S.B.S.G. Meetings

SBSG - Group and Membership Information.

Some background information.
Last updated 9th April 2000.

Introduction.
Until the late nineteen sixties/early seventies the only forum for Sheffield birdwatchers was the Ornithological section of the Sorby Natural History Society. At the time, local birdwatchers were conducting field-work for the BTO's breeding atlas (the first one). A number of those birdwatchers realised the need to co-ordinate field-work in a more localised area in and around Sheffield and to establish a local recording system. A number of meetings were held in the autumn of 1972 and The Sheffield Bird Study Group came into being with its' first public meeting at the Sheffield City Museum on 14th December 1972.

In those early days membership was open to 'those who are prepared to take an active part in the study and conservation of birds'. An initial membership of 30 had increased to 83 over the first year. Membership 'qualifications' were later relaxed and the Group had about 230 members in the early eighties when the SBSG 'doubled' as the local RSPB member's group. This figure gradually fell after the formation of a separate Sheffield RSPB Member's Group in 1982 and now stands at around 150-160 annually.

Species Protection.
Our interest in species protection was first kindled when a Goshawk nest was located in 1973 in Upper Derwentdale on the Derbyshire/Yorkshire border. The nest was warded by local birders and the scheme was repeated over the following years. In later years, with the spread of the species in the area, the RSPB undertook to provide an on-site warden and later still, roving wardens were used. Since then, species such as Peregrine and Black-necked Grebe have benefited from monitoring by a mix of local volunteers and RSPB funded wardens.

The Aims of the Group.
The intention from the outset was always to work with and complement other local natural history societies and to promote an interest in birds within the community. Beyond that the specific aims of the SBSG are simply defined:
To maintain a local recording system,
To co-ordinate fieldwork,
Conservation of local species and habitats.
These remain our goal despite the changes in birding activities and the introduction of high technology into the 'game' (an ironic comment, perhaps).

The Future.
As indicated above, our main concern is the current ebb in the interest in local birding. We would like to re-kindle and promote a renewed interest in local field-work and involvement in local and national surveys. We hope to be successful in the continued collection of data and to continue production of an annual report for the Sheffield area.

[Top]