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.
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 Ashley Leftwich’s Madagascan find
Upcoming Birds events
Poole Park Greylag Goose Study
29th October 2024 at 7.30pm (zoom only)Speaker: Thomas Weston Thomas Weston, Bournemouth University alumnus, dives into his passion of understanding the movements and lives of our local, overlooked, flock of Greylag Geese. The project started in 2018 and the research continues today.
Svalbard. Life on the Cold Edge
12th November 2024 at 7.30pm (zoom only)Speaker: Paul Collins At 78 degrees north, lying between Norway and the North Pole, Svalbard’s unique birdlife and landscapes make it an irresistible destination for photographers. This talk is a photographic journey across land and sea, fjords and tundra, celebrating the best of Arctic birdlife under the midnight sun – from Arctic Foxes hunting eiders […]
Swifts – The Birds You Need!
23rd November 2024 at 2.30pm (in house only)Speaker: Edward Mayer Europe’s fastest bird in level flight – harbingers of Summer Joy and Excitement. This apex insect predator is vanishing from our skies through man’s intolerance, architectural changes and overuse of insecticides. They are a supreme Biodiversity indicator. Yet all is not lost…..
Birds NEWS
Photography Competition 2024
June 12, 2024The Photography Competition for 2024 is NOW OPEN Send your entries, up to 3 for each category, Landscapes, Plants and Fungi, and Wildlife and each category will be awarded 1st, 2nd, 3rd and Highly Commended for both Adult and “Young Explorers”. All entries must be taken within Dorset or Hampshire during 2024, and you must be a ‘Young Explorer’ to enter that […]
Great Big Dorset Hedge
October 18, 2023Many of you will have attended the talk about the Great Big Dorset Hadge Project given by Julie Leah on Tuesday 3rd October. More information about the project and how to volunteer for it was given in Julie’ last slides which you can view here