Marek Borkowski - Pole Position- Wildlife and its protection in NE Poland
The richness of the wildlife of NE Poland is presented by Marek who lives at Biebrza Marsh- stronghold for such rare species at Aquatic Warbler, Corncrake and Great Snipe.  The land is managed for birds, with many species breeding in his “gardens”.  Marek funded  and has, for almost twenty years, run the first non-governmental nature reserve in Eastern Europe and founded the “Biebrza Wildlife Trust”.  He now has the best know Great Snipe lek in the world.  A keen birdwatcher from an early age his knowledge and understanding of the wildlife of the marsh and also of the Bialowieza forest, where the last of the European Bison still exist, all add to the depth of interest and stunning photographs that are part of his lecture.  

Paul Willoughby - Siberia – Lake Baikal- The jewel of Siberia

  A birdwatcher since childhood, Paul has travelled extensively within the UK and abroad.  A tour leader and founder of the Bird Holidays tour company based in Leeds, he regularly travels worldwide.  Here he will take us to a not so popular holiday destination and give us an insight into the birdlife and wildlife of this desolate yet beautiful area of Russian. 

Phil Palmer -Spitzbergen - Wildlife in the High Arctic

Well known for his photographs and articles that have appeared in many birding magazines. Phil is very well travelled and regularly gives lecture tours based on his photographic trips. His informative and humorous talks accompanied by his high quality photographs are very popular. Among the highlights of his career is the re-discovery on a trip to Peru of two bird species not seen for many years and he photographed a species new to science. In 2004 he helped the Russian Arctic Survey Academy to survey the Chukotka Peninsula. For the past 15 years he has been involved in a project studying Nightjars , He is also a principal tour leader for Bird Holidays and has lead 49 tours t0 27 different destinations.

George McCarthy - The USA Road Trip

A professional nature photographer’s epic 12 month journey around North America photographing the wildlife and scenery.  A wealth of fantastic images, George has travelled over 30,000 miles; pass through 29 states visiting both Mexico and California and the Pacific.  From the Gulf of Mexico and Southern Texas to the Gulf of Alaska.  This is a great talk for any photographer or naturalist contemplating visiting North America in search of its amazing bird, wildlife and landscapes.

Hilary Sills - Birds and Beasts of the National Parks of Northern Tanzania

Hilary is once again taking us to yet another exotic location, which she seems to frequent on a regular basis!  A long serving and active member of the group, our very own much travelled Hilary is to delight us with her wonderful photography and enthusiasm for birds and wildlife to put us all in a holiday mood and inspire us to travel that bit further to see some stunning birds. 

Another member of our group and a very popular speaker with the local birding groups. Peter will share with us his adventures through Uganda. 

Dr. Ian Rotherham - The Wildlife of South Yorkshire's Lost Fens - Past, Present and Future

Ian is the former Director of Ecological Advisory Services for Sheffield City Council and author of the City’s Nature Conservation Strategy.  Now a Reader and Director of the Tourism and Environmental Change Research Unit at Sheffield Hallam University, Ian has written widely on landscape change, wetland loss, and issues such as re-wilding and re-naturing.  With over 300 research papers and book chapters, he is an international authority on the archaeology of ancient woodland, and on peat and peat lands and their cultural history.

His work has included wildlife gardening and urban wildlife.  He is also a national expert on landscape and flooding.

Ian works closely with the media nationally and internationally.  At a local level he writes a weekly column (On the Wild Side) for the Sheffield Star, and has a monthly phone in on Radio Sheffield.  He is a committed environmental campaigner and a lifelong RSPB member.

Peter has been an active birdwatcher for over 45 years firstly in his native Northumberland and for the past 35 years in the Sheffield area.  Formerly a committee member of Sheffield Bird Study Group for 12 years and as chairman for 8 those years between 1998 and 2006. He works on the farmland and moorland breeding bird survey work for the BTO, bird survey work for the national Trust and Seven Trent Water, a co-ordinator for the Peak Nest Watch Project in 2005 and 2006, plus working on the RSPB’s Big Garden bird Watch.  
In short someone currently overdosing on job satisfaction!

Keith is a professional ornithologist and established an interest in birds at an early age, pursuing this wherever he was living.  He graduated from Liverpool University with a degree in Zoology, which involved research into the hunting and feeding behaviour of Hen Harriers.
His involvement raptors continues today and each season  works he Countryside Council or Wales, monitoring breeding activity of Merlins, Hen Harriers and other key raptor species on the Welsh uplands and he is a member of the Wales Raptor Study group.
This talk explores the life of the Merlin, showing it in its wintering and breeding grounds.  An intimate insight is provided as a result of Keith Offord’s many years of involvement with Merlins in Wales.

Andy Hirst - Diary of a Bird Watcher

Born and brought up in Northumberland, Geoff is considered one of today’s foremost professional wildlife, nature and landscape photographers.  With many prestigious photo, editorial credits and front covers published to-date, he is continuously driven by expressing the beauty and intricacy of the wildlife and wild places of the British Isles and Iberian Peninsular that continually inspire him.
Leading the way with digital audio-visual presentations enables him to use his stunning computer animation and video all together.  This presentation will leave you feeling inspired and thrilled.