Bird Club Photo Competition

At the AGM in March, it was suggested that we change the photo competition to provide more opportunities to enter bird photos, particularly from Northants, and reduce the number of non-bird photos. The committee discussed this at our recent meeting and we propose the following. Please note that this is a proposal, not the final rules. We would love to hear from Bird Club members, whether or not you enter photos, about the proposal and any suggestions you may have. Please let any committee member know what you think. Remember the photo competition night is not just for photographers, it is intended to interest and entertain all our members.

Proposed categories:

1. Northants birds away from the nest (5 photos per person max.)

2. Northants birds in flight (5 photos)

3. British birds away from the nest (3 photos)

4. British birds in flight (3 photos)

5. Foreign birds away from the nest (3 photos)

6. Foreign birds in flight (3 photos)

7. Vertebrates (3 photos) this combines the Mammals and Other Vertebrates categories.

8. Invertebrates (3 photos) this combines the Butterflies and Moths, Other Invertebrates and Insects in flight categories.

9. Plants and Fungi (3 photos)

10. Habitat and Landscape (3 photos).

The maximum number that any one person can enter would now be 22 birds and 12 non-birds, whereas before it was 18 birds and 21 non-birds. We felt we needed to reduce the total number of entries as the evening has been getting progressively longer as more people enter.

DIVERSE AFRICA

Diverse Africa both Birds and Mammals updated with more fine images.

                                            TAKE  A  LOOK.

Experience the Magic of the Dawn Chorus

If all this talk of birds has got you wondering about the beautiful birdsong that is filling the air around us at this time of year, why not come along to the Wildlife Trust's Dawn Chorus Guided Walk? Taking place on Sunday 1st May, to coincide with International Dawn Chorus Day, it is an opportunity to experience the magic of this time of day in the company of local bird enthusiast and Wildlife Trust staff member Juliette Butler. The walk will begin at St Peter's Church car park in Irthlingborough at 5.15am, and will head down onto our Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows Nature Reserve, before returning to the church for hot drinks and pastries. We aim to finish by about 7.45am. The walk costs £2.50 per person to attend, which includes refreshments.

This event is normally very popular, so booking is essential. We still have a few spaces left so please do contact Louise on 01604 774043 or email louise.tuffin@wildlifebcn.org if you'd like to come along.

RUNNERS UP 5

Some more commended images from the N B Club Photographic competition.

This time some great shots from Dave Thomas.

Beefly

Bee eater

Whooper

Griffon Vulture

Super Squirrel

Hyena

Subscriptions Due!

Our membership year runs from April to March so subscriptions are now due. Rates are the same as last year:
Single membership £20
Family membership £30
Please make cheques out to 'Northants Bird Club'

Next Indoor Meeting 6th April

Hello

The next indoor meeting of the Northants Bird Club is on Wednesday 6th April 2016, our speaker being Paddy Jackson who will be presenting his subject on Barn Owl Biology/Ecology and the Northamptonshire Population.

With the intervention of enthusiasts to provide nesting sites and continuing a monitoring programme, the Barn Owl population locally has steadily grown in numbers. Paddy will be introducing us to some of the techniques employed and provide us with information on this iconic ghost of the countryside.

As usual the venue is the Fishing Lodge at Pitsford Reservoir, situated just outside Holcot village on the Brixworth Road. We start the meeting at 7.30pm and hot drinks and biscuits will be available.

We would be delighted if non-members would like to join us!

Regards

Neil McMahon