INDOOR MEETINGS REPORTS

16 October 2007

Britain’s Wild Orchids - David Elcombe

Did you know that in the past orchid roots were considered an aphrodisiac? David

showed us superb close up slides of this charismatic species accompanied by wide

ranging information. 

At the same time he opened our eyes to the fascinating world of insect pollination.

In David’s presentation this became a story of camouflage, entrapment and helicopter

landing pads! His 21 years as Head of the RSPB’s Education Department meant we

were kept enthralled as well as learning a lot. 

Kent’s reserves at Yartletts Bank, Park Gate Down and Queensdown Warren all have

well-established orchid species, so next year I for one will be exploring them to

share David’s enthusiasm.

Sarah Low

20 November 2007

The Canadian Rockies - Ian Rumley Dawson

Paul Knapp was indisposed so Ian Rumley Dawson stepped in at very short notice to

talk to us about the Canadian Rockies. He likes to go into the mountains where those

of us who would rather not meet a large hairy mammal, namely a brown or grizzly bear,

would fear to tread.

Sometimes he camps alone out in the mountains, the scenery is fantastically beautiful,

but his food has to be stored by hanging it from a rope high up between two trees, to

ensure bears do not take it during the night.

A few birds were shown but as this was not one of Ian’s bird talks most of the slides

showed the beauty of the scenery and the variety of flora and fauna in the Rockies,

including engaging pictures of prairie dogs seemingly using Ian’s camera to take pictures. 

All in all a different presentation from that we expected, but a really enjoyable evening

from an excellent speaker who was warmly thanked for stepping in to save the day at

the last moment.

Carol Felix

15 January 2008

Birding in Southern Holland - Gordon Langsbury

Gordon has spoken to the Group many times before so we were not surprised by the

number and quality of his many slides.

I especially liked the fact that he gave the name of each bird shown at the beginning

and again at the end of his short presentation on each slide — such a help to the older

person like myself, with a goldfish memory! 

The southern part of Holland, although not stunningly beautiful, certainly had a great

variety of birds, particularly water birds of course, and Gordon had something

interesting to say about each of them.  His presentation was mainly concerned with

the spring and autumn when most of the birds shown were en route to or from breeding

areas in the Arctic Circle. Most of the slides were taken in the meres near Rotterdam

or along an area bordering the sea, called the North Strand. Birds seen included avocet, whitethroat, cuckoo, willow warbler, black and bar-tailed godwits, spoonbills, grey

phalarope, northern pintail and bittern, to name but a few.  

It was good to listen to Gordon again, his enthusiasm for his subject seemed as great

as ever — long may it continue.

Carol Felix