Join retired endangered species biologist William Watkins for this exciting lecture on the history of bird watching!

Bird studies during the Victorian era evolved from collecting eggs, feathers and study skins to an interest in the behaviour of living birds. The invention of portable binoculars in 1825 helped transition this interest towards a conservation-minded pastime and the rise of natural history societies. Excluded from male-dominated academia, many Victorian women popularized watching and recording the habits of birds and contributed to scientific publications. By the late 19th century, opposition to the wholesale slaughter of birds for their feathers to adorn hats, led to the creation of The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the Audubon Society, both of which still exist today.

Tickets are $10 general and $5 for museum members.

This lecture takes place in the Visitors’ Centre, which is wheelchair accessible.