Our group holds an evening meeting on a monthly basis from September through to April in the following year. Apart from brief announcements relating to our activities, supported by a Newsletter, the main item on the agenda for each evening is an audio / visual presentation by a speaker invariably well known in the birding world. The Indoor Meetings Secretary does considerable research well in advance to find good presenters over a range of topics. This involves a degree of networking with other bird groups. The dates and titles of presentations to be given at these 8 meetings are available on the membership card and are outlined in a little more detail below.
The meetings are usually (but not always!) held on the last Friday of each month at the Guild. They commence at 7.30 pm prompt. The meeting usually ends at about 9.30 pm and there is a short break for tea / coffee at an appropriate point in the presentation. We are pleased to say that these meetings are well attended and obviously much appreciated by members and visitors alike.
PROGRAMME 2020
Jan 24 …. Dave Brotton - World Wide
Feb 28 …. Chris Gooddie - The Jewel Hunter
Mar 20 …. Alan Davies & Ruth Miller - Uganda - Pearl of Africa
Apr 24 …. Jeff Clarke - Inspiring Avians plus AGM (note 7.15pm start)
All meetings commence at 7:30pm prompt, except for the combined AGM/Meeting on April 24 which starts at 7.15pm
CAWOS INDOOR MEETINGS 2019 - 2020
All meetings are held in the hall at St Vincent's Roman Catholic Church, Tatton Street, Knutsford, WA16 6HR on the first Friday of the month, unless otherwise stated - please check the programme. There is a large and free car park off Tatton Street close to the hall.
An entrance fee of £2.00 to members and £4.00 for non-members will be charged at all meetings except the AGM when there will be free admission. A coffee break is taken halfway through the evening. The doors open at 7:30pm for a 7:45pm start.
Details of the next meeting are as follows –
6th March 2020
AGM followed by ‘MERSEY ESTUARY'S BIRDS’ by author Dermot Smith
The Mersey Estuary is the 10th best wetland in the UK for birds. It is the best place in Britain for overwintering Dunlin and moulting Shelduck. It is also one of the most inaccessible wetlands. However, bird counts have been taking place on the estuary since the 1950's and Dermot will reveal why this is such an important site and how bird populations have changed over the last 70 years and what threats it now faces. Although surrounded by urban development it is actually a truly wild, undisturbed place and undervalued, but really special, place.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS ON THE DEE & MERSEY
Tuesday 10th March, Wednesday 11th March and Thursday 12th March, Parkgate Tidewatch 10am-2pm
Join us at Parkgate Old Baths for the awe-inspiring spectacle of a high tide flooding the vast saltmarsh, potentially reaching the old sea wall.The marsh at Parkgate is one of the best wetland habitats in the northwest, and when flooded by an incoming tide, the wildlife which lives here is pushed closer, with chance of seeing the great range of ducks, geese, wading birds and egrets in big numbers as they are driven upstream by the rising tide.
A range of birds of prey take advantage of mice and voles flushed from the grasses; hen and marsh harriers, peregrines and merlins all spend the winter months on the estuary and this is one of the best places to watch them, plus short-eared owls if we're really lucky. So why not venture out to try witness all the drama. Low pressure and a westerly wind will help push the tide and wildlife in close.
There is free public parking at the Old Baths car park (CH64 6RN) at the north end of The Parade, and the Wirral Country Park car park on Station Road (CH64 6QJ). There are public toilets at Mostyn Square in the middle of The Parade, and a number of pubs and cafes.
Telephone 0151 353 2720 for further information.
Tide times: Tuesday 10 March 10.0m @ 11.32am, Wednesday 11 March 10.2m @ 12.15pm, Thursday 12 March 10.2m @ 12.58pm.
