MEETINGS

Evening talks on a wide variety of natural history topics are given by invited speakers on the first Thursday of every month from September - April in Paisley Museum at 7.30pm.

Outdoor excursions usually take place from early Spring  through to Autumn at weekends to study all aspects of natural history in the field (see Excursions page).

2010/11 Winter Talks Programme

Thursday 2nd September
Ravens & Magpies – The Truth, the Whole Truth and Nothing Like the Truth by Iain Gibson
The crow family is widely featured in folklore and its association with death is understandable as most of them are scavengers as well as foragers. However, even in these modern days of scientific enlightenment, fact and fiction are intertwined, and all members of the crow family are persecuted to some extent. Is any of this persecution justified? Iain has a lifetime of experience observing the habits of Magpies, and has also studied the interactions between Ravens and lambing ewes in the Renfrewshire countryside. Come along and hear his talk - some of his findings may surprise you!

 
Thursday 7th October       
Flora of Renfrewshire by Keith Watson Botanical Recorder for Renfrewshire for the BSBI (Botanical Society of the British Isles)
The first full Flora of Renfrewshire, which lists and maps the distribution of all the plants recorded as growing wild in the old county of Renfrewshire is due to be published in 2011. To celebrate this forthcoming publication this talk will describe and illustrate many of the wild plants and habitats found in the county and is a must for anyone who enjoys the Renfrewshire countryside and is interested in wildflowers.

Thursday 4th November
Wildlife of France by David Mellor
David will be talking about the variety of wildlife to be seen in the Poitiers area of western France. Poitiers lies in the Loire Valley, known as the ‘Garden of France’ and hosts many species of plants, birds and insects not usually encountered in our northern climes.

Thursday 2nd December
Christmas Social
There is no talk this evening, but we will be celebrating the festive season with games, quizzes,food and drink. So why not come along.

Thursday 6th January
Wildlife of Fuerteventura by Norman Tait
Many of the plants and animals which live on this volcanic island are specially adapted to living in an arid environment. Certain birds, such as the Stone Curlew, the Houbara Bustard and the Cream-coloured Courser have evolved excellent camouflage which renders them almost invisible on the featureless coastal plains.  In contrast the mountainous regions host fertile valleys with lush vegetation home to a variety of birds and insects. 
This photographic journey is a wildlife spectacular not to be missed.

Thursday 3rd February 
This is a joint meeting with Glasgow and Hamilton Natural History Societies which we will be hosting.

Short presentation by Neil Gregory (County Moth Recorder) on the moth records contained in the John Morgan Diaries followed by...

‘Goatfell – Everything but the Goats’ by Kate Sampson National Trust for Scotland – Arran Ranger Service
Take a closer look at the conservation and mountain wildlife of the magnificent Goatfell Property on the Isle of Arran.  
Golden eagles soar overhead, red deer roar in the glens, and black adders hiss at your feet.  Come along and find out more about these and some of the more unusual mountain wildlife of Goatfell and some of the conservation projects aiming to improve key habitats.

Thursday 3rd March
Amber: Tears of the Gods by Dr Neil Clark, Hunterian Museum
Once a treasure more valuable than gold, amber has had a fascinating and turbulent history, a history that shaped the economies of the Baltic States.
The mysterious qualities of Amber have caused it to be collected, treasured and admired since ancient times. Over thousands of years, many strange theories have been advanced as to amber's origin and nature, including many myths and legends, but for all its varieties, colours and forms, every piece of amber originated as tree resin, fossilised over millions of years.
From ancient 40 million year old forests; the palaces of European royal families and the strange and superstitious practices of the Scottish Highlands to the modern palaeontologist discovering insects new to science, amber is still the highly prized jewel of bygone times.

Thursday 7th April    
AGM and Members Night
The business of the society will be discussed followed by a talk by Toby Wilson RSPB Conservation Officer for S.W. Scotland

Toby will be talking about the Lochwinnoch Wetlands Project.
Over the past 40 years there has been a significant decline in breeding and wintering waterbirds on the reserve. This exciting project aims to create 4 ha of new fen habitat and will further enhance 34 ha of aquatic habitat. A complex mosaic of habitats should enhance breeding & feeding opportunities for a wide variety of wildlife, including water vole, otter, water rail and breeding waders. Proposed plans also include the creation of a meandering channel past the visitor centre, the building of artificial otter holts and a sand martin wall and remote surveillance that will enable visitors to observe the wildlife without disturbing it.
The aim of the RSPB is an ambitious one but hopefully Lochwinnoch will become a thriving place for wildlife and cherished by the local community.