Written by Kevin O'Hara, conservation officer at Northumberland Wildlife Trust

Where do they all go in winter? - Part 1

Recently I felt the first twangs of winter; the 'first frost' gripped my garden, the chickens came skidding out of their ark, and I had to break the ice on their drinking water. I really like those first days, when we still have some daylight left to enjoy the wonderful colours and smells. I take the camera and binoculars with me when I walk the dogs, keeping an eye out for winter thrushes or other visitors. The clocks have altered and we start the long haul of winter - not until February will some real light return to the sky, and warmth to the sun.

It is during these months that we wonder where, exactly, many of our resident wildlife species go to survive the coldest and wettest days of winter, especially those that are more delicate and less mobile.

An exhibition of photographs will be held on 4th November 2011 from 10 a.m. - 11.30 a.m. For more details please click: http://www.warkworth.co.uk/Menu.html#Portraits

After getting soaked we dried off to enjoy a very memorable day on Wednesday when the Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh visited Alnwick. I was very lucky to get a good view of them as they got out of their car in front of me. Please click this link to see my photographs: http://www.warkworth.co.uk/Menu.html#RoyalVisit

We have enjoyed a busy programme of events at meetings over the winter and spring. Members have taken part in projects, competitions, tutorials and presentations from professional photographers as well as workshops using our studio lighting equipment.

The Playhouse in Alnwick held an exhibition of members' photographs during February and March. Members look forward to a summer of field trips to Yorkshire and trips to more local destinations for interesting photographic opportunities.

The Group meets on Friday mornings 9am - 12.00 (except for field trip days). Additional meetings are planned for Tuesday evenings from 7th June 2011. The meetings are held in the Trinity Methodist Church Hall, Percy Street, Amble, NE65 0AG. Join us for a FREE "taster" session. All abilities welcome. Contact our secretary Carol on 01665 710177 or carolmckay177@btinternet.com. Visit our website www.amblephotogroup.com

Big Lottery Fund and ITV, with the approval of Buckingham Palace, are helping to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

Jubilee People's Millions projects will inspire, involve or improve their local communities. If you've got an idea that could breathe life into your local area and improve the lives of the people who live there, why not apply for a grant of up to £60 000!

This morning I had a brilliant view of the eclipse from my bedroom window and took lots of photos.

Chernobyl Orphan Group Amble (link to website) are staging another top quality entertainment packed evening at the Radcliffe Club this Saturday, 13th November. Shake off the winter blues and come along for an excellent country music evening and a friendly drink.

The UK's Top Country Music Maker, John Miller & his Country Casuals, will be performing, for one night only at the Radcliffe Workingmens Club in Amble starting at 7:30 p.m.

This unique opportunity to experience probably the finest country music available in the UK today is available for an entry fee of just £3, don't forget to bring along an extra couple of quid for the charity raffle in the interval ;-)

John Miller and his band have shoe horned this event into their packed schedule and kindly donated the evening free of charge in support of the Chernobyl Orphan Group (Amble).

The venue is Radcliffe Workingmens Club, Charles Road, Amble. NE64 0RA

A presentation by Mario entitled 'In the Footsteps of the Snow Leopard......Travels in Nepal and Tibet' will take place on 24th MARCH 2011 at 7.30 p.m. in THE DOVECOTE CENTRE, AMBLE, NE65 0DX.

TICKETS FROM 01665 710 177 - £3.50 INCLUDING REFRESHMENTS
There will be a display of members' photographs which will be for sale.

This event is to be organised by Amble Photographic Group, http://www.amblephotogroup.com/

To be held in The Trinity Methodist Church Hall, Amble , NE65 0AG on
Friday the 5th November 10am - 11.30am
£1 entrance to include raffle ticket and refreshments
Solve your Christmas present dilemma!
Bric-a-Brac, Books, Tombola, Raffle and Home Baking

Graham Kirby added this action shot to our Northumberland group on the Flickr photo-sharing website, showing a demonstration by the RNLI during the Amble harbour day.

Join the group to share your photos for this site or send them to northumberland@ncjmedia.co.uk.