SHOREHAM DISTRICT ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Shoreham and District Ornithological Society Logo

The friendly local birdwatching society's web site

THE SOCIETY'S AIM - WHO WE ARE - INDOOR MEETINGS - OUTINGS - LOCAL SURVEYS - GARDEN BIRD SURVEY - LINKS TO OTHER WEB SITES - RECORDING - NEWSLETTERS - CONSERVATION - GENERAL INFORMATION - INTERNET USER GROUP - ANNUAL REPORT - HOW CAN I JOIN - 50th ANNIVERSARY BOOK OFFER - ANNUAL REPORT BACK COPIES - BIRD LIST SDOS RECORDING AREA - MAP OF THE SDOS RECORDING AREA - CONTACT FOR THE SDOS

Kingfisher - Dorian Mason Peregrine - Dorian Mason Purple Sandpiper - Dorian Mason

THE SOCIETY'S AIM

The aim of the society is to promote birds and their wellbeing within a friendly atmosphere for all our members.

WHO WE ARE

The society is a local ornithological group based in Shoreham by Sea, West Sussex, ENGLAND. The society has a membership of about 150 and is the oldest established ornithological society in Sussex (we started in 1953).

INDOOR MEETINGS

Indoor meetings are held from October to April, with social events and slide shows on ornithological and natural history themes.

OUTINGS

Regular outings are arranged "in the field" led by knowledgeable bird watchers to the best local bird watching sites.

RECORDING

The Society collects records of all birds occurring within the recording area of the Society and would be pleased to receive all records, even if you are not a member. Our recording area includes from Ferring Rife in the west to the Brighton Marina in the East and from the coast runs as far inland as Henfield Levels in the north.

In detail the western boundary of the Shoreham District Ornithological Society recording area is Ordnance Survey Easting 08 thus including Ferring Rife, part of Harrow Hill and Chantry Hill. The eastern boundary is Easting 35 thus including the entire Sheepcote Valley, part of East Brighton golf course and Bevendean Down. The northern boundary is Northing 15.

To report sightings E mail the SDOS Recorder at recorder@sdos.org

LOCAL SURVEYS

The society participates in local surveys and those organised on a county or national basis.

GARDEN BIRD SURVEY

The SDOS conducts a Garden Bird Survey and the society would be pleased to receive records whether you are a member or not. Please only submit sightings in accordance with the instructions on the Garden Bird Survey Form.

Click here for a Garden Bird Survey Form 1 (First quarter 2010) -- Garden Bird Survey Form 2 (Second Quarter 2010)

Garden Bird Survey Form 3 (Third quarter 2010) -- Garden Bird Survey Form 4 (Fourth Quarter 2010)

For sending in information regarding GARDEN bird sightings E mail Val Bentley at gardenbirdsurvey@sdos.org

NEWSLETTERS

Newsletters are produced to keep members in touch with forthcoming events, conservation news and items of interest.

To send in articles for the newsletters E mail the SDOS Newsletter Editor at newsletter@sdos.org

CONSERVATION

The society actively supports local conservation issues and uses the information held by the society to defend development threats that may affect important local habitats.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Every indoor meeting has a local birding round up when members have a chance to report on what has been seen in the local area during the month.

We have an extensive outdoor programme, every month there are one or more field trips to interesting areas.

INTERNET USER GROUP

Since 2002 the Society has through the Internet provided an information link whereby members who have an E-mail address can receive and send messages relating to the latest bird sightings. (Free to members).

To join the Usergroup or change an E mail address etc contact the IT Consultant by E mail at itconsultant@sdos.org

THE ANNUAL REPORT

Since the Society's inauguration we have published an annual report with a full systematic list of the birds seen within our area. These records are assessed by the recorder and a records committee to ensure that each report portrays the real status of the birds within the area. (Free to members)

The annual report contains :

Arrival and departure date of summer migrants.
Sea watch reports.
Ringing reports.
Details of birds seen in our recording area.

Wheatear - Dorian Mason Waxwing - Dorian Mason Common Tern - Dorian Mason

THE ANNUAL REPORT BACK COPIES

Back copies of reports are available upon application
Cost of reports are £ 3.50 plus + P&P at current rates.

For Information regarding SDOS back copies E mail SDOS Membership Secretary at membership@sdos.org

HOW CAN I JOIN ?

Annual membership is £ 12.00 single or £ 18.00 for a couple / family

Cheques are to be in sterling, drawn on a UK bank and made payable to : SDOS

If you are applying for membership please include the following information or complete the membership form at the bottom of this section:

Status Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms

Surname, Initials, Address and Postcode.

Why you wish to join the Shoreham and District Ornithological Society.

How you found out about the society.

If you wish to become a member of the SDOS usergroup please add your E mail to your membership request.

If you wish to receive the SDOS newsletters by E mail , to save postage please add your E mail to your membership request.

Click here for a membership application form.

For Information regarding SDOS MEMBERSHIP please write to:

Mrs. Shena Maskell,
SDOS Membership Secretary
41 St. Lawrence Avenue,
Worthing,
West Sussex,
BN14 7JJ
or
E mail SDOS Membership at membership@sdos.org

50th ANNIVERSARY BOOK OFFER

In 1953 at Shoreham-by Sea in West Sussex a small group of people led by a local doctor, decided to start a society to watch and record birds. Now fifty years later the Shoreham District Ornithological Society has published an anthology of its members' reminiscences and work.

The book covers the early days when the equipment to watch birds was extraordinarily primitive. There are also humorous stories of outings, special sightings and rarities, with precise records, including up-to-date information from the three ringing sites in the area. Several of those who have written for the book are well-known in the birding world today as leaders of bird tours, writers and photographers, recognised nationally in the field of ornithology. In all there are over fifty contributors, original members have been traced and tell of the influence ornithology has had on their lives as a result of the encouragement and leadership of members in the 1950s and 1960s. The book has 123 illustrations which include drawings and records from early notebooks, photographs in colour and black and white, as well as some specially commissioned paintings. The 200 pages are packed with many fascinating anecdotes which tell the story of the Society using archive material.

This book will be enjoyed by everyone with an interest in birds. It is a real pleasure to read, and is not confined to Shoreham, but that was where it all started fifty years ago. Please note this superbly illustrated released book is a very limited edition. Order soon to avoid disappointment. The Book is obtainable for the bargain price of £ 5.00 + P&P at current rates.

For Information regarding the SDOS 50th ANNIVERSARY BOOK OFFER please contact membership@sdos.org

Glaucous Gull - Dorian Mason Cormorant - Dorian Mason Blackcap - Dorian Mason

E MAIL CONTACT FOR THE SDOS

Recorder - to send in records of your bird sightings - recorder@sdos.org

Garden Bird Survey Recorder - to send in survey forms or to join the survey - gardenbirdsurvey@sdos.org

Newsletter Editor - to submit contributions for the Newsletters - newsletter@sdos.org

Membership Secretary - to join the Society or for back copies of reports and the Anniversary book - membership@sdos.org

IT Consultant - for information about the SDOS User Group, including changes of email address - itconsultant@sdos.org

Sussex Ornithological Society

Bird Guides

Hampshire Ornithological Society

Kent Ornithological Society

Focal Point

Birdline South East

West Sussex County Council

East Sussex County Council

General Portal

BBC Online Weather Centre

Weather Centre

Dorian Mason's Web Site



With many thanks to DORIAN MASON for the use of his photographs.

© 2010 Shoreham and District Ornithological Society - All Rights Reserved - Last Updated July 2010 - Terry Hicks