Indoor Meetings 2011 - 2012

All meetings are held in the hall at St Vincent's Roman Catholic Church, Tatton Street, Knutsford, WA16 6HR (click here for map) on the first Friday of the month, unless otherwise stated - please check the programme. There is a large and free car park off Tatton Street close to the hall (see map).

An entrance fee of £2.00 to members and £4.00 for non-members will be charged at all meetings except the AGM when there will be free admission. A coffee break is taken halfway through the evening. The doors open at 7:30pm for a 7:45pm start.

For further information contact

7th October 2011 - NOTE: Prompt start - two speakers.
‘WETLAND BIRD SURVEY’ by Neil Calbrade (WeBS Reserarch Ecologist, BTO)

An update on the WeBS work on the River Mersey, which is one of the key sites currently in need of more counters to enable the long term ornithological interest of the river being monitored for its protection, having recently come under threat from a proposed tidal barrage. Although this plan is now shelved, the future may well hold further developments, given likely energy price hikes.

‘GALAPAGOS - TIMELESS AND FEARLESS’ by Santiago Bejarano

A look at the natural history of this remarkable archipelago with special focus on the bird life. Illustrated by beautiful photographs, Santiago will talk about the four species of Mockingbirds found in Galapagos, which were the true inspiration for Darwin and his seminal work, as well as Galapagos Finches and other unique species like Galapagos Penguins, Flightless Cormorants, three species of boobies, frigatebirds and the enigmatic and graceful Waved Albatross.

4th November 2011
‘BIRDS OF NORTH NORFOLK’ by Allan Parker

Visiting the well known and worthy reserves of north Norfolk, this illustrated talk includes the fauna and flora to be found along this magnificent coastal region. With the incredibly wide range and variety of bird species, present throughout the seasons, the locality provides so much to interest us.

2nd December 2011
‘BIRDING FRONTIERS OF CHESHIRE, WIRRAL AND BEYOND’ by Martin Garner

Renowned for his gift to entertain his audience from the first second, this evening promises to be much more than a clear, enjoyable and interesting presentation on bird ID. Martin's Frontiers in Birding book gives one an idea as to what to expect exploring the cutting edge of birding and how to really look at birds and push forward the limits of what we know about birding.

6th January 2012
‘THE SECRET LIFE OF THE NIGHTJAR’ by Phil Palmer

Phil has made an extensive study of the European Nightjar for 20 years. We look forward to a well illustrated talk with many excellent slides of this rather elusive bird. Although absent from our shores, this talk on a January night should remind us of those warm summer evenings on an English heathland, in an informative and humorous way.

3rd February 2012
‘THE BIGGEST TWITCH’ by Alan Davies and Ruth Miller

Alan was the site manager of the RSPB Conwy Reserve and oversaw the Reserve develop into what we enjoy today. Even this dream job could not stop a keen birder turn in a new career direction to travel the world and fulfil a lifetime ambition with the Biggest Twitch. After birding in 27 countries around the world with his partner Ruth to set a new record, we hope to share their adventures of the '2008 big year'. No doubt we will enjoy the fast-paced wildlife travelogue, warts-and-all.

2nd March 2012
AGM followed by AN ILLUSTRATED TALK by Jeff Clarke

Concentrating on the aptly named 'Primary Feathers' programme which followed the publication of the Cheshire and Wirral Atlas (and funded by the linked Heritage Lottery grant money), Jeff will demonstrate the good work that has been done - partly in our name and of which we have every reason to be proud. The beneficiaries have been a whole host of Cheshire schoolchildren. There will be tales to tell hopefully, to add some humour; an antidote to any AGM!