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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: £10
per year
Junior members (under 18): £3 per year Family Membership (Includes adult membership and all Juniors): £15 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 2007/08 |
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| The meetings are held at 7.45 pm in St. Robert’s Centre, Robert Street, Harrogate (opp. Waitrose). Parking is either on the adjacent streets or with their kind permission, in the Waitrose car park. | |
| Wednesday 10th October 2007 | Roy Crossley FLIES OF THE NORTH YORK MOORS An account of this fascinating but little-known subject, the result of over 15 years study by this popular speaker, outlining the noteworthy assemblages and demonstrating the value of flies in establishing the quality of life in the context of conservation. |
| Wednesday 24th October 2007 | Phil Abbott THE EVOLUTION OF A PLANT ATLAS The President of the Yorkshire Naturalists' Union will talk about the concept and research leading up to the publication of her new book The Plant Atlas of Mid-west Yorkshire and present a whistle-stop tour of the vice-county. |
| Wednesday 7th November 2007 | Mike McKavett BIRDS ALONG THE GREAT EASTERN FLYWAY A first visit by this excellent speaker who will talk about bird migration in North America from Arctic Canada to the Neotropics. |
| Wednesday 21st November 2007 | Graham Bell IMAGES OF ANTARCTICA The unique beauty and wildlife of Antarctica expressed in prose, poetry, pictures and music based on 20 visits to this distant land. |
| Wednesday 5th December 2007 | Geoff Trinder LINCOLNSHIRE WILDLIFE A look at some of Lincolnshire's flora and fauna and aspects of reserve management showing 'before and after' pictures. |
| Monday 10th December 2007 | John Brackenbury INSECTS IN FLIGHT This specialized photographer has won several gold medals and has published four illustrated books on insect flight. He is a lecturer at Cambridge University and a Fellow of Wolfston College. A joint meeting with the Harrogate Photographic Socety in the Friends Meeting House, Homestead Road, off Victoria Avenue. Starts at 7.45 p.m. We have shared the cost of this lecture with the HPS and hope that you will support the venture. |
| Wednesday 9th January 2008 | Dr. Tom Lawson IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE INCAS A digital presentation of birding in Peru, from the Amazon Basin to Lake Titicaca on the Altiplano, and whilst trekking the lnca Trail to Machu Picchu. |
| Wednesday 23rd January 2008 | Mike Carrier A LOOK AT BIRD MIGRATION A return visit by this experienced ornithologist who will outline the physiological changes which birds undergo prior to migration and examine their very different routes |
| Wednesday 6th February 2008 | Richard Fuller GIVENDALE – A FARM IN HARMONY WITH NATURE A welcome return of this speaker: an illustrated account of habitat creation and the resultant wildlife on a 1,300 acre Yorkshire Wolds farm. |
| Wednesday 20th February 2008 | John Flood THE BRAZILIAN PANTANAL – IN SEARCH OF WILDLIFE IN A THREATENED WETLAND WILDERNESS A digital presentation of this special habitat , threats to its wildlife, & a visit to the lguazu Falls. |
| Wednesday 5th March 2008 | Mark Seaward THIRTY YEARS OF BOTANISING IN EASTERN EUROPE Professor Seaward will present an illustrated talk on his botanical work in Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, East Germany, Czechoslovakia and Russia under the pre- and post-fall of communism, and discuss the environmental issues. |
| Wednesday 19th March 2008 | Phil Palmer BIRDS AND OTHER WILDLIFE OF ALASKA Phil returns to give an account of an expedition to Alaska and the Aleutian and Pribilof islands, homes to Polar Bears and millions of auks and murrelets. |
| Wednesday 23rd April 2008 | 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
