The 4th Isle of Wight Recorders’ Conference is to be held on Saturday 6th February 2010 from 2- 4.30pm at the Community Centre, Main Rd, Arreton

This year, the talks will relate to biological recording along the Isle of Wight’s Undercliff.

The speakers - Alan Clark, Andy Butler, and Daphne Watson - have extensive local knowledge of the geology, habitats and species of the area

There will be an interval for tea and cake and the opportunity to look at display from local recording projects and wildlife organisations and chat to fellow enthusiasts.

If you or your organisation would like to attend or contribute to the display please contact Anne Marston at lrc@iow.gov.uk or telephone 01983 823893

Images: The Undercliff and related species

Remember to take part in the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch on the weekend of Saturday 30 or Sunday 31 January 2010!

Settle down for an hour to watch and record the highest number of each bird species seen in your garden (not flying over), or local park at any one time.

Full details, including a guide to identifying birds can be found at www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch

Birds and squirrels are most likley struggling to find food and fresh water during this snowy weather, so try and remember to top your bird baths with water and garden feeders with energy rich food scraps or better still why not try making some fat balls yourself?

Here are some ideas from Breathing Places:

Winter bird cake
1. Pour melted fat (suet or lard) onto a mixture of ingredients, such as seeds, nuts, dried
fruit, oatmeal, cheese and cake (use about 1/3 fat and two thirds mixture). Don’t use margarine or vegetable oils as they areunsuitable for birds.
2. Stir well before putting the mixture into a container of your choice, such as an empty
coconut shell, plastic cup, yoghurt pot or tit bell. Leave until set.
3. Tie a piece of string to cake once you've removed the container and hang it up on a tree or bird table.
4. Alternatively, turn the solidified mixture out onto a bird table.

Cheesy fir cone feeder
1. Take a large, open fir cone and some mild cheese (you could also add some seed mixture or crushed peanuts if you have any).
2. Pack the open cone with cheese and/or your filler.
3. Tie a piece of string to the top of the cone and hang it up.

Seedy apple
1. You’ll need an apple and some seeds (sunflower seeds are a good choice).
2. Core the apple (but don’t throw the core away).
3. Insert the seeds into the apple skin so it looks like a hedgehog (sunflower seeds
are a good choice).
4. Slip a knotted piece of string through the apple’s centre, replace the core (this will keep the string in place) and hang it up.

Your winter gardens may still be in need of some tidying work but try to leave trimming of shrubs and hedges until the birds have eaten all the berries - that way you may even be lucky enough to spot a visting fieldfare or redwing.