Announcements

• Picture of the Month for September is Jan Michalec's Water Rail - see it here

• The Club's next indoor meeting is on Friday 14 November, a talk by James Lowen. "Much ado about mothing"  By Zoom Platform

• We are now offering FREE membership to anyone aged 25 or younger.  

• Save this date - 22 November!  It is the CBC Anniversary Conference Day – Saturday 22 November, a day of activities hosted by CBC and the University Bird Club: 

                              Morning – Fieldtrip

                              Afternoon – Bird symposium at Christ’s College, Cambridge 

                              Evening – visit to see the bird collection at the Zoological Museum.  

                              Watch out for further details.

• Next field trip,  Saturday 25th October 2025, 10.00am - 12.30pm.  Wild Ken Hill, West Norfolk - see Meetings page.

• 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 July 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.

Other 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 Reports to be added as soon as possible.

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

Next Club talk - Friday 14 November - James Lowen. Much ado about mothing.  By Zoom Platform

An award-winning writer, James Lowen has been immersed in all aspects of natural history since he was able to walk, encouraging him to moult into a fully-fledged nature writer, editor, guide, lecturer, consultant and photographer.  Upon his return to Britain from several years of leading wildlife tours in South America and Antarctica (which resulted in his books Pantanal wildlife and Antarctic wildlife), James had an irrepressible desire to renew his relationship with British nature.

October Field trip 

Saturday 25th October 2025, 10.00am - 12.30pm Wild Ken Hill, West Norfolk.

The Club has booked a bespoke guided walking tour to the Wild Ken Hill estate on the Wash led by Carl Chapman. Prompt booking is highly recommended as places are limited with a group maximum of 15 club members per tour. In the event of reaching the maximum group size, a follow- up visit can be arranged, subject to demand.  More details on the Meetings page

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”