Indoor Meetings Programme 2026
Swallows & Sand Martins
Meetings are normally held January-March and October-December at Bayston Hill on Wednesdays. They are free for members: guests pay £2. Tea, coffee and biscuits are served halfway through the meeting at a nominal charge.
The meetings are informal, informative and interesting. Why not come along, especially if you have not been before? You will learn more about birds and nature in general and be able to chat to others with similar interests. Directions to the meeting venue can be found at the bottom of this page.
Talks designated as “family-friendly” are suitable for all ages, including our under 25 Youth members and any young people interested in ornithology, conservation or wildlife. Bring along your children or grandchildren if they have an interest.
‘A Year in the Arctic – Birds and Soldiers through my Camera’
with Tobias Gjerde
An extraordinary, young Norwegian professional photographer and YouTube star. Tobias is an elected member of the Norske Naturfotografer association, and he has recently been awarded the coveted Fritz Pölking Prize 2025 for photography.
In 2023, Tobias served as a combat photographer with the Arctic Ranger Battalion in the Norwegian Army, blending his passion for photography with a unique and challenging military role. In this remarkable talk, he shares the powerful images he captured and the unforgettable experiences he lived through in one of the world’s most extreme environments. This is Tobias’ first ever talk to a British audience — a rare opportunity you won’t want to miss!
Instructions on how to join the Zoom will be sent out by email in due course
Wednesday, 4 February 2026
‘The Extraordinary Lives of Swifts and House Martins – how to help reverse their decline.’
with Hayley Garrod
The Chirk Swifts and House Martins Group
Hayley will talk about the birds that she is passionate about and her award-winning community conservation project featured on BBC’s Countryfile as we get ready to welcome the birds back on their spring migration.
Wednesday, 4 March, 2026
Rare Breeding Birds in the UK and Bird Atlas 2027-31
with Dawn Balmer
Originally from Shropshire, Dawn is Head of Surveys at the BTO, Secretary of the European Bird Census Council and Chair of the Rare Breeding Birds Panel. Her many roles also include Director of British Birds and Editorial Board Member of British Birds and Trustee of the Eric Hosking Charitable Trust. Dawn is a member of the British Birds Rarities Committee and is a keen birdwatcher, ringer, general naturalist and enjoys photography.
Dawn will be providing an update from the Rare Breeding Birds Panel, highlighting recent trends, key species developments, and the ongoing efforts to monitor and protect the UK’s rarest breeding birds. She will also introduce plans for the launch of the next Breeding Bird Atlas with data collection set to begin in 2027. This major national project aims to build on previous atlases by using new technologies, expanding volunteer participation, and delivering vital insights to support future bird conservation.
Wednesday, 1 April, 2026
Annual General Meeting followed by:
‘Birds in a New Light: Thermal Imaging and Modern Ornithology’
with Paul Hopwood
Co-Founder & Secretary of West Midlands Ringing Group.
Discover the fascinating journey of the West Midlands Ringing Group—an award-winning team renowned for their pioneering work with thermal technology in ornithology. This talk explores the group’s history, how they revolutionised bird study with thermal imaging, their current innovative practices, and their vision for the future. Whether you’re passionate about night-time birding, farmland birds, cutting-edge technology, or wildlife surveys, this session offers unique insights into the remarkable birds of Shropshire and the West Midlands. A must-attend for anyone eager to learn more about the intersection of technology and bird conservation!
Wednesday, 7 October 2026
‘Bird and Wildlife Adventures in Costa Rica’
with Steve Dawes
Well-known local wildlife enthusiast and photographer
Experience an evening with the ever-popular wildlife photographer Steve Dawes, as he shares stories and images from his recent adventure in Costa Rica — a country bursting with extraordinary wildlife and vibrant birdlife.
Wednesday, 5 November, 2026
‘24 years of Barn Owl Conservation in Shropshire’
with John Lightfoot
Co-founder of Shropshire Barn Owl group and owner of Talon Nestboxes, he has worked with owls in Shropshire for almost a quarter of a century.
Join us for a captivating talk by John Lightfoot, who has spent the past 24 years surveying and protecting these iconic birds. With decades of hands-on experience monitoring barn owl populations across the county, John and his wife Wendy bring a wealth of knowledge, fascinating stories from the field, and deep insight into the lives of these elusive nocturnal hunters. Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, a budding conservationist, or simply curious about one of Britain’s most beloved birds, this talk offers a rare opportunity to hear from someone who has devoted his life to barn owl conservation in Shropshire.
Wednesday, 3 December, 2026
‘Under African Skies’
with Mark Sisson
Renowned and award-winning professional wildlife photographer.
Prepare to be taken on an unforgettable journey through the incredible wildlife, and extreme habitats of a continent where Mark has spent most of his overseas working life in recent years. From lush rainforests to arid deserts, sweeping savannahs to coastal shores, and misty highlands to the vast lowveld, the sheer diversity of species and landscapes is truly breathtaking. And while lions and elephants may often steal the spotlight, this evening promises to reveal so much more of the hidden wonders that make this region so extraordinary.
Directions to Bayston Hill Memorial Hall
- From Shrewsbury, take the Hereford Road A49 towards Bayston Hill at the Meole Brace roundabout. Turn right in the village onto Lyth Hill Road…
- From Ludlow & Church Stretton, enter Bayston Hill on the A49 and continue past “The Compasses” inn on the right. About 100 m beyond the pub, turn left onto Lyth Hill Road…
- Then, the Hall is 80 m on the left. If you go past Lodge Crescent (on the right) you’ve gone too far. There is car parking at the hall. The OS grid ref is SJ486087 and the postcode is SY3 0DU.
- For a map of the hall location (which can be panned and zoomed), click here.
