Is it a bird?

This year Buxton Civic Association is celebrating the International Dawn Chorus Day on May 3rd. This is an international event and will be taking place all around the world. Birds sing throughout the day but morning is the ideal time for them to establish their territory and impress a potential mate. We expect to hear the three species of Thrush (Song, Mistle and Blackbird), three species of Tit (Great, Blue and Coal), the Crows, Collared Dove, Woodpigeon, Chaffinch, Robin, Nuthatch, Greater Spotted Woodpecker and some of the summer migrants. Our event will be held at Grin Low woods and we will meet in the car park for a 5:00am start. The event will last for a couple of hours but it is for you to decide when you want to leave. Please do bring warm clothing and suitable foot wear for walking. Binoculars will also be a useful item to bring. Please contact Simon Fussell at communications@buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk to register your interest.

If you want to brush up on your bird song there is a link below to the RSPB website where if click on the links to the appropriate species there is recording of their songs.

RSPB Bird Guide

BCA members with Andrew Bingham MP in the Great Hall at Westminster

Members of Buxton Civic Association enjoyed a trip to London recently to take in a guided tour of the Palace of Westminster in February. A question and Answer session was hosted by Andrew Bingham MP for High Peak in one of the committee rooms at Portcullis House. This was followed by a tour of the Palace, taking in both the Lords and the Commons, and a look at some of the places made famous by the recent BBC programme, “Inside the Commons”.

Mike Monaghan Chair of the Association said “The trip was a great success and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. We have had some suggestions for future tours and members will be contacted shortly with these.”

BCA members discuss the old Buxton Mineral Water site planning application on Monday 9th February 2015

Press release - BCA Members discuss the proposed development of the old Buxton Mineral Water site.

BCA Planning Team Comments on this application

Mike Monaghan chair of Buxton Civic Association presents a leaving gift to Hilary Lawrence

Hilary Lawrence has resigned after twenty seven years as a director of Buxton Civic Association, and to celebrate her outstanding contribution, a presentation evening was held at Poole’s Cavern visitors centre. She was presented with two pieces of work by a local artist Pauline Townsend, by Mike Monaghan the Chair of BCA. Mike told members that he was delighted that Hilary was going to remain a member and that Brian her husband was now on the board. He paid tribute to her dedicated service over the years, in particular with her leadership of the planning committee. She had done a difficult job extremely well and had guided the Association through the minefield of planning with great skill and diplomacy.

Replying to Mike, Hilary explained how much the Association had changed over the years that she had been involved.She explained that she felt that the catalyst for change was the introduction of planning awards by BCA. This got people involved and the Association became better known as a result.

She had enjoyed her time on the board, and paid tribute to the people who had served on the planning committee with her, and reiterated her feeling that it was vital for BCA to be continue to be active in the planning process. She wished Mike and the Association well for the future.

A selection of photographs (Taken by Alan Walker) from the presentation evening held on 9th February 2015 for Hilary Lawrence who retires as a director from Buxton Civic Association after 27 years.

Members gathered for presentation to retiring director Hilary Lawrence
Dr Mike Monaghan Chair of BCA

Mike Monaghan, the new Chair of Buxton Civic Association (Picture courtesy of Buxton Advertiser)

Buxton Advertiser interview with Mike Monaghan and BCA.

Tawny Owl photographed in Gadley Wood by David and Maggie Hale

A lovely photograph of a Tawny Owl in Gadley Woods. It reminds me of the quote from Winnie the Pooh;

"Owl is the grand and rather clever old man of the forest. He can also spell Tuesday."

Information on Tawny Owls from wildowl website

Press Release to Buxton Advetiser

E Newsletter December 2014

We are taking part in the RSPB Great Garden Bird Survey again this year. Its very simple to do. If you come up to the visitors centre or are going for a walk through the woods either down load the form and print it out or collect one from the visitor centre and record the birds you see. If you hand the form in to our reception desk we will collate the results and send them off to the RSPB. There are some bird identification charts in the Cafe. And of course you can always enjoy a hot drink and some cake in the cafe afterwards.

Recording Form for the RSPB Great Garden Bird Watch 2015