14 May 2007

To help the RSPB celebrate 60 years of Minsmere as an RSPB nature reserve, two major book signings are being organised in the visitor centre.

On Saturday 26 May, leading wildlife photographer David Tipling will be signing copies of 'The RSPB Guide to Digital Wildlife Photography'. Then on Sunday 10 June, Suffolk-based wildlife artist Peter Partington will be signing copies of 'The Secret Lives of Garden Birds' and 'The Secret Lives of British Birds'.

David Tipling is one of Britain's top wildlife photographers, having won the prestigious Nature Photographer of the Year award during a career spanning more than two decades. His latest book is highly acclaimed, as David gives away many of his trade secrets, while the photographs are simply stunning.

David Tipling, who is based in North Norfolk, will be at Minsmere from 11 am to 3 pm on Saturday 26 May to sign copies of his book and talk to visitors about the art of wildlife photography.

To coincide with David's visit, staff from Viking Optical of Halesworth will be at Minsmere on Saturday 26 May to demonstrate the latest range of digi-scoping equipment. Digi-scoping is increasingly popular among birdwatchers as a means of taking wildlife photographs through a telescope.

Peter Partington is a Suffolk-based member of the Society of Wildlife Artists and has illustrated several books and magazine articles. His most recent books, written by Dominic Couzens, give a fascinating insight into the lives of some of the UK's most familiar birds, beautifully illustrated by Peter's brilliant paintings.

Peter Partington will be at Minsmere from 11 am on Sunday 10 June to sign copies of the books and offer advice to visitors about painting wildlife.

Announcing these book signings, RSPB Minsmere Visitor Centre Manager Tim Rose said, 'We are really pleased to welcome such acclaimed photographers, artists and authors as David Tipling and Peter Partington to Minsmere to help us celebrate our 60th anniversary. I'm sure many visitors will enjoy meeting them and learning a few tricks of the trade.'

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For further information contact:
Ian Barthorpe, RSPB Marketing and Publicity Officer, Suffolk Coast 01728 648281
Tim Rose, RSPB Minsmere Visitor Centre Manager 01728 648281

Notes to editors

1. Minsmere became an RSPB nature reserve on 25 April 1947 and celebrates its 60th anniversary this year.
2. RSPB Minsmere nature reserve is open daily from 9 am to dusk. The RSPB shop and tearoom open at 10 am daily, and the visitor centre closes at 5 pm. The reserve is signposted form the A12 at Blythburgh and Yoxford and from Westleton village.
3. David Tipling is a well known professional wildlife photographer and birder. His many awards include the prestigious Nature Photographer of the Year. For the past two decades David has travelled extensively, photographing some of the world's most iconic wildlife. He is the author of several books and his wildlife photographs have been published widely throughout the world.
'4. The RSPB Guide to Digital Wildlife Photography' is published by A&C Black and retails for £19.99.
5. David recently spent two days at Minsmere taking photographs for the RSPB image library, www.rspb-images.com
6. Digi-scoping involves using a compact digital camera to take photographs through a telescope, providing excellent high magnification digital photographs. Viking Optical of Halesworth, the RSPB's optic's supplier, are specialists in digi-scoping and stock a range of suitable products, which can be bought at Minsmere.
7. Peter Partington's paintings are widely admired for the uniquely vibrant and fluid style in which he captures the essence of bird behaviour. He has illustrated many books and writes regular magazine articles. He has been elected to the Society of Wildlife Artists and the International Museum of Wildlife Art has several pieces of his work in its collection.
'8. The Secret Lives of Garden Birds' and 'The Secret Lives of British Birds' are written by Dominic Couzens and illustrated by Peter Partington. They are published by A&C Black and retail for £14.99.
9. Peter regularly runs Painting Workshops at Minsmere. The next course will be on Saturday 22 September.
10. For details of other events at Minsmere, please see www.rspb.org.uk/events