10.
were also quite excited by the prospect that this pit
area could be a nature reserve - part of the long
discussed Roding Park.
Other birds observed included Pied Wagtails,
large glocks of Linnets, and Goldfinches which
especially favoured the area when the thistle seeds
ripened, and several pairs of reed buntings.
Now the worst has happened and the philistines
have done their usual best to ensure that no self
respecting bird or animal will touch the place with
a proverbial barge pole. Certainly the Little
Ringed Plovers, if they return this way next Spring,
will find that the little gravel beaches and mud
flats they enjoyed in 1975 and specifically require
for nesting habitat are no more. The area has been
landscaped.
Peter Relph
---oOo---
SUMMER MEETINGS - An invitation from the Secretary.
Many of our newer members may never have joined
a Field Meeting. Indeed it was a long time before
I gained the courage to turn up for the first time.
Let me say that the meetings are for you, the members,
all members whatever your age or experience. Many
people start young and come in one of those rucksac
like structures on their Father's back. Some of our
more senior members like to come just for the
morning, or the afternoon and very welcome they are.
Children are particularly welcome for they will
inherit our wildlife heritage and it is for them that
conservation is all about.
Meetings usually take the form of a ramble with
the leader pointing out items of interest en-route,
like flowering plants, or bird songs perhaps. There
is no better way to learn natural history than to be
taken out by an expert and this is just the oppor-
tunity that the meetings provide, often combined with