Page 2 - Out Birding Autumn 2023

Contents
4-16 Event Reports 17-18 Events at a Glance 19-20 View from the Chair
20 Health & Safety Ma􏰀ers
21 2024 Calendar
Membership Subs Annual General Mee􏰁ng Commi􏰀ee Membership
22 Zoom Mee􏰁ngs
23-25 An Unexpected Visitor
26 Regional Contacts
27 Commi􏰀ee Members
Cover: Dipper: John Frone
Back cover: All named and credited
Gree􏰁ngs,
Welcome to an overflowing edi􏰁on of Out Birding! I have had to carry over two event reports and a feature but I have made my peace with the contributors. They will be published in November. A good posi􏰁on for me to be in - keep up the good work!
So, what does it amount to? There are twelve event reports taking us to three of the home na􏰁ons, accompanied by images of the birds seen, courtesy of our excellent photographers.
There are many more events s􏰁ll to come this year, listed on pp 17-18. Tradi􏰁onally, August OB is the edi􏰁on where various messages from the
commi􏰀ee and support team are published. You can find these on p 21. They all contain important informa􏰁on and, in some cases, deadlines so be sure to read those.
Andy’s View From the Chair takes us on a pelagic which highlighted the effects of Avian Flu on our sea birds. One inland reserve near me recently lost over 90% of its Black-headed Gull colony to the virus. Within the last few days, news from Northumberland regarding the deaths of Beadnell’s Arc􏰁c Terns makes sad reading. Let’s hope that his op􏰁mism about recovery is fulfilled.
He also outlines the ra􏰁onale behind a new Health and Safety Policy which the commi􏰀ee is currently discussing.
As part of this, Richard Lazenby has accepted the role of Health and Safety Officer. His opening remarks follow Andy on p 20. Richard’s experience of H&S in his day job will undoubtedly smooth the way for us.
The last pages contain a fascina􏰁ng story of owls encountered by Neil Hamma􏰀 on his home patch. An Unexpected Visitor takes us through this year’s breeding season, focusing on one par􏰁cular owl species. It is always a pleasure to receive Neil’s erudite ar􏰁cles and this one does not disappoint.
By the 􏰁me the next OB is published, our Grand Get Together in Skegness will have happened. I look forward to seeing some of you there. All hotel rooms are now booked but it is possible to join us as a non-resident. Contact Liz or me for details.
Pat
Copy date for the next edi􏰁on is 1st October 2023
Views expressed in OB are the views of the contributors and are not necessarily shared by the editor, commi􏰀ee or members of the GBC.
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