Chaffinch on a peanut feeder Attracting wild birds to the garden by providing food, water and shelter is a hobby that many people enjoy. However, new advice has been released by the RSPB (www.rspb.org.uk), recommending that people stop offering peanuts and seeds in feeders over the summer months. This is because diseases that affect wild birds spread more rapidly in warm weather. Disease can be spread when large numbers of birds congregate in the same spot, such as garden b

SPRINGWATCH BACK IN DARLEY DALE AN ILLUSTRATED TALK BY JACK BADDAMS MONDAY 20TH APRIL Last year Jack Baddams, a researcher and presenter on the Springwatch programme gave a talk about the early years of the programme. On April 20th he will return to tell us how the programme has developed since its first appearance on 30th May 2005 It is the BBC's largest outside broadcast programme with a crew of 100 and 50 cameras. He will explain how the programme is made and how the team

Photograph courtesy of Robert Booth Derbyshire Swift Conservation is to hold a public event to celebrate the second year of grant funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to save Derbyshire’s Swifts by protecting and creating nesting sites keeping our summer skies alive with their calls for future generations. The celebration will see workshops for families and a talk from renowned Swift expert, Edward Mayer. There will also be the opportunity for the public to learn

Derbyshire Swift Conservation is to hold a public event to celebrate the second year of grant funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to save Derbyshire’s Swifts by protecting and creating nesting sites keeping our summer skies alive with their calls for future generations. The celebration will see workshops for families and a talk from renowned Swift expert, Edward Mayer. There will also be the opportunity for the public to learn more about installing Swift boxes an

Long sunny days in the Spring and Summer of 2025 were the backdrop to a wonderful year for birds both in the woodland on Froggatt Edge and the wetland in Lincolnshire which Brian manages as mini nature reserves. A lot was going on – Pied Flycatchers, Marsh Harriers and Barn Owls all had a successful breeding season. Accompanied by photos and videos the Group’s chairman will describe how the year unfolded very differently in the two places. From March to August there were bir

Back by public demand. Macaws have vibrant plumage, which is suited to life in Central and South American rain forests, with their green canopies and colorful fruits and flowers. The birds have large, powerful beaks that easily crack nuts and seeds, they also have gripping toes that they use to latch onto branches and to grab, hold, and examine items. The birds have graceful tails that are typically very long. Macaws are intelligent, social birds that often gather in flocks

Dr Alan Fielding – Where Eagles Fly 9th February, 7.30pm Alan Fielding studied at Liverpool University in the 1970s and during his career as a lecturer he was active in golden eagle research including support of the re-introduction of golden eagles into Ireland and the very successful South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project. In his presentation he will show how satellite tracking has enabled us to understand a great deal more about the lives of these wonderful birds. He is sti