hiya bucks in Bourne End, Flackwell Heath, Marlow, Wycombe, Wooburn June 2018 | Page 13
why they were grouped together. For example, they are seen in the warmer months between April
and September; then they migrate 7,000 miles and fly to their African feeding grounds.
Many people want to know why these birds fly these fantastic distances, making huge
efforts to overcome all the dangers that they must face. It is an incredible phenomenon,
bearing in mind that many of them simply cannot and do not survive such ordeals.
The most popular theory held by scientists is that these treks are a left over
from the Ice Age. Whilst the world was different then, there should be some
present day environmental similarities from which the birds can benefit.
The African winter has warmer months, bringing with it greater supplies
of insects. Consequently, these three species still gain more from their
migration to the tropics than wintering in the cold British Isles.
1 Not to be confused with the French heraldic ‘Martlette’ – a duck like bird.
Contact Andy on 01895 520184
email [email protected] | www.ffes.org.uk
Andy Mydellton, author and journalist, leads the South Buckinghamshire registered charity, the Foundation for
Endangered Species. Being based in South Bucks, they are in a position to advise people in this area about wildlife.
AMERSHAM CENTRE OF THE NATIONAL TRUST
The local National Trust centre is open to NT members and offers 15 - 20
outings throughout the year, annual holidays (Normandy Sept 2018, Devon
May 2019), year round monthly walks and monthly talks from Sept to May
on 2nd Thursdays which resume on 13th Sept ‘My Love of Africa’ by wildlife
photographer Tom Way and 11th Oct AGM + ‘Cliveden’ at the Amersham
Community Centre (next to the swimming pool), 7.30pm for 8pm.
Full details at:
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/amersham , or email: [email protected]
hiyabucks.com
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