Events and News at the Miranda Shorebird Centre

Miranda Naturalists' Trust

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2009

Extra Event 16th May Help Protect the Miranda Bird Roost.

There is a weed problem on the Miranda shellbanks and the surrounding mudflats. Come along on May 16th and spend a few hours helping with a one off weeding-bee down at the shellbanks! We have weeding for all, you could get muddy and wet, stay dry and laugh or something in between. Afterwards the Trust will put on a barbeque, bring a salad and something to drink. Meet at the Centre at noon, or come earlier for a little birding first. Bring your gardening gloves!

If you are planning to come please let us know for catering numbers, if you don't reply don't let that stop you coming at the last minute, we'll cater for a few extra!

Don't forget the AGM on the 17th.

See you at one or both!

Open days etc

February 15 2009 OSNZ Firth of Thames Census
Contact the Centre for details, all welcome!

March 15 2009 *10am Autumn Migration Day
See Arctic birds at their best as they prepare for their departure north. High tide 11:00am. Birding first. Speaker: Keith Woodley - on the tundra with nesting godwits 1:30pm

May 17 2009 10:00am Annual General Meeting

Guest Speaker: Andrew Swale - on Mangroves.

June 14 2009 OSNZ Firth of Thames Census
Contact the Centre for details, all welcome!

June 21 2009 Volunteer Pot Luck Dinner

August 29 2009 6:00pm Winter Pot Luck Dinner
Speaker to be announced

Contact the Centre for details, all welcome!

August 30 2009 10:00am Working Bee
Annual maintenance at the Shorebird Centre. All help welcome!

October 11 2009 10:00am Welcome to the Birds Day
High tide 12pm. Guest speaker: Jesse Conklin - Godwit studies at Foxton.

November 22 2009 OSNZ Firth of Thames Census
Contact the Centre for details, all welcome!

December 31 2009 New Years Eve

Farewell one year and welcome the next-where you are the special guest!

Volunteer Days

A regular training day for volunteers. Check the Volunteers page for forthcoming dates.

Courses 2009 and early 2010

13 - 19 January 2010 The Miranda Field Course.
Now in its twelfth year the Miranda Field Course is perfect for any naturalist. Topics covered in past courses have included geology, botany, and entomology, but with a focus on birds, identification, catching, and details on ecology of some of our shorebirds. For details of the 2010 course click here or contact the Centre!
Course fee includes all materials, teaching, food and accommodation. All tutors experts in their fields. Limited to 12 students (age range so far 14 to 82 on previous courses).

11-12 July 2009 Botanical Illustration Course

This course led by Sandra Morris, is for those wishing to improve on their botanical recording skills. A great course no matter how artistic (or otherwise) you consider yourself to be!

Click here or contact the centre for further details.

8 - 10 September 2009 Conservation Management of New Zealand Dotterels - Training Course (Please note date change)
The course is specifically targeted at anyone involved in the management or field monitoring of dotterels. While focussed primarily on dotterels, much of the course content will be applicable to other species such as terns, gulls and variable oystercatchers. Topics include species ecology, management strategies, pest control, data collection.

Click here for further details or contact the centre.

19 - 20 September 2009 Photography Course

A mix of lecture, entertainment with images, practical sessions, discussion about suitable equipment, and the practicalities of bird photography in general. Includes instruction on setting up a hide and how to approach birds. For further details click here or contact the centre.

24 - 25 October 2009 Wader Identification Course

Learn how to sort out those tricky shorebirds. Two intensive days with expert tutors. A mix of theory and practice, but we aim to spend as much time as possible in the field. Click here for further details or contact the centre.

JOIN US FOR THESE GREAT EVENTS.

Miranda Shorebird Centre
Firth of Thames, 283 East Coast Rd, R.D. 3, POKENO, New Zealand
Phone / Fax: +64 9 232 2781 Email:admin@miranda-shorebird.org.nz