Join us for the 2024 Herts Bird Club Conference from 2pm to 5.30pm on Saturday 2 March at the offices of Affinity Water, Tamblin Way, Hatfield, AL10 9EZ.
It will include keynote talks on the importance of the Colne Valley wetlands for waterbirds and the increasing popularity of Stanborough Gravel Pits as a site for viewing waders and other birds.
Alongside these presentations, by Graham White and Rupert Evershed (respectively), there will be regular conference features such as Graham Knight's popular 'What did you miss?' review of Hertfordshire last year's bird sightings and results of the Hertfordshire Bird Photograph of the Year competition. Martin Ketcher will give an overview of BTO survey work across the county.
As a new departure there will also be an open panel discussion with an invitation for audience members to share their views about the future of the Herts Bird Club as the HNHS approaches its 150th anniversary next year.
Everyone is welcome. The £5 entry fee includes refreshments. We are grateful to Alister Leggatt and Affinity Water for hosting the conference.
Programme:
2:00 Welcome and Conference Chair – Rupert Evershed, Chair, Herts Bird Club
Affinity Water Update on the water situation in Hertfordshire – Alister Leggatt
2:10 A Landscape Scale Assessment of the Colne Valley's Wetlands and their Importance to Water Birds - Graham White
2:50 BTO Update - Martin Ketcher
3:00 2023, What did you miss? Review of the Birds of the Year - Graham Knight
3:20 Break
4:00 The Birds of Stanborough Gravel Pits: Past, Present and Future? - Rupert Evershed
4:40 Open panel forum - have your say and help shape the future of Herts Bird Club.
Please feel free to submit questions or views in advance to birdclubchair@hnhs.org
5:10 2023 Bird Photo of the Year Result - Tom Speller
5:15 Competition results and raffle draw
5:30 Conference ends