Open Meetings every third Thursday of the month at 7.45pm
The Methodist Church Hall
Down Road Winterbourne Bristol

Contents
Editorial
Diary of Events
Officers & Committee
Blue Winged Siva
Picture Fraud
Lighting the Birdroom
Hazel Dormouse
Dung
Dam the Black Stork
My Little Green Pond
The Countryside Agency
Histoire Naturelle Des Oiseaux
by P Pegler
Page 1
Page 2-4
Page 5-6
Page 7-8 by P Pegler by P Pegler
Page 9-10
Page 11 by J Dodwell Page 11-12 by P Pegler by P Pegler by P Pegler by P Pegler by P Pegler by P Pegler
Page 13
Page 13
Page 14
Page 14
Page 14
Page 15
Water the Source of life
Purple Haze
On the Verge
Sea Defences Breached
Joke Page
Jim Boy Octogenarian
Adventures Fen
Toy Pigs
William Guest
An Old Salts Story
A personal view of the first 14 years
Antarctica Melting
Open Show Awards. 2002
Members Show Awards. 2002
Breeding Report
Breeding Results. 2002
Breeding Awards.
Advisory Panel
2002 by P Pegler by P Pegler by P Pegler by P Pegler by P Pegler
Page 15
Page 16
Page 16-17
Page 17
Page 18 by Jim Pembury Page 19 by P Pegler by P Pegler Page 20
Page 20 by R Tippett by W Guest by W Guest by P Pegler
Page 21
Page 22-23
Page 23-24
Page 24
Page 25
Page 26 by Lynn McGill Page 27
Page 28-32
Page 33
Page 34

EDITORIAL
This is my fourth year editing the annual review and club magazine. If you like what you read it’s because most of the articles were written by me. If you don’t then please give me some support and provide articles for publication whether they are informative, witty or just plain silly. Blank pages are not an option but will be a reality if YOU do not commit pen to paper.
As with all clubs and societies that exist for whatever interest, trying to keep up membership numbers is hard work. It is rewarding therefore that the Open
Meetings continue to be strongly supported with some excellent speakers engaged to inform and entertains us.
Highlights from this years’ speakers have been: -

Bill Quantrill, who served 4 years as British Ambassador in Africa, describing his experiences in the African Bird Club. We were very honoured by his presence as he explained that in the 10 year history of the ABC it was the first ever public talk given by a committee member.
He eloquently described the history, workings and aims of the ABC and the amazing statistic that 21 new species of birds have been found in
Africa since 1970 including a new genus the Forest Partridge.

Bristol Zoo staff made an afternoon visit aimed especially at junior members, describing their work and bringing along live exhibits

Dr Jim Collins (Zoologist) gave an excellent talk and update on Wildlife
Legislation issues. Jim acts as Co-ordinator to the Sustainable Users
Network. He represents one million members of various animal and plant groups to give a consolidated view to government committees. He delighted members by bring along some of the animals he keeps and breeds, such as the fascinating Three Banded Armadillo, Pygmy
Hedgehog and Prairie Dogs.

Andy Swash with some exciting original photographs taken by himself of
South America the Bird Continent. These included the only known photograph of a Rufus Gnateater and a giant Hummingbird siting on a nest.

Roger Jones artist and ex BBC producer of 30 years experience whose work included the recent programme Blue Planet. He explained how scenes were set up to capture footage of whales and bears with an excellent description of the hardship undertaken to obtain the difficult and dangerous sequence of events. www.rogerjones.co.uk


Roger Caton explained his work for the Courts as a Law Society Expert
Witness and as an Independent Witness to the RSPCA on matters relating to aviculture. How he assists police in identifying bird species and gives an expert opinion on whether leg rings are legal. He has been the British Bird Councils Administrator for the last ten years and states he is simply an aviculturalist.
If any member has knowledge of a speaker they would like at our Open
Meetings please pass the request to any committee member. It does not have to be bird orientated simply of general interest to the society.
The Society also organises trips and outings to places of interest.
There is always a well attended society dinner held just after Xmas. This year it was held at a local hostelry and thoroughly enjoyed by all.
There is a society walk, camping weekend and skittles or ten pin bowling nights throughout the year.
The most memorable excursion during the year was the boat trip that had been cancelled the previous year due to technical problems. This year it went well although the route from Brassknocker Hill to Bath was changed at the last minute to the canal from the delightful Devizes too nobody knows where canal. It is rumoured that Chairman Fred somehow managed to put a hole in the bottom of the canal and drained all the water out, thus necessitating the late change of venue. The canal was very scenic with the exotic Dartford
Warbler spotted along the way. No not the bird but a narrow boat of that name.
See diary of events for this year's delights.
On a sad note Fred Smith announced the following during the year

It was with deep sadness that the death of long standing member Wilf
Blinman was announced. Past Chairman Albert Wyatt paid special tribute to his late friend.

Also the death of life member and the clubs inaugural Secretary Bill
Guest. Chairman Fred Smith paid tribute.

Jim Pembury has stood down from the committee quoting his age of eighty as too old to continue. It must be the first time he has admitted to being over fifty but was quoted in a Cage & Aviary magazine article recently as being in his late eighties. He stills acts like a mischievous twelve year old. He has been presented with a Meritorious Award for his loyal and jovial services to the club and elected a Vice President.

An unnamed member (we will call him Roger to protect his identity) reported a burglary to his aviaries that resulted in some dead birds. It didn’t help his

agony when he acknowledged he aided and abetted the felony by leaving the keys in the lock.
The committee continues to run the club on your behalf with distinction.
There have been some changes of personal and the roll they carry out within the committee, but there remain some vacancies for anyone interested.
Committee meetings are on the first Thursday of the month and the duties are not onerous but generally light-hearted, as are the Open Meetings. This is your society and the more people involved in its affairs the better the society will be. The committee has a good balance with both sexes and all age groups representing your society.
Mike Walters the Library steward has purchased some excellent new books, but the numbers of books loaned out remains low. Please support the library and don’t forget to return the books.
This years breeding results are fully listed later in this magazine, and Andy
Dunwell has been voted Best Overall Breeder.
It is worthy of note that there were three new species bred for the first time by members of our society.
In particular Steve Peacock has at last cracked the breeding of his Pied
Avocets and Red collared Doves and B Grant the Daurian Redstart. Perhaps these first breeders could be persuaded to impart their secrets of successful breeding to members in future editions as Bob Tidball did in the last magazine. The Foreign Bird league awarded member John Dodwell a plaque for his breeding of Lavender finches
The club is now bang up to date with technology and has, thanks to Jan
Skraba gone on line on the Internet with an exciting web page. The website can be found at www.bristishbirds.info
or www.foreignbirds.info
This year’s Open Show was excellent with everyone attending thoroughly enjoying themselves and getting into the spirit. Bird numbers were good with good quality British and Foreign on display. This all adds up to an extremely exciting and enjoyable day out.
The Gambia appeal started by Molly and Chris Durbin also received generous donations. Well done to everyone who contributed to the shows success. I regret to say I was unable to attend either of the society’s shows this year, but I was informed that they were both excellent displays. In particular the members show was well supported with a good quality British contingent on display. The show produced a healthy profit.
Phil - Editor

3rd April
18th April
Committee Meeting
Open Meeting: Tony Tugman on Hummingbirds of North
America
1st May
5th May
15th May
Committee Meeting
Winterbourne Carnival
Open Meeting – Ian Clark on Experiences of
Conservation.
30-31st May
5th June
19th June
3rd July
17th July
7th August
Bath and West Show
Committee Meeting
Open Meeting:
Committee Meeting
Open Meeting:
Marjorie Hopkins quiz nigh
Dave Knight on Wildlife of Africa.
Committee Meeting
21st August Open Meeting PC Joliffe on the Role of Wildlife & Rural
Crime officer.
23rd August Display at Oldland Horticultural Show
30-31st August Camping Weekend.

4th Sept
18th Sept
2nd October
Committee Meeting
Open Meeting Dr Zsivanovits Veterinary Experiences
Committee Meeting
6th October Festival of birds. To be confirmed
17th October Open Meeting David Lewis A Natural Selection
25th October Open show
6 th November Committee Meeting
20th November Open Meeting - David Boag on The Wild Coast
27th November Breeding committee
4th December Committee Meeting
6th December National Trip
18th December Open Meeting - Fred’s Night the Chairman Takes Over
2004
8th January Committee Meeting
15th January Annual General Meeting
5th February
7th February
Committee Meeting
Society Annual Meal
21st February Members Show

SEVERN COUNTIES FOREIGN & BRITISH BIRD SOCIETY
President
Vice Presidents
R R Tippett
Chairman
Vice Chairman
Treasurer
General Secretary
General Committee
C. Boyce, J & M Burgess, D Best
M & P Convy, G Cordy,
J Dodwell, C & M Durbin, B Hannan,
P House, C Lowe, J Pembury P Rice,
P Smith, B Sparrow, D Squires,
S Taylor, C Tippett, J & J Truelove,
D Unsworth, C & R Wallis, A Wyatt
Fred E Smith
Paul Convy
Chris Durbin
Molly Durbin
Membership Secretary
Asst. Membership Secretary
Publicity Officer
Advertising Officer
Catering Officer
Breeding Officer
Asst Breeding Officer
Fund Raising Officer
Asst Fund Raising Officer
Bernie Hannan
Brian Haley
Mike Walters
Roger & Heather Bennett
Chris Convy, Marlene Convy,
Chris Tippett
Paul Rice
Rob Fry
Vacant
Lynne McGill
Events Secretary
Library Steward
Editor
Life Members
Vacant
P Pegler
M Waters
D & M Ashcroft, D Bushell, P Curry, P Convy,
C & M Durbin, B Hannan, E Hounslow,
P Rice, F E Smith, S Taylor, R Tippett, J Truelove,
D Unsworth, A Wyatt

British Reps
Society Reps
Foreign Reps
Australian Reps
Zebra / Bengelese Rep
Parrotlike reps
B.B.C. Reps
NCA Rep
Show committee
Show Secretary
Asst Show Secretary
Show Manager
Asst Show Manager
Patronage Secretary
Trophy Steward
Chief British Steward
Asst British Steward
Chief Foreign Steward
Asst Foreign Steward
Chris Boyce, Roger Tippett
Paul Curry, Andy Dunwell, Rob Fry,
M Waters
Brian DeCoensel, Bob Tidball
Ian Offer
Steve Peacock, Paul Rice
Chris Boyce
Chris Durbin
Molly Durbin
Gary Convy, Paul Curry, Chris Durbin
Fred Smith
Bernie Hannan
Chris Durbin
Steve Peacock
Roger Tippett
Jan Skraba
Bernie Hannan
Andy Dunwell
Chief Zebra / Bengelese Steward Vacant
Asst Zebra / Beng Steward Vacant
Specials Officer
Staging Officers
Bob Tidball
Brian Haley, John McGill

Blue winged Siva
Update from last year’s report.
The pair over wintered well and another breeding season commenced. No activity of any note occurred well into May. Previous seasons both birds constantly carried nesting material about without building a nest, the nest used being man made each time. This year I saw no material being carried about. Live food was only slightly increased from the normal 6-10 mealworm daily. At the end of May I noticed that for about a week the hen did not appear at feeding time. As I did not think I had brought them into breeding condition I assumed the bird was either dead or had escaped.
I waited until the weekend before entering the aviary in search of the body or hole in the aviary mesh. The cock flew about in agitation but I found no sign of hen or hole. After several minutes the hen suddenly appeared from somewhere. The nests I had provided were either pulled apart or empty, so I continued for another 3-4 minutes looking everywhere for signs of a nest. I was staggered to find they had for the first time built their own nest high in the front of the aviary, well camouflaged amongst the dead leylandii branches. I was even more surprised to find a clutch of 4 eggs nestling within.
I beat a hasty retreat ruing the fact I had been in the aviary for so long. All was well however as incubation continued. The main difference this year being the cock was not seen to incubate as he had done in other years.
As I had not seen the start of incubation I had no idea when hatching was due, so a week later when I spotted both birds off the nest I took the chance of entering the aviary to inspect the nest. Two strong and healthy chicks were seen gapping and another egg appeared to be pipping. Live food was supplied ad-lib and all went well for another three days. On the fourth day both birds were seen flying aimlessly about, so I entered the aviary to find an empty nest no chicks or eggs were ever found. Next day the birds destroyed the nest. What went wrong? Who knows, but two days later mouse droppings were found in the food pots and six mice trapped before the droppings ceased. No further breeding activity occurred for a month but in mid July nesting material was occasionally seen being carried about. Early August came with no results, but the hen was noted to be frequently standing on one leg. This did not improve so a decision was taken one night to catch her up to take a closer look. The foot and lower leg was badly swollen, with the split ring fitted to her ankle almost lost in the swelling. The following day I took her to the vets. His diagnosis was that probably the inflammation was caused by the split ring rubbing. He cut the ring off and cleaned up the foot saying

the foot looked ok apart from the swelling. The vet prescribed antibiotics to be taken in water for five days, but started treatment by administering an injected dose himself. The needle appeared three times longer than the bird so when it entered the bird’s body it chirped loudly (if that’s the right word) and struggled. The vet nearly lost control of the bird but managed to hold on at the cost to the bird of it losing all its tail feathers and some flight feathers.
The vets operating table was covered in feathers and looked like a chicken had been plucked on it.
I got the bird home and was trying to transfer it from the carrying case to a hospital cage when it escaped from my grasp. Horror as it flew the length of my garage towards the side door which was wide open. It missed the open side door but alighted on the top of the large roller doors. I dashed up and closed the side door only to find the bird had escaped through the tiny gap at the side of the roller door. I forlornly opened the side door and peered out to find to my surprise that the bird was sat in the middle of the drive. I slowly retreated back into the garage to find my catching net. I then cautiously crept back out and found the bird still sat quietly in the middle of the drive. I decided it was s*** or bust and would have only one swipe with the net so with a swift movement I lunged forward and surprise surprise I caught it first time. The bird recovered well but the damaged foot did not, one toe was lost completely with another apparently dead. The spare hen released into the aviary with the cock did not perform. Another frustrating season over

Picture Fraud
A major civil engineering magazine recently featured an article on UK sustainability and to highlight and promote the article depicted a photograph of a Kingfisher on the front cover. The following month in the readers write column an Engineer wrote to complain that the bird was in fact a Malachite
Kingfisher (Alcedo Gristata) from South Africa, when in fact it should have shown the resident UK bird the Common Kingfisher (Alcedo Atthis). He asked why other twitchers in the industry had failed to spot the error.
On reading this article I first went red then hot and cold, then after some considerable time decided I had to come clean and tell the truth. In a previous life as a bird club magazine editor I admit that last year I knowingly used the photo of a similar but different species of bird to illustrate an article, as I was struggling to get a good shot of a particular species. To date all you twitchers, ornithologist and aviculturalist have not spotted it or decided not to say anything so as not to upset me. The first member who can solve the riddle wins a free exotic bird (raticus arborus)
Lighting in the Birdroom
Birds confined indoors do not get much natural light. Sun light passing through glass or other transparent material and artificial light, using normal filament or fluorescent lamps does not provide the full spectrum of sunlight.
Human metabolism is different to that of birds. We perceive light through our eyes but birds also interpret light via a gland surrounding the eye. Natural sunlight serves three purposes for birds. It regulates the metabolic clock, the full spectrum is used for vision and it assists in health by providing vitamin support. A bird’s genetic make–up is geared to the availability of sunlight.
Birds rely on the quality and length of the sunlight to adjust their biological clocks, thus affecting their behaviour. Changes in intensity and length of light prepare them for changes of routine such as breeding, migration and moulting. The health of birds is also affected. Ultra-violet light (which is greatly reduced when light passes through glass or when using conventional lamps) works to strengthen the immune system and assists in synthesising vitamin D, which is important in absorbing calcium.
The vision of birds is quite different to that of humans. We can see only three primary colour ranges whereas birds can see well into the ultra-violet range.

This enables birds to differentiate other birds and can, therefore, possibly affect courtship behaviour.
Birds kept indoors would benefit from improved lighting and this can be provided by the use of full spectrum fluorescent lamps such as the Arcadia tubes that are obtainable from most tropical fish or retile suppliers or from
Live Foods Direct. These tubes are more expensive than normal fluorescent tubes and for optimum effect need to be replaced about every two years.
There are some filament lamps marketed as being daylight lamps but these do not provide full spectrum light and, although they emit a white light, they eliminate the ultra-red wavelength that are just as important as the ultra-violet. All fluorescent tubes suffer from a strobbing effect (flicker) if used in a conventional fitting since the mains electricity is varying at 50 cycles/sec. Some aviculturists consider this has an adverse affect. It can be over come by using a fitting with an electronic high frequency rather than magnetic ballast. These fittings are available though they are considerable more expensive.
Obviously it is best to use full spectrum fluorescent tubes in a high frequency fitting but using the tubes in a conventional fitting is still an improvement on the use of filament lamps or normal fluorescent tubes.
Light fittings are best provided so that they are shining down on the birds, as natural light would be. Lighting should not be too bright; indeed some species
(i.e. some of the Parrot Finch’s) prefer darker surroundings.
It may appear that full spectrum lights are not as bright as standard tubes.
This is because they have a well distributed blue and violet output that human’s do not see as well as birds. However colours are more vivid.
Length and intensity of light affect the breeding cycle of some species so it is necessary to control this by using a timer, and preferably a dimmer. Most small birds require between 10 and 14 hours of light so it is advisable to adopt the shorter length during the resting season with an increase when breeding. The best lighting in the world will not eliminate the need to provide a good diet that assists the intake of vitamin D. Provision of green food, fish oils or any supplement containing calciferol will help.
I have used full spectrum lights, albeit in conventional fittings, for two years and am convinced it has improved the birds health. Condition and colour of feathering seems to have improved and, touch wood, I have had no cases of egg binding.
Author : John Dodwell

Hazel Dormouse
The Hazel Dormouse personifies the extent to which traditional woodlands have been lost in recent times. Over the last century the species has become extinct in seven counties (no Severn Counties pun intended) it used to occur in, a reduction of 50%. The cause of this decline is agricultural intensification and the neglect and fragmentation of its habitat
Dormice are vulnerable to change and act as an indicator of the state of the countryside. This is because they don’t produce many young compared to other rodents. They also require large areas per individual to survive.
Dormice are highly arboreal and reluctant to move about on the ground. It has been calculated that 20 hectares of quality unfragmented woodland is needed to sustain a viable population.
They also live on an ecological knife edge due to their eating habits. Highly diverse woodland is needed to provide a constant food supply through early spring and summer so the mice can double their weight and put on enough fat to last through their annual six month winter hibernation. The way they cram mating, raising young, re-colonisation of new sites and continuous feeding into just six months is impressive and shows what time wasters’ humans are.
Source Oliver Bennett, Mammal Co-ordinator People’s Trust for
Endangered Species
Dung
The first dung fired power station in the UK was commissioned on 15 th
August 2002. About 30 local farms in the Holsworthy area of Devon supply the station with 140,000 tonnes of dung slurry. Perhaps if a similar power station was commissioned near Bristol we could increase club funds by selling our bird dropping to them. Perhaps if we included some of Jim’s
Aussie birds as well it might increase the calorific value of the dung, but then again it probably wouldn’t!
On a similar note Staffordshire cement works is about to trial processed sewage sludge pellets PSP’s as a cheap fuel to produce cement. With all the hot air and shhh…..( you know what) spoken about bird keeping there might again be an opening for supplementing club funds.
Source www.bbc.co.uk

Dam the Black Stork
The recently constructed Alqueva Dam on the Portuguese Guadiona River has created the largest reservoir in Europe at 100 square miles. Local authorities have delayed filling the reservoir due to an endangered Black Stork’s nest containing three chicks being located within the valley to be flooded. Filling was later delayed by five weeks until the chicks fledged.
Environmentalists condemn the scheme due to the alleged impact on the local eagles, kites and the few remaining Iberian Lynx also found in the area.
I sincerely hope the environmentalists are wrong, but there must also surely be a gain for other creatures in such a scheme. Perhaps fish eagles, waders, ducks and geese will increase.
Source www.planetark.org
My Little Green Pond
EU research has found that iodine oxide aerosols from marine algae act as nuclei for cloud formation. Increased activity from algae could offset the effects of global warming. I knew there must be a good reason for me to be totally unable to keep the water in my ponds from going green. I shall now rest easy as I look into the murky green stew searching in vain for a glimpse of the gold fish hidden somewhere within.
I think that allowing my bird drinkers to turn completely green is a step to far, so for now it’s back to the chore of scrubbing the drinkers and filling daily with fresh water. Unless the Bird Care Co has done research to prove that green algae increases fertility in birds, aids moulting and reduces stress and sell it in 500cc bottles.
Phil Pegler
The Countryside Agency
The Countryside Agency is empowered with implementing the Countryside and Rights of Way Act. They have or will produce maps identifying
England’s common land that enables people to freely roam the countryside.
There are eight areas, with our SW region of England being the largest and most rural. There are 700 miles of natural trails plus two national parks and fourteen areas of outstanding natural beauty in the South West.
The Severn Counties Club holds an annual camping weekend for members and guest, must get my walking boots out and join in. www.countryside.gov.uk

Histoire Naturelle Des Oiseaux
Why I waited until I reached my mid life crisis before visiting Windsor Castle for the first time I do not know. Yes she was there, and no I didn’t see her as she had run out of cream teas just prior to me arriving, but I did see her picture on all the tea towels.
It seemed to me that people from every race and creed from every corner of the globe was visiting the day I was there except the English.
I have seen many castles in this and other countries but none come close to the aura of Windsor, I can thoroughly recommend a visit to every one.
Of particular interest to bird people is the china room in the State Apartments.
Within this room crammed full of beautiful china from around the world is a fine dinner service acquired by King George IV and presented by Phillipe duc d’Orleans. The service was made and decorated in the Tournal Porcelain factory with hand painted bird illustrations copied from the Comte de
Buffon’s Histoire Naturelle Des Oiseaux. Language is no barrier to such pictorial quality, I just wish the original illustrations were available to view, a sight not to miss I’m sure. I wonder if the British Library has the original. Phil Pegler
Water the Source of Life
The UN Secretary General has identified water as one of the top priorities for world summit. Today 1.2 billion people lack access to safe water (1:6 of the world’s population); 2.5 billion live without proper sanitation and 2 million people die each year of water or sanitation related diseases. The UN committee for Economic, Cultural and Social Rights has agreed a general comment that ”Water is a fundamental human right for life and health”.
It’s only been just over one hundred years that Great Britain has had running piped water. I have spent my 10 year career working as a plumber providing potable water and 30 years as a civil engineer providing sewerage systems to create a clean, healthy and sustainable environment in Bristol.
All of us in the developed countries have a duty not to let the rest of the world wait that long for their safe piped water supply and sewerage systems.
Full credit to club members Chris and Molly Durbin, with the full backing of our bird club, who following a holiday in the Gambia initiated the Gambia
Appeal that has raised enough money to fund the installation of running water into one family home in this beautiful but poor country.
Source www.1uphealth.com

Purple Haze
A little known fact is that Britain has 75% of the world’s remaining heather moorland. Heather moorland when properly managed is highly prized by tourists and locals alike, and is recognised as an internationally important habitat supporting a whole raft of rare and declining bird species.
Following World War II 20% of upland Britain’s heather was lost due to the increase in sheep numbers, forestry and bracken encroachment.
The rest survived mainly due to grouse shoot management that includes a programme of reseeding to promote heather growth as the main food source of grouse. Over 60% of upland England and Wales is not managed for grouse and have sparse amounts of heather in varying degrees of condition.
The Moorland Association has regenerated 160,000 acres in recent years to reverse the trend and put the purple haze back into our moors.
Grouse, capercallie and merlin are birds that use this habitat. Capercallie I understand are struggling through loss of suitable heather moors.
On my first trip to the Yorkshire moors last summer I was delighted with my first sighting of the stunningly beautiful red grouse, this sighting with me sitting in my car with them feeding on the heather just five yards away.
This article is dedicated to Jimi Hendrix, my wife Hazel and Roger’s wife
Heather just to prove husbands are not up to any capers, are not magicians and have nothing to grouse about.
Phil Pegler
On the Verge
Several discussions have taken place recently by club members at both committee and open meetings regarding maintenance by local authorities of roadside grass verges in relationship to environmental and wildlife issues.
Until the 1960’s the traditional method of hand cutting verges by scythe was widespread, and it was this form of management that helped to maintain the rich flora and fauna in verges and kept scrub and course grasses under control. Machine cutting, together with the use of herbicides has largely superceeded this process, as it is more efficient and cost effective.
Flail mowers scalp the turf destroying roots, the resulting mulch is rarely removed so smothers the fauna below making the soil unsuitable for some species. Today verges tend to be dominated by course grasses and tall herbs that are typical of ungrazed grassland.

Although not considered of huge conservation importance common species include cowslip, false oat grass and meadowsweet but do provide a home for a large range of wildlife including the common but fast disappearing meadow brown butterfly.
Roadside verges cover some 212,000 hectares in the UK. Verges have been recorded as a breeding place for 20 of the 50 species of mammal, all 6 reptiles, 40 of the 200 birds, 25 of the 60 species of butterfly, 8 of the 17 species of bumble bee and 5 of the 6 species of amphibian.
Powys County Council has teamed up with its highway maintenance contractor to improve verges with a delicate balance of highway safety and environmental issues. They aim to reseed verges with native seed such as
Yellow Rattle Rhinanthus minor harvested from Wildlife Trust Reserves.
This reduces growth of course grasses and thus reduces bulk material to cut.
All verge maintenance will consider road safety to ensure road signs and visibility are not obstructed.
Under the new regime there will be an average two cuts per year - the first
1.2m from the road – combined with a tri-annual cut every three years outside the 1.2m zone in order to control woody growth. This allows fauna to flourish and removes invasive weeds.
Powys verges have several SSSI with an abundance of rare flowers including orchids. Complaints from the public have reduced since the new maintenance regimes were introduced.
Source: PSLG Landscape supplement Feb 2002
Sea Defences Breached
Abbotshill Farm in Essex has had 200 acres of its land flooded as part of a national project to create a new wetland habitat for wildlife. The sea defences have been deliberately breached in five places to allow the tide to flood through on Blackwater Estuary near Colchester.
Costing £400,000 to create over ten years the Essex Wildlife Trust claim this is one of our last real wilderness areas. The flooded land will regenerate the saltmarshs creating an important wildlife habitat for birds such as Brent
Geese, Widgeon and Lapwing. www.news.bbc.co.uk

JOKE PAGE
Joke of the Year
A yearlong search of the Internet for the world’s funniest joke is over. The winning rib tickler emerged from two million ratings of 40,000 entries, submitted by people from more than 70 countries.
Names and addresses have been altered to protect the innocent.
A couple of aviculturalists call Jon and Lyn from Paige Parke were sat outside the aviary one day having a cup of tea. Suddenly one of their budgies fell off the perch. Lynne picked the bird up and found it had stopped breathing and its eyes had rolled back into its head.
Jon quick as a flash pulled his trousers down, mobile phone from his pocket and called Dick the famous avian Vet from the nearby town of Dockisfoot.
“Dick” he gasps “My budgie is dead, what can I do”.
Dick, in a calm soothing voice, says: “Just take it easy, I can help. First let’s make sure the budgie is dead”.
There is a silence, then, a shot is heard. Jon says “Lyn is sure, what now?
There are several lessons to be learnt from this story

Never trust a vet when he starts talking in medical terms. He will only confuse the wife.

Never trust the wife with a gun, she will only get confused. It might not be the budgie next time.

Never buy a budgie in the first place; it proves the wife was confused.

Mobile phones can be a lifesaver used in the right way.
The Joker
A group of professionals were asked what 2 + 2 made
The statistician: 95% certain it was between 3.9 and 4.1
Computer programmer: 3.99999999999999998
Engineer
Aviculturalist:
Chairman Fred:
Think it is 4 but play safe make it 5
2 pairs, 2 eggs, no chicks, poor breeding season
2 for and 2 against, now I can use my casting vote
Chris, club treasurer: Do you have to make the sum so difficult
Bernie members secretary: 2 members + 2 spouses paid, 99 renewals to pay
Paul the cereal: Nice little line dancing sequence
Marlene the charlady: 2 teas, both with 2 sugars
Haley’s Comet staging: 2 shows, 2 backaches lugging staging from cellar
Boy Racer Boyce BMW 2 ltr 2+2 sports coupe

Jim Boy: Octogenarian
I would like to thank the club for the Meritorious Award presented to me at the AGM and also for making me a Vice President. I thought this would mean that my younger friends would treat me with more respect but I’m afraid that didn’t workout.
I was surprised to find that I was mentioned in despatches in Cage & Aviary, but was shocked to read that I am in my late eighties. I am actually in my early eighties but have every intention of carrying on for a few more years and being a nuisance to everybody for a bit longer.
Although I am thought of as someone who breeds Bengalese finches, my interest in birds goes back a long way. As a school boy I kept pigeons for a while. During this time I regularly sold a bird in Cardiff market to help pay for seed. Strangely it kept on flying home, but I carried on trying until the dealer cottoned on.
School leaving and World War Two intervened, but in the 1950’s I started again with the unmentionable birds, together with some British and bred both. The birds of those days bear little resemblance to the same species today. Domestic circumstances caused me to give up bird keeping, but in the
1980’s I started again.
I was successful with Gloucester Canaries and went on to various African birds. Later I became interested in Australians when I bought some bichenos from a member of the AFS who introduced me to the club. I went on to include keeping gouldians, hecks and parsons finches as my facilities and space improved.
I dabbled with softbills for a while but returned to my Australian birds together with colour factor canaries.
I have never been interested in showing birds I just enjoy keeping them and breeding is a bonus.
I hope to carry on as a bird keeper and club member for a while.
Jim Pembury.
Editors note:
Jim insists that his early visits to Bristol from Cardiff were via the Aust Ferry because the Severn Bridge was not built at the time although the Severn
Railway Tunnel was, but he didn’t like choo choo trains. I have double checked with Jim but he still insists that it was not World War One that intervened with his bird keeping and remains convinced it was WWII
How memories fade with age bless him!

Adventures Fen
The fen is named after the Merchant Venturers of old who centuries ago began the draining of the Cambridgeshire fens. One hundred years ago the
National Trust acquired the fen as a nature reserve. World War II resulted in it being dug up for potato production.
Two contrasting books tell the tale of this flattest, lowest corner of England.
The first by bird artist Eric Ennion who recalls its marshy glory, and WWII farmer Alan Bloom who describes with pride his transformation of fenny watercourses into deep trenches, the bog oaks blown to pieces with dynamite and the drying reed beds set ablaze.
The pair of books make a parable of the perpetual tug between use and delight, which has shaped the landscape of today. Which fen served Britain best, the traditional answer is the potato but the fens of Cambridgeshire must be amongst the most artificial non-urban landscapes on the planet. The old riverscape of floodlands has been turned into a grid of lodes and drains scoring through a flat prairie. The fens have gone forever, or have they?
The National Trust has carried out a feasibility study to reflood the fen and has bought additional fen farms to enable fen and farm to co-exist. They hope to restore 3000acres of fen to a landscape not seen since the 19 th Century.
The RSPB has signed a deal with an aggregate company to convert 700 hectares of worked out gravel beds into a reed bed with the ultimate aim of attracting 60 pairs of bittern. It should also increase marsh tits, marsh harriers and otters and the return of the lost swallowtail butterfly. Fens are more than reed beds and reeds just one of a variety of 300 plants and reed beds just one of 68 plant communities. The fen will need animals and talk is of introducing water buffalo as part of an interesting menagerie of conservation animals. www.news.independent.co.uk/uk/environment/story.jsp?story=333811
Toy Pigs
British farmers have 90 days to put a toy in every pigsty or face a £1000 fine or three months in jail. In a new EU ruling farmers have to supply an object to keep pigs happy and deter them from chewing each other. The Times says the ruling become law in February 2003.
If it becomes law for bird keeping, what toys will you give your birds?
 Computer “game boy” in with my game birds., ribbon for the Kite

Paper, pen and ink for the Secretary Bird, string for the Knot

Knife and fork for the Sandwich Tern, magic set for the Merlin www.orange-today.co.uk
/news/story/sm_744757

William R Guest b: 1924 d: 2002
Known as Bill, he was born in Devon as an only child. He moved to Bristol as a very young lad with his family and lived in Alpine Road Easton for three quarters of a century. He was an electrician by trade
In 1951 he married Beryl and as a wedding present they received a pair of budgerigars. This was to kickstart a lifetime interest in bird keeping. He developed a special interest in zebra finches and joined the judging circuit in
1960, leading to many friendships countrywide.
Bill attended the inaugural meeting of the Severn Counties F & BBS in 1972 and accepted the post of Secretary, a post he held successfully for many years. He then went on to create a society which catered for his beloved zebra and bengalese finches. The club meetings were always well attended, as it filled a niche in the Avon area.
In later years Bill was co-founder of the East Bristol History Group where his knowledge of the area and its characters lead him to be a regular contributor in both the written and spoken word. His poetry has since found its way to
Canada and America and he would always sign off his work with “Devonian by birth, Bristolian by choice”. He also took part in channel 4 TV programmes and local radio where he described the local characters and area.
He readily admitted to being a “rogue of the parish”. He also was an accomplished model maker and slate painting artist.
Our Society sends sincere condolences to his wife Beryl and son Mike and has donated a cheque to Bills nominated charity concerned with juvenile diabetes. R R Tippett

An Old Salts Story
This poem is an extract from a booklet of poems and rhymes written by Bill
Old Joe was a seaman who was very, very old.
When we were boys we always loved the stories that he told;
Of when, sailing in the Indies in 1842 they were attacked by pirates led by one-eyed Sam McGrew.
They sailed the deep blue sea, attacking with fury every merchant man they’d see.
Robbing and plundering was the only thing they knew that vile, murderous, rum drinking crew
Old Joe said he was captured, along with the thirty others, they either had to walk the plank or join the murderous brothers.
Joe said he’d sooner rob than drown, so he swore, on their vile oath, to rob and plunder, sack and burn. Well, he had to use his loaf!
He told us of sea chests filled to the top with gold, diamonds and rubies, some to big to hold antiques and fine silks, wines and spirits too; all would be divided and shared by the crew.
Telling stories to us kids Joe grew older every day.
We thought he was a hero. We didn’t think him bad.
He was a kind of gentleman most wished was their granddad.
As with all of us, his time came. He passed quietly away.
Fondly remembered by us all - a legend, so they say
He was buried with full honours, with the ensign on his box

A bottle of rum in his hand, a gold sovereign in his sox.
His old peaked cap set on his head, a pirate through and through.
We wondered about the treasure chest he said he’d buried in Peru
Then came the rude awakening- we learned from his sister, Mary
He’d worked for over fifty years, rowing the harbour ferry.
The following abridged article was first published in our magazine in 1987 and is included as a tribute to its author the late Bill Guest
A personal view of the first 14 years
In March 1972, after trying to convince Albert Wyatt for two years that the formation of a Foreign & British bird society would be a success, a suggestion was placed in Cage and Aviary Birds that interested parties should meet at Buckover Bird Sanctuary, the home of Alec Mizen to discuss the formation. I recall some of the people who attended and some are indeed still connected with the society today. Fred smith, Albert Wyatt, and I, Rob
Taylor, Sid Walker, Ken Unsworth, Gordon Iles, Bernie Hannen, Doug
Bushell, Harry Warren, Bob Clifford and Terry Gonzalves are some of the names I can recall.
After discussions it was agreed that we should try and get the society off the ground. Fred Smith said that he could get permission for us to use the
Methodist Church Hall at Winterbourne Down, so our inaugural meeting was held on April 19 th 1972 and twenty-six people attended.
A name had to be found for the society. We didn’t wish to use the name
Bristol as we wished to cover a wider area. Doug Bushell suggested The
Severn Counties Foreign & British Bird Society- this was meant to include members from across the Severn Bridge, which indeed it still does today.
Our first badge that was printed on our headed paper showed a circle with the mouth of the Severn inside, with Cardiff on one side and Bristol on the other.
This was designed by Albert Wyatt (I wonder why we changed to what is called the “pregnant duck”). Our tie badge is also an exact copy of the colour drawing again by Albert Wyatt. Still I am drawing away from the point. At this inaugural meeting, officers had to be elected. Mike my son who was with me was taken ill and I had to take him home. When I arrived back it was to be told that during my absence I had been elected secretary, Albert
Wyatt was Chairman, Bert Filer (who has long stopped keeping birds) was treasurer. Gordon Iles was our first President and Muriel Ashcroft our first minute’s secretary. Ken Unsworth was vice chairman, Show Secretary was

Rob Taylor and show manager was Sid Taylor. Committee members were T
Gonzalves, R Clifford, B Morgan, F Smith and catering officer Mrs B Guest.
At last we were a society. Meetings were arranged for the fourth Wednesday in the month, the venue the Methodist hall, not much has changed.
“That Severn tunnel mob will never get off the ground” was one of the remarks bandied around by members of some other societies, or “who has ever heard of a foreign and british birds mixing was another. How wrong they have been proven. I know that we are one of the most successful societies in the country. A specialist club with a monthly meeting was unheard of – “it will never work” our critics were heard to voice. Again we proved them wrong, today with open meetings attracting 100 people plus and a committee of over 40 must point in the direction of success.
The last fourteen years, which has become a way of life for me, has on the whole been enjoyable, the various activities we have all taken part in have all helped to create this feeling.
I hope that you all help to keep this great society going for the next fourteen years, the year 2001. I wonder if old Albert and I will still be around then?
Antarctica Melting
There is new evidence that parts of the Antarctic ice sheet have been naturally melting for thousands of years. The research suggests the West Antarctic Ice
Sheet has been contributing water to the ocean for the last 10,000 years.
Scientists analysed loose rocks to find out when they were dropped by the melting glaciers
And if melting carries on at the same pace, within another 7,000 years an area of around 360,000 square miles will have disappeared. The research was lead by John Stone, associate professor of Earth and Space Sciences at University of Washington and was published in the journal Science.
Before my aviary becomes flooded I must consider getting rid of my ground dwelling quail and stock some ringed teal before the price rockets. I guessed that astute Andy Dunwell knew something the rest of us didn’t! www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_735451.html

Breeding Report 2002
The Society is proud of its breeding records, so thanks to everyone who returned a breeding form. All completed forms were entered into a prize draw with the winner Mr Chris Green receiving £20. This year 29 forms were received. including three Society first breedings.
B. Grant
S. Peacock
S. Peacock
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Daurian Redstart
Red-collard Dove
Pied Avocet
Members bred 1285 birds from 295 pairs, which is the largest number of birds bred since 1995, an encouraging sign.
The breakdown of numbers compared with 2001 is as follows

British Hardbill
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British Softbill
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Mule/hybrid
46 pairs bred 113 chicks. More pairs less bred
17 pairs bred 66 chicks.
4 pairs bred 22 chicks.
More or less the same
More pairs, more chick

Foreign Hardbill
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Foreign Softbill
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Australian
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Parrot Hardbill
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Parrot Softbill
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Zebra finch

Bengelese Finch
29 pairs bred 248 chicks. Less pairs, more chicks
1 pair 2 chicks
61 pairs bred 263 chicks Quite a big increase
19 pairs bred 77 chicks
3 pairs bred 5 chicks
Quite a big decrease
About the same
55 pairs bred 207 chicks. More pairs, less chicks
60 pairs bred 282 chicks. Double the chicks bred
Australian Finches have increased; Zebra Finch had more pairs but less young bred from each pair. The biggest increase was in the Bengelese Finch that more than doubled the pairs and young bred.
Lynn McGill Breeding Officer

ADVISORY PANEL
The following committee members are willing to assist with members’ queries
British Hardbills, Mules & Hybrids
Fred Smith 01454 772072
Roger Tippett 01179 672146
British Softbills
Fred Smith 01454 772072
Ian Offer
Australian Finches
Brian DeCoensel
Jim Pembury
01179 855185
01179 640121
Waxbills
John Dodwell
Foreign Softbills
Bernie Hannan
Chris & Molly Durbin
Parrotlike
Paul Convy
Jim Dark
Steve Peacock
Grass Parakeets
Paul Rice
Zebra Finches / Bengalese
Ian Offer
Canaries
Fred Smith
01275 852657
01454 898543
01275 373743
01179 690320
01454 311944
01179 670086
01454 776077
01454 772072

Roger Tippett 01179 672146