Minutes

K.O.S. Editorial and Records Sub Committee

Meeting: Saturday 7th June 2008 at Bromhey Farm, 16:00 – 18:30

Present: Geoff Burton, Jack Chantler, Phil Chantler, John Clements, Martin Coath, Alan J. Fossey (secretary), Chris Hindle, Robin Mace, Don Taylor, John Tilbrook and Barry Wright (chairman).

1. Apologies for absence 

Received from: Richard Bonser, John Cantelo, Tim Hodge, Ian Hodgson, Richard Jenkinson, Ian Roberts, Derek Tutt.

2.  Matters arising from Minutes of last meeting.

a) Foreness records. Still no further progress by Barry

• No further progress.

b) Marsh Warblers

 

• No further progress regarding Wierton record.
• New Hythe records/photo on web site (http://newhythewildlife.com/page3.htm).

 

c) The Bobbing Roller.  Phil Chantler has collated much information that should help with this record.

• PC contacted various people and put a report together and read through at the meeting .
• Without outstanding external evidence Bristow records are unlikely to get through.
• The committee feel that the record should be ignored on the evidence and circumstances currently known.
• Phil Redman should be forwarded the report compiled by Phil Chantler for comment and to perhaps collaborate on an article for the KOS News.

d) KBR 2006 and Editorial Panel. Agreed as Ken Lodge, Alan Fossey, Robin Mace and Jack Chantler as an interim alternative to finding a new Editor.

• Don Taylor replaced by Ken Lodge.

e) Siberian Chiffchaffs. All records from this year to be collated and sent to BBRC ‘tristis’ group

• Andy Stoddart as part of a BB working group is currently working on this area. No claims so far in 2008, expect to be a very rare bird in Britain.

f) Future rarity panel members.

• Two new vacancies are expected later this year, due to the end of Richard Jenkinson and Ian Roberts terms.
• There is a need to advertise for new interest

g) Birds of Kent. Tim will continue working with Andrew Henderson on this book.

• Tim continues to provide Andrew with much of the required data. Post atlas, GB asks: “have the writers been kept informed as to what the publication date will be”, as there may be some requirement to rewrite if more current data is going to be included etc.

 

3. Notification of BBRC decisions

Already sent out up to 17/05/2008.

No change to previous list (refer to Appendices A). 

• If observers of rare birds don’t submit descriptions themselves, BBRC  are likely to take the stance of crediting the record in the reports as: “per Birdguides” or “per Surfbirds” etc. Even when photographs exist, the preference is for descriptions to be submitted and photographs to be submitted as supportive evidence.

4. BB Rarities

• Template attached with results (Appendices B).Already sent to BBRC or will be forwarded

5. KOS Rarities

Any for discussion?

• Template attached with results (Appendices B).

6.  Website (Robin Mace).

The following improvements and changes are about to appear:

• A new Front Page with simpler navigation.
• Bird photos linked from the bird list (common and rare).
• A competition to get your photo on the front page each month
• Google search of the web site

7.  Newsletter.

Any future articles? John Cantelo is always looking for articles, endeavouring to build up a library, providing a selection of differing lengths, to suit available spaces.

• BW agreed to do an article on the recent raptor day at Collards
• Bockhill article on raptor passage at that site.
• Phil to put together an article on the Iwade Roller record (in collaboration with Phil Redman)
• Red Kite article (passage Spring 2008)
• General request for content
• Anyone prepared to do the quarterly roundup? The format could be changed to make it easier (i.e.: more chatty like ‘BirdGuides and Lee Evans etc). Systematic list may not be the best way forward, but it must be remembered that not every member has access to the internet.
• Chris Hindle volunteered to take on the role.

8.  Kent Bird Report 2005 and 2006 Status.

• Robin Mace reports that the KBR 2005 is going to printers next week. Expect end of July delivery to members.

9.  KBRs. The future structure of the Editorial committee and Archivist.

• Robin Mace taking over position of archivist.  RM and AJF to visit Tim Hodge on evening of 17th June 2008.
• RM advised that things may get worse before they get better – more assistance may be required from other committee members than was required previously, i.e.: checking of records, removal of duplicates prior to upload into DBMS and distribution to writers.
• Constructive report from Phil Redman. KBR Panel to review.
• Maintenance regarding accuracy of the DBMS
• KBR is an historical record
• Bird Track is a great way of entering records (includes commoner species).
• Looking to replace Cobra eventually.
• Macromedia Contribute, Recent Decisions currently only goes up to 2005. AJF to speak to RM about this, and update upon receiving access to website.

10. AOB

• Martin Coath advised that there is interest in obtaining archival photos for the web site of the ‘Harrison’ collection. Pamela Harrison will speak to David (brother). There is a need for the records to be photographed from an historical perspective.
• Martin Coath asked who round the table was participating in the BTO Atlas – recommended activity for all to be involved.
• Barry Wright interested in creating a template for records. BBRC are numbering records. Alan J. Fossey to look at BBRC site and work with Barry.
• A useful weather website showing radar tracking of rain mentioned during the meeting: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk:80/weather/uk/radar/ and entered into the minutes for reference. Another excellent resource for weather information, particularly with regard to wind speed and direction: http://xcweather.co.uk/
• The committee finished the meeting with a unanimous need to minute the sadness felt at the loss of the late Dave Davenport and would like to recognise on record, the enormous contribution and work done by this Kentish bird watching legend to both birding generally and the KOS.

11.  Date and Venue of the next meeting.