Wildlife Talks
Oliver's talks are digital presentations and run for approximately 90 minutes (or less if required). If you'd like to arrange for Oliver to speak at one of your events then please contact him using the contact page, or if you'd just like to attend then please come along, you'll be very welcome.
Please note that some groups may charge a small entrance fee.
CHARGES
Due to the increased cost of travelling and lost time driving, Oliver has set the following charges for his talks from 1st January 2012. All existing booking fees as well as any future agreements will be honoured. If your group has a limited budget then please contact Oliver to discuss, as alternative arrangements can often be made.
•Basic fee - £80
•Mileage expenses - 25 pence per mile
•Travel time - £10 per hour above two hours total travel time (using AA Route Planner)
Here are a couple of examples:
1) 45 minute drive (30 miles) each way will cost the basic rate of £80 and £15 fuel expenses
2) 2 hour 30 minute drive (140 miles) each way will cost the basic rate of £80, £70 fuel expenses plus £30 additional travel time.
Oliver does his best not to require overnight accommodation but on occasions this may be required if his journey is greater than 2 hours. Please advise Oliver if accommodation can be offered.
Talk Topics
Talk 1 - (in preparation, available for 2013/14) - "Exploring Ethiopia":
Following nearly a month in this ancient land, Oliver tells the story of the diverse wildlife to be found in Ethiopia. With high altitudes, culture, people and landscapes to add to the mix this is not just a place for the hardy traveller but can be enjoyed by anyone interested in fascinating wildlife and history.
Talk 2 - "Butterfly Britain":
Butterflies have been collected or studied in Britain for hundreds of years and the decline over recent times has been dramatic. Oliver's latest talk takes you on a journey to see all of the resident species to these isles as well as some of the rare migrants and extinct species that have or still occasionally occur here. His talk will cover the ecology, behaviour, habitats and the relationships with other plants and animals that make these little insects so uniquely special.
Talk 3 - "From 60 Degrees North":
Northern latitudes are an attractive prospect for nature photographers. There is a diversity of species during the breeding season and the beauty of winter landscapes. Wildlife has to endure extreme temperatures, predators and the risks from migration. They do all this in some of the most beautiful and wild locations on Earth. Oliver's journey to the Alaskan Arctic to photograph Polar Bears, the Shetland Isles for thousands of seabirds and to Finland for Golden Eagles and Black Grouse will give you a glimpse of the delights of these three destinations.
Talk 4 - "Cuba - A Flicker of Interest":
Following a three week independent trip to Cuba in 2010, Oliver's talk will take you to the cigar capital of the world: Cuba. It is more than just old cars, tobacco and sugarcane though and has a wonderful array of endemic and near-endemic bird species as well as many North American migrants during the dry winter season. In this talk Oliver will showcase some of the beautiful bird species of this great island with a little bit of local culture thrown in for good measure.
Talk 5 - "RAW Nature - Images Uncovered"
Have you ever wondered how an image was taken? If so then this may be the talk for your group. Aimed more at photographic clubs where eager photographers want to learn in more detail how images are taken, the equipment and techniques used, tricks of the trade and any post-processing tips. This talk is a condensed version of Oliver's Wildlife Photography Workshop.
Talk 6 - "Cameras and Creatures - from Cumbria to Canada":
2007 was an amazing year for Oliver as he travelled widely looking for new material as well as celebrating the great event of becoming 30!! This talk will take the audience over 3 continents and show many wonderful creatures including lemurs, bears, dolphins, butterflies, dragonflies and birds.
Talk 7 - "A Birding Migration" - Birds of Lesvos:
Lesvos has been well documented for its impressive list of migratory species passing through each spring. Having visited three years in succession to witness the spectacle of migration Oliver's talk will visit many of the important birding areas on the island and the value of each to the species that stop to refuel for their long journeys north. Oliver will also illustrate many of the common resident species as well as some other animals that live on this fantastic Greek island.
Talk 8 - "A Wild Grizzly Adventure" - Grizzly Bears of Alaska:
An amazing journey to the Alaskan wilderness, Oliver comes face-to-face with some incredible Grizzly Bears. This talk shows some of his favourite images from his trip along with an insight into part of the lives of Grizzlies during the famous salmon run. This is an exceptionally popular talk which will hopefully blow you away with some fantastic close-ups of wild Grizzly Bears.
Talk 9 - "Olly Goes Wild On Handa":
After two trips to Handa Island, off the northwest coast of Scotland in 2004, Oliver has prepared a talk on some of the wildlife that can be found on the island along with a visual guided tour around this remote location.
Images opposite (clockwise) - Pacific White-sided Dolphin, Canada; Hoopoe, Lesvos; Grizzly Bear, Alaska & Great Skua, Handa Island
See dates and venues below.
September 2013
9 September 2013 at 19:30 - From 60 Degrees North
Dursley Birdwatching & Preservation Society
Durlsey Community Centre
Rednock
Dursley
GL11 4BX
Visit DB&PS
20 September 2013 at 19:30 - Butterfly Britain
Southport RSPB Group
Lord Street West Church Hall
Duke Street
Southport
Merseyside
PR8 2FP
Visit Southport RSPB Group
October 2013
3 October 2013 at 19:30 - Exploring Ethiopia
Bucks Bird Club
Wendover Memorial Hall
Wharf Road (Leading into Manor Road)
Wendover
Visit Bucks Bird Club
8 October 2013 at 19:30 - A Birding Migration
Devon Bird Watching & Preservation Society: Taw & Torridge Group
The Castle Centre
Barnstaple
Devon
Visit Taw & Torridge Group
19 October 2013 at 19:30 - Exploring Ethiopia
Gwent Ornithological Club
Goytre Village Hall
Penperlleni
Abergavenny
NP4 0AW
Visit Gwent Ornithological Club
November 2013
21 November 2013 at 19:30 - From 60 Degrees North
Nuneaton Bird Club
Hatters Space Community Centre
Upper Abbey Street
Nuneaton
CV11 5DN
Visit Nuneaton Bird Club
December 2013
10 December 2013 at 19:30 - Exploring Ethiopia
Wootton Bassett Wiltshire Wildlife Trust
Memorial Hall
Station Road
Wootton Bassett
Swindon
Wiltshire
SN4 8AA
February 2014
7 February 2014 at 19:30 - Cuba: A Flicker of Interest
West Midland Bird Club
Knowle Parish Church Hall
Knowle
Solihull
B93 0LN
Visit West Midland Bird Club
17 February 2014 at 19:30 - Butterfly Britain
Timsbury Natural History Society
Conygre Hall
Timsbury
Bath
20 February 2014 at 19:30 - Exploring Ethiopia
South Somerset RSPB Group
The Millenium Hall
Seavington St. Mary
Ilminster
Somerset
TA19 0QH
Visit South Somerset RSPB Group
March 2014
20 March 2014 at 19:30 - From 60 Degrees North
Bristol Ornithological Club
Newman Hall
Grange Court Road
Bristol
BS9 4DR
Visit Bristol Ornithological Club
May 2014
28 May 2014 at 19:30 - From 60 Degrees North
Guildford RSPB Group
Onslow Village Hall
The Square
Wilderness Road
Guildford
Surrey
GU2 7QR
Visit Guildford RSPB Group
