Conservation & Ecology
“ Once members begin to see the birds
regularly, you will find that you often get comments about what they have seen or even questions on identification. An interest is sparked about what else they can see out on the rest of the course and, at some clubs such as Elsham in north Lincolnshire, members are quite happy to donate food/feeders. There is a wide variety of food to attract
lots of different birds. Birds that you can expect to see at the feeders are Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker and, if you can get Niger seed, Goldfinches. Continuing with birds, an excellent way of
getting members involved and able to see birds at close quarters is to set up public bird ringing demonstrations. There are numerous local bird ringing groups which can be found
Golfers are seen every day walking and carrying their clubs, hitting a small white ball around the course, but they don’t realise what they are missing
online, or you could contact the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) or the RSPB. Members can put questions to experts and find out lots more information about particular species. Bird ringing demos can also turn up the
unexpected. At a ringing demo in Nov 2013, the first bird caught was a male Blackcap, which was the first wintering record of this species at John O’Gaunt. Nestboxes around the course can provide members with an opportunity to keep an eye out for nesting activity in the spring - without actually looking in the box. Adults will be very active, back and forth feeding young, and this gives golfers something to talk about. Over the years, I have noticed a lot more interest in the boxes from members and I often get asked how successful they have been.
It's not just birds on the course that members should be aware of; there’s also lots of flora and fauna to look out for. Probably the best way of engaging with the members is to take them on a nature walk around the course, pointing out different species, habitats and what they can expect to see, which usually results in lots of questions and is always very informative for the members. The walks I have done have mostly been in
my own time, but it is not always me providing the information. I have been able to bring in local experts to lead bat walks, moth trapping evenings and fungi forays. Information on local bat, moth and fungi groups can be found on line. I have also brought in experts to talk at the club on various subjects, including owls and swifts. This is just another way of
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