OWLS of the WORLD – Dr Michael Leach has encountered 86 of the 133 species of Owl alive today. In this talk he looks at many of these and tells of his adventures working with them around the globe for more than 20 years. We will meet, amongst others, Great Horned, Snowy, Pygmy, Great Grey and Spectacled Owls. And the biggest of them all, the deer-stalking Eagle Owl! Not to be missed 

GOSHAWK and WHINCHAT – Dr Ian Henderson, BTO Senior Research Ecologist International Research, delivers two excellent talks about two very different species. The Goshawk is famous for being an elusive species but so much has now been learnt from their tracking studies in the ‘Brecklands’. The Whinchat has declined rapidly in the last 20 years. Research on Salisbury Plain        and in Africa investigated their migration and about their winter destinations

The Critically Endangered Sociable Lapwing breeds on the steppes of Kazakhstan and migrates to north-east Africa via Russia and the Middle East. Birds also migrate to India and Pakistan. This talk by Rob Sheldon will focus on the research and conservation work that has been undertaken since 2005 on the breeding grounds of Kazakhstan as well as many of the range states along the migration routes. 

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK – BIRDS, BISON, BEARS and more – we are joined again by Duncan Macdonald from ‘Speyside Wildlife’, starting with a pictorial journey with the spectacular backdrop of the Teton Mountains then north to Yellowstone NP and finishing at “Old Faithful” the famous geyser; the Grande Prismatic Pool, bubbling mud and the travertine terraces at Mammot

WILDLIFE of CUBA – Graham Ekins takes us to the amazing island of Cuba with an incredible variety of endemic birds, reptiles and insects. Fabulous reserves from the forested areas to the beaches and mangroves. Giant Kingbird, Bare-legged Owl, Tawny-shouldered Blackbird, Cuban Nightjar, Blue-headed Quail-dove will all feature. Highly recommended

WILDLIFE of EASTERN EUROPE – ’Swallow Birding’ tour guide Steve Grimwade takes us on a fantastic journey through Poland, Hungary, Belarus and Bulgaria showcasing the amazing variety of Birds, Butterflies & Flowers of this unspoilt region. Not to be missed

HATFIELD FOREST - ITS HISTORY, MANAGEMENT AND WILDLIFE - David Simmonds

BIRDS of the RUSSIAN FAR EAST – This is Chris Collins most popular talk reviewing the birds and wildlife of this amazing, but rarely visited region. It includes photographs of Siberian Rubythroat, Steller’s Sea-eagle, Horned & Tufted Puffin, Ribbon Seal plus the critically endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper

KAKAPO – OWL PARROT of NEW ZEALAND – Ed Keeble introduces us to the endemic Kakapo, one of the world’s rarest and most extraordinary birds. It came close to extinction in the latter half of the 20th Century and is currently subject to one of the most intensive recovery programmes ever attempted. 

Due to the cancellation of the March Indoor Meeting the AGM will take place at 7:30pm prior to this talk. 

DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS THIS MEETING HAS BEEN CANCELLED

The AGM will now take place on 6th April before the April Indoor Meeting and the talk on WILDLIFE of EASTERN EUROPE has been rescehduled for Friday 7th September.

WILDLIFE of EASTERN EUROPE – ‘Swallow Birding’ tour guide Steve Grimwade takes us on a fantastic journey through Poland, Hungary, Belarus and Bulgaria showcasing the amazing variety of birds, butterflies & flowers of this unspoilt region.