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Harrogate & District Naturalists' Society

Affiliated 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

For wildlife and natural history
around Harrogate and Nidderdale
The Society   Society Activities   Junior Section   Membership   Subscriptions   Farnham Gravel Pit
Reports and Publications   Gift Aid   Data Protection Act   Programme of Events   Contact
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 7-spot ladybirdBetween 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.
 

Junior Section FloraJunior 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.
Subscriptions are due on 1st April each year but members accepted after 1st February are in membership from the time of joining to the end of the following financial year.
The Society's Membership Secretary is Valerie Smith val.smith1@talktalk.net
 

Reports and Publications Barn OwlAll 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:
    • It is simpler to operate 
    • It does not commit the giver to a fixed period 
    • It can be cancelled at any time, and 
    • Provided you are a taxpayer, it increases the Society's income at no cost to you. 
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.


PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
THE WINTER PROGRAMME 2008/09

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. 

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.
Farnham Amphibian Evening - Looking at Great Crested and Smooth Newts. Meet at the hide at 7.45 p.m., please bring a torch. The evening is subject to weather conditions. Contact June Atkinson on (01423) 885612 for further details.

Sunday  4th. May. 
Farnham Patch Watch Day
– 4.00 a.m. until dusk. Looking for passage migrants throughout the day and recording numbers of breeding species present on the site. Early or later risers welcome! Fry-up at 9.00 a.m.!

Sunday 22nd. June. 
Ian Wallace and David Holmes, Botany/Geology. Further details from Ian on (01423) 567311 or see the new membership card when published.

Sunday 13th. July.  
Farnham Members Day – Meet at the hide at 10.00 a.m., or come after lunch, meeting concludes at 3.30 p.m. Activities will include help with the identification of flowers, dragonflies and butterflies. For members who are not key holders at Farnham, please contact June on (01423) 885612 to arrange access.

Sunday 27th. July.
Provisional event with Ian Wallace. See new membership card for details.

Sunday 14th.September:
Ornithological outing to Hartlepool and Teesmouth
.
Hartlepool Headland Lighthouse – seawatching from 9.00 a.m. until lunchtime. After lunch, visit North Gare, Sealsands and Saltholme Pools for passage waders, terns etc. Directions: take the A19 to Teesside and turn off on the A179 to Hart (ignore the turn off for Hartlepool). Follow signs to “The Headland”. Time for journey:  approximately 75 minutes from Harrogate. Further details from June Atkinson on (01423) 885612.

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


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