ICELAND 'and BACK' - Brian Nobbs takes us to Iceland looking at the birds and their habitats ranging from Brunnich's Guillemots and Puffins on the lava cliffs to Red-necked Phalaropes, divers and Slavonian Grebes on the lakes and Harlequin Ducks on the streams. Whooper Swans, Pink-footed Geese and many waders migrate to and from, or via, the UK (hence the "and back") and we can compare them on their breeding grounds and wintering grounds and examine their migration routes.

WILD ETHIOPIA - Steve Cale, artist, photographer and tour guide provides a look at the fantastic wildlife and habitats of this huge amazing country. Home to many rare and unusual creatures such as Stresermann's Bush Crow and Simien Wolf, many of which are fascinating but critically endangered!

FINLAND and NORWAY - 'LAND of the MIDNIGHT SUN' - Swallow Birding's Steve Grimwade takes us on a mid-summer journey through the marshes and forests of Finland showcasing species such as Great Grey and Tengmalm's Owls, Red-flanked Bluetail, Capercaillie and Little Bunting, before heading north into Norway where Pine Grosbeak, Brunnich's Guillemot, Siberian Tit and Long-tailed Skua all feature, plus stunning scenery and much, much more. Highly recommended.

The KINGDOM of BHUTAN - 'LAND of the DRAGON' - A small country but one of the most diverse on Earth due to intact forests and an ancient culture that values nature (350-400 bird species). It is one of the least visited, only opening to tourism in the 1970's. Duncan Macdonald from 'Speyside Wildlife' will introduce us to some of the rewards - Ibisbill, Satyr Tragopan and Rufous-necked Hornbill to name but a few; this will be another first-rate presentation, well worth it!

BIRDING in KAZAKHSTAN - Rob Sheldon returns to show us some of the delights of Kazakhstan. This talk will highlight all of the key habitats and species that this amazing country has to offer including Black-winged Pratincole, Black and White-winged Larks in West Kazakhstan and Pallid Harrier in Central Kazakhstan as well as the fact that it is a hugely important area for migrating and breeding birds associated with extensive wetlands of the region. Mince pies served!

FINDING WILDLIFE in EPPING FOREST - Peter Warne was invited to study and monitor the wildlife of Copped Hall, a restoration project just south of Epping. Peter will inform where to go and show us images of the wide variety of wildlife to be found in this area.

CANCELLED - BIRD SOUNDS - Local Essex Birder David Darrell-Lambert will guide us through some of the fantastic and interesting bird songs and sounds that we an expect to hear duing our 'Big County Birdwatch Weekend'

CANCELLED - BIRDS of JAPAN - Nigel Moorhouse of 'Sarus Bird Tours' shows us some of the delights of Japan. This talk will cover a year in the life of the birds and wildlife of the islands that make up Japan including Hokkaido's Red-crowned Cranes gathering to dance, while the world's largest eagle - Steller's Sea Eagle - comes down from the far north to haunt the harbours and Brown Bears waking from hibernation.

CANCELLED - WILD ETHIOPIA – Steve Cale, artist, photographer and tour guide provides a look at the fantastic wildlife and habitats of this huge amazing country. Home to many rare and unusual creatures such as Stresemann’s Bush Crow and Simien Wolf, many of which are fascinating but critically endangered!  

BIRDS of HEL! – Jonathan Forgham has completed this 50 mile walk twice, once in April for migratory birds and then in freezing February for winter species. A fascinating place with plenty to offer bird watchers. In total over 80 species were recorded along the ‘Footpath to Hel’. (after AGM at 19:30)