Next Indoor Meeting

Hello

This is a reminder to members and an invitation to non-members that we hold our next indoor meeting on Wednesday (4th November 2015). Our guest speaker will be Mark Thomas who works as an investigator for the RSPB and his presentation is entitled 'The Wildlife Detective'.

The meeting starts at 7.30pm at our usual venue of The Fishing Lodge at Pitsford Reservoir, Brixworth Road, Holcot NN6 9SJ. Hot drinks and biscuits will be available during the evening. Parking is available next to the Lodge with overflow opportunities on the road causeway and off the track that leads down to the moored boats.

I hope to see you there!

Neil M

Bird Club Car Trips

Hello

Today was the Bird Club car trips and two car loads made their way in to the big blue yonder to find some birds and other wildlife. Bob Gill and his team travelled over to the Norfolk coast and spent much of their time in and around the RSPB reserve at Titchwell. Interesting birds included a Great Grey Shrike, two Short-eared Owls and a Water Pipit amongst other fare.

The second car-load spent much of the time in north Northants and birded at East Carlton and other sites off the stunning River Welland valley. A short trundle to nearby Eyebrook Reservoir and a little patience paid off with very good views of an adult American Golden Plover. Winter wildfowl were very much in evidence. 

Birds in and around the Welland Valley included constant numbers of redpolls and Siskins on the move, a single Brambling, common thrushes and of course good numbers of Common Buzzards and Red Kites. A finish in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton concluded with five Stonechats.

Regards

Neil M

Chinese Water Deer

Short-eared Owl

All images taken at Titchwell
by Robin Gossage

Graham Soden

As many of you will know Graham Soden, long standing club member, has been ill for sometime.  We regret to have to announce that Graham passed away on the 11th October.

His funeral will be on the 24th October 11.00am at Banbury Crematorium, with a gathering to follow nearby.

Photographic meeting

Our next Photographic meeting will be on Saturday 31st of October, as always the venue, with grateful help from Sarah, will be The Lodge at Pitsford Res. We hope to kick off at 10.15am.

We are going back to basics with this meeting, hoping to discus metering modes and the exposure triangle.

Why you should try to use other modes rather than fully automatic and how aperture,speed and iso interact with each
other.What makes a great bokeh, how to set up for manual exposure etc.

If you have any any questions at all, regarding terminology, settings, suggestions or anything else your not sure about please join in and ask and we’ll try our best to explain. Joining in is all part of the fun so please do.

Hopefully two of our top wildlife photographers DJ and DT will be there to help and explain along with bickies and refreshments.

So what a great way to spend a couple of hours, look forward to seeing you all.

Robin Gossage

Next Bird Club Indoor Meeting

Hello

This is a reminder to members and an invitation to non-members to come along to the next Northants Bird Club Indoor Meeting on Wednesday 7th October at 7.30pm. Our speaker will be Jeff Blincow who will be presenting on two different short subjects, North American Grouse and Snow Leopards. Jeff is an extremely well-travelled and authoritative naturalist and is an avid photographer so these presentations will be a treat.

As usual the venue will be the Fishing Lodge at Pitsford Reservoir which is found just outside Holcot village on the Brixworth Road (post code NN6 9SJ). Coffee and tea and biscuits will be available and on this occasion will be available between the two presentations and at the end. 

We look forward to your attendance!

Neil M