Essex Birdwatching Society Identification PanelA vacancy will arise on the Identification Panel after the publication of the next Essex Bird Report following the automatic retirement of the longest serving member. The position involves reviewing the submissions on those species which require a description or notes before their inclusion in the EBR and which are not covered by the British Birds Rarities Committee. Attendance at occasional meetings to discuss any issues arising from the initial circulation of the descriptions is also required. Any members of the Society who would be interested in serving in this capacity should inform the Panel by emailing davidacfield@tiscali.co.uk. before January 31st 2010. A decision will then be made and put before the Executive Committee in the New Year. Become a Cetacean & Sea Bird Surveyor with MarinelifeThe charity Marinelife, which has been operating its successful Biscay Dolphin Research Programme (BDRP) for 13 years, is running a special shore-based training opportunity at the Adult Community Learning Centre, Dovercourt, Harwich, for volunteer whale, dolphin & sea bird surveyors for all-year survey routes operating from Felixstowe in the North Sea. The programme will include an introduction to ocean-going cetacean and seabird survey techniques and protocols, a brief overview of identification issues, guidelines on how to become more actively involved with Marinelife/BDRP pelagic surveys and an opportunity to network with key personnel and other volunteer surveyors. This will be followed up with opportunities for more rigorous scientific training at sea under the guidance of experienced team leaders through our programme of monthly research voyages on ferry routes in the North Sea as well as the English Channel and Bay of Biscay. This will ensure that all data collected by volunteer researchers during ongoing projects is of the same rigorous high quality and continues to be at the forefront of current scientific best practice. This introductory training event is being held at the Adult Community Learning Centre, Dovercourt, Harwich, Essex, on Thursday 26th February 2009 at 19:00 to 21:00h. Booking is essential and there is a nominal charge of £5 per person to help cover expenses, payable in advance. For further details, including booking information, please email John Arnott, Research Teams Manager, at john.arnott@marine-life.org.uk For more information about our activities please visit our website www.marine-life.org.uk Registered Charity No: 1110884 RSPB Volunteer Work PartiesInterested in Conservation Volunteering? Volunteers are wanted for for a work parties at RSPB South Essex Marshes 10am - 4pm on every Wednesday, sites include Vange Marshes and West Canvey Marsh. Volunteer on South Essex Marshes suite of reserves including areas not normally accessible to visitors. For more information Call 01268 559158. Come along and make a difference! Make a difference towards the conservation of wild birds.Join Raptor Camp Malta and participate in Illegal Hunting Surveillance and Raptor Migration Monitoring
An Easy Way to Help Local WildlifeThe RSPB is urging people living in south Essex to lend a hand to help wildlife. The Society – the largest wildlife conservation charity in Europe – is asking people to help the RSPB's community fundraising scheme. Graham Larter, community fundraising officer, said: “We’re looking for businesses to place boxes of our very collectable pin badges on their counters. We also need volunteers to look after the boxes to make sure money raised from pin badges is banked and that there are always plenty of badges available.” “We particularly need volunteers to help us in areas such as Southend, Basildon and Canvey Island” he added. Last year, the RSPB raised a massive £600,000 from the community fund-raising scheme, money that is used to help the organisation deliver its vital work for birds and other wildlife, such as its nature reserves at Vange Marshes and West Canvey Marsh. For more information about the scheme, contact Graham on 01603 660066 or 07771 923673 (graham.larter@rspb.org.uk) or visit the RSPB’s website on www.rspb.org.uk.
Ends For further information, or to arrange interviews, please
contact: Reptile and Amphibian RecordsIf anyone sees any reptiles or amphibians anywhere in Essex could they please send the record of species, numbers & location (grid ref. if possible), to our County Recorder, John Wright at johnpw2@tiscali.co.uk. First frog/toad spawn dates would also be appreciated. Colour Ringed Mediterranean GullsThank you very much for your Mediterranean Gull sightings. I would mostly appreciate if you could perform more sightings in the future. Is a regular follow-up by you possible in your area? Even observations of the same bird are very valuable for us. It would be interesting, especially in the next weeks, to obtain the very last sightings from the Med Gulls from Southend Pier before they leave your area. If you observe black-ringed Med Gulls (= from Ukraine, Greece or Turkey), you can send your sightings to me; I will send you the complete life history. Very many thanks for your collaboration! I hope to receive soon news from you. Renaud FLAMANT Have You Seen a Porpoise, Dolphin or Whale off the Essex Coast or in the Thames estuary?I am writing to ask for help in surveying Porpoises, Dolphins and Whales (cetaceans). Essex Wildlife Trust maintains a database of cetacean sightings. This information is shared by the conservation community and is important in helping to understand the population and distribution of these animals in the southern North Sea. We are trying to reach people who spend time at sea or in coastal locations and who may see live or stranded cetaceans. We have a new version of our survey card which now provides additional information. The previous version has been in use for several years and we have found them to be a simple and effective way for people to report sightings. We receive a steady stream of returned cards through the year. If you would like copies of our survey cards, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you very much for your help. |
