Sunday 6 April 2014

South-west ringers' Conference a sell-out

Yesterday over 90 delegates, speakers and stallholders attended the SW Ringers' Conference held in the Town Hall, Seaton.. Apparently it was a great success with delegates enjoying excellent speakers and good food.

Karen and Denise manning the registration desk (Copyright Catharine Willerton)
Mike Tyler Leader and Chairman of the Axe Estuary Ringing Group welcomed delegates to the Conference followed by the official opening by the Chairman of the East Devon District Council, Councillor Graham Godbeer.

Official opening by the Chairman of East Devon District Council (Copyright Keith Grant)
Presentations were made by Mike Hounsome about the Shelduck Project on the Axe Estuary; Pete Potts on the Operation Godwit - the first 21 years; Manx Shearwaters on Lundy by Tony Taylor; Monitoring of Pied Flycatchers by Malcolm Burgess; Matt Prior talking about Tree Sparrows in Wiltshire; and Mark Grantham telling us about the hatching of the West Cornwall Ringing Group and the various species ringed and habitats covered.
Enjoying a delicious lunch (Copyright Catharine Willerton)
There was a wide selection of displays from traders and organisations.

Simone manning the NHBS stand (Copyright Catharine Willerton)
Ringers' had an opportunity to raise questions with the BTO with Jacquie Clark answering points raised and updating the Conference on news from Headquarters.

Later in the day Doug Rudge and his team hosted a tour of the Axe Estuary Wetlands concluding with a BBQ. So pleasant end to a successful day, despite the weather.
Doug leading the tour of the Wetlands prior to the BBQ (Copyright Catharine Willerton)
The Group would like to thank the delegates, sponsors, traders and many organisations that made the event a success.