Berwick Wildlife Group

Present: Fiona Aungier, Elizabeth Bamford, Leslie Cook, Malcolm Hutcheson, John Inglis, John Rae, Enid Turnbull, M. Williams.

Apologies:

Items	Subject	Decisions to Make	Outcome
1	Minutes of last meeting (November)	Agreed?	Agreed.
2	Matters arising not below	Discuss briefly.	None.
3	Estuary	Congratulations to all. Press Release.	FA congratulated all who had contributed to the BWG report on estuary developments and the cost in habitat loss, and reported that the plans to develop a marina had been dropped due to the high cost of replacing those lost wildlife habitats.
4	Recent/forthcoming events.	Berwick is Brilliant for Wildlife – brilliant. Expenses – sort. Do similar again? When? Typos – get keen-eyed members to proof-read Newsletter etc.? Library Display – 4th Feb 2 wks. Own board?	FA reported that the event ‘Berwick is Brilliant for Wildlife’ was very successful, with good attendance. Displays were extremely good, and those responsible were congratulated. A date just after Christmas could be considered for next year, as many people are very busy in December. No-one claimed expenses. Errors in texts – Molly "Hawkeye" Hardie has offered to proof-read. Library Display, 4th.Feb. FA to organise getting table and display panels; EB offered to help and to bring squirrel material; JR beach litter surveys; LC bats.
5	Surveys	Forthcoming. BTO Birds (27th Jan), Bird Count (9th Feb), Music of Birds (13th Feb) Events list – update please Elizabeth. Surveys: (Elizabeth again please)Subject? Uptake? Organisation? Squirrels – update please Elizabeth/John. Verges (approach by Country Mile, AONB (FA). Beach litter – update please John.	Forthcoming. BTO Birds (27th Jan), Bird Count (9th Feb), Music of Birds (13th Feb) Events list – EB gave update on finalised events. Discussion and suggestions for the future. Surveys: EB reported current volunteer numbers for the various surveys 2008 as follows; Butterflies – Cocklawburn 6 / Tommy the Miller 8 Trees 6 Squirrels 10 + 1 family Beach litter 11 Bumblebees 7 Bats 7 Insects 5 MH gave selection of dates for future bird surveys. Squirrels – EB reported that Kyloe, Shiellow & Detchant woods were to be surveyed, plus trees and copses around Berwick. ET reported lack of red sightings at Fox Covert. Feeders to be put up in survey woods. Discussion on possibility of funding for bat boxes also. Verges – AONB Country Mile project to encourage groups to take on improvement and care of a one mile stretch of footpath was not considered to be within BWG remit. Beach litter – JR - 2007 survey results sent to Marine Conservation Soc. Plus Aisling Lannin representing AONB. BWG to continue with local surveys. Next survey 13th.March. It is rumoured that there is a move towards making Berwick plastic bag free.EB reported that Berwick Middle School and Longridge Towers had both expressed interest in having talks on beach litter, and in helping with surveys.
6	Little Beach Interpretive Panels	(Lack of) progress to date.	FA showed photos of interpretive panels in situ. All were pleased with the result. Thanks to BBC for helpful co-operation, and AONB for funding.
7	Website.	Updated website + archive. Renewed domain.	Updated website + Thanks to JR for updating and improving the website.
8	Insurance.	Renewed (but should I get in writing?).	FA has renewed and is waiting for Public Liability certificate to arrive.
9	Any Other Business	Membership – how many now please, Enid? Cocklawburn – monitoring..	Membership – ET reported currently 25 individual + 15 family memberships. Cocklawburn – Erosion – was felt to be good idea to monitor effect of grazing at Cocklawburn dunes. MC reported recent tidal scouring of the dunes, and a growing sand bar at Goswick. A reminder to report dead swans to RSPB. Ross Weddle had reported plans to erect wind turbine near North Rd. Industrial Estate, but that so far no planning application had been submitted.
10	Date/venue of next Meeting	Wednesday 20th Feb (then Wed. 19th Mar)	.