Thursday 28 July 2011

Start Birding 2011/12 programme planning is underway

After a very enjoyable 2010/11 season of birdwatching trips with class members, birding pals or (sometimes reluctantly) with family members, I am now having a short break while I take some much needed holiday and plan the next programme of events for Start Birding. 

The highlights of the last month have been my two trips to Upper Teesdale where we were fortunate to see species such as ring ouzel, siskin, spotted flycatcher, redstart, dipper, common sandpiper, black grouse, red grouse, yellow wagtail, snipe, golden plover, lapwing, redshank, oystercatcher and fantastic views of short-eared owls in 2 different areas.

Other highlights include a trip to Blacktoft Sands RSPB reserve where we saw marsh, green, common and wood sandpiper; common and spotted redshank; greenshank; ruff; dunlin; avocet; spoonbills; little egrets; garganey and marsh harriers passing food to each other.

On Saturday 11th June, I took my wing collection and bird related curios to the Gledhow Fun Day in Leeds for the second year running. It was a lovely sunny day and I enjoyed meeting all the lovely people who stopped by the stall to ask questions about birds. Thanks to all who entered the prize draw and who expressed an interest in future classes. I'll be in touch with the next Start Birding programme at the end of August.

Over the next few weeks I'll be visiting the Bird Fair at Rutland Water (Friday 19th to Sunday 21st August) then taking my annual migration north to Scotland to see birds such as crested tit; Slavonian grebe; red and black-throated diver; capercaillie; black grouse and, hopefully, golden and white-tailed eagle.

Classes start again in September which will include both indoor and outdoor sessions. Weekend breaks will also be offered in the programme. If you are interested then please contact me via the website http://www.startbirding.co.uk/