ARMY ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Newsletter Number 25 January 2005

1. Secretary’s Notes

2. AGM

3. Membership

4. Publications

5. Expeditions

6. Studies

7. Committee

8. Notices

1. Secretary’s Notes

a. I am still building up a list of e-mail addresses. If you have an e-mail address and I have not contacted you by e-mail please send me a message.

b. Please note that I will be based at Andover from 7 February 2005. Please use my new details.

Maj A J Bray

GSV IPT

Bldg 300

DLO Andover

Monxton Rd

Andover

Hants

SP11 8HT

01264 382910

Mil 94391 2910.

E-mail: andrew.bray216@mod.uk

You can still reach me at home; details are in the Bulletin.

2. AGM 2005

You are probably aware that in December some cuts were announced in the MOD. These included other aspects besides disbanding a few Regiments, if that was not painful enough. The camp at Leek training Area has also closed its doors. This then meant that we would have to find alternative accommodation. This has been fraught with difficulties and we have had to change the dates of the weekend. The AGM will now take place over the weekend 03 - 05 Jun 05. We will be based at Swynnerton Training Camp that is north of Stafford and to the west of the M6. It was an old munition factory and storage area which now has a mix of habitats including woods, scrub, a lake and bog. On the Saturday we will still visit the moorland habitat of Leek Training Area; a coach will transport us around. If there is time we will stop off at Tittesworth Reservoir nature reserve. We hope to find Red Grouse, Wheatear, Merlin, Redstart, Pied Flycatcher and if lucky an Osprey passing through. On Sunday we will explore the backdoor training area of Swynnerton. This has a wide range of lowland birds. We will finish with lunch in the canteen before departing on our way home. The weekend will provide a wide range of birds and we will have guides to accompany us on both days.

Enclosed is the programme for the weekend and an attendance form. Please return the attendance form by 13 April 2005. Alternatively e-mail or ring me. The cost of the weekend is expected to be around £28 per person. This will be collected during the weekend of the AGM.

3. Membership

We continue to recruit more serving members than those who retired from the Service. Richard Seargent has been speaking to Soldier magazine about another small article and we will run the notice in DCIs again. Our membership now stands at 207.

4. Publications

a. The Osprey. The editor is still accepting articles; his email address is regimental-secretary@kingsownborder.army.mod.uk. These should be with him by 1 Mar 05. There is also a pressing need for pictures to go on the bird page. If you have a photograph of any bird that gives you the self-satisfaction of a picture well taken, then it needs to be printed. The editor asks that you include a caption of the species type so that he can find the scientific name. You can e-mail pictures or pop it in the post. If necessary you can send it to the Secretary who will forward it for you. Photographs can be returned.

b. Library. The following new publications have been received:

(1). Birdlife International

· World Birdwatch, Volume 25, Number 4, December 2003.

· World Birdwatch, Volume 26, Number 1, March 2004.

· World Birdwatch, Volume 26, Number 2, June 2004.

· World Birdwatch, Volume 26, Number 3, September 2004

· World Birdwatch, Volume 26, Number 4, December 2004

(2). Ornithological Society of the Middle East

· Sandgrouse, Volume 26 (1), 2004.

· Sandgrouse, Volume 26 (2), 2004.

(3). UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum

· Forum News 24, February 2004.

· Annual Report 2002/03

(4). Miscellaneos

· RAFOS Newsletter, Number 76, Autumn 2003.

· Where to Watch Birds in Britain and Europe (John Gooders). Somewhat out of date, being published in the late 1980s but some excellent areas are listed.

· Gambia Birding 2004.

· The Birds of St Helena and Ascension Island. RSPB. A must for anyone attending a Booby Expedition.

5. Expeditions

a. An updated list of expeditions is attached.

c. Malaysia 13 - 28 Feb 05: Tim Hallchurch will guarantee to swell your life lists in a visit to the highlands of Penang and its environs. A refined pace for those who enjoy relaxed birding in very exotic surroundings. The expedition will keep away from tsunami hit coastal areas. Details through Tim Hallchurch.

d. Fontainebleu 24 – 27 Feb 05: A noted area for Cranes, Sea Eagles and particularly Woodpeckers. Still winter so the early starts are manageable but no breaks until last light. Transport by minibus and accommodation in local hotel. Out Thursday night from Aldershot and Folkestone to hit the Lac Du Der-Chantecoq at first light on Friday and meet up with the Germany contingent at the Obervatoire on the D13. Full day on the Aube lakes near Troyes then on to Fontainebleu and a (cheap) hotel. Complete day in the forest and then a second night in the hotel. Early start on Sunday morning to hit the Channel coast reserves at Boulogne and also Calais, returning Sunday afternoon. Names are required to Roger Dickey by 31 Jan latest in order to book passage, minibus places and accommodation.

e. Canada 14 – 28 May 05: This Tim Cowley led romp across the Prairies, Rockies and to Vancouver Island and back still has vacancies but interest must be declared by end of Jan 05 in order to obtain discounted fares. Budget Atlantic crossing, motel accommodation and long drives shared by all. Huge variety of birds at an optimum time to catch migration down the West Coast. Get in touch with Roger Dickey soonest in order to work out final costs.

f. Minsmere and Sizewell 17 – 19 Jun 05: Carl and Ann Powell are hosting this biennial weekend event which again promises quality birds at Minsmere and on Carl’s own patch at Sizewell. Accommodation is own business unless sharing the back lawn tent site of The Lion pub. More than just birds as Carl is an ornithologist, entomologist and botanist rolled into one.

g. Details of other expeditions and field days will be given on enquiry and at the AGM in May.

h. Contacts: A list of contact phone numbers is given in the programme of events. Should this not establish contact with the expedition organiser, please phone or e-mail the Expeditions Member – Lt Col Roger Dickey, at home or at work, from the information below:

Home: Tel: 01458 223728 E-mail:roger@dickey4444.freeserve.co.uk

Work: Tel: 01722 436446 ISIS: Land-Plans-ComdPlans-SO1

6. Studies

a. MOD Bird Count. Members will know the difficulties that we have encountered in bringing the MOD Bird Count into line with accepted methodology and the final product being a useful bird monitoring tool, not only for the MOD estate but as part of the national monitoring effort. Subject to a meeting to be held with DE Conservation, the other 2 Services and BTO, we hope to have an acceptable solution for the 2005 Bird Count. Following discussions with BTO, it is hoped that the MOD database is capable of being kept on Bird Track, with some modifications. For members who have not yet logged on to Bird Track, it is highly commended as a simple way to keep all your bird records but with the benefit of making your data available to BTO’s national database.

b. Gibraltar Migration Watch – Autumn 2005. Volunteers who wish to assist with the Gibraltar Migration Watch should forward their names to Roger Dickey at the AGM in Swynnerton or beforehand. Volunteers will be able to assist with Ringing and take part in migrating raptor counts as part of a tri-Service monitoring effort.

c. Exercise BOOBY 10 – 15-26 Oct 05. It is intended that this next Ex BOOBY, organised by Andrew Bray, be the last of its kind. Both John Hughes and Colin Wearn (RAFOS), assisted by tri-Service members of the Societies where required, will continue to monitor the progress of the sea-birds on Ascension Island but there is less requirement for the larger numbers of surveyors that were necessary in the early days of the Survey. In order to draw a line under this sustained effort, started in the late 80s, it is hoped that sufficient serving volunteers will be available to update as many of the previous studies, as possible. Again, names to Andrew Bray by the AGM please.

d. Studies - Future Intent. The Chairman and Committee are particularly keen to see the AOS develop in an active way and to this end, Roger Dickey has been tasked to look at ways in which the Society can contribute to national, and where possible, international bird studies. The first step is to overhaul the MOD Bird Count but there are considerable gaps in our knowledge of what goes on ‘ornithologically’ on our training areas in the UK and abroad. The Society has a good but perhaps ‘quietly sung’ track record and we are always on the lookout for further projects (such as our help to BTO, Birdlife International and the Makasutu Wildlife Trust). There are a few studies in the pipeline but if you know of a project which requires a number of birders of every ability, for up to two weeks at a time including time off for some self indulgent birding, please get in touch with Roger Dickey at the contacts above.

6. Committee

We require a new Treasurer to take over from Ken Wright. Ken has reached a stage where he cannot provide the support to the Society, as he would like to. Ken has performed a sterling task over the last couple of years and the accounts are up to date and ready for audit. There is now little for his successor to do except run the account. Most of our members pay by Standing Order and he has sorted out any arrears. I am not expecting a rush of volunteers however if you can afford to help please do. The Society is flourishing but it needs your assistance. If you think you can assist please either ring Ken or the Secretary to discuss the requirement.

7. Notices

a. The Society’s first President, Field Marshal Sir Roland Gibbs died on Sunday 28 Nov 04. He was commissioned into the Kings Royal Rifle Corps in 1940. He won a DSO and MC during the Second World War. He commanded the 3^rd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment and 16 Parachute Brigade. During his tour as CinC Middle East Command he sponsored the first expedition by the Society to the Trucial States (now UAE). He was always a birdwatcher even late into his career. Whilst Commander 1(British) Corps, during a visit to the Royal Green Jackets, the only question he asked was when walking between locations he stopped, turned to the CO and asked him what the bird in the shrub was. He was President of the Society from its inception as the Army Bird Watching Society in 1972 until 1990.

b. Ethiopia 2006. The probable dates for a trip to Ethiopia are 18 Mar – 1 Apr 06. The itinerary is likely to include sleeping with lions near Addis, travel through the Rift Valley before heading for the Southern Highlands and possibly the source to the Blue Nile. It is expected that 250+ species will be seen with an aim to see as many of the 24 endemic species as possible. The cost will be approximately £1200 - £1500 depending on itinerary. Details on the recce can be found on the website, www.aos.org.uk, or speak to Tim Hallchurch.

c. Gibraltar. The RAFOS have opened up their expedition to Gibraltar

5-22 March (probably) to the AOS. , At present, they are limited to a maximum of six people at any one time at Jews’ Gate (the observatory looking south over the Strait of Gibraltar). Participants are welcomed for short periods during the dates. The cost of the accommodation is likely to be £10 per day for the first few days, then £5 per day thereafter. Personnel will be asked to contribute to cover car hire, food etc. The expedition will not be making use of any military facilities.

The main aims are:

· Gull Counts (Mostly Gibraltar, but counts elsewhere, especially at the new tip in Spain, will be undertaken).

· Seawatching. The comfortable new GONHS observatory gives a splendid view of the Strait. Few systematic counts have been carried out in March, when the shearwaters return, uninterrupted by weather. The new observatory allows telescope observations even in windy weather.

· Ringing. At present, the plan is for Julia Springett to work under the supervision of GONHS A-class ringers. Those with ringing licences or experience may participate if the GONHS A-class ringers are content with your abilities.

Further details can be obtained from the Secretary.

d. BOU Taxonomic Recommendations for British Birds.

Some of the recent recommendations by the BOU Taxonomic Sub-committee take effect immediately. The recommendations include:

Egyptian Goose scientific name to be Alopochen aegyptiaca

Willow Ptarmigan (Red Grouse) scientific name to be Lagopus logopus scotia

Rock Ptarmigan to be Logopus muta

Stilt Sandpiper to be Calidris himantopus

Spotted Sandpiper to be Actitis macularius

Long-tailed Skua to be treated as two races:

Stercorarius longicaudus longicaudus (Scandinavia east to approx.Lena Delta)

Stercorarius longicau pallascens (Greenland N. America and Siberia)

Great Skua to be Stercorarius skua

Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla there are studies to suggest that the Pacific population is a different sub-species.

Black Guillemot to be Cepphus grylle arcticus to differentiate from the Baltic breeding Cepphus grylle grille.

Snowy Owl to be Bubo scandiacus

Blue-cheeked Bee-eater. The north African Blue Cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus to be treated as separate from sub-Saharan African Olive Bee-eater Merops superciliosus.

House Martin to be Delichon urbicum

Stonechat to be Saxicola torquatus

Pied Wheatear to be split:

Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka

Cyprus Pied Wheatear O cypriaca

Following DNA research, the species of Sylvia warblers should follow the following sequence:

Blackcap S. atricapilla

Garden Warbler S. Borin

Barred Warbler S. nisoria

Lesser Whitethroat S. curruca

Orphean Warbler S. hortensis

Asian Desert Warbler S. nana

African Desert Warbler S. deserti

Common Whitethroat S. communis

Spectacled Warbler S. conspicillata

Dartford Warbler S. undata

Marmora’s Warbler S. sarda

Rűppell’s Warbler S. rueppelli

Subalpine Warbler S. cantillans

Sardinian Warbler S. Melanocephala

Red-breasted Flycatcher to be treated as two species:

Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva

Taiga Flycatcher F. albicilla

Pied FlycatcherThe Eurasian black and white flycatchers have been treated as three separate species:

Pied Ficedula hypoleuca but separated from Atlas Flycatcher F. speculigera and from the Iberian sub-species as F. hypoleuca iberiae.

Collared F. albicollis

Semi-collared F. semitorquata

Isabelline Shrike Mongolian race to be Lanius isabellinus isabellinus

Tarim basin China to become L I arenarius

Corn Bunting to revert to Emberiza calandra.

Blue Grossbeak Guiraca caerulea to be Passerina caerulea and the passerina species to be re-arranged in the British list as:

Lazuli Bunting Passerina amoena

Laclancher’s/Orange-breasted Bunting P. laclancherii

Varied Bunting P. versicolor

Painted Bunting P ciris

A J Bray

Hon Secretary