Events shown in red are additional events arranged after the issue of the paper copy of the 2008 programme.
Click here to download a booking form for 2008 coach outings.

BIRDWATCHING FOR BEGINNERS on the first Sunday in the month at Swanholme Lakes Nature Reserve, Lincoln. The guided walks are free of charge and aimed at beginners to bird-watching. Both members and non-members are welcome. Warm clothes and stout footwear are advisable during the winter months. The walks start at 10.30 am from outside the information centre in Hartsholme Country Park and take between 1 and 2 hours.

Thu 10 From the Dümmersee to the Camargue by Nick Williams. 7.30 pm at The Lawn. Sponsored by London Camera Exchange Lincoln Ltd., 6 Silver Street, Lincoln LN2 1DY. Tel: 01522 514131.

Sat 12 & Sun 13 Winter Weekend to North Wales visiting Connah’s Quay Nature Reserve and RSPB Conwy Reserve. The price of £105 per person includes all coach travel from Lincoln, entry fees, one night bed and breakfast at Ruthin Castle and an authentic mediaeval banquet, complete with musical entertainment, on Saturday evening. Cancellation insurance NOT included.

Sat 26 & Sun 27 The Big Garden Birdwatch. A Nationwide RSPB Event. Details in the winter edition of Birds magazine or from Richard Bashford, The Lodge, Sandy SG19 2DL. Tel: 01767 680551.

Sun 27 Coach Outing to RSPB Ouse Washes Reserve and Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Welney Reserve. To see all three species of swans, wildfowl, waders, raptors, etc. Depart Lincoln at 8.00 am. Depart reserve 5.00 pm. Adults £13.00. Children £10.00. Price includes permit. H, IC, WC. URGENT NOTICE: The site managers at both the Ouse Washes and Welney WFT have advised us to NOT to go due to severe flooding in the area. The birds have dispersed over a huge flood plain and we are unlikely to see many. Some roads are also closed which would mean much longer journeys. For this reason we have changed the venue to Titchwell with a short visit to Royden Common on the return journey. The departure times are the same. The cost is still to be determined but should be less than that quoted above.

Fri 1 RSPB Film Show. 7.30 pm at Glenworth Village Hall. Come and see some award winning films about Scotland's amazing wildlife, including the much acclaimed Eagle Odyssey, celebrating one of the UK's greatest conservation successes, the return of the white-tailed eagle to Scotland. The two other films to be shown are Scotland's Amazing Wildlife, and The Undiscovered Country. Tickets £2 on the door. Children accompanied by an adult are admitted free of charge. Digital quality projection. Everyone welcome.

Thu 14 Wildlife of the Cayman Islands by Carole Leigh. Birds, animals and landscapes from all three of the Cayman Islands and a visit to the world famous Stingray City. The talk reflects humorous anecdotes from the islanders, who, according to Carole, are the most delightful people she has ever met. Carole is a nationally known wildlife photographer, specialising in birds and runs her own company, Firecrest Wildlife Photography. 7.30 pm at The Lawn. Sponsored by a group member who wishes to remain anonymous.

Sun 24 Coach Outing to Potteric Carr. A good site for bittern, water rail, kingfisher, woodpeckers, etc. Depart Lincoln 9.00 am. Depart reserve 4.30 pm. Adults £11.00. Children £8.00. Price includes permit. H, IC, NT, WC.

Thu 13 Springtime in Spain by Gordon Langsbury. Gordon’s enthusiasm, humour and superb photography make this an immensely interesting presentation covering springtime journeys through Spain from the Mediterranean to the Pyrenees. 7.30 pm at The Lawn. Sponsored by Forum Computers, Unit 18 Gateway Park, Roman Way, South Hykeham, Lincoln LN6 9UH. Tel: 01522 683400.

Thu 27 RSPB Film Show. 7.30 pm at the Dr Richard Smith Memorial Hall, Potterhanworth. Come and see some award winning films about Scotland's amazing wildlife, including the much acclaimed Eagle Odyssey, celebrating one of the UK's greatest conservation successes, the return of the white-tailed eagle to Scotland. The two other films to be shown are Scotland's Amazing Wildlife, and The Undiscovered Country. Tickets £2 on the door. Children accompanied by an adult are admitted free of charge. Digital quality projection. Everyone welcome.

Sun 30 Coach Outing to Attenborough Gravel Pits. A good reserve for all three woodpeckers, kingfisher, waterfowl and early migrants. Depart Lincoln 9.00 am. Depart reserve 5.00 pm. Adults £9.50. Children £6.50. H, IC, WC.

Fri 4, Sat 5 & Sun 6 RSPB Members’ Weekend at the University of York. Details in Birds magazine or from Carol Roddy, Events Department, The Lodge, Sandy SG19 2DL. Tel: 01767 680551.

Thu 10 Birding Down Under by Richard Pople. Richard has been a birder for many years in the UK and has travelled extensively around the world watching birds. 7.30 pm at The Lawn. Sponsored by Michael Carter Travel, 77 High Street, Lincoln LN5 8AA. Tel: 01522 524595.

Sun 20 Coach Outing to RSPB Minsmere Reserve. One of the best reserves in the country—expect 70 plus species of birds. Book early for this one! Depart Lincoln 7 am. Depart reserve 5 pm. Adults £12.50. Children £9.50. H, IC, NT, WC. FULLY BOOKED AND WAIT LISTING

Thu 8 Back Garden to Bandhavgarh by Danny Green. A year in the life of a wildlife photographer. Danny’s achieved a ‘Highly Commended’ result in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition and his work has been published in Birdwatching, BBC Wildlife and Outdoor Photography magazines. 7.30 pm at The Lawn. Sponsored by Sleafordian Coaches, Pride Parkway, East Road, Sleaford NG34 7EH. Tel: 01529 303333.

Sun 11 Coach Outing to Little Paxton Gravel Pits. A top site for nightingales. Other birds include hobby, warblers, etc. Depart Lincoln 8.00 am. Depart reserve 5 pm. Adults £13.50. Children £10.50. Price includes permit. H, IC, NT, WC.

Sun 18 A visit to Uncle Henry's. Come and find out about food, farming and the countryside with a guided farm walk at 1.00 pm followed by an optional afternoon tea. A farm shop is on site. Meet at 12.45 pm at Grayingham Grange Farm, Grayingham. Take the A15 north of Caenby Corner, turn left on the B1205 and follow the signs to the farm. The walk is free, the optional tea is £3.50, which must be booked and paid for before 11 May.

Wed 21 Annual General Meeting at 7.30 pm in Holy Cross Church Hall, Skellingthorpe Road, Lincoln. Free admission. Only fully paid up members will be allowed to vote at the AGM. Joint members may vote separately. Please bring your membership card with you as evidence of membership. Following the AGM, Becky Ingham will give an illustrated talk on albatrosses in the Falklands. Becky was Director of Falklands Conservation, the BirdLife International Partner in the Falkland Islands before returning to the UK to work for the RSPB.

Sat 24, Sun 25 & Mon 26 A Long Weekend to North Wales and Anglesey visiting the National Nature Reserve at Coedydd Aber, RSPB South Stack Reserve and Cemlyn Bay. The price of £155 in a twin or double room or £195 in a single room includes two nights half-board accommodation at the Carreg Môn Hotel, Angelsey, and all coach travel from Lincoln. Cancellation insurance NOT included. ONLY ONE HOTEL ROOM REMAINING - CONTACT US URGENTLY IF WOULD LIKE TO BOOK IT.

Sat 31 London Camera Exchange (Lincoln) has joined forces with the RSPB Lincoln Local Group and arranged a joint ‘in-store’ day for Saturday 31 May. RSPB supporters will be able to view the latest equipment available, including binoculars, telescopes, tripods, digital cameras and all associated equipment. Advice will be available on digital photography, digiscoping and all aspects of the care and use of equipment, including binoculars and telescopes. A discount is available to all supporters of the RSPB on production of your RSPB membership card, so please don’t forget to bring this with you on the day. If you are not yet a supporter of the RSPB you can sign up on the day, claim your free gift from the RSPB and also be eligible for your members’ discount on any purchases made.

Sun 8 Coach Outing to RSPB Lakenheath Fen reserve for hobby, marsh harrier, bearded tit, warblers and the possibility of golden oriole. Depart Lincoln 8 am. Depart reserve 5 pm. Adults £12.50. Children £9.50. IC, WC.

Tue 10 Evening Meeting at Chambers Farm Wood. Meet in the car park at 7.15 pm.

Wed 18, Thu 19 RSPB stand at the Lincolnshire Show. Lincolnshire Showground, Grange-de-Lings, Lincoln. A sponsor is required for this event.

Sun 6 Coach Outing to Manifold Valley. Dipper, grey wagtail, tree pipit, flycatchers etc. Depart Lincoln 8 am. Depart reserve 5 pm. Adults £10.50. Children £7.50. IC, WC.

Sun 10 Coach Outing to North Cave Wetland Centre & RSPB Blacktoft Sands Reserve. Waders and autumn migration. Depart Lincoln 8 am. Depart reserve 5 pm. Adults £8.50. Children £5.50. H, IC, WC.

Fri 15, Sat 16 & Sun 17 British Birdwatching Fair, Rutland Water. Details from Martin Davies, International Department, The Lodge, Sandy SG19 2DL. Tel: 01767 680551.

Thu 11 Lesvos in Spring by Gerald Hall. Gerald has been highly recommended by a member of RB Camera Club as an exceptionally entertaining speaker and a superb bird photographer. 7.30 pm at The Lawn. Sponsored by McKinnells Solicitors, 17-21 West Parade, Lincoln LN1 1NW. Tel: (01522) 541181.

Sun 14 Coach Outing to Cley Marsh. Autumn migration in full swing, harriers, bittern, waders and many more good birds should be expected. Depart Lincoln 7.30 am. Depart reserve 5 pm. Adults £15.00. Children £12.00. Price includes permit. H, IC, NT, WC.

Fri 26 RSPB Film Show at The Terry O'Toole Theatre, North Kesteven Centre, Moor Lane, North Hykeham at 7.30 pm. Filmed over three years by the RSPB’s award-winning film unit, Waterlands offers a privileged view into the lives of many thousands of birds, mammals and insects that make their home in the reedbeds, saltmarshes and flower-rich meadows of the UK. From the Somerset Levels to the Lincolnshire Wash, the precious wildlife of some of the UK’s rarest habitats – our beautiful wetlands. Showing for the first time in the Lincoln area. Plus full supporting film programme. Tickets £5. Concessions £4. Tickets available from Tuesday 2 September from The Terry O'Toole Theatre Box Office.

Sat 4 RSPB National AGM at the QEII Conference Centre, London. Details in Birds magazine or from Christine McDowell, Events Department, The Lodge, Sandy SG19 2DL. Tel: 01767 680551.

Thu 9 Spring Birding in Cyprus by Susan and Allan Parker. A look at the resident birds and some of the migrants which pass through this strategically placed island in the eastern Mediterranean. The best birding sites are included and some of the flora and fauna that can be seen on the island in the spring. 7.30 pm at The Lawn. Sponsored by Streets Chartered Accountants, Tower House, Lucy Tower Street, Lincoln LN1 1XW. Tel: 01522 551200. Website: www.streetsweb.co.uk

Sun 12 Coach Outing to Gibraltar Point & a cream tea. Waders, waterfowl, raptors, thrushes, etc. Depart Lincoln 8.30 am. Depart reserve 3 pm. Adults £16.00. Children £13.00. Price includes permit and a cream tea at the Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa on the return journey. A £9 non refundable deposit is required for this outing. H, IC, NT, WC.

Sat 18 Autumn Fair and Coffee Morning in the community room at Lincoln Central Library, Free School Lane, Lincoln from 9 am to 12.30 pm. Please help us to raise funds by donating saleable items, such as cakes, preserves and garden produce or call in for a coffee. Offers of help should be made to Carol & Alan Harvey.

Thu 13 Uganda—the Pearl of Africa by John Mather. John has served on ‘British Birds’ rarities committee for ten years and is author of three books on Yorkshire birds. 7.30 pm at The Lawn. Sponsored by Graham Ullyatt Building Services, Pumping Engine House, Nocton Fen, Lincoln LN4 2AX. Tel: 01526 399990. Mobile: 078 131 406 70.

Sun 16 Coach Outing to Ditchford Gravel Pits & Summer Leys. Two new reserves for the group. A good variety of birds should be seen. Depart Lincoln 8.00 am. Depart reserve 5.00 pm. Adults £11.50. Children £8.50. H.

Sun 14 Coach Outing to Clumber Park. Waterfowl, woodpeckers, nuthatch and possibly hawfinch. Depart Lincoln 8.30 am. Depart Clumber Park 4.00 pm. A three course Christmas dinner at 1 pm is included in the price of £28. Full payment is required by Friday 14 November. Price for the coach only: adults £8.00, children £5.00. IC, WC.

Fri 12 Christmas Meeting with light entertainment and a buffet supper. 7.30 pm at Holy Cross Church Hall, Skellingthorpe Road, Lincoln. Tickets available from Stewart Foster in September. Sponsored by your committee and group leader.