Potters Bar & Barnet Local RSPB Group

RSPB AGM and Members' Day - October 3rd 2009

by

Lesley Causton

I joined the throng walking from various directions towards the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in Westminster and was pleased to join other group members who were in attendance. I knew that Kate Humble was due to be proposed as our new president, so I was looking forward to seeing her “in the flesh” so to speak.

The welcome from RSPB staff was very warm and we were guided to cloakrooms, refreshments, etc. in their usual friendly and efficient manner. Coffee, tea and biscuits awaited us in the Benjamin Britten Lounge and we took the opportunity to peruse the RSPB goods for sale and also gather leaflets and talk to RSPB staff at various stands. Did you know that we have a Parliamentary Officer? No, neither did I. He told me that he had only been with the RSPB for a few weeks and had previously worked for an MP.

The AGM started at 11 a.m. During the meeting Julian Pettifer, the president, stood down and Kate Humble was duly elected in his place. Unfortunately she was unable to attend in person due to being involved in the TV programme “Autumnwatch”, but a video was shown of her accepting the position. The formalities concluded with the presentation of the President’s Awards and the RSPB Medal, all given to people who have shown an extraordinary amount of dedication to the RSPB.

After a very good lunch we enjoyed talks and presentations by our Chairman, Graham Wynne, and RSPB staff. There was a lot of good news, especially from our region, East of England. There have been increases in the numbers of booming bitterns and common crane have also successfully bred in the region. Golden orioles are being seen at Lakenheath. The flora and fauna at Sutton Fen is diverse but the reserve is not open to members of the public.

I picked up several leaflets, one entitled “Cork on Top”. This tells of the importance of the cork oak forests, especially in Spain and Portugal. Local economies benefit from cork harvesting and associated agricultural activities make the cork oak unique. The cork industry provides seasonal employment for about 6000 people. Another 12,000 people are employed in cork transformation and the cork industry provides income in economically fragile areas of the Alentejo region.

… So what has this got to do with birds? …

Millions of birds from northern Europe winter in cork woodlands. Migratory birds cross the Mediterranean Sea at the narrowest point. Large birds wait for thermals to carry them across the Straits of Gibraltar. The cork forests are home to healthy populations of many small birds, such as hoopoe, bee-eater, cirl bunting, nightingale, Sardinian and Bonelli’s warbler. The sustainability of the cork forests is in the hands of the wine bottlers, retails and consumers all over the world. So when you next buy a bottle of wine, check to see that it has a cork stopper!!!!

I could go on about other campaigns which affect birds, all other wildlife (both flora and fauna) and, inevitably, ourselves. Cutting our carbon footprint is a very common expression but I feel we could all do a little bit more to help. If you need more information go to www.rspb.org.uk/advice/green.

If you would be interested in going to the AGM/Members Day next year, look out for information in the BIRDS magazine, or have a chat with me.