Illustrated Talks
by Stuart Meredith of Ribble Bird Tours

Stuart Meredith is the proprietor of Fylde coast based Ribble Bird Tours and from May 1993 until December 2000 he worked for the RSPB on the Ribble Estuary. He developed the award winning Ribble Discovery Centre from very humble beginnings (a disused boatshed !!!) into one of the area’s foremost environmental education centres. Previously Stuart worked at the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust at Martin Mere and also at the Lancashire Wildlife Trust nature reserves of Heysham Harbour & Mere Sands Wood.

His illustrated talks are renowned for their humour and entertainment as well their well researched subject matter. He has an easy going style that reflects his attitude to bird watching and life in general.

Stuart will travel most distances and is available to give any of the talks listed below if booked well in advance or even at short notice (if available) should you be let down by a speaker at the last minute. He is out of the country leading tours throughout the year so bookings well in advance of your preferred dates are advisable. All talks - £40 plus travel / accommodation expenses. Contact Stuart at Ribble Bird Tours on 01253-312043 or e-mail: smrbt@blueyonder.co.uk

Forthcoming Illustrated Talks

2008

July 17^th  ‘The Ribble Estuary – A World Class Wetland’ at The Ashton Theatre Group, St Paul's Church Hall, Fairhaven, Lytham St.Anne's, Lancashire at 7.30pm

October 10^th  ‘Florida – Winter Birds of the Sunshine State’ at the Friends of Martin Mere, Martin Mere WWT, Burscough, Lancashire at 7.30pm

December 5^th  ‘Shorebirds – The Wonder of Waders’ at the Cheshire and Wirral Ornithological Society in Knutsford, Cheshire at 7.30pm

2009

January 9^th 2009  ‘Poles Apart – Iceland and New Zealand’ at the Lancaster & District Birdwatching Society, Lancaster at 7.30pm

January 30^th  ‘The Ribble Estuary – A World Class Wetland’ at the Leigh Ornithological Society at 7.30pm

March 18^th  ‘The Ribble Estuary – A World Class Wetland’ at Leeds RSPB members group at 7.30pm

December 11^th  ‘A Life of Birds’ at Airedale & Bradford RSPB members group at 7.30pm

Ribble Estuary - A World Class Wetland A fascinating insight into one of our most important wetlands. Waders & wildfowl by the thousands rely on the invertebrate rich mud during winter and at migration periods when the estuary becomes an avian international airport with birds arriving from and departing to all parts of the globe.

Shorebirds - The wonder of Waders A look at wading birds from around the world. Shorebirds really are global travellers and the masters of migration. Their mind boggling adaptations, behaviour and beauty are all revealed here in about 80 minutes.

Warblers of the Old World & New An interesting study of about 30 different species of Warbler from the UK, Europe and the United States. From Chiffchaff to Cetti’s, Willow to Wilson’s and Blackcap to Black & White. 90 minutes.

Garden Birds A look at familiar birds of gardens and towns. Ideal presentation for non birdwatchers and those who feed our feathered friends in the garden. 1 Hour.

Mallorca A 90 minute journey through the popular birding island in the Balearics. Lots of colourful Mediterranean species and rugged scenery and some of the most well known sites in Europe such as the Albufera Marsh and the Bocquer Valley.

Name that Bird A fascinating look at when, where and why lots of our birds are named as they are. It’s obvious why a Blackbird is called a Blackbird but what about the Bewick’s Swan, Greylag Goose or even the humble Robin. 90 minutes.