CORNWALL BIRD-WATCHING AND PRESERVATION SOCIETY Forty-Fifth Annual Report 1976 St. George Printing Works Ltd., Camborne Officers 1977-78 President: Dr. C. J. F. Coombs, Greenwith Place, Perranwell, Truro Chairman : Mrs. M. P. Visick, Trendain, Perranwell Station, Truro General Secretary : W. J. A. Woodward, Lewidden, Penrose, St. Ervan, Wadebridge Assistant General Secretary : Mrs. P. E. Davies, Poolpark, St. Tudy, Bodmin Treasurer & Registrar : A. F. Reynolds, 33 Treworder Road, Truro Assistant Treasurer & Registrar : P. J. Dwyer, 27 Trenance Road, Newquay Field Meetings : S. M. Christophers, 17 Church Park, Bodmin Conservation : G. Jackson, Treweege Barton, Stithians, Truro Editor : D. J. Barker, Calidris, Four Lanes, Redruth Scientific Officer : H. P. K. Robinson, Carn View, Newbridge, Penzance Secretary for the Isles of Scilly : Miss H. M. Quick, Priglis, St. Agnes, Isles of Scilly Joint Editors — Isles of Scilly Journal: H. P. K. Robinson, D. B. Hunt, Carn View, Pednbrose, St. Mary's, Newbridge, Isles of Scilly. Penzance. Officer for Youth & Education : Mrs. S. D. Johns, 25 Hillcrest Avenue, Truro Committee Members : R. J. Beswetherick (Bude), J. B. Bottomley (St. Ives), J. Hawkey (Newquay), Mrs. A. H. Jeffreys (Wadebridge), Mrs. A. Robinson (Truro), Mrs. R. P. Weeks (Wadebridge), B. Wilson (Lostwithiel), retire 1978 ; S. M. Christophers (Bodmin), G. S. Gay (Portscatho), B. K. Mellow (Truro), R. H. Poynton (Newquay), retire 1979 ; C. C. Barnard (Penzance), S. C. Hutchings (Penryn), retire 1980 ; and the officers ex-officio. Secretary's Report for 1976 Our membership numbers continue in a healthy manner, and, in spite of no increase in subscriptions and the present economic depression, our income reached a new high level. Our Treasurer also forecasts that under normal conditions the subscription can remain unchanged in 1978. Two General and four Executive meetings were held during the year. At the A.G.M. on May 1st, the Chairman, Dr. Coombs, said that further correspondence with the Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries, had brought replies promising a period of quarantine for ail birds imported into this country and other measures to prevent the unnecessary loss of life of these helpless creatures. The weekend Field Outing to Studland, Dorset had proved to be an unqualified success, thanks to Mr. Dwyer's organisation and Mr. Peter Marriott's excellent hospitality. The Treasurer, Mr. Reynolds presented an attractive Balance Sheet showing a surplus of £630. Income from investments had improved and a legacy of £200 from Miss Stauffer, who died in 1975, had helped to swell the surplus. Dr. Coombs considered that the possibility of oil discovery around Cornish coasts made it imperative that there should be an analysis of the distribution of birds on the whole of the Devon and Cornwall coastline. To co-ordinate and evaluate such a survey, the Executive Committee recommended the appointment of a Scientific Officer. All information recorded would be available to Societies, County Councils, and Government Departments responsible for Nature Conservancy. The A.G.M. voted unanimously that this office be established. Mr. S. C. Hutchings, Treasurer of the Cecil Stevens Memorial Fund, said that the Hide at Ruan Lanihorne was on site and nearly completed. A further £35-£40 was needed to buy material, and he wondered if our Society would help towards this deficit. It was unanimously agreed to subscribe up to £50 to meet this. After this Meeting our Members J. B. & S. Bottomley showed a series of coloured slides depicting many rare and beautiful birds observed in Cornwall. The excellent work of these two well known photographers, together with the running commentary, was greatly appreciated by all those present. At the Autumn General Meeting, the Chairman, Mrs. Visick, said that the survey called " Gulls Nesting on Roofs" on behalf of the B.T.O. had left many areas unreported and she stressed the need for more observers. Mr. Reynolds was thanked for the new list of members, and particularly for grouping the members into the administrative districts of the County. It was reported that the Cecil Stevens Hide was now in operation and keys were obtainable from Mr. S. C. Hutchings, 24 Kernick Road, Penryn at £1 each. Mr. lackson reported that the Hide at Crowdy Reservoir (to which we had subscribed £100) was now complete and permission to use it could be obtained from the S.W.W.A. at Bodmin. 3 Mr. H. P. K. Robinson was elected to the new post of Scientific Officer. Mrs. S. Johns, our Youth Education Officer gave a review of her work during the year. Her aim was to teach the young to take bird watching seriously, and eventually to become leading members of our Society. She found that the problems of transport and the distances to be covered in Cornwall made it difficult to organise, but, if more volunteers to lead were available, the results would be better. After this meeting, Mr. T. O. Darke showed members two of his latest films entitled " The Cornish Cliff" and " The Pond." These fascinating records of Bird & Plant Life, were much enjoyed by those present, and it was obvious that Mr. Darke had again excelled in his creative art. Following our liaison with the S.W.W.A. and the successful installation of the Hide at Stithians Reservoir, further Hides have been built at Crowdy Reservoir, Siblyback Reservoir, Tamar Lake and Tresco, Scilly Isles. So the Society which sowed the seeds at Burniere Point, Wadebridge, 10 years ago, can now look with pleasure at the new Hides it has sponsored, and others which are planned for the future. Considerable work and study have been applied to improving the Marazion Marshes, particularly in trying to control water levels. With the co-operation of the St. Aubyn Estate, a sluice has been installed and water levels have been improved. Mr. Jackson has been assisted with the negotiations necessary for this work by Mr. Hosking and Mr. C. Barnard, to whom we owe our thanks. In connection with the Job Creation Scheme organised by the Government, it was felt that one of the jobs, " cleaning of rivers and streams," ran the risk of disturbing wild life habitats and nesting areas. Such work should be done under the advice of experts connected with conservation. It was proposed that, in conjunction with the Cornwall Naturalists' Trust, we should approach the officials responsible for this work and stress our concern. Following reports of damage to farmland crops on the Scilly Isles by crowds of holiday birdwatchers, Mr. Robinson was discussing the problems with a Warden on the Islands. Suggestions had been made for special fencing and creating a birdwatchers' trail, to prevent indiscriminate walking over agricultural areas. The Society supported these plans and was prepared to contribute towards the cost of the work. It was agreed that the next Scilly Isles Report should contain advice to holiday bird enthusiasts on this matter, and pointing out that legal action could result over damage to crops. A large number of Field Meetings, organised by Mr. F. Couch, were held at various points of the county, planned to cover as wide an area as possible as well as catering for coast, estuary, and woodland habitats. The meetings are very popular and always well supported, a proof of the thoughtful efforts made by Francis Couch. W. J. A. Woodward, Hon. General Secretary. Treasurer's Report The Society's income in 1976, £1,967, was £267 more than 1975, mainly as a result of the continuing high rates tof interest earned on the Society's funds. Routine running expenses amounted to £1,230 (including the printing cost of the list of members and an extra large mainland report for 1975). In addition, a contribution of £100 was made towards the cost of providing a hide at Crowdy reservoir and of £50 towards the Cecil Stevens memorial hide at Trelonk. Also a further £113 was spent on work to the cut-off at Stithians and £65 on a sluice gate at Marazion marsh. At the end of the year the Society's accumulated funds stood at £4,995, £391 higher than at the beginning. The Society therefore continues to be in a strong financial position. A. F. Reynolds, Hon. Treasurer and Registrar. CORNWALL BIRD-WATCHING AND PRESERVATION SOCIETY Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended 31st December, 1976 Expenditure Income £ P £ P £ P £ P Printing, Stationery and Postages : Subscriptions : Annual reports, 1975 : Annual Membership — current 867.95 Mainland 420.00 Life Membership 80.00 v Scilly 245.00 Tax refunds on covenanted List of Members, June 1976 95.00 subscriptions 104.06 Other printing and stationery 16.85 1,052.01 Typing and duplicating 68.00 Donations 61.50 Postages 284.33 Rent, Walmsley Sanctuary 52.00 1,129.18 Interest : Subscriptions to Societies 16.00 War Loan 31.56 Stithians Hide — work at cut-off 112.91 Cornwall County Council Bonds 359.93 Marazion Marsh — sluice gate 65.38 9.5% British Savings Bonds 167.20 Contribution to hide — Crowdy Reservoir 100.00 Bank Deposit Account 27.08 Contribution to hide — Trelonk 50.00 585.77 Other Expenditure : Other Income : Sale of annual reports : Hire of rooms for meetings 20.00 Insurances 32.96 Scilly 130.49 Hide keys 22.77 Mainland 9.39 Miscellaneous 26.38 Sale of Hide Keys 44.80 Sale of Society badges and ties 14.80 102.11 Miscellaneous 16.60 Excess of Income over Expenditure 391.78 216.08 £1,967.36 £1,967.36 BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31st DECEMBER, 1976 Liabilities & Fund Balances Assets Accumulated Funds : £ P £ P £ P £ P Investments : Balance at 31.12.75 4,594.59 £902.24 3.25% War Loan at market Add