Minutes of the Committee Meeting Tuesday 24th February 2009 Salem Village Hall 2.00

1) Present were John Lloyd, Rob Hunt, George Causley, Derek Moore and Owen and Beth Harris.

Apologies were received from Wendell Thomas and Diana Jones.

2) The Minutes of the meeting held on the 17th November were approved with one minor amendment.

3) These were approved for posting on the website.

4) Matters Arising

a) Derek is still to speak to Iolo re a supply of Welsh language field guides for schools. He will follow this up.

b) Owen reported that the guide price for car stickers was car 500 for £150. It was agreed to proceed on this basis. Owen and George to arrange.

c) The Secretary had replied to Heather Coates with an enquiry about approaches for alternative sources of funding.

d) The web-master was looking into the question of removing the necessity to specify a species count when entering web sightings.

5) Conservation Matters

a) Coedbach

Derek reported that though Kidwelly Town Council was still keen for the project to continue they were unable to spare any money in the present climate. Sarah Kestle of CCW had indicated that discussions were continuing to find a way forward.

b) Witchett Pool

John Lloyd hoped to have something to report at the next meeting following forthcoming discussions. Rob pointed out that Ginst Farm is for sale and given previous interest perhaps the RSPB might wish to pursue the matter. Derek felt that the RSPB would already be aware of the sale but undertook to contact them and let them know of the farm’s availability.

6) Publications

a) Site Guide

This has been completed and proof read. There may be some very minor alterations. Derek commented that there are funds available at present so that it is important to move the project forward. Owen to contact Ian with a view to circulating a copy around the Committee while Derek will advise on funding for publication.

b) Birds of Carmarthen

There was discussion on the best publication date and it was agreed that given the likely competition for funds in 2011 following the completion of the BTO Atlas it is important to move the project forward now. John now has the material he was waiting for and will look to prepare it for publication.

c) Distribution of 2007 Report

All members, relevant libraries and organisations and points of sale had received their copies. Owen will pass on CCW library’s contact details so that the may purchase their copy. It was also reported that the Club had received a discount of £150 on the invoice in respect of the mistake concerning the entry for Pink-footed Goose and the loss of colour in the photographs.

7) Report of the County Recorders

As far as the recorders were aware there are only two more sets of records yet to be received. The website records, BTO Atlas records for the first winter period and for the breeding season and the written records have all been added to the 2008 database and are in the process of being sorted. Derek will be able to start writing in the near future. Some excellent pen and ink drawings have been received from Bernie Beck for inclusion and John Lloyd will contribute an article on the Atlas.

8) BTO

Little to report. The Atlas makes progress, well in the south east, gaining momentum in the north east but still thinly represented in the west. The other projects such as WEBS continue satisfactorily. Our new fond capability to map all atlas data was reported.

9) Programme of Meetings

In Wendell’s absence a programme of meetings was distributed and this will be placed on the website and in the newsletter as usual.

10) Newsletter

In Diana’s absence Owen appealed for material for the next newsletter. John will write an appeal for help in filling in gaps in the Atlas breeding records accompanied with a map to be provided by Owen.

Derek requested that information on WOS’s State of Birds In Wales be posted pointing out its availability from the RSPB in Cardiff. He also asked that members could be made aware of the £2 discount on WOS membership available to them.

11) Treasurer’s Report

A full statement of accounts was presented to the meeting and attached to the minutes... The current A/C stands at £2115 79 though the invoice for the printing of the report has to be met leaving a balance in the region of £1,000. The Deposit account stands at £1020.84. The Club is solvent and able to meet any demands made by the publication of the Site Guide.

12) Website

There was discussion of seeking advertisers for the website and of allowing members to advertise their items for sale in return for a small percentage of the sale. Both were agreed in principle and John Lloyd would discuss the detailed implementation with Mark Newton.

13) AOB

Rob raised the issue of there being a contact number for people to ring with sightings in the absence of the recorder. Derek pointed out that he was in constant e-mail communication even when away, nevertheless it was felt that Owen’s number should be publicised on the website and at Penclacwydd for those who preferred to phone. The Recorders would arrange this.

14) Time, place and date of next meeting.

Salem Village Hall, Tuesday 26th May at 2.00.PM