Everything you ever needed to know about birds but were afraid to ask

By Stephen Moss

Tuesday 1^st December 2009

This was a most enjoyable evening. Stephen Moss is an excellent speaker both knowledgeable & personable. The talk began with a few light hearted anecdotes & an informal & amusing quiz about the largest & smallest bird in Britain/in the world, & also about song, territory, flight & flightless birds such as the ostrich.

Another interesting discussion was about the ivory-billed woodpecker, 'was it really extinct or were recent sightings to be believed?'

Migration was mentioned, in particular our wintering blackcap population was believed to come from Germany, whilst our summer breeding birds had probably returned from wintering in Africa.

Stephen told us about his fascinating work with the BBC Natural History Unit in Bristol & the many programmes he had been involved with - including Autumn Watch.

We also heard about some of the well known wildlife experts & presenters he has worked with. He has a high regard for Bill Oddie & told us about the series they had made together.

Altogether an excellent evening

Liz Saunders