Announcements

• Next Club field trip:  Friday 25th July 2025, RSPB Hope Farm, Knapwell.    An evening visit to this 181ha working farm purchased in 2000 by the RSPB to test and develop innovations that work both for wildlife and profitable farming. It is a brilliant site to visit. This year celebrates 25 years of Hope Farm.   More here

• Picture of the Month for June is Roger Cresswell's Crane - see it here

• Do read Bob Jarman's Centenary Lecture presented at the Club's Centenary Dinner 16 April.  Read here  Also to be found under 'Publications'

• Photo of the Year for 2024 was voted by members to be Chris Kenyon's Hobby.  Congratulations to Chris.  Runner-up was Jan Michalec's Marsh Harriers and in third place was Rachel Lennard's Bearded Tit.  See them here

• Club e-Bulletins up to  November are now available to all to read.  They contain records, photos, articles and event reminders: read  the recent ones here

• The 2023 Annual Report (No. 97) is now available to purchase.  Look here for details.

Less urgent announcements

• The CBC recording checklist can be viewed and downloaded here

• Club Bulletins back to the first issue in 1951 have now been digitised and were added to the website in 2021- read them here

• The 2019 Annual Report (No. 93) is now available to read on this website - read here  2020 and 2021 Annual Report scoming shortly.

Dates for your diary 

Further details and booking via Erica Towner: fieldtrips@cambridgebirdclub.org.uk

Friday 25th July 2025 RSPB Hope Farm, Knapwell

18.30 start

Friday 8th August 2025 Magog Down, South Cambs

18.30 start

Looking ahead

During this Centenary year there is also the possibility of an autumn Saturday or Sunday trip to Wild Ken Hill on the Wash in West Norfolk. Please let Erica know via fieldtrips@cambridgebirdclub.org.uk if you would be interested in such a trip. Many thanks to members who have already shown an interest.

Centenary Lecture presented by Bob Jarman on 16 April 2025 at the Club's Centenary Dinner

Read here  Also to be found under 'Publications'

Recent annual Cambridgeshire Bird Reports

• The Cambridgeshire Bird Report 2023 No. 97 has been published.  Copies can be purchased from the Club - see here 

• The Cambridgeshire Bird Report 2019 (No. 93) is now available to read online - see here 

Request by the RSPB for bird volunteers to help in farm surveys - respond asap

Jenny Atkins of the RSPB is asking for birding volunteers to help in farm surveys.

She says “I’m posting on behalf of the RSPB for a non-member of this group [Cambirds}.

Dear Cambs Birders,

I’m looking for your help this breeding season. I’m an Agricultural Project Manager for the RSPB and manage the Volunteer Monitoring of Farm Wildlife. It is designed to: 

• Give farmers an understanding of what birds are on their farm and how abundant they are. 

• Help farmers and volunteers understand more about wildlife within the farmed landscape. 

• Connect farmers with advice and case studies to assist them plan conservation. 

• Provide opportunities for volunteers to gain new skills and experience through an enjoyable and rewarding activity.

The survey season runs from 1st April to 30th June. Within this time period, we require an initial visit to a farm to be carried out and then two survey visits.

We will endeavour to pair volunteers with a farm which should be no further than approximately 25 miles from their home (and pay travelling expenses) and in Cambs. at least, currently need a volunteer in each of the following areas: Feltwell, Littleport, Ely, Soham (x 2 farms), Welney, Southery

Please feel free to drop me an email at jenny.atkins@rspb.org.uk (jenny DOT atkins @rspb DOT org DOT uk) as soon as possible because already we’re in the process of matching volunteers to farms and need to wrap it up in the next few days.

Thank you.

Jenny Atkins”