Page 16 - Out Birding Spring 2024

Quarterly Committee Meetings
At our September AGM (fully reported in OB 113) a small number of members asked whether we could also publish details of our regular quarterly Committee Meetings. These tend to be administrative and difficult to make interesting reading, however...
Our last meeting was held over Zoom on 4th December. Standard regular issues were covered first - Minutes of the last meeting, updates on finances and follow-up to the AGM. One point came out of this: it was felt that Out Birding is not ideal for the detailed summary/Minutes of the AGM (running to some six pages) given that OB has limited space and readers would probably prefer more 'birdy' material. Thus, in future, this information will be printed separately, but distributed simultaneously to members by email/post. A Christmas present for Pat!
Our GGTs featured prominently. First we reviewed GGT13 Skegness: we had 67 attendees - the world's largest group of gay birders in one place, apparently - and Chair Andy thanked all committee members who had worked hard to make it such a success, especially Pat, Liz and Caroline. We had trialled the use of a card-payment machine, and Liz confirmed that over 35% of transaction used this method, a great result for its first outing. Liz also advised that, taking all the finances into account, £944 had been contributed to our Conservation Fund. We also discussed GGT 14 (April 2025): the survey of Skegness participants' interest in a Scottish venue (Speyside) showed 48 out of 61 votes were very positive, a clear indicator for us to move forward: thus further information is provided on p 22.
We also welcomed Nigel Coldicott to the Committee, and Martin Harrison as Regional Contact for Essex: their enthusiasm is greatly appreciated! There are still vacancies, both on the Committee and to cover the Welsh Region - interest very welcome. One of the problems about Zoom meetings is a time limit: we therefore speedily agreed on donations from the Conservation Fund to go to both the Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory and to Ughill Farm (Sheffield) . Chair Andy would follow up with us and then complete these arrangements.
So - what do readers think? Let Editor Pat know whether your interest is high or low! Greg Hope - Secretary
Quiz Answers
1. Snipe 9.
2. Sleepy Cis􏰀cola. It doesn’t exist 10.
3. Red 11.
4. South and Central America 12.
5. Six 13.
6. Bonxie aka Great Skua
7. Blue Crane 14.
8. Red-throated Diver 15.
Yellow
Central or South America Wren
Australasia
Cream/pale brown with dark brown culmen
Swans. 59
Hummingbird
16