Natural History Meetings:        4th Wednesday of each Month      Group Leader:   Hilary Telephone:       431853

The Natural History group includes bird watching, but titled thus gives us a wider scope. We are planning various visits to local wildlife hotspots over the next few months.

Natural History Group ~ update Our   group’s   new   format   has   been   working   well;   each   of   us   takes   a   turn   to   organise   a   trip   or   event   and   this   helps   spread the   load.   We   have   just   had   our   post-Christmas   meal/planning   meeting   at   the   end   of   January,   with   lots   of   idea   and suggestions for things we can do or places to visit, down the year. John   took   us   butterfly   watching   in   July,   to   an   area   of   woodland   that   was   totally   new   to   me,   and   to   many   others   of   the group   I   suspect,   Hatch   Hill,   up   behind   the   ‘Pipers’   pub.   We   were   very   lucky   with   our   sightings,   as   he   said   in   his   write- up. We don’t hold an ‘event’ in August, largely due to school holidays. In   September,   Briggitte   took   over   the   organising   of   a   trip   to   another   new   venue,   Thorney   Lakes,   near   Muchelney,   which included   a   visit   to   potter   John   Leach’s   pond   and   was   followed   by   lunch   at   The   Swan   in   Langport.   The   weather   was glorious   and   really   hot   in   the   sun.   It   was   so   tranquil   by   the   lakes,   such   a   lovely   change   from   the   usual   surroundings most   of   us   experience.   There   were   several   fishermen   trying   their   luck   and   we   could   see   there   were   fish   rising.   We   could hear   lots   of   bird   life   in   the   surrounding   trees   but   not   many   showed   themselves,   except   an   assortment   of   tits   and   ‘little brown   jobs’.   It   was   a   bit   busier   on   the   water;   a   large   heron   flew   in   and   a   couple   of   moorhen   were   scudding   about   and calling. We   were   lucky   with   butterfly   sightings,   but   not   at   all   sure   of   our   identification;   could   have   done   with   John   being   with us! John   Leach’s   pond   was   much   more   enclosed   by   trees,   with   evidence   of   recent   storm   damage,   lots   of   branches   and twigs   on   the   banks   and   in   the   water.   We   were   a   bit   puzzled   by   the   neatly   nibbled   remains   of   corn   cobs   lying   around near the entrance to an adjacent field; human thieves eating them raw or squirrels, maybe? Guess we’ll never know! In   October,   a   study   day   was   advertised   by   Crewkerne   U3A,   about   the   Jurassic   Coast,   so   a   group   of   us   went   along   as   it sounded   interesting.   And   so   it   was!   We   had   a   couple   of   talks   by   members   of   the   Jurassic   Coast   Trust,   great   photos   and graphics, plus good food. As   the   weather   was   deteriorating   in   November,   June   had   offered   to   put   on   a   film   show   about   Yellowstone   National   Park. This   was   held   at   Woolavington   Village   Hall,   fifteen   of   us   turned   up   and   enjoyed   it   very   much,   then   we   had   an   excellent lunch at the Knowle Inn. If   you   are   interested   in   finding   out   more   about   us,   please   ring   me   on   01278   431853.   If   I’m   not   around,   please   leave   a message and I will endeavour to get back to you. Hilary

Note:  In all cases before joining a group for the first time please telephone the group leader.