Dr Michael Leach is a zoologist, wildlife author and photographer. He has worked with animals on all 7 continents. He started as a BBC wildlife cameraman, filming more than 150 TV natural history programmes. He has written 38 wildlife books that have been translated into 22 languages.

This talk is based on Michael’s best-selling book of the same name. It reveals our resident British owls in folklore and fact. It looks as various owls and the special techniques they have to help them hunt. It dispels misleading myths and reveals the realities of an owl’s life. The talk is illustrated with dramatic high-speed photographs of flying owls.

Please note – all our indoor meetings now start at 7.30 pm.

We will be meeting in person in Room 109 in the Palmer Building, but you can also join remotely via Zoom if you prefer.  Please click here to join the meeting. You can join from 7.15 pm and the meeting will start at 7.30 pm.  You will be muted when you join; please stay muted except when you have been asked to unmute, for recent sightings, questions, etc.

This is Steve’s third season visiting the BOC!  He will present an illustrated talk on The Peregrine Falcon and The Eurasian Goshawk in the  UK – comparing the two species in terms of ecology, population range, distribution and dynamics, foraging methodology and breeding. He will also present new 4k HD footage for both species and talk a little about The Peregrine Falcon 2^nd edition published in November 2024 which he co-wrote with Dr. Richard Sale.

This signed book will be available at the event at a 10% discount. The Speaker will bring a card payment reader for the benefit of the royalty in the audience who don’t carry cash on their person.

Please note – all our indoor meetings now start at 7.30 pm.

We will be meeting in person in Room 109 in the Palmer Building, but you can also join remotely via Zoom if you prefer.  Please click here to join the meeting. You can join from 7.15 pm and the meeting will start at 7.30 pm.  You will be muted when you join; please stay muted except when you have been asked to unmute, for recent sightings, questions, etc.

Simon is an experienced speaker and passionate exhibiting photographer. His wildlife and charity photography has been featured in local and national media.

He says ‘our area is alive with amazing creatures, some we see every day and others which are more elusive. I will share stories, images and video capturing the birds and animals that share our corner of the country’. There will also be a short item on his trip to North Uist to see White-tailed Eagle.

Please note – all our indoor meetings now start at 7.30 pm.

We will be meeting in person in Room 109 in the Palmer Building, but you can also join remotely via Zoom if you prefer.  Please click here to join the meeting. You can join from 7.15 pm and the meeting will start at 7.30 pm.  You will be muted when you join; please stay muted except when you have been asked to unmute, for recent sightings, questions, etc.

Denis grew up in Mostar, where his love affair with birds began. He has been a guide and founder of Wild Herzegovina for over 10 years. This talk will take us on a journey to Herzegovina, a region in southern Europe that lies on the Adriatic Flyway migratory route where some of the endangered European species still thrive.

Twice a year, millions of migratory birds use this route to fly between their wintering and breeding grounds, stopping over in Herzegovina’s breathtaking and diverse scenery that ranges from wetlands, alpine meadows with spectacular floral displays, deep canyons and crystal clear rivers to an infinite variety of karst landscapes including unique karst fields with their ever changing habitats influenced by seasonal water movement… and not another birdwatcher in sight!  Pure heaven for nature lovers.

Denis will introduce us to many of the species commonly seen in Herzegovina which include Rock Partridge, Sombre Tit, Blue Rock Thrush, Red-footed Falcon, Levant Sparrowhawk, Easter Orphean Warbler, Western Rock Nuthatch, Golden Oriole, Nightingale and most spectacular colony of Sand Martins – 5,000 breeding pairs in one place. Probably the largest colony in the world.

Please note – all our indoor meetings now start at 7.30 pm.

We will be meeting in person in Room G44, in the Edith Morley Building, but you can also join remotely via Zoom if you prefer.  Please click here to join the meeting. You can join from 7.15 pm and the meeting will start at 7.30 pm.  You will be muted when you join; please stay muted except when you have been asked to unmute, for recent sightings, questions, etc.

Please note – all our indoor meetings now start at 7.30 pm.

Ray combines his love of birds and travel with a deep understanding of language and history. As a retired Senior Master of a successful independent school Ray rekindled a life-long love of the natural world by teaching courses on ornithology and travelling the world to watch birds.  He is a long-standing member of the BOC, having spent many years organising our meetings.

His new book is a unique resource for anyone interested in how the names have evolved, what they mean, and how errors and misunderstandings have sometimes been perpetuated in the names we now use.

We will be meeting in person in Room 109 in the Palmer Building as usual, but you can also join remotely via Zoom if you prefer.  Please click here to join the meeting. You can join from 7.15 pm and the meeting will start at 7.30 pm.  You will be muted when you join; please stay muted except when you have been asked to unmute, for recent sightings, questions, etc.

Please note – all our indoor meetings now start at 7.30 pm.

The very entertaining Jono is returning for the third time to the club with a talk on the North Norfolk coast, somewhere many of us have been to.

Please note – all our indoor meetings now start at 7.30 pm.

Sadly, due to unforeseen circumstances, Tim Birkhead is not able to present his talk on the Great Auk as planned.  But Colin Wilson, one of our long-standing members, has kindly stepped in to present “An Adventure to Morocco” about one of his birding trips.  Colin is a very experienced birder and speaker, and he will share his exciting photographs and anecdotes about the varied habitats and wonderful birdlife of this unique north African country.

We will be meeting in person in Room 109 in the Palmer Building as usual, but you can also join remotely via Zoom if you prefer.  Please click here to join the meeting. You can join from 7.15 pm and the meeting will start at 7.30 pm.  You will be muted when you join; please stay muted except when you have been asked to unmute, for recent sightings, questions, etc.

Please note – all our indoor meetings now start at 7.30 pm.

Now is the time for BOC members to show us their expertise at photographing birds in three categories – Portrait, Flight/Action, and Birds in Berkshire.

We will be meeting in person in Room 109 in the Palmer Building as usual, but you can also join remotely via Zoom if you prefer.  Please click here to join the meeting. You can join from 7.15 pm and the meeting will start at 7.30 pm.  You will be muted when you join; please stay muted except when you have been asked to unmute, for recent sightings, questions, etc.

Please note – all our indoor meetings now start at 7.30 pm.

‘Matt Tree Sparrow’ is a licenced bird ringer, passionate about conserving farmland birds in Wiltshire.

In 1999 he set up the Wiltshire Tree Sparrow Recovery Project as Conservation Officer for the Wiltshire Ornithological Society, with assistance from the RSPB. Since then it has grown to include over 1,100 nest boxes and 12 major feeding stations over across an area of 700 sq km!

We will be meeting in person in Room 109 in the Palmer Building as usual, but you can also join remotely via Zoom if you prefer.  Please click here to join the meeting. You can join from 7.15 pm and the meeting will start at 7.30 pm.  You will be muted when you join; please stay muted except when you have been asked to unmute, for recent sightings, questions, etc.