As of this week I have taken over the position of the Regional Representative for the BTO (British Trust for Ornithology) in the Greater Manchester area.
Id like to thank Steve for the work he has done in historically filling this role, he was always very helpful and professional in his dealings with the local BTO community. He should be particularly proud of his achievements with the work done on the BTOs Bird Atlas 2007 11 and Im sure others would like to extend their thanks for his efforts over numerous years.
He has promised not to disappear and has offered his support in this transition (and I will be keeping him to that!).
For those that dont know me Ive lived in Trafford all my life, birded with my father (Brian) from a young age and count Davyhulme Millenium Nature Reserve, Carrington Moss and Salford Quays as my local patches. I joined the BTO in 2000 and am a member of the Greater Manchester Bird Recording Group, the RSPB and Stockport Birdwatching Society. I currently undertake WeBS surveys for Davyhulme MNR and Salford Quays and Breeding Bird surveys for Carrington Moss and Salford Quays.
My contact details will shortly appear on the BTOs Regional Network Directory website as well as on Ians Manchester Birding website (on the Whos Who page). Ian has kindly agreed to continue to use the County Notice Board page on his website for me to communicate any BTO relevant notices.
Thankfully I have the continued support of Steve Atkins in his Assistant Regional Rep role and Jamie Dunning for WeBS.
For any BTO related issues please do not hesitate to contact me.
As of this week I have taken over the position of the Regional Representative for the BTO (British Trust for Ornithology) in the Greater Manchester area.
Id like to thank Steve for the work he has done in historically filling this role, he was always very helpful and professional in his dealings with the local BTO community. He should be particularly proud of his achievements with the work done on the BTOs Bird Atlas 2007 11 and Im sure others would like to extend their thanks for his efforts over numerous years.
He has promised not to disappear and has offered his support in this transition (and I will be keeping him to that!).
For those that dont know me Ive lived in Trafford all my life, birded with my father (Brian) from a young age and count Davyhulme Millenium Nature Reserve, Carrington Moss and Salford Quays as my local patches. I joined the BTO in 2000 and am a member of the Greater Manchester Bird Recording Group, the RSPB and Stockport Birdwatching Society. I currently undertake WeBS surveys for Davyhulme MNR and Salford Quays and Breeding Bird surveys for Carrington Moss and Salford Quays.
My contact details will shortly appear on the BTOs Regional Network Directory website as well as on Ians Manchester Birding website (on the Whos Who page). Ian has kindly agreed to continue to use the County Notice Board page on his website for me to communicate any BTO relevant notices.
Thankfully I have the continued support of Steve Atkins in his Assistant Regional Rep role and Jamie Dunning for WeBS.
For any BTO related issues please do not hesitate to contact me.
Some considerable time has passed since my last post on this subject and sadly I have to report that, despite a couple of tentative enquiries, there have been no volunteers to fill the vacancy. I have eventually tidied up all this season's paperwork and my resignation is now effective.
There is no longer a BTO representative for the Manchester region.
There have been changes since my last post, notably the tragic death of Antony Wainwright. Judith Smith has taken over the administration of the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) on a temporary basis but the BTO is now seeking both a Regional Representative and a BBS Organiser. The two roles could be carried out by the same person but, in my opinion, the work is best shared.
I do hope that volunteers will come forward and take on these posts. The work is not onerous, but it is rewarding and worthwhile. The future of bird recording in the region will definitely be substandard if the posts are not filled. Formal enquiries should go to Dawn Balmer (dawn.balmer@bto.org) but feel free to contact me if you need more information.
Thanks once again to all who have carried out BTO surveys during my years as Regional Rep. Your support has been fantastic.
After 11 years, including a rather exhausting spell as Atlas Organiser, I have decided to step down from the post of BTO Regional Representative for the Manchester region. My resignation will become effective in September when I have tidied up the loose ends of the 2014 surveys. My Assistant Regional Rep., Steve Atkins, has been a great help, particularly with atlas allocation, record validation and recruitment of new members, but he doesn't feel able, given his workload as Assistant County Recorder, to take on the role of Regional Rep. himself, therefore we are seeking someone to take over from me.
Dawn Balmer at BTO HQ summed up the key skills required: good organiser, use a computer, good communicator, know the region, charming
More formally, the BTO website lists the main areas of responsibility: Organising and co-ordination of BTO surveys at local level through the network of BTO members and other volunteer fieldworkers. First point of contact with BTO members and survey volunteers. Liaison with local bird clubs and similar groups. Recruitment of new survey volunteers at local level. Recruitment of BTO members.
The BTO's biggest annual survey, the Breeding Bird Survey, is organised by Antony Wainwright, which reduces the workload considerably.
If you are interested and would like to know more, don't hesitate to get in touch (e-mail: suttill.parkinson@virgin.net or phone: 01457 836360)
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the hundreds of people who have helped with BTO surveys during my time in the post. I've got to know so many dedicated birdwatchers and made many good friends who have made the job both enjoyable and rewarding.
