All details of meetings, including a comprehensive programme of mid-week meetings, can be found in Bird News, (the club’s monthly publication for members), or by contacting us.
Sunday 25 November – WWT Steart ST 252442 TA5 2PUMeet at 09:30 at the WWT Steart Reserve car park. We will visit the WWT reserve first and then drive on to the Natural England car park at ST 275459. We will walk out to the north side of the breach although high tide would have been at around 07:40. We will be looking for waders, raptors, owls and anything else that turns up. It is an all-day visit so bring something to eat and drink. There are toilets at the WWT car park. The WWT reserve and hides are wheelchair-accessible but much of the Natural England site is pedestrian only. Take the A39 from Bridgwater towards Minehead. At Cannington take the bypass. At the second roundabout continue ahead onto the new road towards Hinkley Point. At the third roundabout turn left following the Hinkley Point sign. The turning to Steart is marked with a brown tourist sign. Follow the signs to the car park.
Leader: Richard Belson
Tuesday 27 November – Wain’s Hill and Clevedon Pill ST 399712 BS21 7RH Satnav 51.436992, -2.865684
Meet in the car park of the ‘Little Harp’ pub, Elton Rd, Clevedon. Please park on the road nearby rather than in the pub car park, and arrive in time to order lunch if you’re staying. We will walk over Wain’s Hill and around Clevedon Pill – two and a half to four miles depending on what is around and whether we decide to do a longer circuit back into Clevedon. High water is about 09.30.
Leader: Peter Holbrook
Tuesday 04 December – Newton St Loe. ST702649. BA2 9BU. Sat. Nav. 51.382141,-2.4298592
A shorter two hour walk from the church of the nearby village of Newton St Loe from 10:00 until 12:00 then drive to The Riverside for lunch at 12:30 (five minutes away). Non-walkers dining only, 12:00 for 12:30 lunch at the Riverside Inn (ST 688668. BS31 3EZ. Sat. Nav. 51.399954,-2.449248).
Leader: Duncan and Pat Gill.
Tuesday 11 December – Between Chew & Blagdon Lakes.. ST 554593. BS40 6NL. Sat. Nav. 51.331370, -2.641214.
Meet at Herons Green on the B3114 between Chew Stoke and West Harptree. Please park in the long lay-by alongside the lake. A four mile walk on quiet country lanes between the lakes, via Breach Hill and Ubley hatchery.
Leaders: Sue and John Prince
Tuesday 18 December – Bridgeyate.
Cancelled Bad Weather forecast
Leader: Dave Body
INDOOR MEETINGS
All indoor meetings will be held at Newman Hall (Grange Court Road, Westbury-on-Trym, BS9 4DR) and start at 19:30, unless stated otherwise. They involve presentations and talks on a wide range of bird topics by both guest speakers and our own club members. Donations from non-members are appreciated!
Thursday 15th November - Aristocrats of the Air - Keith Offord
Following a boyhood interest in birds, Keith studied Hen Harrier feeding behaviour at university before a career in all-things birds, including contributions to ‘Birdwatching’ magazine. His company, Wild Insights, run bird identification and photography courses as well as overseas tours. Multi-talented, Keith even contributed his guitar-based music to BBC Television’s ‘Life in the Freezer’. His website is at www.keithofford.co.uk
Thursday 20 December Annual General Meeting
Nominations are invited for the officers’ positions and vacancies on the general committee. If you have the time and inclination why not help to run the club and stand for election? Do talk to any committee member to find what it involves. Nominations for committee and officers should be sent to the Chairman, Ken Carruthers (contact details at the end of Club News) by Nov 17
January 2019. 08 Stoke/Eastville Parks/Vassals, Rich Scantlebury. 15 Bristol City Centre, Nancy Barrett/Margaret Gorely. 22 Coalpit Heath, Duncan & Pat Gill. 29 Cheddar, Mark Watson.
Any motion for the AGM should be signed by the proposer and sent to the Chairman by Nov 17
Awards – Nominations are invited for the Stanley Crick Award 2018. This award recognises a young or novice ornithologist who has shown exceptional enterprise in the pursuit of his/her hobby.
Nominations are also invited for the Club Special Award 2018. This is given to a member who has contributed in a major way to the aims of the Club
Nominations for either award should be sent to the Chairman by Nov 17
Following the AGM Daniel O’Neill and Natasha Ellison will show us their film "To See the Grey" and talk about their trip to Guyana to make the film
The attention of members is drawn to the fact that the Bristol Ornithological Club accepts no liability in respect of damage or personal injury occurring during its activities.
