2015 – Feb 24
SCARBOROUGH FIELD NATURALISTS.
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON: 24th February 2015 at 7-30pm.
VENUE: University of Hull Scarborough Campus.
ATTENDANCE: 31 Members & guests.
CHAIRMAN: Robin Hopper.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Mick Carroll (Past President), Ian Glaves, Louise Thompson.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: Presented on screen and accepted.
MATTERS ARISING: None.
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED: The Naturalist, 2014, Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union. Spring Newsletter, PLACE
ANNOUNCEMENTS: The Treasurer would welcome any subscriptions. Paul Morrison (RSPB, Cocquet Island) will be on Robson Green, Northumbria on Monday 2nd March at 8.00 p.m.
Sue T had placed details of the society’s meeting on the ‘Streetlife’ community website. This had resulted in several new faces. A great initiative for which the officers of the society or very grateful.
RECORDS AND REPORTS:
Steve Bushell reported up to 50 dead frogs in his pond at Broadhead Farm, near Troutsdale and wondered what had caused this phenomenon. Discussion followed suggesting either the sudden cold spell or viral disease. Members were asked to stay alert and report other instances at the next meeting.
Denise Warley had seen a sparrow hawk in her garden in Prospect Mount Road.
Pauline Popely had seen toads ‘on the move’ near Hackness and asked members to be alert when driving at night. Green woodpecker had been heard in Lowdales.
Brian Cockerill had seen goosander at Throxenby Mere, heron on the River Derwent near Mowthorpe and common buzzard at Hazel Hill. Red elf cup fungi were seen in their usual place in Forge Valley but it was a poor ‘showing’.
Frank Sheader about 60 turnstones on the West Pier on the 20th February.
Melanie Earle reported finding a ‘bloody’ and soft owl pellet in her garden at North Moor Cottages, Wykeham. It contained frog and mammal bones. Mel wondered if the owl could have eaten a poisoned mouse. Brian Walker wondered if it might be the frog as there would be no fir to bind the pellet together.
(I have checked Yalden & Morris, The Analysis of Owl Pellets, published by the Mammal Society and there in no mention of pellets affected in this way although other unusual pellets are discussed. BW 25/02/2015).
Robin Hopper reported a drake pintail, teal and widgeon at Johnson’s Marsh.
SPEAKER FOR THE EVENING: Will Watts of Hidden Horizons
TITLE/SUBJECT OF TALK: Dinosaur Footprints on the Yorkshire Coast.
MAIN CONTENT OF TALK: Will Watts gave an excellent presentation on the history of dinosaur footprints in the area, their formation, the types of dinosaurs involved and what kind of world they were formed in. (John Hume’s excellent short video of dinosaur footprints will be shown at the next indoor meeting)
The President Mr Hopper gave the vote of thanks.
The meeting closed at 9-15pm.
SIGNED_______________________________________________DATED__________________________