35
ABBERTON RESERVOIR 2nd November. 1980
Ouer 30 members braved a bitterly strong East wind on the
two causeways of the Abberton Reservoir,, The only consol-
ation was that the sun shone brilliantly all day. The meeting
started at 10.00 a.m. and we were able to see large numbers
of Great Crested Grebe, probably over 100, large numbers of
Pochard, characterised by their grey backs and brown heads,,
Coots were also present in large numbers, which certainly
came to over 100© A few Shovelers were also seen at quite
close range. One group saw a Common Gull, amongst some Black
Headed Gulls, and were able to see the colour of its legs
distinctly A Kestral obligingly hovered nearby at one end
of the causeway near to some Grey-lag Geese - these Geese
appear to be permanent residents.
After about one hour of the biting cold wind the party made
their way to the large Bird Hide and it was noticed that
what birds there were had taken refuge on the underside of
a large raft. After lunch it was decided to terminate the
meeting; a meeting to be remembered for the large numbers
of Grebe, and the extreme cold wind!
MICHAEL T. PARKER
---oOo---
DR. ALEX DAVIDSON
Members will be distressed to learn of the death of Alex
Davidson on 2nd November, 1980. Alex was a member of the
Club until his retirement to Oxford and will be remembered
for his wide-ranging interests which included Geology and his
work on Red Squirrels. Following his retirement from General
Practice, he joined St. John's College, Oxford, from where he
took a classics degree and was awarded a B.A. a year before
his death. His learning and humour will be sadly missed by
his many friends.