- Date: Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 November
- Venue: Martin Mere Wetland Centre
Whatever the weather, The North West Bird Watching Festival is an enjoyable and informative day out.
- New for 2008: view the latest digital and optical equipment with a range of specialist organisations including in focus and Nikon
- New for 2008: The nature reserve will be open from 8am over the weekend
- New for 2008: Photography workshops on Saturday 29 November with an award winning wildlife photographer
- A range of guest speakers including Graham Clarkeson, RSPB Marshside, and Martin McGill, WWT Slimbridge, talking about birding on the Severn
- Range of stands including outdoor clothing, birdwatching holidays, second-hand and new books, multimedia (DVDs, sounds, guides, CD Roms etc) and wildlife artists and photographers
- Learn the basics of photograph manipulation in a drop-in workshop throughout the day
- Have lunch in the coffee shop or browse the gift shop
On Sunday 30 November, A Rocha Trust will be holding a church service at 10am in the Lecture Theatre
Photography Workshops
Saturday 29 November
You must book in advance for these workshops
For the first time at the North West Bird Watching Festival, award winning photographer Graham Eatonwill be hosting wildlife photography workshops and we would to invite you to come along to take part.
Graham Eaton has the following recent awards accredited to him:
- Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2007 - Runner Up
- Winner - Los Angeles International Underwater Photography - 2007
- BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2007 - Runner Up
His website: www.eatonphotography.co.uk illustrates the quality of his work.
The workshops will be approximately one hour long from 10am and 12pm and will involve going into the grounds with Graham to look for photography opportunities and to provide advice and guidance on how to take a perfect wildlife photograph.
If you would like to take part on this workshop, you will need to book in advance by calling Lucy on 01704 891220.
Confirmed optical demonstrators
in focus: Binocular and telescope specialist
in focus are the UKs leading specialists in binoculars and telescopes with a huge range of equipment to suit any budget. in focus are the WWT's optical partners with all sales supporting the work of the trust.
in focus is staffed by birders who will be on hand to offer expert advice as you test binoculars and telescopes in field conditions. in focus has been established for 30 years and has a permanent shop at Martin Mere, open 7 days a week for after sales support and service.
Zeiss
- Carl Zeiss sports optics
- Innovative optics including Victory FL binoculars, Diascope spotting scopes and Conquest binoculars.
For more information visit www.zeiss.co.uk/sportsoptics
Pyser-SGI Limited
The renowned Kowa and Swift spotting scopes and binoculars will be demonstrated by Pyser-SGI, their UK agent and service centre.
The Kowa TSN-883 with pure fluorite optics, recognised as the worlds leading spotting scope, will be shown together with the full range of digiscoping accessories. The TSN-770, 660 and 600 scopes will also be set-up.
Swift binoculars, including the original Audubon range, are famed for their durability and optical excellence.
Newpro UK Limted
Newpro UK is the UK's importer and distributor of 'Minox' binoculars, 'scopes' and 'Digiscoping Camera Module', as well as 'Op/tech' straps and harnesses for Bino's. Also in the 'Op/tech' line are straps for Bino's, tripods and cameras. All Newpro's products will be on display at the North West Bird Watching Festival.
For more information visit: www.newprouk.co.uk
Nikon UK
Nikon UK is part of Nikon Corporation, one of the world's leading manufacturers of photographic and optical equipment. Nikon has been developing and producing its own optical glass materials, which is used in the manufacture of our sports and recreational optics, since 1918. This 90 years of valuable experience has seen Nikon produce award-winning imaging products that have inspired creativity and set the highest standards in photography and optics.
Swarovski UK
Swarovski UK is the UK importer for Swarovski Optik high precision optical instruments that are all hand assembled at our factory in the Tirol. We will be demonstrating high quality binoculars, telescopes and photographic adapters including our New EL42 Swarovision binoculars with an unrivalled optical performance.
Confirmed guest speakers
The guest speakers will start at 11.30 over the weekend. keep an eye on the website for the full schedule.
Steve Harris, Chair of Wirral Barn Owl Trust
SATURDAY ONLY: 'Silent Hunter - Reversing the decline in the population of wild barn owls on the Wirral peninsula'.
Between 1932 and 1985, the barn owl population in Cheshire declined by a massive 85% (Shawyer 1987). In 1999, local birdwatchers knew of only one breeding site on the whole of the Wirral peninsula. The volunteers at Wirral Barn Owl Trust have worked hard, since it started in 1999, to deal with some of the causes of the decline and have seen the number of known breeding sites increase to 32 in 2007, with 149 young hatched. Steve Harris will explain the causes of the decline and what is being done t o save this iconic species.
Graham Clarkeson
'Managing Marshside'
Graham has worked for RSPB for five years, currently Warden at Marshside. Previously worked for WWT at MM & SL. Spent four years working as a professional aviculturalist & fieldworker in UAE & Kazakhstan. Graduated with Bsc (Hons, first class) in Conservation Biology. Runs popular 'birdwatching & beyond' course at Edge Hill with Dr Alan Bedford. Keen birder & fieldworker
David Mower
'The Leighton Moss RSPB Reserve'
Born in East Suffolk in 1947, I have been a keen birdwatcher and conservationist from ten years old. I began working as a regular volunteer at Minsmere from age fourteen under the then warden the late Bert Axell, and worked full time there under contract for five years. I have been a full time RSPB warden for over thirty five years, working on twelve reserves from Dorset to Orkney. I have been the reserve warden at Leighton Moss for the last twenty years. I am a keen wildlife artist, specializing in life sized model birds for visitor centres and museums, and have undertaken many commissions throught Europe and beyond. A keen wildlife photographer, all my lectures are illustrated with my own slides.
Martin McGill
'Birding on the Severn'
I am from Bristol but have lived in the heart of Gloucestershire for 20 years. I am the Senior Conservation Warden at WWT Slimbridge and have worked for WWT on/off for 20 years but have spent 10 years in my current position. I am a keen birder and digiscoper and have become very interested in dragonflies. I am a passionate conservationist with a particular fondness for the R. Severn and adjacent wetlands but enjoy any quality habitat with abundant wildlife such as the Ribble and WWT Martin Mere.
I have traveled a lot around Europe and to Australia and the Middle East and founded Anser Birding in 2000 which is a small company offering Birding related events like holidays, day trips etc. I really enjoy birding in Spain but know and love watching wildlife anywhere.
Other speakers confirmed, but awaiting talk subject include Duncan Thomas (Wildlife Officer for Lancashire Constabularly)
Confirmed exhibitors
Wildsounds
Suppliers of natural history books, wildlife atmosphere recordings, sound guides, multimedia CD-Roms, videos and DVDs. A company committed to conservation. Find out more at www.wildsounds.com
Jonathan Pomroy: Wildlife & Landscape Artist
A wildlife artist based near Skipton, North Yorkshire. All his pictures are based on extensive field studies and places such as Martin Mere, Slimbridge, Leighton Moss and the Highlands of Scotland. In shows he displays pictures, cards, sometimes prints and recent sketchbook work. Please see website for more details: www.jonathanpomroy.co.uk
Second Nature
Specialist business buying and selling out of print antiquarian books on natural history, particularly birds, mammals, 'poysers' and 'new naturalists'. We will be bringing a selection of our extensive stock to the festival. For more information contact secondnatureyork@aol.com
Michael Demain: Wildlife Artist
Professional wildlife artist specialising in british birds. Original work and limited prints for sale. For further information: www.michaeldemainwildlifeart.co.uk
George McCarthy: Professional Wildlife & Landscape Photographer
George McCarthy has long been recognised as one of the UK's leading professional wildlife and nature photographers. Not surprisingly his work has often featured in advertising and has been used by prestigious companies and organisations such as Kodak, Canon, and the RSPB. He is also an author, a lecturer, a tour leader and a consultant specialising in British wildlife and the countryside. For more information: www.georgemccarthy.com
Subbuteo Natural History Books
Mailorder company specialising in natural history books. If you would like them to bring any title along that you specifically wish to look at please contact them and they will bring a copy and keepit one side for you. Contact Subbuteo on: www.wildlifebooks.co.uk
Ribble Bird Tours
Organise birdwatching and natural history holidays throughout the world including the UK. Professional, relaxed, friendly and reasonably priced tours are our guarantee. For more information: www.ribblebirdtours.co.uk
Robert Fletcher: Wildlife Artist
Robert's range of wildlife cards, prints and originals portray his unique use of pencils and crushed pastels. His portrayal of misty woodland scenes in particular, have achieved him widespread recognistion. He is also noted for his bird and wildlife studies. His creation of the Roe Deer Head has made him a firm favourite with the shooting and country sports enthsiast's. For further information email: robertfletcherwildlifeartist.co.uk
Country Innovation
Country Innovation offers a full range of products for the outdoor enthusiast. We particulary specialize in garments and accessories for the bird/wildlife market.
Our product range includes ventile jackets and trousers, waterproof jackets, fleeces, travel clothing, Brasher Walking boots, Tilley Hats, bags and accessories.You can contact us at No 1 Broad Street, Congresbury, North Somerset, BS49 5DG. Tel 01934 877333 or www.countryinnovation.com
Birds Illustrated, Buckingham Press
Buckingham Press publishes the best birdwatching sites, series of books for key birding areas of Britain, as well as the long-established 'bible' of the birding world: The Birdwatchers yearbook. Also on display will be copies of Birds Illustrated, a quarterly subscription magazine of the highest quality, plus sets of ID cards to birds, butterflies and dragonflies. For further information visit: www.birdsillustrated.com
Páramo
Páramo Directional Clothing Systems design and ethically manufacture all weather clothing. We protect the avid nature watcher from the wettest coldest conditions to the hottest and driest, that nature can throw at us.
We are proud to have a background of designing garments for and with mountain professionals and are now delighted to offer the same levels of performance and durability, in soft quiet materials, to nature lovers everywhere.
Tony Dunn
Amateur wildlife & lanscape photographer. visit www.tonydunnwildlifephotography.co.uk for further information
Sandra Price: Naturally Wild Images
Sandra E. Price is a native of Conwy with a passion for wildlife, who has travelled across the UK to photograph wild animals and birds in their natural habitat.
Sandra sells a handpicked selection of her photos in quality mounts or frames.
"I am constantly amazed by the creatures which allow me a glimpse into their world and I hope that through my photographs, I am able to share my experience with you."
Sandra E. Price
Dumfries and Galloway Council
Wild Goose Chase across Dumfries and Galloway: This is a Local Autority project in partnership with RSPB, WWT, NTS, BASC and others. The project will promote wildlife viewing in Dumfries and Galloway particularly of the 6 species of wild migratory geese and 2 swan species that we get in Dumfries and Galloway in March.
Birdwatching and Wildlife Club
The BWWC is the perfect base for those visiting Scotland for birding and wildlife watching. Our full time staff can help you create your own unique wildlife watching itinerary by telling you where and when to see wildlife and keeping you in touch with any available wildlife walks, trips or talks. We also have an information centre, club room, wildlife library and an 80 seater lecture theatre. Visit www.bwwc.co.uk for further information.