Copyright Carmarthenshire Bird Club 2004-2008
Carmarthenshire Bird Club Clwb Adar Sir Gaerfyrddin
Minutes of the Committee Meeting 20th November 2007
Held at the
National Trust Offices Llandeilo.
Present John Lloyd, , Rob Hunt, Diana Jones, Owen Harris, Derek Moore, Jenny Davies,
1) Apologies for absence
Apologies were received from Beth Harris, Wendell Thomas.
2) Minutes of the meeting held on 22nd August 2007 were accepted as a true
record with two minor amendments.
3) These were duly approved for posting on the website.
4) Matters arising.
a) Conservation Matters
Witchet Pool
Derek had also reported that there had been no response from the MOD Conservation Officer to the offer of more records from this site in return for the granting of more permits. Nor has there been a reply to the concerns expressed regarding the degradation of the habitat. Derek felt however that there may be some improvement in the future in repose to pressure exerted by the CCW who have an interest in this site. The Chairman felt that is important that Witchet Pool remain an agenda item so that we may continue our watching brief.
Dipper Boxes
John Lloyd reported that The County Council Conservation Officer, Isabel Macho had been provided with a list of suitable nest box suppliers and that he would maintain a watching brief to ensure that nest-boxes were provided on each suitable bridge worked on by the Council
b) Publications
i) Ian Hainsworth has almost finished this work and it is being reviewed by Rob Hunt and Gary Harper.
ii) The Birds of Carmarthenshire is approaching publication. A possible publisher has been found in Lighthouse Publishing, who has a track record in producing well illustrated natural history publications at a price which is not prohibitive to the more general reader.
5) County Bird Recorder’s Report.
Derek Moore reported that preparations for the 2006 Bird Report have been delayed by a number of difficulties in extracting records from a host of differing formats. This highlights the need for a standardised format and the need to encourage electronic submissions through the website whenever possible. To this end discussions have taken place with Mark our webmaster who is devising a system for immediately extracting species records in taxonomic and date orders at the end of the year. This system would also flag up to those submitting a record of a bird requiring a description this requirement and direct them to the appropriate web page. If only contributors could be persuaded to submit records via the website all this could make report publication in the first half of the following year a realistic goal.
. It was felt that Derek’s recent talk to a well attended meeting was a good start to a programme of education of members on the importance of good record submissions.
6) BTO Regional Representative's Report
The Chairman confirmed that Atlas work was underway and that though there were the usually sparsely surveyed areas the County would be covered and that in some areas this coverage would be in considerable depth.
7) Programme of meetings.
In the absence of Wendell Thomas Diana Jones reported that recent field and indoor meetings had been successful and enjoyable.
Future Events:
December 5th Barry and Sandra Stewart on the Birds of India
January 16th "Hunt Upside Down" Rob Hunt on the Birds of Australia
February 16th Field trip to Whitford with Gwent Ornithological Society. Meet Cwm Ivy Car Park 9.30 am
March 12th The Wonders of the Ross Sea by Nigel McCall.
April 26th Field Trip to Dinas Reserve.
May 10th Llliw Reservoir Meet in Car Park at 10.00am.
Wendell would appreciate ideas and suggestions for the June field meeting.
8) Secretary's Report
An e-mail has been received from the BTO asking for Support for the Atlas Survey. This was replied to indicating the steps the Club has already taken and asking for sufficient fliers to enable one to be sent to each member with the notice of the AGM.
9) Newsletter
Other than the BCP Newsletter which had been circulated the Secretary had nothing to report.
10) Treasurer's Report
In the absence of the Treasurer no report was given.
11) Web Site
John raised a request received from our webmaster to place the Bird Reports for 2003 -2005 inclusive on the website. After discussion it was agreed to place only the 2002 report on the Website at this stage.
However a question was raised as to whether the Reports for 2001 and 2002 were available to place on the site also. The Secretary would discuss the question with Mark Newton and report back.
A request for a definitive list of Carmarthenshire Species to be placed on the Website has been received. Derek Moore, John Lloyd and Rob Hunt would produce this list and see to its publication.
13) A.O.B.
There was none
14) Date place and time of next meeting.
Tuesday 19th February 2008 2.00pm at Llandeilo