Trip reports

Indoor Meeting

Wednesday, 12 December 2007

We were extremely fortunate in having the former Director of the British Trust for Ornithology speak to the Group on work undertaken by volunteers. Sometimes called amateurs or citizen scientists, bird watchers who record their sightings and send reports into birding organisations are a cornerstone of research into the science of ornithology. The subject would not be where it is today if were not for the amateurs. Some have been responsible for the introduction of new technology into the field such as digiscoping, and the first field guides were initiated by amateur bird watchers. Much of the ringing, which is especially valuable in understanding bird migration, is undertaken by volunteers. Citizen scientists undertake work in all continents. The message is for all serious birders is to keep records and to pass them onto organisations such as the BTO and RSPB through their various surveys such as the Internet Birdwatch scheme and the Big Garden Bird Watch. Nigel Palmer