Back in Grimsby - lensman who captured last-known photo of a bird that has since become extinct

                                                             

Chris' famous last photograph of a bird alas now extinct

IT will be back to home turf  on Monday for a former Grimsby man who took the last known photograph of a bird that has subsequently become extinct.

Chris Gomersall grew up in Gloucester Avenue and went on to enjoy an adventurous career in wildlife photography - first as a staff man at RSPB, then as an award-winning  freelance. 

In spring,  this year he was on board the ill-fated Dutch cruise ship, MV Hondius,  which made global headlines for the unhappiest of  reasons.

A total of 11 of the 27 on board contracted Andean Hantavirus while voyaging in the Antarctic. Three subsequently died and one became seriously ill.  

Chris escaped being infected, but the expedition had been interrupted in the most tragic of circumstances.

What is more, in common with fellow-passengers and crew, once back on dry land, he had to undergo hospital quarantine for three weeks before being allowed back to his home in Bedfordshire.                                     

Chris - award-winning photographer grew up in Grimsby

Because of  the continuing sensitivities, particularly for those who lost oved ones, Chris is unlikely to say much about  what happened on the MV Hondius in the illustrated talk he will be giving  at Holy Trinity church hall on Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes,  on Monday October 19.

Instead, he will describe other aspects of his career - most notably his mesmerising encounter in Morocco with the now-extinct Slender-billed Curlew - a smaller relative of the Eurasian Curlew, the latter being a  species regularly seen in autumn and winter on mudflats on both sides of the Humber and sometimes on school playing fields and golf courses.

That encounter was back in February, 1995, since when the decline of this wading species has culminated, in November two years ago, in its being officially  declared extinct.

Much-travelled Chris will also describe many other highlights of his career in what what promises to be a captivating presentation.

The event will be an historic  first joint-meeting of Grimsby RSPB group and the Lincolnshire Bird Club.

However, it is also open to non-members of either group  with an admission charge of just £5 including a tea/coffee and biscuits during the interval.

The meeting starts at 7.30pm.