Step into the wonderful world of birds…
Our museum holds over 160 bird cases and many of the species within were collected during the Victorian period. In addition to the taxidermy we have 200 bird skins, nearly half of which originated in West Africa. However contentious the actions of this period were, it is our belief that these items now make a valuable contribution to the understanding of birds.
Make a visit and their anatomy, behaviour, evolutionary history and fascinating relationship with man can be looked at and brought to life. Of great importance to us are the tales of extinction, the present day conservation projects – especially in the southern counties – which are underway today and the protection of our biodiversity going forward.
Donated by Mrs T.A. Cotton in 1925
Refurbished by Jonathan McGowan November 2024
Photo by Tony Grant
Look at our Passenger Pigeon. Once the most numerous bird the earth had ever seen, possibly up to 10 billion, and then over a few decades it became extinct. Let us tell you how the tragedy unfolded.
Look at our Kiwi. So many peculiarities. It can’t fly, its eyesight is poor and it’s the only bird whose nostrils are at the tip of its bill. Why this design? We can explain the selection pressures that helped evolve this bird and then it will all begin to make sense.
Join our Society or visit our Museum. Attend a talk, chat to a volunteer, look at a specimen, read a book in the library, or join us on a Field Trip. You will be very welcome.
[Cover Photo: Field trip in 2022 to Salisbury Plain witnessing the Great Bustard’s restoration to the UK. Photo by Sally Grant]
Read about our collection of Bird Eggs – Oology
Read about Ashley Leftwich’s Madagascan find
Upcoming Birds events
Natural Deception. Camouflage and Mimicry
1st April 2025 at 7.30pm (zoom only)Speaker: Jonathan McGowan Natural deception is one of the most basic traits within nature. Mimicry and camouflage allow many life forms to survive and thrive through natural selection. Insects, reptiles, birds, mammals and humans all indulge, with the latter being the most deceptive life form on Earth. The likelihood of more advanced alien life forms, […]
Florida “The Everglades”
24th May 2025 at 2.30pm (in house only)Speaker: Gordon Small In January 2023, Gordon flew to Miami for 12 days of wildlife photography. The first 6 days were in the Everglades. The wildlife is amazingly unconcerned about the people close by. Beware the alligators basking in the sun! Incredibly close up photos were taken.
Sex: Nature’s Greatest Mystery
3rd June 2025 at 7.30pm (in house and zoom)Speaker: Tony Fulford Throughout the natural world sexual reproduction is everywhere. We take it for granted but it is spectacularly inefficient. You find a mate and only pass half of your genes on to the next generation. Evolution, however, settled on this system. Why? This talk will discuss how and why sex is thought to […]
