For those of you who are interested in wildfowl: Andy Harding, former Bucks County Bird Recorder, will be walking round the reserve lakes doing his regular wildfowl count and people are welcome to join him. Please meet at the Centre at 10.00 a.m.

There may be an opportunity for a general guided walk around the reserve later at 11 a.m. depending on availability of leaders.

Our walk leader, Chris Ward will be sure to find us the best that the reserve has to offer.

Everyone welcome - no experience required as Chris and other knowledgeable members will be happy to share their sightings with you (& probably let you look through their scopes too for the best views) - why not come along & give it a try - you're sure of a warm welcome.

Time: 10am to 1pm

Price: Free event & free parking

Read more at https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/groups/northbucks/events/#VVLt1Ogvey5GAVv0.99

MKNHS is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites. You should check details of any events listed on external sites with the organisers.

Cost – £1 per person – payable on the door. Children welcome if accompanied by an adult.

Gordon Redford will be joined by Andy Harding and Ayla Webb. We intend to make it an evening of practical activities. This will include catching moths on a sheet around an ultraviolet light, which we will identify and discuss. We will also ‘sugar’ some posts to attract different moths. We will also go round to see the different moth traps before it is seriously dark.

The next morning we will be opening the traps at 7 a.m., including the brand new permanent trap behind the Reserve Centre. This may take at least two hours and is easily the best time to really appreciate the beauty of moths. Of course it is not obligatory to be there exactly at 7, or to stay for a prolonged period.

Please consider the need for appropriate clothing and probably insect repellent. Fold-up chairs and torches are also a good idea.

An early Autumn visit to one of our favourite sites - always something of interest to be found here. Great white egrets are regularly seen and our visit in Autumn 2018 gave us a list of 43 birds seen including Stock Dove, Raven, Mistle Thrush (sadly only seen on 2 of our 2018 Field Trips), Linnet, Kestrel & Egyptian Goose ... plus lots of water birds.
Five Hides - paths are level (but rough in places) and a full circuit is around 2 miles. No toilets. Meet in car park signed off Wollaston tp Great Doddington Road - for a 10am start.

Managed by one of our local Wildlife Trusts - see their website for more information https://www.wildlifebcn.org/summer-leys

Walk leader, Sue Weatherhead will help to find the best wildlife there is to see on this visit.

Wildlife author and photographer, Dr Michael Leach, makes a very welcome return visit to our Group - and this time he's turning his lens on "Supernatural History"

Wild animals are not just part of our natural heritage, they are also part of our cultural history. But although many folklore tales are misleading, they can be illuminating and highly entertaining. Find out why badgers were believed to be indestructible, why pigs were convicted of murder and learn the fate of hedgehogs accused of witchcraft.

If you've been to one of Mike's previous talks you'll already know we're guaranteed an entertaining evening accompanied by Mike's superb photographs.

From the "World's Greatest Bird Refuge", near Salt Lake City, south to the Grand Canyon and other desert National Parks in Utah and Arizona, this part of the USA has fabulous wildlife in varied dramatic landscapes - including mountains, the Great Salt Lake and spectacular sandstone deserts. You'll be whisked away on a virtual tour - all illustrated by Chris' excellent images.

For the many members who have attended Chris' talks to our Group over many years you will already know how entertaining and informative they are. If this is going to be your first time at one of Chris' talks - you're in for a treat!

Time: Doors open at 7.30pm for a prompt 8pm start

Price: Group members £3, Non-group members £4, Children £1 - includes free tea/coffee at interval

MKNHS is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites. You should check details of any events listed on external sites with the organisers.

These steep woods overlooking south Milton Keynes have held Woodcock, Brambling, Siskin, Crossbill, Raven and Goshawk. A short but sometimes steep and muddy walk. No toilets. Meet at gateway SP 913 325. This is at the east end of bridge taking the Little Brickhill to Woburn road over the A5 at the crest of the Greensand Ridge. Skip toads from both directions on A5. Parking very limited so please car share if possible.

Our Annual Quiz night
Teams of up to FIVE people - bring your own team or come along and join up with others when you arrive.
£4.50 per person- with a prize for each member of the winning team.
Extra "Spot Round" with an individual prize ... & a raffle too.
Wicken Sports Club will sell refreshments - tea, coffee and a licensed bar0.
Please buy your drinks at the bar to help raise funds for this village sports and social club - if you take your own drinks there may be a corkage charge.)

Please book in advance by Friday 25 October 2019 - e-mail AnnRSPBNBucks@hotmail.co.uk or 'phone 07803905958

Time: Doors open 7.30pm for a prompt 8pm start

Price: £4.50 per team member for main quiz, £1 for the extra "Spot Round"

Saving Special Places for nature is at the heart of the RSPB's work. This talk looks at the achievements and challenges that fighting for nature's place brings. Andre will talk about current campaigns and some past successes and look to the future when saving what we have won't be enough and restoring and recreating new Special Places must take centre stage.

Andre wotked for the RSPB for many years and was involved in some of these important projects. He is now an active volunteer with Operation Turtle Dove near his home in Kent.

Time: Doors open 7.15pm for a prompt 7.45pm start, ends at 10pm

Price: Group members £3, Non-group members £4, Children £1 - includes tea/coffee at interval