http://www.anglianwater.co.uk/_assets/media/pitsford-water-nature-reserve.pdf
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| Slavonian Grebes courtesy of Dave Jackson. |
Programme for 2024
Wednesday 3rd January a zoom presentation by Naturetrek staff member and tour leader Matt Eade on the wildlife of Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands. If processes permit this presentation will be provided via Zoom into the comfort of your own home so please don't turn up at the Fishing Lodge at Pitsford Reservoir as it will be shut!
Wednesday 7th February will be the club's annual Photographic Competition as held at our regular venue of the Fishing Lodge, Pitsford Reservoir. Our judge as last year will be Peter Walmsley with the images being catalogued by club committee member Dave Thomas.
Wednesday 6th March Club AGM and then a presentation by John Friendship-Taylor on Local Patch Birding. John lives in the south of the county and will speak about the virtues of birdwatching a patch or area to really understand and appreciate the birds and wildlife to be found.
Wednesday 3rd April will be a presentation by committee member Neil McMahon entitled 'Cambodia Revisited'. Having now completed six tours moving around this south-eastern Asiatic country Neil's talk will accentuate the habitat, culture, history and wildlife associated with this exciting country, particularly the birds of the central lowlands, highlands in the east and of course those found around the temples.
Wednesday 1st May will be a presentation by the county recorder for odonata Mark Tyrrell on the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Northamptonshire.
Wednesday 5th June will be our annual BBQ to be held at the Fishing Lodge, Pitsford Reservoir with a start time of 7pm.
Wednesday 3rd July will be our summer outdoor meeting commencing at 7pm at the Yardley Hastings MOD site. Travelling from Northampton to Bedford on the A428, turn right at Denton on the Horton Road and the Yardley Chase Training Area entrance is on your left hand side after about a mile...post code NN7 2BQ or what3words outwards.debt.amber
Our Chairman Bob Gill will have the gate to the entrance open by 7pm and it will be locked again at 7.10pm so attendees are asked to be prompt! A rare opportunity to visit this prime site, we will walk around the woodland and ponds and enjoying any wildlife on offer.
Wednesday 7th August will be an input from Nik Shelton of The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire on the wildlife of Strawberry Hill and the efforts being made to raise funds to purchase this area which has been rewilded for thirty-five years.
Wednesday 4th September is the members' evening whereby up to three club members provide a short presentation of up to 30 minutes duration. Club member Tricia Wood will be presenting on the Wildlife of Mongolia following an exciting tour there in 2023. Club Chairman Bob Gill will provide a short presentation on the Birdlife of the Greek island of Lesbos. The third short presentation will be provided by club Treasurer Helen Franklin on Ringing in the Gambia and the work of the local bird observatory supporting the local community and providing ringing/bird guide skills for environmental work.
Wednesday 2nd October and a presentation by Peter Norrie on the work of the Stanford Ringing Group, a dedicated band of bird ringers monitoring the birds at Stanford Reservoir.
Wednesday 6th November with a presentation by Conor Jameson on
Finding W. H. Hudson - The Writer Who Came to Britain to Save the Birds.
Since he last visited us six years ago Conor has researched and written a biography of W. H. Hudson, based on long lost letters held in America. Conor tells the untold story of Hudson's astonishing rags to riches rise, his contribution to ornithology and his role as the 'only man in the room' when the women mobilised to save wild birds from unrestrained exploitation. It's a costume drama - with plenty of birds!
Wednesday 4th December with a presentation on 'Spurn - Britain's best all round bird observatory and migration hotspot?' by Jacob Spinks, Spurn's Assistant Warden for this year. 'A year through the lens looking at the migration and birding at Spurn Bird Observatory, situated at the mouth of the River Humber on the East Yorkshire coast. The talk details all the fantastic rarities and recorded passage of commoner migrant birds, as well as how to stay and when to get the most out of your visit.'
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| Mediterranean Gull. |
Programme for 2025
Wednesday 8th January and a presentation by club member Jeff Blincow entitled 'Birding in North-west Mexico'.
'As we travelled we knew we were somewhere special as we enjoyed the distinctive volcanic landscape. All of the native birds and a good number of the North American breeding species are present in winter to create a fabulous birding spectacle. Mexico has over 60 endemic species and the north-west has its fair share. The coastal sites around San Blas and the Durango Highlands will be two of the highlights we will explore during the presentation.'
Wednesday 5th February and the NBC Photographic Competition with entries from members in a variety of categories. Should be even better now with our wide screen flat TV!
Wednesday 5th March and following the club AGM, a presentation by Professor Jeff Ollerton, Consulting scientist and writer and Visiting Professor of the University of Northampton and the Kunming Institute of Botany (China) on 'Birds and Flowers; An Intimate 50 Million Year Relationship'.
'Hummingbirds, honeyeaters and sunbirds are the best known bird pollinators, but they represent just three of at least 74 different bird families that visit flowers. Unfamiliar examples include woodpeckers, pigeons and doves, corvids and warblers. In this talk Jeff Ollerton will discuss his new book of the same title and explore the ecology and evolution of flower pollination by birds.'
Wednesday 2nd April and a presentation by club member Carol Wingate entitled 'Equator to Pole' - a journey from the Galapagos Islands through Ecuador and to Argentina and Antarctica! A journey involving all sorts of birds and other creatures, glaciers and much more!
Wednesday 4th June our annual club BBQ at the Fishing Lodge, Pitsford. Start time 7pm.
Wednesday 2nd July will be an outdoor meeting at a venue to be confirmed, meeting time at 7pm.
Wednesday 6th August a presentation by club member John Fuller on the Birds of New Zealand following his work out there during 2023.
Wednesday 1st October and a presentation by Peter Norrie on the work of the Stanford Ringing Group, a dedicated band of bird ringers monitoring the birds at Stanford Reservoir.
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| Stonechat courtesy of Robin Gossage. |
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