David's task had been to photograph all the Sylvia species for a book.  His talk covered his experiences getting the photos and the various people that he met.  A really interesting talk

Brian gave us a wonderful insight into the marvels of the Ardnamurchan Peninsula.  He has spent many holidays in the area and showed us an imaginary trip along the whole peninsula.  His interests are wide covering geology, birds, mammals, butterflies & moths and flowers.  These were all illustrated with excellent photographs.  He had managed to get some magnificent photographs which clearly showed the weather extremes that occur there.

Chris gave us a thoroughly inspiring and enjoyable evening.  His talk covered the wildlife seen on the 9000 acres that he farms in the Breckland in Norfolk.  His excellent photographs showed a fantastic array of birds and other wildlife.  From flocks of over a hundred Brambling to flocks of Stone Curlews over fifty in number.  What made it particularly real to us was the fact that it was a locality that we could relate to.  Such optimism as well. What an evening!  One of our members said that it was probably the best ever talk that we had ever had.  

"From Green Fields to Ramsar - the story of Rutland Water Nature Reserve" Tim Appleton

Tim gave us a wonderful insight into the opportunities and problems associated with the development of the Rutland Water Nature Reserve.  He has worked with the reserve for over thirty five years and his enthusiasm showed with every utterance.  His talk was divided into two main parts, the first covered the development of the reserve and the second the work involved with first the introduction of the Bird Fair and then the continued development into what has become the largest bird fair in the world.

Brian and Clive gave us a real opportunity to share the work that they have done as amateur naturalists in search of deer in Britain.  They both spoke as accompaniment to wonderful photographs and sounds.  An excellent non-bird subject very well presented.

                       This was the first meeting that we held in our new venue and what an excellent venue it is.  Parking is excellent and the hall perfect for our purposes.  Ann and Bob enjoyed giving their talk in the hall and the audience thoroughly enjoyed the talk.  Use of Microsoft PowerPoint gave a new life to talks and that combined with excellent photographs and an excellent delivery by both Ann and Bob gave us a real insight into the various habitats form the flood plain in the south to the high Alps in the north.  A really excellent evening.

John treated the group to a totally new experience.  A talk that was a teach-in.  It was done in John's usual style and we all learned a lot about the different plumages in the various seasons for birds that we don't see too often in Oxfordshire, apart from on the Otmoor RSPB Reserve.  He whetted the appetite of numerous of our members who wish to take part in the live tuition in Norfolk and Hampshire next year.

Glen gave us a wonderful insight into the 43 species of Birds of Paradise and Bower Birds that exist in New Guinea and Australia.  He explained that these birds are among the most elusive species in the world and very few have been well photographed.  Most of the birds under discussion were shown painted.  He was able to show some previously unseen pictures taken by Bruce Beehler on an expedition in 2005 to the Foja mountain area.  Among these were Berlepsch’s Six-Wired Bird of Paradise and the Golden-fronted Bowerbird.