THE WILDLIFE ART SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL - VISITS 2012

Why not join up with the regulars this year, & come along for a fun day sketching or photographing wildlife together? Most days we meet at 11am, stay till 4pm , or as long as you like! Whether we find wildlife close to, or see longer views of their habitat, it's always useful for reference, and a sociable event as well. Whenever possible, car-sharing will be suggested to share fuel costs.

We cannot organise transport for members, but wherever possible, car-sharing will be suggested to share costs. We'll put you in touch with other willing Members in your area – contact me if you'd like to do this. SaraisCrawshaw@aol.com or 01455 553270

MIDDLETON LAKES RSPB, near Tamworth, B78 2AE - Sunday 29th April

www.rspb.org/middletonlakes River, woodland & reed beds, with waterfowl, barn owl, otters, egrets, waders and woodland birds. 100plus herons will be nesting in the heronry.Cafe & toilets in Middleton Hall. Some surfaced paths. Entry Free.

SLIMBRIDGE WWT, Gloucestershire, GL2 7BT –Sunday 27th May    

www.wwt.org.uk  Renowned Wildfowl & Wetlands centre with masses of birdlife to watch & possibly dragonflies & butterflies. Book a “Canoe Safari” for £5 each, to see nesting birds, water voles & dragonflies! The Art Gallery will be showing the work of Chris Wallbank & Federico Gemma. Excellent Cafe. All paths accessible. Adults £10.95 (Gift Aid), over 65’s £8.45, WWT Members free.

ST. TIGGYWINKLES WILDLIFE HOSPITAL, near Aylesbury, HP17 8AF - Sunday 24th June

www.sttiggywinkles.org.uk Hospital for rescued, orphaned & re-habilitated animals - hedgehogs, ducklings, fox, badger, birds & amphibians, & red kite aviaries – also wild red kites fly over the picnic area! Small coffee shop. Photography for art reference ONLY – no professional shots allowed due to copyright. We may be allowed closer to some animals. Adults £4.90, over 65’s free.

ATTENBOROUGH NATURE RESERVE SSSI, Nottingham, NG9 6DY – Sunday 22nd July

www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/nottinghamshire 360 acres with new Visitor centre & cafe. A wide range of aquatic & riverside habitats, many birds & dragonflies, 2 hides & circular walks. Accessible to all. Entry free, £1.50 Car Parking.

INTERNATIONAL CTR FOR BIRDS OF PREY, near Newent, Glos, GL18 1JJ – Saturday 11th August

www.icbp.org  Largest collection of Birds of Prey species in the world – over 200. Daily flying displays. Cafe & shop. All areas accessible. Adults £11, concessions £10. No Dogs.

LONDON ZOO, Regents Park, NW1 4RY – Sunday 2nd September.

www.zsl.org/london-zoo Over 750 species of all your favourite animals, birds, reptiles, & insects. Includes Rainforest walk-through with night-life section, “Bugs” full of invertebrates, and flying-free tropical bird house. Adults £22, concessions £20, Car parking £14.  Buses & Underground nearby.

HAMERTON ZOO PARK, nr Peterborough, Cambs, PE28 5RE – Sunday 30th September

www.hamertonzoopark.com  Tigers, cheetah, lemurs, maned wolf, anteater, reindeer, zebra, many birds, owls, vulture & storks. Small coffee shop. Good accessibility. Adults £9.50, Concessions £8.50.

CANNOCK CHASE & FAIROAK VALLEY, Staffs. WS15 2UG - Sunday 21st October

Red, fallow & muntjac deer live on the Chase, & we hope to watch these during their rut, amongst autumn colours in the forest. Fairoak Valley & pools nearby with forest walks from Visitor Centre.

WELNEY WETLAND CENTRE WWT, nr Wisbech, PE14 9TN – Saturday 10th November 

www.wwt.org.uk/visit-us/welney Overwintering centre for 1000’s of Whooper and Bewick Swans & many other waterfowl. Visitor centre, Cafe, hides including indoor & heated! Good accessibility. Daily swan feeds. Gift Aid entry: Adults, £7.30, Concessions £5.50, WWT members free.

Read our members write ups of some of our trips from 2009