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Harrogate & District Naturalists' SocietyAffiliated to: The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds; The British Trust for Ornithology; The Botanical Society of the British Isles; The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Ltd.; The Yorkshire Naturalists' Union. Registered Charity No. 503860 |
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around Harrogate and Nidderdale |
| The Society | The Society was formed in 1947 as the Harrogate & District Naturalist & Scientific Society, the present title being adopted in 1958. Its aim is to promote the study and enjoyment of wildlife in all its forms and to disseminate the knowledge of natural history. The Society takes an active and practical interest in the conservation of wildlife resources and supports efforts to safeguard the natural diversity of species. |
| Society Activities |  Between
October and March, a programme of illustrated lectures,
covering countryside and world-wide aspects of natural history, is arranged
at intervals of two weeks. These meetings are held on Wednesdays at 7.45pm
in the St. Roberts Centre, 2/3 Robert Street, Harrogate. The programme
of meetings is sent out to members in September.
To meet the primary function of accurate recording and presentation of studies, the Society has groups with particular interests in the major natural orders, e.g.. Ornithology, Botany, Zoology, Entomology and other Invertebrates and Mycology. Each Group has a Recorder for the collation and verification of records, and a Group Leader who arranges field meetings and excursions to a varied selection of habitats, mainly within the Society's study area of some 900 square kilometres, having the River Nidd as its spine. Field meetings encourage the
pursuit of special subject interests, provide learning opportunities, relate
to the interdependence of species and are open to all members. Ongoing
group activities are featured at the indoor meetings. These activities
include taking part in projects proposed by the county and national bodies
to which the Society is affiliated, or by other scientific researchers.
These include, for example, national Wildfowl counts, BTO surveys (including
the Ringing Scheme for qualified members), recording schemes on the distribution
of insects, amphibians, reptiles and mammals and also various botanical
surveys and mapping projects. The Society records the status of many forms
of wildlife against which can be measured the changes taking place in the
natural environment.
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| Junior Section |  Junior
members (up to age of 18) have their own programme designed by experienced
leaders. Interested parents often participate in these learning opportunities
and must accompany children under 8. Most Junior meetings are held in the
open at sites chosen to cover a wide range of wildlife interests. A small
nature reserve at Bishop Thornton has been made available to the Society
for use by Junior members. For more information go to our Junior
Section |
| Membership | All those, including children,
interested in natural
history are eligible for membership. The business
of the Society is conducted by the Council of six elected members and the
honorary officers. Applications for membership are provisionally accepted by the Membership Secretary, Valerie Smith val.smith1@talktalk.net the final decision being made by Council. The Society maintains a birdwatching hide at a private wildlife site at Farnham Gravel Pits. Details of conditions of use and the availability of keys for both the site and the hide, for which a deposit is payable, may be had from the General Secretary Patricia Cook (01423) 772953 gensec.hdns@talktalk.net |
| Subscriptions | Single adult member: £15
per year
Junior members (under 18): £3 per year Family Membership (Includes adult membership and all Juniors): £25 per year Visitors fee: £2 per event Children entered under Family
membership automatically become members of the Junior section.
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| Reports and Publications |  All
members receive an Annual Report, which details the work of the Society
and presents the year's most interesting records.
A Bird Report, currently £4, is offered for sale to members. A newsletter on topics of current and future concerns is issued in Spring and Autumn, together with the programmes of meetings. A NEW BOOK, Birds of the Harrogate District by our current Ornithological Recorder, John R.Mather, is now available (£7.50 (+p&p) to members). This definitive reference on the avifauna of the district deals with all the 288 species recorded in the Society's area since the 18th Century and includes a wealth of detail for each. HDNS car stickers are available - these, together with the above book, can all be purchased at evening meetings or by contacting the General Secretary. |
| Gift Aid | The Deed of Covenant scheme
was replaced by Gift Aid with effect from 6 April 2000. The new scheme
has several benefits:
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| Data Protection Act | In order to assist with the mailing of newsletters and programmes, members' names and addresses are held on a computer database. They will not be passed to others without your prior permission. Individuals who do not want their name and address held on computer should notify the Membership Secretary in writing. |
THE WINTER
PROGRAMME 2008/09 |
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All meetings are held in St. Robert’s Centre, Robert Street, Harrogate (opp.Waitrose), starting at 7.45 pm. Parking is either on the adjacent streets or, with their kind permission, in the Waitrose car park. |
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| 8 October 2008 | BIRDS OF THE MALABAR COAST Paul Willoughby The bird life of this remarkable region of Goa on the west coast of India –this well-known speaker from Bird Holidays on his experiences. |
| 22 October 2008 | BIRDING THE NORTH NORFOLK COAST Susan and Allan Parker Featuring the many fine nature reserves in the area, from Snettisham to Cley Marshes Reserve, covering the habitats along the way with the flora and fauna to be found within them. |
| 5 November 2008 | FLIES OF THE NORTH YORK MOORS (the real one!) Roy Crossley An introduction to the Diptera (two-winged flies) and some of the specialities to be found on the North York Moors. |
| 19 November 2008 | WILD FLOWERS, SEASHORE TO MOUNTAIN TOP Brian and Gill Fuller We see how wild flowers adapt to a variety of environments from the coasts of remote Scottish islands to high in the Himalayas. |
| 3 December 2009 | PORTUGAL - IMAGES OF THE ALGARVE IN WINTER Gerry Stephen Scenes of southern Portugal from Cape St Vincent in the west to Villa Real de San Antonio in the east, with birds, flowers and insects encountered. |
| 7 January 2009 | WILDLIFE FROM AN ANGLER'S PERSPECTIVE David Tipping A look at fish and waterside wildlife in the rivers, lakes and coastal waters of Britain and Ireland. |
| 21 January 2009 | THE FASCINATION OF DRAGONFLIES David Alred An illustrated talk on mainly local species, covering areas such as emergence, colour phases, territory, mating, egg laying, larvae, and habitats of these ancient, fascinating and beautiful creatures. |
| 4 February 2009 | THE VEGETATION HISTORY OF YORKSHIRE: LESSONS FOR THE FUTURE Margaret Atherden Changes in the vegetation of Yorkshire during the past 15,000 years will be outlined and the relevance of this research for the twenty-first century will be discussed. |
| 18 February 2009 | THE NATURAL HISTORY OF CAPE CLEAR ISLAND, Co CORK Ian Burrows The southernmost tip of Ireland, this is a walkabout tour of the island as seen by Ian during his stay as warden of the bird observatory and subsequent visits – birds, natural history and the people of the island. |
| 4 March 2009 | BIRDS, MAMMALS and other WILDLIFE OF NORTHERN TANZANIA John R Mather An account of six visits to the spectacular wildlife habitats of this region, including the Ngorongora Crater, the Serengeti Plains, Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Parks. |
| 18 March 2009 | THE SECRETS OF THE LUNE VALLEY Dr Kevin Briggs A general review of the natural history of the whole of the Lune Valley and a more detailed review of bird populations over the past four decades. |
| 22nd April 2009 | The Annual General Meeting. |
| All meetings are held in the St. Robert's Centre, Robert Street, Harrogate, starting at 7.45 pm. (But please note: joint meeting with Harrogate Photographic Society: Monday 10/12/07 Friends Meeting House. | |
Field Meetings for Summer 2008 Saturday 19th. April. Sunday 4th. May. Sunday 22nd. June. Sunday 13th. July. Sunday 27th. July. Sunday 14th.September: Please note the usual precautions: Stout footwear and suitable outdoor clothing should always be worn. Unless otherwise stated a packed lunch is essential. Members take part entirely at their own risk and are responsible for their personal safety and the security of their belongings. |
For further information: General Secretary Patricia Cook (01423) 772953 gensec.hdns@talktalk.net
