SEPTEMBER

3rd

Coin Collection at Woodley Shopping Centre

To offer to help or for more information please contact George Noble

10th

25th Anniversary Lecture, Palmer Building, Reading University

13th

Egypt- birds & antiquities with Ann & Phil Farrer

We welcome Ann & Phil on their return to speak to the Group. Ann is a former Group Leader at the Hemel Hempstead Group & Phil is an accomplished photographer.

17th and 18th

Royal County of Berkshire Show in Newbury

To offer to help or for more information please contact George Noble

25th

Dungeness

Our first minibus trip of the season takes us to this premier RSPB reserve for autumn migrants and almost anything could turn up!

OCTOBER

8th

Coin Collection at ASDA, Lower Earley, Reading

To offer to help or for more information please contact George Noble

11th

Great Bustards on Salisbury Plain

A repeat of the talk given some 6 years ago with an up-date on how this innovative re-introduction project is faring. Book early to ensure your seat on the subsequent mini-bus trip to see the birds themselves.

15th

Coin Collection at Sainsbury's, Calcot, Reading

To offer to help or for more information please contact George Noble

16th

Salisbury Plain

Following on from our talk, a trip to see the great bustards on Salisbury Plain. This trip will cost an additional £10.

18th

Wargrave Brownies

Nest box building

22nd

Charity Christmas sale coffee morning

At St. Mary Magdalen Church Hall, Tilehurst, between 10:00 – 12noon
To offer to help or for more information please contact Carl Feltham

27th

Feed the Birds day at Thatcham Nature Discovery Centre

To offer to help or for more information please contact George Noble

29th

Feed the Birds days at Country Gardens, Winnersh

To offer to help or for more information please contact George Noble

29th

Charity Christmas Sale and Coffee Morning

at Sonning Common Village Hall.

To offer to help or for more information please contact George Noble

NOVEMBER

8th

Wild about photography with Steve Magennis

Well published photographer Steve makes a return visit to the Group, this time giving an insight into how the professionals take those special photos & tips on how to improve your own skills.

13th

Dinton Pastures

A car trip to this local nature reserve for winter wildfowl. Postcode RG10 0TH

19th

Quiz Night at St. Mary’s Hall, Burghfield Common.

To offer to help or for more information please contact George Noble

DECEMBER

13th

Members Evening

A chance for you to share your own experiences at this ever popular event. Be sure to let Clive know early to ensure your place!

18th

Fleet Pond

A car trip to this local nature reserve in North Hampshire where we hope to see siskin, brambling, lesser redpoll and possibly bittern amongst other species. Grid ref. SU 824 552

JANUARY

2012

10th

RSPB South-East update by Chris Corrigan

A familiar figure to many of the Group members, Chris will give us an update of what has been going on in the Region as well as answer any questions you may have about the RSPB’s work.

15th

Pagham Harbour

A minibus trip to West Sussex with red-throated diver, Slavonian grebe, various sea ducks, wildfowl and waders on the schedule.

FEBRUARY

14th

From Avocet to Yellowhammer by Stephen Moss

You may well recognise Stephen’s name as he works at the BBC’s Natural History unit where he has worked with Bill Oddie & on series such as Big Cat Diary, Springwatch & The One Show. This evening he takes a light-hearted look at the origins of our bird names.

19th

Tring Reservoirs

A car trip to Hertfordshire for winter wildfowl, corn bunting, siskin, redpoll and possible bittern.  Grid ref. SP 904 134, SP 919 140 Postcode HP23 4LH

25th

Skittles Night at St Mary Magdalen, Church Hall, Tilehurst.

To offer to help or for more information please contact George Noble

MARCH

13th

A tale of two islands - Handa & Farne with Graham Lenton

Graham makes his first visit to the Group tonight, taking us to two very different British islands.

18th

Forest of Dean

Rescheduled from last year we have a minibus trip to Gloucestershire with goshawk and hawfinch at the top of the agenda.

APRIL

10th

Rwanda & Burundi by Ann Scott

A very welcome return for Ann who, along with her late husband the sadly-missed Bob, has spoken to the Group on several occasions. Be prepared for something a little different tonight as this talk is not just about birds!

15th

Portland Bill/Radipole

A minibus trip to the south coast for seabirds and spring migrants at Portland Bill and possible Cetti’s warbler and bearded tit at Radipole.

MAY

1st

Dawn Chorus Day - birdwatch at first light, Clayfield copse, Caversham

Group AGM, followed by Ospreys with Clive Hill

We are still trying to beat the record for the shortest AGM (13 minutes I think!) This annual extravaganza will then be followed by your very own Clive sharing his passion for the Osprey & over 25 years volunteering at Loch Garten.

11th - 14th

Our annual weekend away takes us to Suffolk and will include visits to Minsmere, Dunwich Heath and Havergate Island.

JUNE

12th

The Jewel Hunter with Chris Goodie

Chris, a lifelong RSPB member & former musician, took a complete career change in 2009 & went to live in the rainforests of Asia before returning to write the story of his adventures. Tonight’s talk tells of his escapades in trying to see all 32 species of pitta (or “Jewel Thrush”) in a single year.

16th

Thursley Common

An afternoon car trip to this Surrey reserve which is one of the best places to see hobby. Sparrowhawk, tree pipit, woodlark, and Dartford warbler are also all likely. We will then go for a meal at a local pub before returning to look for nightjar. Grid Ref. SU 901 397

30th

Deadline for articles for the Autumn edition of the Reading Warbler

– the newsletter of the Reading RSPB Group please pass them to Carl Feltham.