Wiltshire Ornithological Society

(Registered Charity No.271033)

Founded in 1974, the Society encourages the study, recording and conservation of the county’s birds, involving both experienced birdwatchers and beginners alike.

• RECORDING BIRDS

Wiltshire’s birds face many threats that have contributed to national declines of such familiar species as Sky Larks and Song Thrushes. WOS members contribute their observations to our ever-increasing databases for monitoring changes in the county’s birdlife.

The year 2000 saw the completion of our ambitious project to map the distribution and numbers of all breeding and wintering species in Wiltshire. Surveys have covered every one of the county’s 915 tetrads (2km x 2km squares of the National Grid). The maps are to be published – it is expected in Spring 2004 – in a new Birds of Wiltshire, with texts and line-drawings for all 308 species ever recorded in the county.

All WOS members receive a copy of Hobby, the Society’s annual report of over 100 pages, with status summaries for all common species, records of rarer birds, various survey results, and details of ringing recoveries, all for the previous year.

Members also receive WOS News, our quarterly 20-page newsletter with items of current interest, ranging from recent observations to articles and notes, and notices of forthcoming events.

• CONSERVATION

WOS is actively involved in conservation projects. We work closely with the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and English Nature: both organisations are supporting the new Birds of Wiltshire, which in itself will be of great conservation value as a landmark summary of distribution and numbers at the end of the 20^th century. On a local scale, in partnership with a gravel extraction company, and park wardens, we have successfully provided breeding rafts for Common Tern in the Cotswold Water Park, and at another pit there is a hide, which is available for members to use. We have set up a nestbox and feeding station scheme for Tree Sparrows, amongst other projects in the county. We also provide advice and information.

Regular field trips allow beginners and experts alike to enjoy birdwatching in small parties, with guides who try to ensure that everybody sees the birds and learns from the group as a whole. Field trips both within and outside the county involve either half or whole days. There are also evening outings in spring and summer, and occasional weekend or longer residential trips.

• INDOOR MEETINGS AND OTHER EVENTS

During the winter, mostly in Devizes, there are illustrated talks are given by local and national lecturers. There are also occasional members’ meetings for short contributions with slides: all very friendly occasions. WOS is represented at fairs and exhibitions, and we hold such fundraising events as sponsored birdwatching, raffles and coffee mornings.

Ordinary membership £12

Family membership £14

Junior membership (under 18) £2

If you join after 30^th September, your paid-up membership will run through until the end of the following calendar year.

Please complete the appropriate sections of the attached forms and send to :

Remember to include the appropriate fee if you are not paying by Bank Standing Order. Please make cheques payable to Wiltshire Ornithological Society.

Paying by Bank Standing Order will be convenient for both you and the Society. If the amount of the annual subscription should be changed, you will have to amend the Standing Order: reminders to do so will be given in WOS News.

GIFT AID DECLARATION

If you are a taxpayer, please will you help the Society and complete the Gift Aid Declaration attached; this will enable the Society to increase the value of your subscription by 30% at no cost to yourself. You can cancel your Gift Aid Declaration at any time merely by notifying the Society.