CRAVEN and PENDLE

2010

September 8, 2010
Wednesday 1930

Fair Isle... Wildlife on Britain’s Remotest Island

Tim Melling

Situated half way between Shetland and Orkney, Fair Isle is officially Britain’s remotest island. It is also a famous bird observatory and has an important sea bird colony.
Tim, who has worked for the RSPB for over 20 years and has served on the British Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee for 10 years, has visited Fair Isle on numerous occasions. His talk will look at the wildlife, history and island life on Fair Isle.
This will be the fourth visit to our group for Tim whose enthusiastic style has entertained us with "Isles of Scilly... A Wildlife Paradise", "The Art of Bird Mis-Identification" and "Northumberland through the Seasons".

October 13, 2010
Wednesday 1930

Life Over 1,000 Feet

Keith Offord

Keith is a professional ornithologist and has a particular interest in raptors. He graduated from Liverpool University with a degree in zoology, which involved research into the hunting and feeding behaviour of Hen Harriers.
He has many years experience of leading bird watching courses and overseas tours and in 2003 set up the widely acclaimed "Wild Insights" tour company. His photography has taken Keith all over the world and has received substantial acknowledgement.
About his talk "Life Over 1000 feet", Keith says the Uplands of Britain represents a major stronghold for wildlife, often because of their inaccessibility and lack of intensive cultivation. However, to consider "Upland" as one habitat would understate hugely the fantastic diversity to be found at this altitude. From Pied Flycatchers in ancient oak woodlands to Merlins on the high moors, this talk explores the various habitats to be found within.

November 10, 2010
Wednesday 1930

Birds of the Washburn Valley Part 2

Peter Riley

Peter came to the group in December 2007 to give his talk "Birds of the Washburn Valley" which, as hinted at on the night, he never completed. Given how good a presentation it was we have asked him back to give the remainder of this talk.
Peter is President of the Wharfedale Naturalists Society and Chairman of two local nature reserves in Wharfedale. He is an all round naturalist with many years' bird watching experience who walks the Washburn Valley, north of Otley, on a regular basis. Peter's illustrated talk uses these experiences together with BTO information to highlight changes in the bird population and discusses probable causes.

December 8, 2010
Wednesday 1930

Wildlife... Wild Places

John Gardner

John is a professional photographer with a passion for wildlife and whose travels have taken him throughout Britain and beyond. This presentation comes relatively soon after his slide talk "Scottish Tour" which he delivered to us in April. "Wildlife... Wild Places" is one of his new digital presentations, which he feels is far superior to slides. It is a photographer’s journey to some of the wilder parts of Britain and Europe and will take us from Black Grouse to Black Vultures in the high Pyrenees. Great Bustards, Lammergeier and Lesser Kestrel are just a few of the species we shall see.

2011

January 12, 2011
Wednesday 1930

In-house Event, including the film "Awash with Birds"

Film narrated by Sir David Attenborough

This will be an evening of films and talks, including the new 54 minute DVD by the RSPB "Awash with Birds" featuring Titchwell Marsh and Snettisham, two RSPB reserves which are the jewel in the crown of North Norfolk. Photographed by award winning wildlife cameraman Hugh Maynard and narrated by Sir David Attenborough.
Watch the changing of the seasons and experience both the beauty and fragility of the landscape in this wild and unique county and find out what the future holds for these two magical nature reserves.

February 9, 2011
Wednesday 1930

Lincolnshire Wildlife

Geoff Trinder

Geoff is a trustee of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and has been managing its SSSI reserves for 33 years. This presentation is a look at Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Reserves from the Humber to the Wash. It also includes managing reserves and some of the flowers and bird species on them, including Little Terns, Bearded Tits and Bitterns.
Geoff was an Art Department head for 31 years and still sells pictures through a London agent.

March 9, 2011
Wednesday 1930

Tales of a Birder in Morocco

John McLaughlin

Details to follow.

April 13, 2011
Wednesday 1930

Realm of the Tiger... Wildlife of Bandhavgarh National Park

John & Tracy Langley

John and his wife Tracy have shared an interest in both wildlife and photography that stretches back more than 30 years. They have travelled exclusively in search of their subject. "Realm of the Tiger... The Wildlife of Bandhavgarh National Park" is an insight into one of India’s prime Tiger habitats. It features many of the birds and mammals that share the Tigers' domain, along with stunning close views of Tigers. View their work at www.ourwildlifephotography.com.

May 11, 2011
Wednesday 1930

The Dipper... A Favourite Bird at Risk

Peter Mawby

Peter says he was fortunate to spend both his childhood and his student days in the Yorkshire Dales where his lifelong interest in Dippers was nurtured. His retirement from a career in education provided him with a unique opportunity to review the status of this popular bird which, in common with other birds of the upland habitats, is a declining species. This illustrated talk reviews the life of the Dipper, analyses possible explanations for its demise and suggests ways in which its decline might be arrested.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING