| Status: | Active, open to new members |
| Convenors: |
Brian Truslove
Tel: 07790 015967
|
| Group email: | Bird Watching group |
| When: | Monthly on Monday mornings 9:15 am Usually meet at the park, in Buntingsdale Rd, Market Drayton. (Opposite Little Drayton Church) |
| Cost: | Donation to car sharing driver |
For more information contact Brian by pressing on the link above. Fill in the form, press send and it will go to Brian.
Please scroll down for further details .
Colin and Sandra have stepped down as conveynors of the group from September 2025.
They thank all the members for the gifts and flowers and say that they are very grateful. Colin says "I am so pleased that the Group will continue and a huge thank you to Brian for agreeing to replace me as the Group Conveynor. I'm sure we are all looking forward to an enjoyable year. Thank you to those who have agreed to act as Convenors for the various visits and undertake the other roles within the Group. Good luck to Brian. All future missives will come from him."
Our next visit
Previous meeting
Monday 22 Sep 2025 - Wood Lane reserve and Ellesmere
Although I wasn't in attendance personally , 11 members attended our first visit of the 2025-2026 season. First stop was Wood Lane then onto Ellesmere and further species were observed. In total 33 different species were spotted on the day.
Also u3a members may find it interesting that there will be a talk organised by the Shropshire Wildlife Trust at the Beacon Centre on 15th October 2025 at 19:30pm.
Admission is £3:00 for SWT embers and £4:00 for non members.

Monday 16 June 2025 - Bempton Cliffs
Monday 19 May 2025 - Westport Lake in Stoke. The refurbed cafe should be open.
Monday 7 April 2025,
Cars will leave Buntingsdale Road at 9.15am.
Ellesmere Heronwatch and Wood Lane. Our very own leader Colin getting a robin to eat from his hand.




Nine members of the Group enjoyed two days away in North Norfolk. Visits were made to RSPB Snettisham, RSPB Titchwell Marsh and Norfolk Wildlife Trusts site at Holme Next the Sea. The main highlights there were a small flock of Snow Buntings, and the detonation of an unexploded bomb on the beach!
Sadly, the expected spectacular at Snettisham did not materialise, although a good selection of species were seen.
Our day at Titchwell Marsh was particularly fruitful, with a total of 50 different species sighted.
Visit to North Norfolk 15/16 March 2025
The visit was rounded off with a Group Meal at The Jolly Sailors in Brancaster Staithe, where members were unexpectedly treated to a 2 hour concert of folk songs and sea shanty's by a 20 strong group.

Overall a very successful and enjoyable trip.
Tuesday 18 February the Bird Watching Group, joined with members of the Shropshire Wildlife Trust, to enjoy a very informative presentation by Ian Barthorpe, Visitor Experience Officer at RSPB Minsmere, entitled "A Brazilian Adventure, visiting the Pantanal and Southern Amazon in Search of Birds, Mammals and More"
During his visit, he saw 406 different bird species, plus such mammals as jaguars, Capybara, Ant Waters and Giant River Otters. A fascinating evening.
Monday 17 February 2025 - Carsington Water.
Twelve members of the Group enjoyed a productive visit to Carsington Water, near Ashbourne on Monday 17 February. This was a new site for many of us, run by Severn Trent Water. The birdlife was very active, and we managed to see 46 different species, including some new ones for this season. In addition we were briefly entertained by the appearance of a Mink!
On Monday 20 January 2025 - 12 members of the Group enjoyed a very productive visit to RSPB Conway. Despite the dull and damp weather we were able to spot 39 different species, including the elusive Water Rail, a first for some members.


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