Why not take the opportunity to meet at an interesting venue, and to sketch, photograph or even sculpt the wildlife in a friendly group of like minded artists.
A group of us regulary do so - come and join us this year  

Some of the venues guarantee wildlife close-up, others may reward us with more elusive glimpses but marvellous water or landscapes – come along and try some! It's always a sociable occasion, as well as useful for your work.

We cannot organise transport for members, but wherever possible, car-sharing will be suggested to share costs.
If you like the idea, but these are too far for you to travel, why not organise your own locally?
We'll put you in touch with other willing Members in your area – contact me if you'd like to do this.

THE WILDLIFE ART SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL - VISITS 2010.

GRAFHAM WATER SSSI, Huntingdon. Saturday April 24th

Open water surrounded by wetlands, grasslands & ancient woods, with a huge range of birds.
Many over-wintering & breeding wildfowl & waders, paths & trails & 5 hides. Parking £2 www.wildlifebcnp.org

TOP LODGE, FINESHADE WOODS, near Stamford, Lincs.
Saturday May 8th

Part of Rockingham Forest, Red Kites can be seen on most days of the year, & live footage from nesting sites can be seen in the RSPB Visitor Centre. Shop, cafe & barn. Bluebell woods, walks & a wildlife hide.
Parking £2.50 www.forestry.gov.uk

SLIMBRIDGE WILDFOWL & WETLANDS TRUST, Gloucestershire. Saturday May 22nd

Visiting now should give us a chance to see all the new youngsters amongst the birds, lots of nesting behaviour, feeding and fledging. The Wildlife Art Gallery at this time will feature Marion Kardasz.
Adults £9.75, Concessions £7.50, WWT Members Free www.wwt.org.uk .

CHESTER ZOO, Chester . Saturday June 12th

The UK 's largest Zoo, with over 7,000 animals & 400 species, including new exhibit “The Butterfly Journey”, Realm of the Red Ape, Elephants, Jaguar, & Tropical Realm with enormous free-flight walk-through area.
Adults £14.50, Concessions £12.85 www.chesterzoo.org

PENSTHORPE, Fakenham, Norfolk . Saturday June 26th

Home of BBC's “Springwatch”, with lakes, woodland, nature trails & meadows. Diverse species of migratory & garden birds. Hides, feeding points and huge free-flight walk-through aviaries.
Also butterflies, dragonflies and red squirrels.
Adults £9.00, Concessions £7.50 www.pensthorpe.com

INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR BIRDS OF PREY, nr Newent, Glos. Saturday 7th August

Renowned centre with over 200 Birds of Prey – 25 species of owls & 22 of eagles & hawks.
Regular flying displays
Adults £8.50 www.icbp.org

WEST MIDLANDS SAFARI PARK , nr Bewdley, Worcs.
Saturday 11th September

4 mile drive-around Safari experience with Elephant, Rhino, Giraffe, White Lions & Tigers, Wolves and many others. Other areas after parking include penguins & Hippo.
Adults about £10 www.wmsp.co.uk

KINGSBURY WATER PARK , nr Sutton Coldfield.
Saturday 2nd October

15 lakes in 600 acres of country park, including a Nature Reserve with 4 bird hides. Waterside & woodland walks.
Hopefully by this time we may be seeing winter migrants.
Parking £3 www.warwickshire.gov.uk

BRADGATE PARK DEER PARK , Leicester .
Saturday 16th October

A dawn start to watch the sun (we hope) rise over autumn colour for bags of atmosphere. Experience the red deer rutting at close quarters, also fallow deer – most are quite accustomed to people & give an unequalled view of these big mammals.
Parking charges. www.leics.gov.uk

  If you plan to join in any of these visits, please let me know at least 3 weeks before the event. Email me here

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