Bakewell Bird Study Group’s meeting on 11th March is given by the group’s chairman, Brian Shaw who has been creating a woodland nature reserve on Froggatt Edge over the past 30 years and a wetland in Lincolnshire for a shorter period. He will reflect on his successes and failures and the challenges of trying to manage 8 acres of land with uncompromising growth, especially of reeds, at the age of 80. ‘Wilding’ takes on a different connotation faced with the profligacy of nature.
Brian will reflect on the reduction in tree sparrow numbers in his place in Lincolnshire over recent years and contrast that with the record year for pied flycatchers in the woodlands around Froggatt (photo). Marsh harriers have returned in 2023 to the wetland plus some surprising visitors to his self-made pond. It’s also an opportunity to take a wider view of conservation and why we feel the need to ‘do something’ for birds and nature.
This promises to be a thought provoking talk following several such talks this year but hopefully just as entertaining. It starts at 7.30pm and will be preceded by a short AGM. Visitors are welcome to stay for the AGM or come a little later at 8pm.
As always our meetings are at the Friends Meeting House at the end of Chapel Row off Matlock Street in Bakewell – next to the Methodist Church, almost opposite the Co-op filling station. DE45 1EL. Guests are always welcome to our talks (£3) where they can discover more about our birding walks to local birding hot spots which start in April.
Visit the BBSG web site at www.bakewell birdstudygroup.org.uk or call 07768 928432.