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Zoom Talks Programme 2025-26

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MBS Membership covers the September - June programme each year.
It costs £15 to become a full member of the Marylebone Birdwatching Society for the September - June season.
The Sept 2025 - June 2026 programme is posted on the relevant pages.

This season's seven talks and Christmas Quiz are again all to be held on Zoom. The talks are FREE but for MBS members only.
This season the Zoom link will again be sent in an email from MailChimp to all Members who have indicated Zoom Talks among their "interests". If you didn't specify when you joined/renewed for this season, you can "update your preferences" using the link at the bottom of the monthly Enews or email birdsmbs@yahoo.com.

Friday 20 February 2026 7pm on Zoom
Where Did I See That - The Geography of Natural History - with David Allen
David Allen has been involved in the digitisation of bird records in London for the past twenty years. A contemporary of the national grid, as a librarian and information specialist he has watched many of the developments in geographical recording of the last half century.

Friday 27 March 2026 7pm on Zoom
The Magic of Migration with Linda Jenkinson
Linda is based in Leeds and runs classes online, outdoors and in the classroom to introduce people to birding. She gave us a talk in 2023 on Bird biology as seen by the birdwatcher.
Speaker's website

Friday 17 April 2026 7pm on Zoom
The Cuckoo's Lea with Michael J Warren
Weaving together early literature, history and ornithology, The Cuckoo's Lea takes the reader on a journey into the past to contemplate the nature and heritage of ancient landscapes. It explores the stories behind our place names, alongside historical accounts of bird encounters thousands of years ago, their hidden secrets, the nature of places and more. Michael J. Warren is a naturalist and nature writing author who teaches English at a school in Chelmsford. He was an honorary research fellow at Birbeck Colledge, curates The Birds and Place Project, and is a series editor of Medieval Ecocriticisms.

Earlier this season

Friday 19 September 2025 7pm on Zoom
Discovering Scotland's Western and Northern Isles with Nick Martin
Nick Martin, the founder of "All Things Wildlife", is a naturalist on a mission to enthuse as many people as he can about wildlife and the great outdoors. With a lifelong passion for nature and the countryside Nick has forged a long career in conservation working for several wildlife organisations including the RSPB and Wildlife Trusts. He also works and volunteers for others including the National Trust, Canals and Rivers Trust and The Mammal Society. In addition, Nick is an accomplished wildlife photographer and a regular on the speaker circuit. After a few technical hitches about 36 Members were able to enjoy this talk looking at birds and other wildlife and sceneru across Scottish isles.
Speaker's website
The talk was followed by the 44th MBS AGM chaired by our Zoom Talks organiser Gaye and attended by 34 Members. The Agenda and last year's AGM minutes are on the Documents page of the website. This year's minutes and report will be posted there soon.

Friday 17 October 2025 7pm on Zoom
Panama and Rainforest Stories with Paul Collins
Paul is an award-winning nature photographer and guide from London. He has won many awards including British Wildlife Photography Awards and Bird Photographer of the Year. His images often feature birds in low light and minimalist landscapes. He also works in television, co-producing documentaries for the BBC, Channel 4 and Discovery Network. He gave us a wonderful presentation in 2024 on Svalbard. This time 25 Members joined him in warmer climes. Paul took us to the Canopy Tower Hide to explore the life and photo opportunities at every level of the rainforest from the upper canopy up in the clouds to the dark secrets of the forest floor.
Speaker's website

Friday 21 November 2025 7pm on Zoom
Hampstead Heath Birding with Peter Mantle
If you want to know anything about birding on Hampstead Heath then Peter is the person to ask. He lives locally and is hugely knowledgable about birding on the Heath, records sightings pretty much daily and frequently leads birding walks for LNHS and The Heath and Hampstead Society. He has records going back over many years and will give us an indication of whether we can be optimistic for birdlife on the Heath in the future or not. 38 Members attended and enjoyed learning about the different habitats and birds of the Heath - gains as well as losses.

Friday 19 December 2025 7pm on Zoom
Christmas Quiz Gaye Henson presents the now traditional fun and informative evening.
23 Members took part in the Quiz this year. 12 Days of Christmas, adverts and football clubs all provided avian connections to challenge us.

Friday 16 January 2026 7pm on Zoom
Speyside Wildlife talk with Darren Rees
British Columbia
Darren is a very experienced and knowledgeable Speyside Wildlife Guide and also a very talented wildlife artist. He talked to us about a Speyside Wildlife trip to British Columbia. 31 Members joined this Zoom and enjoyed seeing whales and bears as well as birds!
Speaker's website. This is link to an Autumn trip to British Columbia with our speaker. There's also much more information about Speyside Wildlife on the website.