Berwick Wildlife Group

Present: Fiona Aungier, Elizabeth Bamford, Leslie Cook, Molly Hardie, Malcolm Hutcheson, John Inglis, John Rae.

Apologies: Enid Turnbull, M. Williams

Items	Subject	Decisions to Make	Outcome
1	Minutes of last meeting	Agreed?	Agreed, but alter date of agenda for this meeting.
2	Matters arising not below	Discuss briefly.	None.
3	Squirrel Meeting.	Molly to report.	Molly and Jenny attended a "Squirrels" conference in Morpeth, a valuable exchange of information on squirrel conservation in the NE, emphasising NE's importance, need for x-border co-operation and importance of buffer-zones around remaining red strongholds.Thanks to the hard work of several BWG members (among others) piloting survey methods, Save our Squirrels will change survey emphasis from fixed transects to more general observations, recording both reds and greys (BWG to continue participating). Also more effort to be given to local publicity and collecting residents' sightings – hot-lines etc. to Richard Wales/Christine Westerback (EB has details).
4	Recent/forthcoming events.	Butterflies at Cocklawburn (1st Sept) Fungus Foray Grange Wood (8th Sept) Autumn Birdwatch (6th Oct) Cyril Guthrie (14th Nov) Berwick is Brilliant for Wildlife – 12th December. Invite Advertiser? Have we digital projector? How best to promote?.	Cocklawburn butterflies, Fungus Foray, Autumn Birdwatch all good outings. FA do notes for web for latter. Cyril Guthrie – usual winter talk arrangements, LC and coffee team. Berwick is Brilliant for wildlife. Short introductory talk/slides 7.30 (FA to search out digital projector – Anthony Johnston? Ross W?). Followed by viewing displays (tables? Boards?). Also wine and mince pies. Invitations to be sent to everyone who has had dealings with Group, plus Councillors, Advertiser, etc. EB/FA to make prelim list and e-mail to others. Responsibilities for displays: Squirrels, EB; Bats LC, Butterflies JR; BTO birds MH + FA; Estuary birds – map from Guy Rowland? FA+birders; Bees etc. FA; Town Trees MH + FA; Beach Litter JR. After use on 12th Dec. displays possibly go to library – ?hire boards@ £1.5/week – FA.
5	Surveys	Bats, Butterflies (T the M), BTO Birds, Estuary Birds, Beach Litter, Squirrels,) Bees, Other insects/wider countryside, Town Trees (extra 1?).	Bats, finished work this year, continues next. BTO Bird Atlas 2007-11. (Visit each tetrad twice winter + twice summer). Malcolm has volunteered us for 13 tetrads in NU04, and JI for further 5 in NT95. Group members will be encouraged to learn to help JI and MH. First meeting 1.00 pm in Scremerston Sunday 25th November (by police station & church). Estuary birds – must continue surveys, Feb. 2008 Beach litter – next meeting Thurs 6th December, 10.00 am. Bees – please send data to FA (as well as Bumblebee Conservation). Survey continues next year. Other insects/wider countryside – next summer, FA to sort. Town trees – FA to complete (info. from Ross W needed).
6	Little Beach Interpretive Panels	Progress to date.	Decided metal frame/legs most appropriate. FA to take further with Council + Fantasy. Will simply get panels put up a.s.a.p. – no "opening" ceremony.
7	Change of Membership Secretary.	Enid has taken over this duty now (subs. money fits with Treasurer's duties). M to remain Minutes Secretary. Thank you both so much for all your help.	Enid has taken over this duty now (subs. money fits with Treasurer's duties). M to remain Minutes Secretary. Thank you both so much for all your help.
8	Monitoring at Cocklawburn	Request from AONB to monitor effects of grazing.	Agreed we can do basic (e.g. fixed point photog.) monitoring – and that grazing is benefiting not damaging sward. FA to contact Mel Nicholls. NB rapidly shrinking Big Dune outside grazed area – human-caused erosion and rising sea levels.
9	Any Other Business	.	LC to return borrowed bat recorders (with new batteries). (BWG funds) Website – Newsflash excellent idea, but Met Check to be retained as well.
10	Date/venue of next Meeting	.	Wednesday 21st November. The Castle 7.00pm. Main topic to be Berwick is Beautiful event.