Speaker: Cat Macpherson
Reporter: Sue Gale

Our October indoor meeting was a special treat, being held in the Education Room at Pensthorpe Natural Park and including excellent cakes! A 20 minute film on the Curlew conservation project was introduced by Cat Macpherson, who went on to answer questions and discuss the project with a very engaged audience. (Cat’s enthusiasm was very infectious.) ‘A Curlew Calls’ introduced us to the lifestyle of the Curlew and to the project at Pensthorpe which aims to increase their numbers.

Speakers: Rick and Elis Simpson
Reporter: Cath Robinson

48% of known wader populations are in decline
30% of all wader species are extinct, endangered or threatened.
Waderquest is a charity established by Rick and Elis Simpson which has two main aims: to raise awareness of waders and the threats that they face internationally, and to raise funds to support wader conservation initiatives worldwide, especially those involving locally led community projects.

Speaker: James Lowen
Reporter: Sue Gale
We have had talks from James Lowen, a good friend of the club, before this, and talks from many enthusiasts, but I think this was the evening that most forcefully promoted the presenter’s enthusiasm for his subject. It was on 7.7.2012 that James first met a Poplar Hawk Moth, and everything changed! He then delved into the world of mothing, discovering that there are around two thousand five hundred species to be seen, including migratory moths like the Silver Y Moths are important pollinators, almost half of them carrying pollen. Since his conversion James has travelled over 14000 miles in search of them!

At long last, after patiently waiting for clarification about the Covid regulations, we were able to hold our first Indoor Meeting for nearly 18 months. In fact, the word Indoor is a misnomer, as we were fortunate to have good weather and five appropriately socially-distanced tables were set up outside. 
Members brought a picnic and enjoyed the “Pimms “ and deserts and the air was filled with convivial chatter as friends caught up on the news. There were some dastardly table quizzes to enjoy too! It seemed a hugely successful and enjoyable evening and thanks are due to members who helped set up and clear away and some amazing Origami skills as the tables were set for the evening. 

Speaker: Abi Mustard
Reporter: Sue Gale
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Abi is the leader of this project, which aims to firmly re-establish the Osprey as a breeding bird in central England. The Osprey is our third largest bird of prey with a wingspan of 1.4 to 1.8 meters. The females are largest, and it is possible to distinguish chicks in the nest on the basis of size only. In the UK 2 or 3, occasionally even 4, eggs are laid, the current pair at Rutland being exceptionally
efficient in rearing 4 chicks each year. Ospreys are exclusively fish eaters and are adapted to do so. They can rotate an outer talon to give a better grip on the slippery prey. They also have excellent eye-sight, and especially strong wing muscles so that they can rise from the water while holding their prey.