A Northumbrian Birding Year – Colin Bradshaw

When birders talk longingly of the great birding counties in the UK you usually hear Norfolk, Cornwall, Shetland and perhaps Yorkshire, but Northumberland goes under the radar.  This is despite it having an amazing track record of major rarities including two recent “firsts” for the UK (Grey-headed Lapwing and Indian Golden Oriole). 

Its position makes it the farthest north for some species’ regular range, the furthest south some birds come in winter and the first landfall for many birds from the east. Add to this an amazing mix of habitats from high moorland via vast forests to low-lying coastal marshes and the Crown Jewels of Lindisfarne and the Farne Isles and you might understand why Colin is reluctant to leave this fabled land.

Colin was a member and chair of the British Birds Rarities Committee [BBRC] for 19 years and has travelled the Northern Hemisphere in search of birds which might just turn up in Britain. In this talk he will take us through a series of superb photos that illustrate the birding year – from regularly occurring species to extreme rarities. Come and hear tales & see photos of species that you’ve only dreamed of in Cheshire

The attached photograph, of a Ross’s Gull was taken by Colin.

This illustrated presentation will take place at St Bridget’s Church Centre, Church Road, West Kirby, Wirral, CH48 7HL from 7.60 pm (doors open 7.00 pm).

Visitors are very welcome, and the cost is £4.00, which includes tea/coffee and biscuits.

This is not a ticket event – please just come along.