OK, how many 'gatherings do we want next year and where...
The initial list I had in my mind is below, however this is COMPLETELY changeable as its only really a started to get the grey cells ticking..
Sat/Sun 26th Jan 2008 - BIRDS - Conference in Silloth, followed on Sunday by WWT Caerlaverock, Leighton Moss or landscapes around Buttermere/Grassmere in the Lakes.
Sun 16th Mar - MOUNTAINS - Landscapes in the Rain ... where better than Cwm Idwal in Snowdonia followed by a pub where you can all buy me a pint for St Paddys day.
Sat or Sun 10/11th May - OTTERS / KITES - the now traditional Elan Valley foray followed by Gigrin Farm - Mike to host. ( If he pulls another otter I will be most destressed as I can never be at this one because of the dates)
Sun July 13th - Site Visit for INSECTS - Wicken Fen, Cambs, Konig and Insects
Sat October 11th - MAMMALS - The Rut, a shoot off between the Bradgate and Richmond crews.
Dec 6th - by request, a day on the sands - Donna Nook (although I have to admit to not being that keen on this due to this years crowding)
Jan/Feb 2009 - The 3rd UKNP conference, somewhere south.
your thoughts and ideas please...
T
Posted by Chris Lloyd on January 6, 2008 at 2:48 PM
Tom,
That sounds like a great combo of trips with a nice range of locations and subjects.
Tom, if you and some other members wish to come south still (south Europe that is), I can arrange something, if folks would like to photograph landscape. For this or next year.
Cheers,
Marko
Posted by Mike Smith on January 7, 2008 at 5:01 AM
Tom
Otters... I like the sales pitch, but more realistically the morning is aimed at ancient oak woodland species pied fly, redstart and wood warbler, either that or I change my mealworm feeders to sardines......... on the day I will take soundings ffor a spell on the river for an hour or so to see what turns up. Lightening may strike twice......
Marko, what time of year would be best for a group?
T
Posted by Elliott Neep on January 7, 2008 at 7:19 AM
Sat or Sun 10/11th May - OTTERS / KITES - agree with Mike. I don't think you can safely say 'otters' anywhere apart from BWC - which is another possibility. I am sure they could do a group discount.
May Bank Holiday or 31st May/1st June - Farne Islands?
What about a lekking weekend? Red Grouse or Black Grouse. I for one would love an opportunity like that. It is something that quite a few people could do together in shared parked cars although that does sound a bit like 'dogging'
Tom, whenever you fancy. It could be late spring or early summer for alpine flowers, late October for autumn colour and misty landscape or anything in between for hiking and photographing mountains, gorges, waterfalls and alike.
Marko. I will be in touch when I work some stuff out...
T
Posted by Paul Gibbs on January 7, 2008 at 9:02 AM
Hmm how about something like Bardsley, Skomer or the Farne islands?
I'll sadly miss the Kites this year as i'll be on my Honeymoon...
Posted by Mike Smith on January 7, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Tom
- also what about a "WWT regional day" - ie visit your local WWT reserve on a specific day and a best photo of the day challange. Late February plugs the current monthly gap or later in the year
Any more for anymore, feel free to email if you prefer.
T
Posted by Mike Smith on January 7, 2008 at 11:01 AM
A few more ideas for days/month challenges
April - Bluebell wood challenge - visit your local bluebell wood
June - Island day challenge - visit an island - either maritime or freshwater - for landscape or wildlife
August - Harvest festival - landscape challenge to capture the essence of british farming
September - Bloomin' Britain - flora challange on a specific weekend
November - waves - visit the seaside for breaking waves/landscapes
If these can be organised semi regionally we may get some more NPN member interaction.
Mike
Posted by Brian Irving on January 7, 2008 at 11:10 AM
Hi Tom
On the Scottish/English border we now have a good combination day of Loch Ken Red Kites (50 birds at twice daily feeding station, good hides and coming to within 40 feet), scottish stags rutting at Clatteringshaws Loch, and Caerlaverock WWT or Mersehead RSPB.
I would be happy to lead an event for the more northern members at a combination of these venues. October would be the best month with geese and swans arriving also.
Cheers
Brian
Posted by Paul Hillion on January 7, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Tom, I'm going to try and make at least 2 or 3 of those gatherings - especially the May, July & October ones. I would have liked to attended this years conference but I'll be in hospital - maybe next year. On the subject of next years conference maybe you could consider Guernsey as an option if you're looking to go south. Reasonably priced to get to and I'd be happy to help organise accommodation etc, I live in a pub/guest house that overlooks a large bay so guests wouldn't even have to leave the bar as they could just point their lens out the window
I think Mike Smith's idea of semi-regional gatherings during the year for day/monthly challenges is a good idea. I've just registered on here and would like to meet/get to know people from my area. I live in Hull, East Yorkshire ( Humberside just sounds horrible ) and this from a Lancastrian . The idea of monthly challenges sounds great as my Photography is a long way behind you guys and it will give me something to aim at- improving in different areas each month.
Discussion
18 repliesThe initial list I had in my mind is below, however this is COMPLETELY changeable
Sat/Sun 26th Jan 2008 - BIRDS - Conference in Silloth, followed on Sunday by WWT Caerlaverock, Leighton Moss or landscapes around Buttermere/Grassmere in the Lakes.
Sun 16th Mar - MOUNTAINS - Landscapes in the Rain ... where better than Cwm Idwal in Snowdonia followed by a pub where you can all buy me a pint for St Paddys day.
Sat or Sun 10/11th May - OTTERS
Sun July 13th - Site Visit for INSECTS - Wicken Fen, Cambs, Konig and Insects
Sat October 11th - MAMMALS - The Rut, a shoot off between the Bradgate and Richmond crews.
Dec 6th - by request, a day on the sands - Donna Nook (although I have to admit to not being that keen on this due to this years crowding)
Jan/Feb 2009 - The 3rd UKNP conference, somewhere south.
your thoughts and ideas please...
T
That sounds like a great combo of trips with a nice range of locations and subjects.
Chris.
Cheers,
Marko
Otters... I like the sales pitch, but more realistically the morning is aimed at ancient oak woodland species pied fly, redstart and wood warbler, either that or I change my mealworm feeders to sardines......... on the day I will take soundings ffor a spell on the river for an hour or so to see what turns up. Lightening may strike twice......
Mike
T
T
May Bank Holiday or 31st May/1st June - Farne Islands?
What about a lekking weekend? Red Grouse or Black Grouse. I for one would love an opportunity like that. It is something that quite a few people could do together in shared parked cars although that does sound a bit like 'dogging'
Cheers,
Marko
What are the group discounts for BWC?
Where did you have in mind for the Grouse, do you know a good site?
T
PS as to Otters well
T
I'll sadly miss the Kites this year as i'll be on my Honeymoon...
- also what about a "WWT regional day" - ie visit your local WWT reserve on a specific day and a best photo of the day challange. Late February plugs the current monthly gap or later in the year
Paul, do you know the Boatd details for Bardsley?
Any more for anymore, feel free to email if you prefer.
T
April - Bluebell wood challenge - visit your local bluebell wood
June - Island day challenge - visit an island - either maritime or freshwater - for landscape or wildlife
August - Harvest festival - landscape challenge to capture the essence of british farming
September - Bloomin' Britain - flora challange on a specific weekend
November - waves - visit the seaside for breaking waves/landscapes
If these can be organised semi regionally we may get some more NPN member interaction.
Mike
On the Scottish/English border we now have a good combination day of Loch Ken Red Kites (50 birds at twice daily feeding station, good hides and coming to within 40 feet), scottish stags rutting at Clatteringshaws Loch, and Caerlaverock WWT or Mersehead RSPB.
I would be happy to lead an event for the more northern members at a combination of these venues. October would be the best month with geese and swans arriving also.
Cheers
Brian
Last year you and Danny had a Adder day planned that was canceled due to weather. How about trying that again?
John
Cheers
OK any more for any more suggestions..
I want to try and get this tied-up this weekend..