh Library from <b>9:30am</b> until about <b>1:30pm</b> tomorrow (<b>Saturday 30th March</b>) to promote the Society, our Young Birders' Club and some guided walks we're doing around the hides at <b>Pennington Flash</b> on <b>Sunday 31st March </b>(Easter Sunday).<br />
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We'll be able to answer any questions you may have about the<b><a href="http://www.leighos.org.uk/"> L.O.S</a>.</b> or our <a href="http://losybc.blogspot.com/"><b>Young Birders' Club</b></a> as well collecting names and e-mail addresses for our mailing list of future events.<br />
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So if you're in Leigh tomorrow morning, why not pop along to the Library and have a chat. We look forward to meeting you!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Feed</div>LeighOS Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00149001720979103966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-368481409712802161.post-46885316934645601832013-03-13T20:49:00.001+00:002013-03-23T03:28:43.435+00:00LOSYBC's next event is on 31st March<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>It's Official!</b> The next event for the L.O.S. Young Birders' Club will be held at <b>Pennington Flash</b> on <b>Sunday 31st March</b> from 10am to 12pm. We hope to see you there!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Full details are available on the meetings page here: <b><a href="http://losybc.blogspot.co.uk/p/meetings.html">Meetings Page</a>. </b>Everyone is welcome, especially families, but please remember that the clocks go forward on this day and all children must be accompanied by an adult.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This is also the closing date for our <b>Logo Competition</b>, so if you haven't handed it in at school, you can bring to Pennington Flash and give it us there.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We've had some really good entries so far so Good Luck!</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Feed</div>LeighOS Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00149001720979103966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-368481409712802161.post-31265917791433012282013-03-13T20:46:00.001+00:002013-03-26T19:12:06.577+00:00St. Richard's R.C. Primary School Presentation<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Our last series of primary school presentations before Easter have been at <b><a href="http://www.saintrichards.wigan.sch.uk/">St. Richard's R.C. Primary School</a></b> in Atherton. We visited the school twice to give our 'new style' presentations which split the feeding of birds from the their identification.</span><br />
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Our first session started with a <b>Y4</b> class and later a<b> Y5 </b>class with <b>George</b> introducing <b>Leigh Ornithological Society</b> and explaining what the Society is and does and why we call it the L.O.S. (most of us can't even say Ornithological never mind spell it!). George then went on to tell the children why we're visiting schools, especially at this time of year, with details of how we call all help the birds in our gardens, parks and schools.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lp_rknVK1Z8/UU0fvP6juAI/AAAAAAAAEWQ/YgIc-_kRxO4/s1600/P1030005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lp_rknVK1Z8/UU0fvP6juAI/AAAAAAAAEWQ/YgIc-_kRxO4/s200/P1030005.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting started</td></tr>
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The presentation then began a discussion about which birds we are not likely to see locally such as <b>Penguins</b>, <b>Ostriches</b>, <b>Hummingbirds</b> and <b>Golden Eagles</b> with reasons as to why not. This was followed with a short quiz with photographs on some of the birds we should be able to see quite easily both locally and in our own gardens. There was a very good response from the children who were keen to answer questions and who also had many of their own.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tzT6A5jLBlA/UU0b-kiiWkI/AAAAAAAAEVw/aOTB3NbsMB4/s1600/P1030003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tzT6A5jLBlA/UU0b-kiiWkI/AAAAAAAAEVw/aOTB3NbsMB4/s200/P1030003.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making the bottle feeder</td></tr>
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Then it was time for the main activity which <b>Brian</b> explained and demonstrated very carefully and clearly to each of the classes. <br />
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The Y4 class made hanging seed feeders from a recycled plastic bottle by inserting two thin garden canes at right-angles for perches, poking holes around the middle of the bottle through which the birds can eat the seed and then threading some garden wire through the top to hang it up.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ziuiiW-gYOA/UU0cno-5I2I/AAAAAAAAEV4/snXg6fSK8BY/s1600/P1030030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ziuiiW-gYOA/UU0cno-5I2I/AAAAAAAAEV4/snXg6fSK8BY/s200/P1030030.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A completed fatball feeder</td></tr>
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The Y5 class made some fatball feeders by cutting the bottom off a plastic bottle, making a hole in the side for the birds to eat the fatball and threading some garden wire through the top to hang it up. <br />
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The fatball was then placed inside with the netting removed so that the birds don't get trapped. This simple feeder is actually one of the quickest and most effective of all the ones we make.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martyn explaining bird food</td></tr>
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After this <b>Martyn</b> described and demonstrated some of the best types of <b>bird food</b> to use in and around the feeders at home and in school. This included <b>sunflower hearts</b>, <b>black sunflower seeds</b>, <b>nyger seed</b>, <b>fatballs</b>, <b>peanuts</b> and <b>monkey nuts</b>, mealworms as well as mixed seed. <br />
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A tub of each type of food was shown to the children who were very interested in the different sizes, shapes and colours of each. <br />
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This section was completed by briefly mentioning that some birds prefer to eat off the ground or bird tables, whereas others eat by hanging from tree branches. More is done on this in the next session.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r0rjguiwf8Y/UU0fTQTU2HI/AAAAAAAAEWI/57OK2FSnjyQ/s1600/P1030013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r0rjguiwf8Y/UU0fTQTU2HI/AAAAAAAAEWI/57OK2FSnjyQ/s200/P1030013.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Filling the feeder with seed</td></tr>
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The first session was completed by Martyn who gave some details about the <b>L.O.S. Young Birders' Club</b> and website as well as our next planned guided walk around <b>Pennington Flash</b> - a letter was given out for the children to take home to their parents.<br />
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Finally the pupils were asked to design a new logo for our Young Birders' Club and told that it was a <b>competition</b> with a bird-related prize for the winner. But perhaps more importantly, the winning design will be used on the LOSYBC website and any other documents we produce.<br />
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Our second visit to St. Richard's was focused on bird identification. The main activity was to build a rotating <b>Bird ID Dial</b> and then use it to identify some birds from photographs.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-21N4O0a52Zc/UU0gCGmWKLI/AAAAAAAAEWY/7nhK6pEHquA/s1600/P1030031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-21N4O0a52Zc/UU0gCGmWKLI/AAAAAAAAEWY/7nhK6pEHquA/s200/P1030031.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brian's demonstration</td></tr>
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Brian clearly demonstrated how to make the <b>Bird ID Dial</b> and explained how it could be used. He was very keen to emphasise that the cutting out should be done '<i><b>carefully, accurately and meticulously!</b></i>'<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jrWWMhQC_D4/UU0hwUcudvI/AAAAAAAAEWs/dqxV_bpoU0U/s1600/P1030035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jrWWMhQC_D4/UU0hwUcudvI/AAAAAAAAEWs/dqxV_bpoU0U/s200/P1030035.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Carefully, accurately, meticulously!</span></b></i></td></tr>
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After the demonstration the children worked in pairs to cut out the dial's two cardboard discs and then fasten them together with a split pin fastener.<br />
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When they had finished, Martyn went to explain that some birds feed mainly on the ground and other mainly by hanging from branches, although they both may sometimes do the opposite when food is short.<br />
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After a brief outline of many ground feeding birds, he described two of them in detail, the <b>Blackbird</b> and <b>Chaffinch</b>, with large colour diagrams projected on the whiteboard and then finished off with the songs that each bird makes. Brian then did the same for two hanging feeder birds, the <b>Blue Tit</b> and <b>Goldfinch</b>. The class really enjoyed seeing the drawings and hearing the different sounds<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LHtdBNVuH_U/UU0gSqINq6I/AAAAAAAAEWg/YX1tncZWgTo/s1600/P1030044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LHtdBNVuH_U/UU0gSqINq6I/AAAAAAAAEWg/YX1tncZWgTo/s320/P1030044.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hard at work on the bird quiz</td></tr>
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This identification section was completed by doing two quizzes based on bird photographs. In the the first quiz the children had to use what they had just learnt and their ID dials to identify some common garden birds from full photographs, writing their answers on a sheet. <br />
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The second quiz was a little harder, because only parts of the birds were shown in the photographs. A few pupils even went on to do a third quiz which was much harder than the first two.<br />
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The children all worked very hard on these quizzes and many got all the answers correct, so well done to all of you!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WPmfcP37Zjg/UU0baVUTkpI/AAAAAAAAEVo/0ZwWMjdEYeg/s1600/feeders2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WPmfcP37Zjg/UU0baVUTkpI/AAAAAAAAEVo/0ZwWMjdEYeg/s200/feeders2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging the feeders</td></tr>
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Our final activity was to go outside and hang up some of the feeders which the children made last week. A pair of step ladders was borrowed from the caretaker as well as a window pole to pull down some branches of a nearby tree. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WmZncT15jT4/UU0bUlvnDyI/AAAAAAAAEVg/x143OMmXwFQ/s1600/feeders0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WmZncT15jT4/UU0bUlvnDyI/AAAAAAAAEVg/x143OMmXwFQ/s200/feeders0.jpg" width="200" /></a>Risking life and limb, Martyn stood on the steps to hang up a group of four feeders outside the Y4 classroom so that it could be seen from their windows - the same was also done with the Y5 class. However, as it was quite cold and windy, it wasn't surprising that we didn't stay outside for very long!<br />
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It was a pleasure to visit <b>St. Richard's</b> because all the pupils and staff (<b>Mrs King</b>, <b>Ms. McGhee, </b><b>Ms. Cunningham </b> and the <b>Office Staff)</b> were very welcoming and enthusiastic. We hope to go back again sometime to do a session on recording the birds we can see either on the feeders, or perhaps on a short fieldtrip somewhere.<br />
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<i><b>Martyn Jones</b></i></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Feed</div>LeighOS Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00149001720979103966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-368481409712802161.post-17709213568078769652013-02-26T19:17:00.000+00:002013-03-23T03:40:56.293+00:00Bedford Hall Methodist Primary School Presentation<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><em>Coming Soon ...</em></strong></div>
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Watch this space for details of our 'new style' presentations to <strong>Bedford Hall Methodist Primary School </strong>in Leigh - just waiting for a few photos now.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Feed</div>LeighOS Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00149001720979103966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-368481409712802161.post-72160594738826620632013-02-26T19:13:00.000+00:002013-03-25T15:48:05.736+00:00L.O.S. Young Birders' Club visits Lilford Park<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">On Monday 25th February the L.O.S. Young Birders' Club team (Tony, George, Brian and Martyn) accompanied two classes of young naturalists and their teachers from St. Thomas' C.E. Primary School to Lilford Park in Leigh as part of their school curriculum on the environment.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Atherton Wood and Bedford Wood (sometimes called Hough Wood) are part of the boundary plantations of Atherton Hall which had an 18th-century landscaped park. Bedford Wood was presented to Leigh by Lord Lilford in 1914 and became Lilford Park. There is now a volunteer group dedicated to ensuring the park's future who have their own website called <b><a href="http://folp-leigh.co.uk/folp-leigh.co.uk/Home_Page.html">The Friends of Lilford Park</a></b>.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WYD4dxnK11k/UTeHz33vDxI/AAAAAAAAAiw/XlT6bKXVBcw/s1600/guided+busway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #992211; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WYD4dxnK11k/UTeHz33vDxI/AAAAAAAAAiw/XlT6bKXVBcw/s320/guided+busway.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">An artist's impression of the guided busway</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">In the Park the children wanted to see for themselves the effect the proposed <b>£76,000,000 '<a href="http://www.tfgm.com/buspriority/Pages/default.aspx" style="color: #992211; text-decoration: none;">Guided Busway</a>'</b>from Leigh to Manchester is having on the environment, as well as enjoying the experience of being in some of the oldest woodland in the area.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Back at school the children will be using this first hand experience to do some descriptive and persuasive writing about whether they think the guided busway is a good thing or not. Hopefully this trip will help them make up their own minds.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Unfortunately, the bird life in <b>Lilford Park</b> seems to have suffered a decline in recent years and so the LOSYBC Team came armed with identification sheets for trees, spring flowers and winter twigs, just in case there weren't so many birds about.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NHIIo4r809k/UTegr7LV0uI/AAAAAAAAAjg/GlX2yQ2AP1A/s1600/DSC01433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #992211; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NHIIo4r809k/UTegr7LV0uI/AAAAAAAAAjg/GlX2yQ2AP1A/s200/DSC01433.JPG" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; position: relative;" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">George's Group</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Whilst we waited for the children's arrival at the main gates, we did see a<b>Nuthatch</b> high up in the trees as well as a <b>Robin, </b>some <b>Magpies</b> and a <b>Crow</b>. Although we couldn't see them, we could soon hear the enthusiastic chatter of the children from deep within the woods and so we made our way towards them, to meet at the top of the main pathway in the park. After handing out bird checklists and splitting the classes into four groups each with a teacher and an L.O.S. member, we set off to explore the woods.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QWXm8WXAmKk/UTegdU7i0JI/AAAAAAAAAjY/e060Y3GYdic/s1600/DSC01429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #992211; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QWXm8WXAmKk/UTegdU7i0JI/AAAAAAAAAjY/e060Y3GYdic/s200/DSC01429.JPG" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; position: relative;" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">Martyn and Brian's Group</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">George set off with his group first and spent a lot of time identifying the vegetation types as well as spotting the odd bird or two. Martyn stopped his and Brian's groups and asked all the children to be as quiet as possible. He explained that listening to the birds and hearing their calls and songs is as important as being able to see them. Whilst they were quiet a <b>Blue Tit</b>, <b>Chaffinch</b> and a <b>Robin</b> were heard, as well as the cawing of two <b>Carrion Crows</b> flying overhead.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MdseEg45LSs/UTegP6hR72I/AAAAAAAAAjQ/XOYKuvFHzgg/s1600/DSC01438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #992211; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MdseEg45LSs/UTegP6hR72I/AAAAAAAAAjQ/XOYKuvFHzgg/s200/DSC01438.JPG" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; position: relative;" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">Tony Talks to Everyone</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">We next stopped at the route of an old railway line which used to run through the park.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Tony explained that many railway lines were closed in the 1960's following the <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beeching_cuts" style="color: #992211; text-decoration: none;">Beeching Reports</a></b> and that the proposed guided busway follows the route of some former railway lines from Leigh to Manchester via Tyldesley, Ellenbrook and Salford.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8jllEmRYPI/UTegHIv1oDI/AAAAAAAAAjI/ehvXdzPlAbg/s1600/DSC01435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #992211; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8jllEmRYPI/UTegHIv1oDI/AAAAAAAAAjI/ehvXdzPlAbg/s200/DSC01435.JPG" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; position: relative;" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">The Route of the Old Railway Line</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Here the children saw evidence of some of the many trees which have already been <a href="http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/local-news/leigh-guided-busway-on-track-as-trees-878248" style="color: #992211; text-decoration: none;">chopped down</a> along stretch of the <a href="http://www.tfgm.com/buspriority/Documents/bus-priority-scheme-map.pdf" style="color: #992211; text-decoration: none;">13 mile route</a>. He told the children that this was being done early in the year to avoid the breeding season when many birds would be nesting here, so as to cause as little disturbance as possible. And it seems that ecological surveys have already been carried out with some great crested newts relocated to a purpose-built pond somewhere along the route.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fWNRcMvgKMg/UTef9RqWXaI/AAAAAAAAAjA/3wwDsIhsr7E/s1600/DSC01439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #992211; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fWNRcMvgKMg/UTef9RqWXaI/AAAAAAAAAjA/3wwDsIhsr7E/s200/DSC01439.JPG" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; position: relative;" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">A Worker on the Guided Busway</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Whilst we were near the proposed route we met a worker along the route who said that the trees being chopped down were being shredded into '<b>mulch</b>' to put on gardens, and so they weren't being entirely wasted.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">The busway is supposed to cut journey times by 45 minutes, with at least eight direct services on most of the route at peak times on weekdays.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SU5y2X8u9Ks/UTefzGRFyKI/AAAAAAAAAi4/tAIHuiez4GE/s1600/DSC01449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #992211; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SU5y2X8u9Ks/UTefzGRFyKI/AAAAAAAAAi4/tAIHuiez4GE/s200/DSC01449.JPG" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; position: relative;" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">Hugging a tree</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">We then went deeper into some of the older parts of Lilford Woods where the children used the sheets to identify the vegetation.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">They found many <b>beech (mast) nuts</b> and <b>acorns</b>, some <b>sycamore seeds</b>, a <b>pine cone</b> or two and the remains of a few <b>conkers</b>. Some of the trees here are very old as can be told by their size and one group of children joined hands to encircle a tree and give it a hug!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eBrdsn6cqgs/UTeg5FwfLLI/AAAAAAAAAjo/V3ZNEiNccTk/s1600/DSC01441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #992211; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eBrdsn6cqgs/UTeg5FwfLLI/AAAAAAAAAjo/V3ZNEiNccTk/s200/DSC01441.JPG" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; position: relative;" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">Looking for Woodpecker holes</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Martyn pointed out the many woodpecker holes, particularly in the softer bark of Silver Birch trees and he explained that the smaller holes were where the woodpecker was digging for insects whereas the larger holes were for nesting and rearing young.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">He also said that the rotting tree stumps and branches were an important food source for insects, which in turn are an important food source for birds.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VP7Wxhrwctk/UTekhOsAz3I/AAAAAAAAAjw/9epaVI6gF24/s1600/DSC01440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #992211; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VP7Wxhrwctk/UTekhOsAz3I/AAAAAAAAAjw/9epaVI6gF24/s200/DSC01440.JPG" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; position: relative;" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">Identifying a Leaf</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">From the leaf litter, Brian's group identified ash, birch, beech, oak, conifers, horse chestnut and sycamore as some of the important trees species here and the evergreen rhododendrons, holly and ivy as the dominant shrub species here.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">The spring flowers weren't out (we didn't see any Snowdrops here today) yet but we did find some wild garlic leaves and a few fungi growing on the bark of dead trees.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ck5CUx2Xy-U/UTekr-5ZJnI/AAAAAAAAAj4/AxqyTVcFkvA/s1600/DSC01447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #992211; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ck5CUx2Xy-U/UTekr-5ZJnI/AAAAAAAAAj4/AxqyTVcFkvA/s200/DSC01447.JPG" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; position: relative;" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">Tony is given a Sycamore Seed</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">The children were very methodical in the process of identification, giving reasons for ruling out the species their specimens couldn't be, before choosing their best answer. They were constantly finding things of interest and were very keen to find out what they were.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Towards the end of the trip Tony also explained about the <b><a href="http://www.leighreporter.co.uk/news/local/beware-of-the-big-flood-1-680232" style="color: #992211; text-decoration: none;">flood prevention</a></b> mechanisms which have been put in place here to avoid flooding in the Lilford and Bedford areas of Leigh. A large <b><a href="http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/news/134141.aspx" style="color: #992211; text-decoration: none;">flood storage basin</a></b> has been created with a gate at one end which can be closed to hold back the floodwaters. With the gate closed, the water fills the basin and floods the meadows along one side of Atherton Wood, protecting the local houses.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">To finish off the children had some time on the swings and slides in the playground area of the park. This was a really nice way to end what had been a very pleasant and successful morning for all of us. A big thanks must go to <b>Mrs Currie</b>, <b>Mrs Chambers</b> and all the <b>support staff</b> from <b>St. Thomas' </b>who made this such an enjoyable experience.</span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Feed</div>LeighOS Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00149001720979103966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-368481409712802161.post-59723247971938548372013-01-27T22:05:00.000+00:002013-02-24T14:08:20.533+00:00Big Garden Birdwatch event at Pennington Flash<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(c) Shannon Shaw</span></td></tr>
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On Sunday 27 January, <a href="http://www.wlct.org/"><b>Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust (WLCT)</b></a> held another birding event at Pennington Flash to coincide with the RSPB's 'Big Garden Birdwatch' weekend.<br />
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The event began at 11am on a bitterly cold and windy day, but that
didn't seem to dampen the enthusiasm of the volunteers and families too
much. There were still some remnants of the previous day's snowfall in
some parts of the Country Park, but nothing that proved too much of a
problem for access.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Eagle Owl (c) Alan Flavell</span></td></tr>
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The RSPB had a stall to attract new members as well as selling a variety
of bird books and related items and WLCT staff were on hand making fat
feeders.<br />
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Matt Holker from the Greater Manchester Ecology Unit shared a stall with
the L.O.S. and was engaging young people in birding and nature quiz
games as well as asking their parents to complete a short survey.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Great Grey Owl - (c) Alan Flavell</span></td></tr>
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Nestboxes could be bought and many families were seen later going home
with youngsters carrying them. There was also a craft stall selling
hand-made products, but for many the main attraction was the display of
several stunning birds of prey by Vicky Jolley.<br />
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On display was an Eagle Owl, Barn Owl, Scops Owl, Great Grey Owl and
Harris Hawk and the public could have their photograph taken holding one
of the birds for a small charge.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(c) Shannon Shaw</span></td></tr>
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Dave Wilson very kindly offered to take interested adults on a walk
around the north western side of the Flash - as this would take an hour
or so it was more suitable for adults and older children and a party set
off around 11:30am.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(c) Shannon Shaw</span></td></tr>
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Joan Disley and Jeff Hurst were based in Bunting Hide feeding station
where the youngsters and families enjoyed looking at the smaller
woodland birds such as Willow Tits, Bullfinches, Reed Buntings as well
as the more common Chaffinches, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Dunnocks and
Robins.<br />
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Bunting hide rarely disappoints even the most casual birdwatcher!</div>
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Joan said the youngsters really enjoyed identifying the birds and
ticking them off on the checklist, and some of the adults did too!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Inside Bunting Hide (c) Martyn Jones</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NuURySUnziw/URY6Dv0U0iI/AAAAAAAAAiI/HqR8b9_yehE/s1600/bgb2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NuURySUnziw/URY6Dv0U0iI/AAAAAAAAAiI/HqR8b9_yehE/s320/bgb2.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Inside Bunting Hide (c) Martyn Jones</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Scoping from Horrocks Hide (c) Shannon Shaw</span></td></tr>
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George Pike, Brian Fawcett and Eric Munro were based in Horrocks Hide
with a spotting scope overlooking the spit. The prospects weren't too
good as the cold wind was blowing in through the hide windows and the
birds were all taking shelter amongst the vegetation on the edges of the
water. However they did manage to see some Goosanders, Cormorants,
Teal, Coots, Moorhens, Black-headed Gulls and they were treated to a
brief flypast by three Pintails. Once again the youngsters who visited
the hide enjoyed identifying the birds using the photo sheets and
checklists.<br />
<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aKcPKezmO74/URY5vhKTzyI/AAAAAAAAAhw/tK6tHS1zYgc/s1600/bgb1.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aKcPKezmO74/URY5vhKTzyI/AAAAAAAAAhw/tK6tHS1zYgc/s320/bgb1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Keeping a checklist at Bunting Hide (c) Martyn Jones</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A couple of days earlier, Roy Rhodes had very kindly pre-seeded the two
bird tables sited just off the paths on the way to Horrocks and
Ramsdales hides to ensure some birds along the way, and based himself at
the Ramsdale's Hide end of the path.<br />
<br />
The aim was to take people round to the reedbeds where it was presumed
most of the water fowl would be sheltering from the harsh wind.
However, the poor weather conditions meant that very little birdlife
was in view here.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S8dzbea3L9w/URY6C993_XI/AAAAAAAAAiA/tEqqtBw1J_4/s1600/los1.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S8dzbea3L9w/URY6C993_XI/AAAAAAAAAiA/tEqqtBw1J_4/s320/los1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">The L.O.S. Stall (c) Martyn Jones</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Back on the stall Jim Disley did a sterling job of advertising the
L.O.S. and handing out flyers and information sheets whilst Martyn Jones
<span style="font-size: x-small;">was busy moving</span> about between the hides and the stalls checking that everything was going as smoothly as possible.<br />
<br />
Some of the pupils from our recent visits to local primary schools
turned up and took part and even one of the teachers brought her family,
which was very nice to see.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8213/8422125362_ba712ba300_c.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8213/8422125362_ba712ba300_c.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(C) Shannon Shaw</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
On the whole it was a successful start for the <b><a href="http://losybc.blogspot.com/">L.O.S. Young Birders' Club </a></b>and
we hope to follow it up with another event soon, where we will take
youngsters on a longer walk round the hides here with hopefully more
waterfowl in view!<br />
<br />
Thanks to all the L.O.S. members for turning out on such a cold and
windy day when they could have stayed in bed - at least the snow had
gone as quickly as it had arrived yesterday. And thanks must also go to
Michelle and the WLCT staff team for organising the day and putting up
the stalls in the wind, but most importantly for the tea and biscuits
which were very well received!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>See you all next year! </i></b></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8373/8429246859_d1544da663_c.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8373/8429246859_d1544da663_c.jpg" width="464" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Did you see it ? (c) Shannon Shaw</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><i>Martyn Jones</i></b></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Feed</div>LeighOS Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00149001720979103966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-368481409712802161.post-56278523629486579352013-01-23T21:58:00.000+00:002013-02-24T14:06:47.096+00:00L.O.S. YBC visits St. Thomas C.E. Primary School<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qd29QhxV4r0/UQZeWMkFYwI/AAAAAAAAAgo/VznlwIUSw9I/s1600/DSC01286.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qd29QhxV4r0/UQZeWMkFYwI/AAAAAAAAAgo/VznlwIUSw9I/s320/DSC01286.JPG" width="320" /></a>The <a href="http://losybc.blogspot.com/"><b>L.O.S. Young Birders' Club</b></a> team paid a visit to <a href="http://www.leighsaintthomas.wigan.sch.uk/"><b>St. Thomas' C.E. Primary School</b></a> in Leigh last Wednesday to give some more presentations about birding to young people<b>, </b>with the aim of raising their awareness of the natural world around them.<br />
<br />
We worked with two Year 4 classes and, building on the experience gained
from our first session, the team offered a modified version of the
initial presentation deciding to concentrate on just one practical
activity with each class.<br />
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George introduced our presentation to the first class and covered such
topics as why we need to feed the birds throughout the winter and spring
and what sort of birds we are likely to see in our gardens.<br />
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There were a lot of questions and feedback from the children - as you can
see from the photographs, they were very keen and enthusiastic and
clearly interested in the subject. <br />
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Tony then demonstrated how to build a bird feeder out of a recycled
clear plastic water bottle, some garden wire and a couple of sticks. <br />
<br />
The children worked well in pairs to make the feeders and seemed to
really like this activity. After the bottles were filled with seed they
couldn't wait to hang them up and see what birds they attracted.<br />
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Finally the children did a word search about bird names to finish off the practical session, before Martyn told them about the <b>L.O.S. Young Birders' Club</b> and the 'Big Garden Birdwatch' event at Pennington Flash on Sunday 27 January.<br />
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He also mentioned the competition for designing a new logo for the L.O.S. Young Birders' Club, the details of which are on the website. <br />
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After the presentation had been given to the second class, the children
worked in pairs to make some bird ID dials. Each person cut out a
circular dial and then fastened it to their partner's dial.<br />
<br />
When completed, the children used the ID dials to identify some birds
from a colour photographs. There was also a slightly harder set of
photographs showing only small parts of birds to ID for those who had
finished.<br />
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Following a discussion with class teacher Mrs. S. Grant at the end of
the session, we also volunteered to accompany the children on a
fieldtrip to Lilford Park in Leigh, where they are looking at what
impact the proposed guided busway from Leigh to Manchester will have on
birds, wildlife and habitat in the area.<br />
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This is exactly the sort of project with which the L.O.S. is hoping to get involved in the future.<br />
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At the end of each session the class was presented with a metal bird
feeder filled with either fat balls or seed for being such a great
audience. Our thanks go out to the staff and pupils of St. Thomas' for
making us feel so welcome and for working so well on this project - we
hope to see you again soon.<br />
<br />
Future primary schools lined up for our presentations include <a href="http://www.bedfordhall.wigan.sch.uk/">Bedford Hall Methodist Primary School</a> in Leigh, <a href="http://www.saintrichards.wigan.sch.uk/">St. Richards R.C. Primary School</a> in Atherton and <a href="http://www.lowtonstcatherines.co.uk/index.asp">St. Catherine's Catholic Primary School</a> in Lowton.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Feed</div>LeighOS Webmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00149001720979103966noreply@blogger.com