Details of categories to be added at a later date.

Mike Leach has been a full-time wildlife author and photographer since 1977. In the 1980s he spent five years filming wildlife documentaries for TV; he worked on more than 100 programmes but finally decided that he prefers working with books rather than television.

Tonight he tells us how, unknown to western science until the fifteenth century, penguins were first labelled “strange gooses”. There are eighteen species of this popular bird from the metre-tall Emperor Penguin to the tiny Fairy Penguin.
They are all supremely adapted for marine life and Mike has worked with them in habitats from Galapagos to mainland Antartica.

Kevin’s lifelong interest in wildlife has led to a deep involvement in nature conservation and land management in the UK and overseas. A member of the World Land Trust Council, in 2008, he helped Birdlife Bolivia set up a protected area for the critically-endangered Blue-throated Macaw and he remains a Friend of the Barba Azul Reserve. Since 2011, he has served on the Council of Devon Birds, most recently as Chair. Kevin lives on Dartmoor where he takes a keen interest in the conservation of the moor, especially for upland and woodland birds. He is currently Chairman of the RSPB Council at a key time in its fight against raptor persecution and its work to improve the lot a farmland birds. Listen to an in depth interview with Kevin.

He will talk about the birds of Dartmoor, especially those of the open moor and western oak woods and reveal some of the secret spots where they can be found. Following that he will talk about some key RSPB projects, highlighting the species recovery work for birds like Curlew, Turtle Dove and Cirl Bunting and some of the issues that the conservation movement faces.

DUE TO ILLNESS THIS TALK HAS BEEN POSTPONED.TO 27th NOVEMBER 2019

On 30th January, Sally Wearing will give a presentation on the Galapagos Islands (with a bit of Ecuador thrown in).

Ian’s talk this evening will cover; the island, the history of the Observatory and early ornithological pioneers. Other aspects covered include seabird and daily census counts plus spring and autumn migration.

Something new! Whilst nibbling one or two festive bites with maybe a tipple of your choice we will be brought up to date with highlights of some of Berkshire’s bird conservation projects.

Conservation in the lower Loddon Valley – Fraser Cottington, Lavell’s Wetland Trust

Swift Conservation – Ailsa Claybourn

The BerkshireDowns – Neil Bucknell

Breeding Water Rails in Berkshire – Renton Righelato

Andrew Cleave MBE is a Hampshire based natural historian with a lifelong passion for wildlife.

He has written more than 20 books on natural history and co-authored many more. He is also a keen wildlife photographer, lecturer and tour leader.

This talk takes us on a brief visit to the vast forests and marshes of Belarus at the height of the breeding season when the air is filled with bird song. Familiar UK species are found here, but many rarities find a home in this relatively un-developed landscape. Some, such as the Aquatic Warbler, are benefitting from skilled habitat management, whilst other species, now scarce in Britain, thrive in the open countryside.

Since retiring from his family business in horticulture Barry has travelled extensively in pursuit of his passion for birds, wildlife and the natural world.

An active supporter and volunteer of the RSPB and committed to nature conservation, Barry donates all fees to further the RSPB’s work on Otmoor and other chosen conservation projects.

He is the local RSPB’s representative, leads nature tour groups , is a wildlife photographer and has a keen interest in gardening and wild plants.

His talk this evening takes a look at the many truly amazing pelagic birds which spend most of their lives at sea – Shearwaters, petrels, albatrosses and other members of the order Procellariiformes.

The Great Bustard Group are reintroducing the heaviest flying bird in the world back to the UK after it became extinct from these shores in the mid 1800’s, due mainly to hunting. As with any reintroduction there have been lows but some pretty spectacular highs too. Lynne Derry will take us through the history of this magical bird in Wiltshire and the Salisbury Plain. This is a fascinating update on its progress.

Ashley has had a passion for nature and the great outdoors from  a very young age. He is a recommended speaker for the RSPB, BTO and Royal Horticultural Society and gives around 50 talks a year . His subject matter for the talks is taken from his travels, which began in The Gambia and so became the obvious destination for his first guided tour.    

Lammergeiers, otherwise known as the Bearded Vulture, have to be on most birdwatchers list of must-see in your lifetime birds and this lecture doesn’t disappoint in showing just why that is.  The species fills a unique niche in the food chain, and is without doubt a truly fascinating bird, with its 9′ wingspan, stunning plumage and almost dragon like features, it’s no wonder they are an attraction to us all.

The talk explains about their life history, where they can be found and shows the other species that share its world, including Golden Eagle, Griffon and  Monk Vulture along with various smaller birds. The lecture also has some movie footage of Lammergeier and golden Eagle and includes some highlights of a second Spanish site ideal for watching golden Eagle and vultures.

Mike explores this small, Middle Eastern country’s dramatic habitat diversity and its influence on the distribution of many  birds, along with the importance of its geographical position as a key migration flyway for some of the  world’s most vulnerable species. The talk includes an overview of the key birding sites, providing an insight into the birds which are likely to be encountered during autumn, winter and spring and highlights recent regional conservation initiatives for migrants, wintering and breeding birds.