East Glamorgan Bird Report – section writers wanted!

As was forecast in the October 2021 newsletter [page 8], after 24 years, John Wilson has retired as editor of the report, having been working with an editorial team from 1997 to 2004, and being sole editor from 2005 onwards whilst supported by section writers, proof readers and so on. It was eventually agreed by the committee that the Club would, as from the 2022 report, publish the report in online downloadable pdf format and of abbreviated form, and that there would be no printed version. There’s still a need for more people who write up the individual species summaries – for example for the recent 2021 report there were 6 volunteers who wrote up 8 sections, whilst John himself wrote up 8. We are fortunate that committee member Ceri Jones has offered to become the editor on the basis of the pdf only form of the report and in an abbreviated format. Summary writers are still required but the summaries will be of much shorter format although the volume of records of each species to be summarised will still be of the same order as previously. The guide previously linked to here, is no longer applicable so a revised one will be put together. In the meantime any queries should be directed to Ceri whose contact details are here.

One thing you might like to consider doing as a kind of volunteering activity, is to record the observations you make when you are out birding, This can be done ‘live’ on a smart phone or if you prefer, when you get home, provided you’ve kept a list of what you’ve seen. There is some info about why it is important to submit records on this page and detailed information about the possible methods of doing so on this page. The much preferred method is via Bird Track.

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One of the encouraging findings of an on-line survey we carried out was that many members were keen to volunteer in some way. We have set up a volunteer register, with volunteering opportunities being highlighted. If you’d like to help out, you could add your name to our GBC Volunteer Email Group. If you’re interested, please send your email details to Alan Rosney (we will of course comply with the current GPDR legislation and only contact you on this matter). In the meantime we’re going to highlight some opportunities through the newsletter, website and social media outlets.

Here are some examples of what you might be able to do:

• Are you willing to “buddy up” to help other bird watchers? This might involve offering lifts, helping beginners with ID etc. If the answer is “yes”, please get in touch with Alan Rosney.
• We are always in need of extra pairs of hands at our indoor meetings – selling raffle tickets, making tea, eating biscuits 🙂 etc. Come along to the advertised venue, usually on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:45 p.m. (winter only – October through to April. The dates are posted on the club pro-gramme card or can be found on the club web site). Contact Paul Denning for details. {NB at the end of 2019 we ceased to have access to the reserve centre building at Kenfig National Nature Reserve, where we have held indoor meetings for many years. Since then, we have used other venues}.
• Are you handy with a screwdriver, saw, hammer etc.? We sometimes have nestbox making sessions, especially during or around National Nestbox Week which is usually in February and it’s amazing how many can be made with several pairs of hands. We had always used the workshop at Kenfig NNR but of course this is no longer possible [since the end of 2019 when Bridgend CBC’s lease on the site came to an end].
• We occasionally hold our own events, or take part in other outdoor events, when we may need folk to man a stall, lead a walk or the like.

We have an expected Code of Conduct for volunteering activities.