Minutes of the RSPB Richmondshire & Hambleton Local Group AGM

Transcription

1 Minutes of the RSPB Richmondshire & Hambleton Local Group AGM Evergreen Room, Hipswell Habitat, 9 May 2014 Apologies Jim Brettell, Marion Donnelly, Barbara Crinson, Brenda & John Stirling, Anne & Martin Vann, John & Jude Haslam, Dono Leaman Grahame welcomed everyone to the meeting. He reminded those present of the need for new committee members and asked them to consider this while the first four items on the agenda were being covered. Grahame has already spoken to Carol Tresadern about the possibility of closing down the group at the 2015 AGM if no new committee members come forward. Minutes of the last AGM Mary proposed that these be accepted, Jane seconded this and the motion was carried. Events of the past year May 2013 There was a dawn chorus walk, with 12 members present. June 2013 A trip was made to RSPB Geltsdale; there were 9 members present and 32 species were seen including whinchat but unfortunately the trip ran at a loss. July 2013 An evening visit was made to Hamsterley Forest to see nightjar. August 2013 There was a walk from Surrender Bridge; ring ouzel, dipper, wheatear, peregrine, merlin, raven and a black redstart were seen. In response to a request from Seb Mankelow, our local National Trust ranger, the group funded and helped to install nest boxes for pied flycatcher in Hagg and Hudswell Woods. September 2013 There was a walk from Saltburn along part of the Cleveland Way an enjoyable walk but not many birds were seen.

2 There was also a very enjoyable trip to Gibraltar Point by 8 members; unfortunately the centre suffered very badly from storm damage over the winter and the residential wing has had to be closed. October 2013 Keith Gittens gave a talk in Gilling West on the Dragonflies of Yorkshire Later in October, there was a group outing to Tophill Low Nature Reserve. November 2013 Vic Fairborough gave a talk in Thirsk on the ring ouzels of the North York Moors. Later in November, Teresa Quinn led a walk from Wensley Bridge along the River Ure to Lord s Bridge and back. December 2013 Dick Temple gave a talk in Richmond about his work with merlins in Upper Teesdale. Ted Cooper led a walk around Cleasby lake. January 2014 The annual quiz was held in Northallerton Cricket Club. There was also a walk to Scorton Lakes. February 2014 Ian Court, wildlife conservation officer for the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, gave a talk in Leyburn. Jane Towler led a walk around the lakes at Nosterfield Quarry. March 2014 Tom Lawson gave a talk in Bedale on the birds of Tibet There was also a trip to Caerlaverock. April 2014 The final trip of was to the Durham Wildlife Trust reserve at Low Barns, where six members saw around forty species including a male pied flycatcher Grahame thanked all who have organised tea, coffee etc at indoor meetings throughout the year.

3 Treasurer s report Jane distributed the group s accounts for the financial year and explained them. The group s finances are healthy thanks to sales of the site guide. Indoor meetings have made a small profit due to improved attendances and donations of raffle prizes. Site guide sales totalled during the financial year and Jane thanked all who helped sell and distribute them especially Gareth Wainwright and Barbara Crinson. The site guides have now sold out, although there may still be some copies in Waterstones (Northallerton), DWT and Lakeside café. A bird race was organised for the first time this year, and although only three teams took part it was an enjoyable day finishing in Wetherspoons in Richmond. The bird race accounts for 30 of Other Income in the accounts. Three donations of 250 each were made to the RSPB for conservation work, coastal & marine projects and farming & agriculture projects. The hire of a minibus for the trip to Geltsdale resulted in a loss of As agreed at the 2013 AGM, the group made a donation of 135 to cover the cost of making nest boxes for the pied flycatcher scheme. A further donation of 500 to the RSPB was proposed by Timbo, seconded by Carol and carried. The RSPB have requested that we do not specify which campaign the money should be used for. Election of committee Mary Buglass and Teresa Quinn have been on the committee since the group was set up in 2005 and are now stepping down. Grahame thanked them both for their work and presented them with a beautiful bouquet of flowers each. Teresa and Mary then explained their respective jobs on the committee in the hope that some of those present would be interested in filling the vacancies. As Timbo is intending to leave the committee at the 2015 AGM, the need for new committee members is urgent. Andy Bell offered to be Minute Secretary. This was proposed by Jane and seconded by Ted Cooper.

4 Ken Botham also offered to join the committee. This was proposed by Teresa and seconded by Rosie. Grahame Bentley, Jim Brettell, Rosie Bruce, Ted Cooper, Jane Towler and Timbo Forbes Turner have all indicated that they will continue in their present roles on the committee. The new committee was proposed by Mary, seconded by Ted, and elected. Pied flycatcher nest box scheme Seb Mankelow reminded those present that the purpose of the scheme was to encourage pied flycatcher to start breeding in Hagg and Hudswell Woods in addition to their present breeding grounds further west around Clapgate Beck. The local group funded the wood for the nest boxes and primary six pupils at the Methodist School in Richmond built them (successfully no disasters!) and helped install them. Last summer, members of the local group helped install more of the nest boxes. Lots of blue tits appear to be using the nest boxes, but a male pied flycatcher was seen singing above box 5 in Hagg Wood and later another (or perhaps the same) one was seen singing above box 30. To date, none have been seen in Hudswell, but it was expected that Hagg Wood would be the first port of call. Seb will do some maintenance work on the nest boxes towards the end of the year and will put any interesting developments on the sightings page on the website and will inform Grahame of them for future editions of the Dipper. AOB There was no other business. After the meeting we enjoyed a chat and a wonderful selection of food provided by Timbo (the chicken lumps were particularly tasty!) and Carol organised the teas and coffees. Our thanks go to Timbo and Carol for their work.

5 We then watched the RSPB film Waterlands.