Berwick Wildlife Group

Present: Fiona Aungier, Leslie Cook, Molly Hardie, Malcolm Hutcheson, John Inglis, John Rae, M. Williams.

Apologies: Enid Turnbull.

Items	Subject	Decisions to Make	Outcome
1	Minutes of last meeting	Agreed?	Agreed.
2	Matters arising not below	Discuss briefly.	JI pointed out mis-spelling of his name on last month’s agenda & minutes. FA & MW apologised.
3	Green Festival. Spittal Festival.	Was it worth it? Rockpooling – tides wrong.	M Hutcheson - it was good for BWG profile. Jenny Prince has offered to produce a quiz for children next year. Problems – Music was far too loud; BWG needs more stand space next year. FA & J Prince have inspected sites and tide tables re. rockpooling but found them unsuitable. Hopefully tides will be more favourable next year.
4	Berwick's Future.	BWG agreed to submit a document via internet on the care and conservation of wildlife in relation to the proposed developments, and to identify the most important sites – DRAFT to consider.	FA produced her draft document on important wildlife sites in relation to urban development locally. There was long discussion, and revisions and additions put forward. Also to be added is a note that a BWG member regularly carries out monthly bird surveys to the estuary and south to Cocklawburn. The document will be sent to BBC and be posted on the web, with a more detailed report on ‘good’ sites plus map to follow.
5	Website – draft subsite on Red Squirrels	To be considered before link from main site is made live. See it on http://berwickwildlifegroup.org.uk/Berwick SoS.html	FA thanked JR for his excellent work. The result was viewed on laptop by committee. See it on http://berwickwildlifegroup.org.uk/Berwick SoS.html
6	Recent/forthcoming events.	Outdoor meetings. Butterflies, Cocklawburn, with Jaci Beaven, 13/07/08 10.30. Bird survey, Sun. July 20th. Bat survey, Norham Castle, Thurs 31st July. Big Bat Event Thurs 14th August.	Butterflies, Cocklawburn, with Jaci Beaven, 13/07/08. Windy but rewarding. Rare five-spot Burnet Moth seen and photographed. Many emerging Burnets seen. Bird survey, Sun. July 20th. Bat survey, Norham Castle, Thurs 31st July. Big Bat Event Thurs 14th August. Poster needed. FA to obtain picture.
7	Surveys	Tree Survey Ord Drive, 7.00pm, Wed. 9th July and Tues 15th July . Cherry trees in churchyard? Squirrels. Butterfly Transects. "Other" insects (1 hr. July – when?). Bats. Buttercups. Bees?	Tree Survey Ord Drive, 7.00pm, Wed. 9th July and Tues 15th July . Cherry trees in churchyard to be surveyed. FA thanked MH & MH for their speedy work. Squirrels. Survey near St.Cuthbert’s Cave completed with evidence of dreys and activity. Other surveys ongoing. News of sightings of reds in several areas. Lady Blake of Tillmouth has invited BWG to survey her woodlands in the autumn.Sunday July 20. SOS to have a stand at the BARK pet show and at a Family Fun Day at Ord House Caravan Park on 30th.July. Butterfly Transects. Are progressing. Members asked to look out for the Speckled Wood."Other" insects. Not feasible to take this on due to pressure of work. Bats. Very few seen this year. Survey at Norham Castle Thurs.14 Aug. LC to visit Cantys Brigg and New Mills to check if bat boxes there have been used prior to the Big Bat Event Thursday 14th August. LC has publicised event to all who have registered interest.LC put up bat boxes in Ord Park. They have had David Bellamy inspection and want info. and photos of BWG activity. LC may be getting more boxes, suggest contacting CARA re. installing in Castle Dene. Buttercups. J & SR, ET & M Hardie have completed a short survey of flowers with more than five petals and have sent it to Uni. Of Wales, Aberystwyth who have thanked us. Bees. Several members are doing individual surveys. JI has bumblebee nest in his garden, is monitoring and hopes to get photos.
8	Publicity	Andrew/Lorna's site. Excess Green Fest. handouts to lib/tourist info. "Brilliant" CD to Community Development Trust.	Andrew/Lorna's site. Excess Green Fest. handouts sent to lib/tourist info. "Brilliant" CD to Community Development Trust.
9	Grants	Three Rivers Housing - FA	Three Rivers Housing have promised £200 in the autumn. They would like photos of BWG and members of public involved in wildlife activities.
10	Any Other Business	.	None.
11	Date/venue of next Meeting	Wednesday 20th August, then 17th Sept, Castle.	.