News and Reviews

Thursday 11 February 2010
Field trip to West Sedgemoor RSPB Reserve

18 people arrived at Dewland Farm in sub-zero temperatures for a conducted visit to the RSPB reserve. After a short walk from the RSPB offices, during which we had an excellent view of a buzzard, we mounted the steps of the viewing platform, which overlooks the marshes where the wintering birds live. There we were able to view flocks of several thousand mallards, teal, wigeon, shovellers, pintail, gadwalls, lapwings, herons, black-tailed godwits and other waders and ducks. But most spectacularly we were treated to a merciless display of hunting by a pair of marsh harriers and a pair of peregrine falcons that were working together with one trying to disturb the water birds while the others swooped to catch any weaker stragglers who became separated from the group. It was a fascinating display of nature at its most awesome.

Tuesday 12 January
'Early Monasteries in North Somerset'
Professor Mick Aston

Around 55 people braved the snowy weather to attend a talk on 'Early Monasteries in North Somerset' by Professor Mick Aston of Channel 4's Time Team fame.
His talk gave us an insight into the various monasteries that had been in places such as Banwell, Congresbury and Woodspring to name a few, in the post-Roman period.
It was an extremely interesting talk and a privilege to have Professor Aston visit the Society.
The Society reached a milestone on the same evening when the 100th member joined.

Professor Aston with Rosemary Dowie

Malcolm with the society's 100th member, Michael Jones