WAB Suffolk Get Together Anyone??

[Wild-Woman]

Originally Posted by Gill Catton

hmmm these seem to be more places to get good photos rather than to find wildlife in natural habitats?

There are lots of good reserves we'll have to organise a good group trip next year down south, maybe do some chalk downland on an orchid hunt or maybe Cliffe pools in the late winter? Maybe both?

Sounds good! Then all back to mine for tea! Can get to Cliffe in 15 mins!!!
Queendown is good for orchids and adonis-if you know where to look.

Julie

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Gill Catton

hmmm these seem to be more places to get good photos rather than to find wildlife in natural habitats?

There are lots of good reserves we'll have to organise a good group trip next year down south, maybe do some chalk downland on an orchid hunt or maybe Cliffe pools in the late winter? Maybe both?

true, although they are also good places to see wild creatures that you wouldnt otherwise get close to, but I thought the main purpose of these meets was to meet fellow wabbites. I am sure that we won't be seeing much wildlife in the Green Dragon at Yuletide... although on the other hand ....

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by eeyore

true, although they are also good places to see wild creatures that you wouldnt otherwise get close to, but I thought the main purpose of these meets was to meet fellow wabbites. I am sure that we won't be seeing much wildlife in the Green Dragon at Yuletide... although on the other hand ....

well yes and no I suppose, I mean Wicken Fen was truly brilliant I learnt lots of new species - some very scarce (plants and animals) and a bit about photography and met fellow WAB members, for me it was invaluable.

For example, seeing a hobby in captivity is great but probably won't help you get a feel for what kinds of habitat you're likely to encounter them, might not even with future ID since a hobby close up can look totally different to six catching dragonflies over a lake Silhouetted against the sun or one sat on a distant tree etc...
We have such a wealth of expertise on here, there's good potential for 'cross pollination' of knowledge if we arrange the opportunities.
But then again, also there are all sorts of varied levels of interest in wildlife on WAB there are probably as many people who'd like a trip to the kinds of places you mentioned as there are who'd like to go to a reserve and many who'd do both!!

[Susie]

Yep, I agree, Gill. Some people are more comfortable wandering around than in a more formal "meeting" situation so it would be ideal to be able to do both. Perhaps go for a bimble and then retire to some convivial surroundings for a chat afterwards - people could go to either/both as suited.

There is no reason why it has to be a formal arrangement - if someone fancies popping out somewhere they could just say "I am going to be at ...... on .......... Meet me in the carpark at such and such a time if you fancy coming along" and see who turns up. Of course there is always the danger that no one will turn up, but if you are going anyway what difference does that make?

Anyway, just an idea.