The Berkshire Ornithological Club and the Newbury District Ornithological Club are delighted to announce the appointment of Richard Burness as the Royal county’s new bird recorder.
Richard moved to Berkshire in 1990, has become a well-known observer in both east and west Berkshire and has been contributing to recording and reporting over several years. He is a long-standing WeBS counter, he brought up to date Berkshire’s submissions for the Rare Breeding Birds Panel and for many years he has contributed to annual reports as a species accounts writer and more recently, as an editor. Richard writes:
As incoming Recorder I aim to provide continuity with my predecessors by maintaining the accuracy and scientific integrity of the historical record. My personal objectives are to maximise the input of data, to make the operation of the Recorder and the BRC more transparent and to improve the timeliness of delivery of outputs. The first two can be achieved by providing positive feedback to observers who submit records and ensuring greater openness to encourage those who don’t. Improving our timeliness will require a review of requirements, methods and deadlines.
As Recorder, he will convene the Berkshire Records Committee (BRC) to advise him on records of unusual species. The current members of the BRC are: Derek Barker, Richard Burness (non-voting), Robin Dryden, Chris Heard, Ken Moore, Peter Standley.
Richard succeeds Chris Heard as County Recorder. Chris, with his renowned expertise in the field and extensive experience in record adjudication, both locally and nationally, has made an outstanding contribution to ornithology in Berkshire. As well as his work as Recorder and editor of the annual report, he has an impressive record in the field, including finding many new species for the County. We are grateful for all that he has done and are pleased that he will continue as a member of the BRC.
Contact details
Records can be sent to the Recorder at records@berksoc.org.uk or by post to:
Richard Burness, 20 Burlsdon Way, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 2PH.
[posted for BOC by Renton Righelato 26th September 2016 ]