President:
Field Marshal Sir John Chapple, GCB, CBE, DL
Members bird watching near Thetford Norfolk
The Army Ornithological Society is open to all serving and retired
members of the Army of any rank, including TA and Commonwealth forces plus MOD
Civil Servants or Civil Servants who have served with the army anywhere in the
world and their spouses and children. Others with close connections to the Army may also be
eligible at the discretion of the AOS Committee. Members of the RNBWS and RAFOS
are also welcome to join AOS expeditions. If there is space, Non-members may also be welcome on AOS expeditions,
especially if they have local knowledge.
The objects of the society
are to:
Encourage and promote bird watching in the Army
Take part in surveys and conservation
projects
Promote and disseminate knowledge of ornithology in
all its aspects
Act as a central body for liaison with other
recognised ornithological societies and assist in conservation on MOD property.
Maintain a reference library of books, papers, slides
and tape recordings. A combined AOS and RNBWS library is held at RMA Sandhurst.
Produce an annual Journal, Bulletin and Newsletter
including Ascension, Flevoland, Belize, South Africa, India
including The
Gambia, Pyrenees, Hungary, Canada and UK observations
and short trips
including Nepal 2001, Belize 2002, Poland 2003, Gambia 2003, Malaysia 2004,
Malaysia 2005, Portland 2005, Ethiopia 2006
The 2000 AGM was held over the weekend 14-16
May at Castle Martin in Pembrokeshire, South Wales, with conducted tours around
ornithological sites with a chance to meet informally, members of the society.
Breeding
Guillemots (including Bridled) and Razorbills recorded by the AOS on the Castle
Martin cliffs in May 1999during the AGM held at Castle Martin,
Pembrokeshire, South Wales.
Mike Hann and others raptor watching Baltic Coast Poland 2003, The President at
the AGM weekend May 2004.
The 2000 AGM was held on 5-7 May in Devon with field trips to Dartmoor.
(See report)
The
2001 AGM weekend was cancelled due to Foot & Mouth
The
2002 AGM was held at Catterick 10-12 May (see pictures)
The
2004 AGM was held at Saint Martin's Plain, Sussex
Bulgaria
1995 – A Golden Oriole being photographed before release during the
1995 expedition to Bulgaria.
Members
have been on expeditions to Ethiopia, The Gambia, Spain, Bulgaria, Israel, Morocco,
Malaysia, Texas, Romania, Ascension Island, France, Poland, India, Nepal,
Cyprus, Belize and The Pyrenees. RNBWS and RAFOS members are welcome on AOS
expeditions. Those on expeditions have ranged from serving private soldiers to a
retired officer over 80.
If there is space, non-members may also be welcome on AOS expeditions,
especially if they have local knowledge.
Looking for Wallcreeper – Pyrenees 1999
Dawn Birding in Southern Poland 2003
Malaysia 2005
Ethiopia 2006
Absolute
novices are just as welcome as experts as our aim is to help beginners to
recognise species in the field. The AOS takes part in surveys and conservation
and has contributed to projects in Cyprus, The Gambia, Bulgaria, Gibraltar and
of course in the UK and Germany.
The annual subscription is only £8 and this includes the Annual Journal “The
Osprey” plus a Bulletin and Newsletter. Membership also entitles members to take
part in Royal Naval Bird Watching Society and RAF Ornithological Society events.
For further details contact the Secretary: Major A Bray RLC, GSV IPT, Bldg
300, DLO Andover, Monxton Road, Andover, Hants, SP11 8HT, 01264 38210 Mil 94391
2910
Lt Col Norman Clayden MBE 1921-2003
All AOS members will be saddened to
learn of the death of Norman Clayden
Norman Clayden was born on 7 July 1921
and was commissioned into the Army on 15 September 1946. He retired as Lt
Col, The Queen's Regiment in 1973. As a retired Officer he became
the MOD Conservation officer and was awarded the MBE. He was a founder
member of the Army Bird Watching Society and for many years the secretary
of what was later to become the AOS. We owe the existence of the society
mainly to Norman who was well supported by his wife Jean.
Norman died on 28th December with the
funeral on 9th January at Aldershot Crematorium.
Our thoughts are with Jean and his
family and friends.
