Army Ornithological Society

1. Bulletin
2. Membership
3. Forecast of Events
4. AGM 2008
5. Osprey
6. On-line
7. MOD Bird Count and Bird Atlas 2007-11

1. Bulletin.
The Bulletin for this year has now been distributed. Please note that the Adjutant Stork has straightened up. In due course the aim is to have a revised emblem on our correspondence that is military in its appearance.

2. Membership.
The Treasurer would like to thank all those who have amended their Bank Standing orders. There are a few we have chased with no response but have not yet given up on.

There may be some confusion with a few whether the transfer has taken place as the bank does not confirm names but accounts and therefore until we are 100% sure of the change, we may be in touch again. The number of 'no shows' was very small thus we still have a healthy membership base.

3. Forecast of Events.
A forecast of events has now been published. There is a good mix of day and weekend trips in UK plus expeditions further a field. Please support them where you can.

4. AGM 2008.
The AGM 2008 is confirmed as Warcop. The dates have had to change so we can get access to the training area without being shot at or blown up.

The new weekend is 23-25 May 08. This does fall on a Bank Holiday and a straw poll on the internet has indicated that this is not an issue for most of you. This does mean that getting there on the Friday night may involve some traffic congestion therefore there will be no proceedings that night; just the normal social get together.

The formal AGM will take place Saturday evening. We will go looking for birds on the area during the day and we may get one or two surprises. The committee are hoping that those in Scotland and the north of England will be able to join us for the AGM. Please return the attendance form in good time.

5. Osprey.
The deadline for article and photographs for the Osprey is 15 Jan 07. You are encouraged to submit an article. Those of you who carried out the MOD Bird Count, your experiences, results and lessons learnt would be of topical interest. For further information please either contact the editor, Simon Strickland or the Secretary.

6. On-line.
For those who are on-line but have not yet informed anyone, please get in touch. The Secretary tends to send out reminders and other snippets electronically. Details are also always up to date on this web site.

7. BTO Atlas and the MOD Bird Count.
After some considerable period of discussion, Defence Estates Conservation have decided that they do not have the resources to continue the MOD Bird Count in its current form.

All members and particularly those that monitor the Defence Estate are strongly encouraged to fully support the BTO Bird Atlas work over the next 4 years. It is the intention of DE EST to negotiate with BTO for the release of data pertinent to our establishments and training areas in order to determine the extent and variety of birds on the Estate.

The work already completed in the years from 2002 to 2007 will be contracted out for analysis so your labours have not been in vain.

For those wishing to know more about the BTO Atlas and how to register, please look at The Bird Atlas for details or, if off-line, write to the BTO at The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2PU, UK.

A J Bray
Hon Secretary