Programme

Indoor meetings are held at the Anglian Water Fishing Lodge, Pitsford Reservoir, Holcot at 19:30.  Details of the site can be found here:

http://www.anglianwater.co.uk/_assets/media/pitsford-water-nature-reserve.pdf

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 a venue to be confirmed.

Wednesday 7th August and club member John Fuller will be presenting another talk with his most recent trips to Brazil including the Atlantic Rainforest, and a sequel to John's presentation in 2022.

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 4th December with a presentation on 'Visible Migration on the East Coast' by Jacob Spinks, Spurn's Assistant Warden.

Mediterranean Gull.

Programme for 2015

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 lower pollination by birds.'

Stonechat courtesy
of Robin Gossage.