STOP PRESS

Biosearch runners are entering the Lincoln 10 k charity run on March 28th. You can join us by registering on https://online-services.lincoln.gov.uk/AF3/an/default.aspx/RenderForm/?ID=Svf9rJmQJw9&F.Name=p5yuh69Em6F&fs2s=McGYoSTNwkB. Or just look up Lincoln 10 km run on your search engine.

We shall be raising money for cerebral palsy and also to fund the Educational Charity, Malo, set up by Biosearch Expedition team members to support the children of game scouts and others.

Can you join us for the run and for lunch afterwards? Just let us know and we will make arrangements to go as a group.

Last year the laid back group cruised round in 1 hr 15 minutes so it is not too serious, just an appetiser for lunch!

Joining us out in Malawi this year? Plenty of time to get on board and we would love to hear from you. Just give us a call on 01400 273323 to have a chat.

In 2009 we explored the virtually unvisited Mwenembwe Forest on the Nyika eastern escarpment for the first time and Steven Mphamba, seen here found yet more new species for the Millenium Seed Bank collection

Royal Geographical Society Evening

Peter and Marianne Overton photographed here at the Royal Geographical Society on Wednesday 9th December, with Prof Brian Morris, who gave an entertaining lecture on "Animals in Malawian Culture and Beliefs". We were delighted to meet up with past Biosearch team members and get out some invitations for our lunch on January 16th. Don't forget this fun launch to 2010!

Photo left: Biosearch expeditioners Sarah Sandon, Marianne and Peter Overton, with His Excellency, Francis Moto, London University lecturer Mpalive Msiska from Rumphi District and Acting Chairman of the Nyika Vwaza Trust.

COME TO LONDON FOR A NYIKA NIGHT IN EARLY DECEMBER

We invite you to join us at the Royal Geographical Society on Wednesday 9th December to support The Nyika-Vwaza (UK) Trust

A lecture by Professor Brian Morris entitled“Animals, Anthu and Ancestors : Relationships between Malawians and the World of Wildlife”Brian Morris is Emeritus Professor of Anthropology at Goldsmiths College, University of London. He is a lively speaker and his lecture will help to inform non-Malawians about the complex factors that motivate Malawians in their relationships with, and attitudes to, the wildlife around them.

Admission tickets are £15 per person.
Please email nyika@biosearch.org.uk for a ticket or ring 01400 273323

Doors open at 6 pm. The Chairman’s Welcome will be at 6.45 p.m followed by a brief account of work-in-progress and the Lecture.

A cash bar will be available both before and after the lecture. Doors close at 9 p.m.

Expedition Photo session

Saturday 19th September

Starts at 3 pm

We are having our post expedition photo show and barbecue; all are invited.

The event is free but only if you prebook your place

Full briefing and update on recent expedition with some really great photos hot from the bush

Free bush cook-out in the wood

Option to camp overnight and enjoy a camp fire breakfast - or leave at your convenience

E mail now on expeditions@biosearch.org.uk to secure your place

Our expedition training weekend on 2nd-4th May is one of the best events of the year. If you really want to know how our expeditions work without leaving the country then this one is for you. A complete 48 hour mock-up of the real thing!

If you are one of our 2009 team members or a past member of a team you will know this event is free but we want to lower the bar to encourage others to have a taster so here is a little incentive.

Book your place at half price before the end of March!

Just £99 for the weekend. If you want a full schedule of the programme then simply ask and we will send one to you.

If you subsequently join our team then the cost can contribute towards your place in the bush so the event becomes effectively free.

If you are not sure whether you can make it then you can still book later, subject to availability but the full advertised price applies.

Go for it! We hope you can join us.

Photo copyright David Bailey. Biosearch sponsors the Kestrel in the new Bird Atlas of Britain and Ireland

SPONSHORSHIP OF THE KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus)

Biosearch Expeditions has its roots in actively assisting wildlife conservation in the UK and also in the Nyika National Park in Malawi. Each year we take teams out to the remotest parts of the bush to camp and explore, recording data on all wildlife and assisting with monitoring poaching activity.

In the UK we have received the Lincolnshire Environmental Award for our farm, where we operate our training weekends and other events, which are open to all.

We have now set up a sponsorship agreement with the British Trust for Ornithology http://www.bto.org/ to support wild bird monitoring and the new Atlas of Breeding and Wintering Birds in the UK and Ireland.

The bird we are sponsoring for this atlas is the Common Kestrel. Kestrels have a wide distribution in Europe, Asia and Africa but are particularly well known in Britain, where they are frequently seen hovering over motorway verges or seen sitting on roadside posts. In Africa there are other subspecies of this iconic bird. In the Nyika National Park Falco tinnunculus rupicolis can be seen over the short grassland but it is far from common and we have not found evidence of breeding. We encourage those with an interest in birds and all wildlife to join our teams to help us research and explore the wildlife resources of Nyika. It is a beautiful upland wilderness, with fresh clear air, magnificent open skies and an absence of mosquitoes.

(Photo by permission of David Bailey)