Spring programme of talks at the British Trust for Ornithology, Thetford

05 Mar 2020 | No. 2020-05

The British Trust for Ornithology is opening its doors, and its archive, for a series of evening talks that will enable visitors to its Thetford headquarters to learn about the loneliest woman in England, discover how we might save the iconic Curlew, and follow the journeys of some of our summer migrants as they make their way to and from Africa.

Kicking off on March 18 at the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) headquarters in Thetford, author James Parry will take us on a journey of discovery as he talks about the life of Emma Turner (1867-1940), a pioneer of early bird photography, conservationist, author and tern watcher. Turner was way ahead of her time, spending a solitary two years on the remote Scolt Head island, off Norfolk’s north coast as the official tern watcher, earning her the epithet of the loneliest woman in England by the press of the day. As part of this evening event, material from the Emma Turner archive will be on display.

The sound of the Curlew is the backdrop to the Norfolk coast at any time of the year but it is one that is rapidly disappearing. On March 26, Dr Sam Franks, wader expert at the BTO, will discuss what we can do to slow down or even halt the recent decline of this iconic species. Dr Franks will examine the latest research and outline the efforts that are being made to save the Curlew, both here in Norfolk and elsewhere across Britain and Ireland.

April 2 will see the last of the spring programme of talks. With summer just around the corner, Paul Stancliffe will be watching the BTO’s satellite tagged Cuckoos as they make their way back to East Anglia, a journey they are not guaranteed to complete. Learn about the dangers they might face on the way, the places they visit and how they manage a 10,000 mile round trip year after year.

A small charge is being made to cover refreshments, and tickets can be purchased on the Eventbrite website
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--thetford/bto-in-thetford/

All of the talks will take place at the BTO headquarters, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2PU, and will start at 7pm with a 9pm finish.

Contact Details
Paul Stancliffe
(BTO Media Manager)
Office: 01842 750050
(9am to 5:30pm Mon-Thurs), (9am to 5pm Friday)
Mobile: 07585440910
Email: press [at] bto.org ()

Images are available for use alongside this News Release. 
Please contact images [at] bto.org quoting reference 2020-05

The BTO has an ISDN line available for radio interviews. 
Please contact us to book an interview. Office: 01842 750050
Notes to editors

The BTO is the UK's leading bird research charity. A growing membership and up to 60,000 volunteer birdwatchers contribute to the BTO's surveys, collecting information that underpins conservation action in the UK. The BTO maintains a staff of 100 at its offices in Thetford, Stirling, Bangor (Wales) and Belfast (Northern Ireland), who analyse and publicise the results of surveys and projects. The BTO's work is funded by BTO supporters, government, trusts, industry and conservation organisations.www.bto.org

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