Hope Valley Bird Watchers Club -- About

The Hope Valley Bird Watchers Club welcomes anyone with an interest in birds and bird watching in the Hope Valley, Derbyshire. Whatever your age and skill level, there are activities to suit a range of interests and experience.

Indoor meetings

These are held once a month from September to March. They include talks by guest speakers and are usually about birds and other wildlife from around the world. Among past speakers, there have been professional photographers such as Mark Hamblin, experts from organisations like the South Peak Raptor Group and the avid wildlife filmmaker, John Keeling.

Before the talk, there is news of any interesting local birds and recent field trips. There are opportunities to meet and chat to other members throughout the evening.

December's indoor meeting is a Pie and Pea Supper and Christmas Quiz (an additional fee is charged for this event).

Field trips

"we don't always realise the variety of birds we can see on our doorstep. I
started in 2001 and recorded only 67 species, increasing to 92 in 2003, probably as a result of my improved skill at recognition - thanks to HVBWC!" — Alan Kydd

About a dozen of the 40 or so events are evening walks, held from April to July, in and around the Hope Valley, such as Monsal Dale, Burbage and Padley Gorge. An evening walk at Clumber Park is an annual event with chance of seeing Nightjars, Woodcocks and owls.

There are weekday and weekend trips in most months. The weekday trips are often to local places but sometimes further afield; for example Chatsworth, Ogston, Carsington, Potteric Carr, Old Moor, and Blacktoft. The weekend trips head for more distant places like Bempton, Titchwell and Martin Mere.

Fieldwork

The Club takes an active interest in local conservation issues. In particular, the Club is surveying breeding birds on upland moors where heather restoration is taking place.

In addition, some members take part in national BTO surveys including the Garden Birdwatch and Breeding Birds Survey.