Minutes of the Committee Meeting 22^nd May 2007

Held at the National Trust Offices Llandeilo.

Present John Lloyd, George Causley, Rob Hunt, Angela Lovegrove, Diana Jones, Owen Harris

1) Apologies for absence

Apologies were received from: Derek Moore, Wendell Thomas, Colin Jones and Dave Morris

2) Minutes of the meeting held on 20^th February 2007 were accepted as a true record.

3) These were duly approved for posting on the website.

4) Matters arising.

a) Rob Hunt reported that the collected county sightings for the years 1992 – 98 had been reformatted and would be uploaded to the website very shortly.

b) Angela Lovegrove gave an update on the distribution of the County

Bird Report to libraries and shops. Copies still to be lodged with the British Library and The National Library of Wales. Approaches to be made to: Pembrey Visitor Centre, Ottakers Carmarthen, Carmarthen and Llanelli Public Libraries, Pont Abraham, and Wendell will deliver some to Cilgerran Reserve on the forthcoming Club Visit.

c) It was confirmed by Diana Jones that the name of the 100^th member will be published on the website in the newsletter.

5) County Bird Recorder’s Report.

In Derek Moore’s absence no report was received though the hope was expressed that the 2006 Report was on course for completion before the end of October this year.

6) Publications

a) Birds of Carmarthenshire

Progress is good and this is now in its second draft. Ian Morgan is contributing sections including the geology of Carmarthenshire and a history of bird watching in the County.

b) Site Guide. Ian Hainsworth is continuing to make progress on this. The view was expressed that while John Lloyd would welcome photos of birds whose status in the County has changed over the years in order to illustrate the Birds of Carmarthenshire the Site guide was the most appropriate place to publish rarity photos. This needs further discussion with Ian in order to avoid duplication.

7) BTO Regional Representative÷s Report

Sadly Colin Jones has relinquished the post of BTO Atlas organiser with immediate effect and will not continue as BTO County Representative beyond the completion of his current term of office at the end of next year. Other than noting this there was no report. Efforts are under way to find an Atlas Organiser.

8) Programme of meetings.

Diana Jones presented the programme in the

absence of Wendell Thomas. The events up to and including July 14^th. Are currently posted on the website. The trips for August and September as well as the AGM on Wednesday October 17^th. will shortly be issued in the Newsletter and posted on the web site. It was felt that an evening at Burry Port watching Terns in August or September previously mooted was an idea worth pursuing and Diana Jones was asked to request Wendell to arrange such and evening. Rob Hunt to lead.

9) Secretary÷s Report

An e-mail has been received from the County Biodiversity Officer requesting the use of photos from the website and asking for the Club to publicise the Biodiversity Newsletter. It was felt that close links with the Officer could only be mutually beneficial. The Secretary was asked to contact the Bio Diversity officer to encourage her to follow the same procedures as anyone else in making use of members’ images and to request the Club webmaster to place the Biodiversity Newsletter on our website.

10) Newsletter

Diana Jones reported that the latest issue was almost ready for dispatch. The suggestion was made that a brief report of the twitch for the Glaucous Winged Gull be included.

11) Treasurer÷s Report

The Treasurer reported a satisfactory situation in that the current account stands at £1,436 and the deposit account at £1,000. This means that we will have no problem in covering the cost of the 2006 report while leaving the reserve intact.

11) Web Site

Comment was passed as to the excellence of the site. It is continually improved and updated and the Committee records its thanks to the webmaster Mark Newton.

13) Conservation Matters

a) Coedbach

The club is no longer directly involved with negotiations on this site but we hear that progress is being made.

b) Witchett Pool

In Derek’s absence, it was not known whether he had made progress with Fay Martin over collation of records from this site. Despite the recent discovery of a Spoonbill on this dune slack the quality of the habitat has degraded.

c) Dippers and Road Bridges

The Chairman reported that Powys County Council now take the common practice of Dippers in using road bridges as nesting sites into consideration. They are now routinely placing nest boxes under newly repaired bridges. He has approached Isabel Macho the County Biodiversity officer to make approaches to Carmarthenshire Council to behave likewise.

14) A.O.B.

There was none

15) Date place and time of next meeting.

Tuesday 21^st August 2.00pm at Llandeilo