Autumn and Spring meetings 2010-2011

On 3rd February 2011 the branch enjoyed an erudite evening finding out about the genetics of the perinatal period and how switching certain genes on or off can influence health and development of pre-term infants both human and in model populations of rats and sheep.Dr Sarah Kempster of Cambridge University gave a very comprehensive lecture about recent research and potential 'Bench to Bedside' developments in this field.

In November 2010 we partnered with the RSPB for a Fungus Foray at their HQ in Sandy. Many colourful fungi were found and identified.

In October 2010 we had a joint meeting with the Bedfordshire Bat group. 

The Bedfordshire Bat group delivered an excellent evening on the 21st October with a talk by Bob Cornes on the conservation work undertaken by the group.

We were introduced to bats found in the county, with 12 species of UK bat being recorded within Bedfordshire.

The habitat requirements and the measures being taken to aid the survival of the bats, plus the group’s work with schools and Scout and Guide groups, in building bat boxes and delivering talks was explained.

The role of Public Bat walks in introducing young and old to the night time world was inspirational and bat detectors were on hand so the sounds being made by the bats within the park could be listened for. The group are rightly proud of the successful rearing of a male Noctule pup born to an injured bat in the care of the group, his flying lessons in a poly tunnel before his successful release to the wild. Visit the group’s website for more about the Slip End Noctule and the other conservation work undertaken by the BBG  www.bedsbatgroup.org 

The evening was sufficiently successful that we plan to take part in a Public Bat walk in spring 2011.