Page 14 - Hunstanton Town & Around - September 2013

14 Hunstanton Town & Around September 2013 Tel: 01485 533422 email: editor@townandaround.net
headed, have you noticed that the well spaced. There isn’t time for
‘Summers lease hath all too short a date’ latter are no longer black headed? such a long breeding season in the
Joanna Some are pale grey and some are high Arctic regions hence the role
in winter white. Yesterday 8th swap.
By the time you read this no pair of them landed in the Hares
doubt the warmth will have faded field and sat in the sun. The Kites August there was another Ant The town pigeons have found
and we will be looking towards really are spreading this way. As Flight and there were hundreds of my garden, luckily only a few at
the joys of autumn. In fact the I have travelled backwards and gulls circling, weaving and a time, I could get really cross
cooler weather is upon us as I forwards to my daughters in avoiding mid air crashes as they about it but actually I find them
write, I think my thermostat must Banbury I have noticed that over fed on the flying ants. Above rather good to watch, the
be set incorrectly, I loved the the years they have come further them the Swifts were picking of differences in behaviour to the
really hot humid spell we had, it east initially I would see them the high flyers missed by the wild pigeons and of course their
could have gone on for weeks for near the M40, then around Gulls. I am pretty sure that by the choices of robes make for
me!! I know many people found Northampton and on my most time you read this the Swifts will interesting questions. They are
it too much, but for me now it’s recent trip last year I spotted them have headed south. It has been supposedly decedents of the Rock
back to 2 or 3 layers and dodging around Peterborough. It will be great watching them cutting Doves which still nest on remote
a sneaky breeze. Oh well I reckon great to have the Marsh Harriers, through the air on their scimitar coasts, these birds are pretty shy
we were lucky to get the few Buzzards and Red Kite regularly wings, they flick turn, dive and unlike their streetwise cousins.
weeks; at least it was better than in our skies. The Buzzards and climb with consummate skill and Apparently man has exploited
last summer. Kites are largely scavengers, any day they will head south for pigeons since the earliest times
On the nature front some things although a good part of the the winter months. I wish I could and has raided their nests for eggs
seem to have caught up after the Buzzards diet can be earthworms. follow them! and squabs (young) , eventually
late start, the flowers are more or They aren’t the big killing However then there will be they realised they could
less flowering at the expected machines that people think they Geese to lift the heart so it’s not encourage the birds to breed in
times and the blossom on the are. I am afraid birds with talons all bad. The waders are also dovecotes and so take advantage
fruiting plants has been prolific. do get persecuted just because arriving the non-breeders have of easy food and fertiliser. So
Maybe we will have a plentiful they look as if they are been here a while and now the next time you feel inclined to get
harvest of blackberries, sloes, dangerous!!! black plumaged Spotted cross with them think about how
hips and haws. I have noticed On the worrying side, the Barn Redshanks are about, as I will useful they have been. Also
rowanberries ripening in some owls are really struggling, many have mentioned before the pigeons were the most highly
corners already. The barley is died over the winter from earliest are females who lay their decorated animals in the last two
being harvested and fields are starvation and I believe that there eggs and then leave them to ‘Dad’ wars!! If you get the chance
clearing, this means I can see are few rearing young this year. to rear, Red necked Phalaropes watch the children’s DVD called
Hares again! I stopped to watch May be if we get a good vole and Dotterel have the same Valiant. It’s very entertaining and
three near Ringstead a few days season they will succeed and we strategy. It often means the gives a pretty true picture of the
ago. Whilst watching I noticed a will see a slow build up in females can lay two clutches of Carrier Pigeons job in the war and
big bird flying towards the field, numbers over the next few years. eggs within days, unlike the black their value.
as I focused on it I realised it was With some clear fields the birds around here where the Enjoy the rest of summers
a rather tatty Red Kite. Then Gulls have more resting places female may lay two clutches but offering and I pray the Lord will
another one joined it, this one in and I have begun to pick up some with them sitting and helping rear send a gentle Autumn. God bless
much better condition, and the Common Gulls among the Black the clutch, the laying sessions are

Hunstanton has had an active branch of Save pouring in has justified the cost of the committee member. There will also be Gill
the Children raising money for over 30 years. campaign. Shorten’s, now famous, Map Tombola, a
Many of the original members are now very Our next event will be a Clarins’ Pamper raffle, and some other items for sale.
old, some have moved away and a few have Day booked for Thursday September 19th 2- Refreshments will be served.
sadly moved on. But I am happy to say that 4pm in the Methodist Church Hall. There will On November 12th we will be holding our
there is still considerable loyalty and be two half hour demonstrations of skin and Annual Friends’ Lunch at the Golf Club
enthusiasm to attend events and make hair care and I have asked Sarah Davies of where we will be auctioning a valuable bottle
donations. Our committee is smaller than it ‘Top to Toe’ to bear in mind that her audience of Chateau Latour which has kindly been
was so we would welcome new members to will be over 50! This will also give you an donated by our President, Mr Michael
bring ideas for fund raising and to help at opportunity to buy Clarins products for Thomas. On Saturday November 16th we
coffee mornings and other events so please Christmas presents at the special event rates. will hold a Christmas Fair in Hunstanton
phone me if you would like to be more Sarah has taken over from Sheena Tuffs who Town Hall.
involved on 01485 533367. sold her business two years ago – some folk Thank you to loyal supporters and I hope
The recent television campaign No Child may remember her from our last Clarins Day there will be many new faces at our events.
Born to Die has affected the population at which was very popular. Tickets are £5
large and I am assured the amount of money available from me at the above number or any