Indoor Meetings Programme 2023-24
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.
Swallows & Sand Martins
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.
2023
Wednesday, 1st November 2023, 7:15 p.m. John & Wendy Lightfoot – “20 Years of Shropshire Barn Owl Group”.
John and Wendy talk us through the amazing work they have done over the last 20 years helping to preserve and grow the County’s Barn Owl population
Wednesday, 6th December 2023, 7:15 p.m. Helen Mugridge – “Wildlife and Landscapes of Scotland”.
A journey through the magical countryside of Scotland and its amazing array of wildlife.
2024
Wednesday, 3rd January 2024, 7:15 p.m. Oliver Smart (award winning photographer). ONLINE ZOOM MEETING – “The Science and Beauty of Birds”.
Ever wondered why a raptor has an orbital ridge or what the purpose is of a tubenose on a petrel? In this talk, Oliver guides us through some fascinating insights to the science of birds, their adaptations, evolution and physiology. Discover the science of birds, the photography, the aesthetics of bird photography and the rewards.
Wednesday, 7th February 2024, 7:15 p.m. Peter Carty (local ornithologist and Countryside Manager at the National Trust) – “Nature Recovery in South Shropshire and the National Trust”.
South Shropshire holds treasured gems such Carding Mill Valley, the Long Mynd and Kinver Edge. Explore the birds, wildlife and landscapes and hear about the important nature recovery taking place in the local National Trust.
Wednesday, 6th March 2024, 7:15 p,m, Stuart Edmunds (award winning conservationist) – “Shropshire’s Wildlife Caught on Camera”.
Highlights of camera trapping experiences in Shropshire and beyond involving birds and other creatures. Some of the results are rather surprising!
Wednesday, 3rd April 2024, 7:15 p.m. Annual General Meeting, followed by Chris and Graham Pennie (Dyfi Osprey project volunteers) – “The Dyfi Osprey Project: A Volunteer’s Perspective”.
Learn more about these incredible birds and how we can help to further the recovery of the Welsh Osprey population. Hear directly from the volunteers who play a key role in the project.
Wednesday, 2nd October, 2024, 7:15 p.m. Ros Green, PhD student, Research Ecologist (BTO) – “Windfarms, GPS Tagging and Shelduck”.
Ros will discuss her ongoing PhD work into Shelduck migration in relation to offshore wind farms. Ros specialises in avian research and waterbird species, and has worked in several countries around the world studying seabirds, waders, ducks, passerines and terns.
Wednesday, 6th November, 2024, 7:15 p.m. Mark Sisson (renowned and award-winning professional wildlife photographer) – “By River and Sea”
Mark’s talk is split in two distinct parts: a coastal part and a reflection of wildlife and photography at the water’s edge and features an array of images and experiences from the shores of the UK as well as a little further afield. Mark has had several books published and is very popular speaker.
Wednesday, 4th December, 2024, 7:15 p.m. Nigel Spencer (wildlife guide and photographer) – “Travelling South In Search Of Penguins And Whales”.
Nigel’s latest boat adventure sees him and his camera visiting both the South American coast and Antarctica in search of penguins, whales and some of the fascinating wildlife of the far south.
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.
