Company registration number= CE000516 Charity registration number.. 1152615 Birds of Poole Harbour IA Charitable Incorporated Organisalionl Annual Report and Financial Statements Year Ended 31 March 2023 Charity registration number.. 1152615 PKF Francis Clark Towngale House 2- 8 Parkstone Road Poole Dorset BH15 2PW
Birds of Poole Harbour Contents Trustees, Report 1 to16 Reference and Administrative Details 15 Independent Examiner's Report 17 Statement of Financial Activities 18to19 Balance Sheet 20 Notes to the Financial Statements 21to33
Birds of Poole Harbour
Trustees' Report
The trustees present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charitable incorporated organisation for the year ended 31 March 2023.
Introduction:
'Birds of Poole Harbour' was set up originally as a conservation group with the aim of promoting Poole Harbour as a popular place to come and watch birds. Within the first six months of operating, it became clear that our ideas and focus were far more charitable and in 2013 we applied for charity status. The application was successful, which allowed us to progress further with our ideas. As a charity, we aim to boost the profile of bird conservation, preservation and education in and around Poole Harbour using a number of platforms with which to achieve this. This report introduces and describes each of the projects carried out by 'Birds of Poole Harbour' over the last year, our donations received and how our funds have been distributed.
Objects:
The objects of the CIO are to provide environmental education on the birds of Poole Harbour and their protection through an interactive website, guided walks, school boat trips, public talks and other projects within Poole Harbour and surrounding areas.
Activities Undertaken in Relation to Objects:
In setting out our objects and planning our activities, we, as Trustees, have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit, and during the period have undertaken activities in relation to the objects including:
Running our School Bird Boat Program; 24 hour live webcams; carrying out conservation work and projects; commissioned surveys for public use; the fifth phase of a 6-year Osprey translocation project; hosting varied guided walks; developing our public bird boat schedule; and regularly updating public information.
Financial review:
monthly income and expenditure, cashflow forecast and financial risk profile.
Income for 2022/23 was £252,643 (2021/22: £218,293) and expenditure for 2022/23 was £245,170 (2021/22: £318,626).
Reserves Policy
to the organisation. It has established a policy whereby the unrestricted funds not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets held by the Charity should be equal to the amount required to address the red flags as determined by the Risk Register which is £24,000.
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Staffing & Trustees
Following the turbulence of 2020-2021, we were pleased to offer permanent positions to all of our fulltime members of staff in 2022, which have now formed the basis of a new structure for Birds of Poole Harbour that will be sustained into the future. Our team continues to deliver their roles to the highest possible standards, which is reflected in our events feedback and project work.
and how and where we our Trustee Board. We sought to strengthen the board by looking to bring more knowledge and a candidate with a strong and well respected natural history background, a candidate with a qualified financial background and a candidate w state that we were able to find suitable candidates for each of these roles and have now strengthened our board to 5 individuals.
Public Engagement & Outreach Projects
Public Events
The success of the 2021/22 winter safari cruises coupled with frequent White-tailed Eagle activity in the harbour developed into a regular series of twice weekly safari trips, beginning from late March 2022. This evolved into our most ambitious events schedule to date and saw a huge boost to our engagement and output. Approximately 140 events were delivered through the 2022/23 financial year - ranging from public boat trips, ringing demonstrations, guided walks and ID courses - which saw the charity engage with over 5,50
A record-breaking number of Osprey Cruises were delivered during peak autumn migration. The number of trips increased 150% on last year with 3-hour cruises departing Poole Quay twice a day for 15 consecutive days. Incredibly, every single trip encountered Ospreys, with fledged osprey 5H1 even making a historic appearance and White-tailed Eagles seen at least once most days!
Our Sunnyside Nocturnal Winter Wader Ringing Demonstrations were another flying success and continue to be one of our fastest-selling events. Although all the demos were well received this year, we will consider running four dates in November and December next year when catch rates are higher, and events are more likely to avoid the harsh frosts during the depths of winter.
An unprecedented eight Puffin & Seabird Cruises were postponed due to poor weather, predominantly rough sea state. A period of sustained southerly winds meant conditions at sea were unsafe for visiting the colony. Most trips were rescheduled and prompted streamlining of booking protocols.
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Boat Trip Schedule 2022/23
| Event | Dates | Engagement |
| Spring Safari Cruises | 12 trips between April and May | 656 guests |
| Up With The Lark Cruises | 4 trips in late April and mid-May | 131 guests |
| Puffin & Seabird Cruises | 9 trips ran between late May and early July. | 734 guests |
| Summer Safari Cruises | 7 trips between June and early August | 265 guests |
| Osprey Cruises | 30 cruises from mid-August to early September | 1,531 guests |
| Autumn Safari Cruises | 10 trips between mid-September and October | 396 guests |
| Low Tide Cruises | 8 trips between October and early March | 396 guests |
| Winter Safari Cruises | 19 trips from mid-November and February | 845 guests |
| Christmas Special Bird Boat Bonanza |
1 in late December | 37 guests |
| Year-list Kick-starter Cruises |
3 trips in early January | 117 guests |
| Spring Safari Cruises | 5 trips in March | 134 guests |
| Private Charters | 2 trips in early February | LUSH staff |
Guided Walks, Bird Ringing Demonstrations and ID Courses 2022/23
| Event | Dates | Engagement |
| Morden Bog Dawn Chorus ID Courses |
5 dates in May | 48 guests |
| Nightjar Experience Walks |
8 dates between June-July | 121 guests |
| Bearded Tit Ringing Demonstrations |
3 dates between late September and October | 78 guests |
| Sunnyside Nocturnal Winter Wader Ringing Demonstrations |
4 dt bt Nb d Fb | 80 guests |
| aes eween ovemer an eruary d th |
||
| aroun e new moon | ||
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Events in partnership with Careys Secret Garden
| Event | Dates | Engagement |
| Introduction To Birding Course |
1 course in early April; 3 courses September to November |
39 guests |
| Birds of Poole Harbour Children's Workshop |
2 workshop - mid April and early June | 27 guests |
| Early Autumn Migrants Bird Ringing ID Courses |
2 demonstrations in early August | 28 guests |
| Birds of Poole Harbour Children's Bird Ringing Workshop |
24 guests | |
| 2 workshops during October half-term | ||
| Winter Birds ID Course | 1 course in mid-February | 13 guests |
School Bird Boat Project
Each year, Birds of Poole Harbour delivers a winter bird boats project, connecting 1,200 local primary school children with the harbour and its important birdlife at no cost to the school or pupil. This is a very rewarding and high-impact educational project, and Birds of Poole Harbour would like to thank Poolebased cosmetics company LUSH, who kindly sponsored this project for a second consecutive year, funding the coach travel and the 2-hour cruises around the harbour with commentary provided by Birds of Poole Harbour staff.
These trips provide an invaluable opportunity for school children to explore and learn about the importance of their local environment from a unique perspective. Winter in Poole Harbour is spectacular for birds, and the project allows the charity to showcase truly magical wildlife spectacles to a young audience. These range from counting vast flocks of overwinter wetland birds, experiencing Peregrine and Merlin chases, and spotting Common Seals, to even watching White-tailed Eagles re-establishing thanks to a translocation project being conducted on the Isle of Wight! As well as studying Poole pollution, highlighting how important the harbour is for both people and wildlife.
As the impacts of Covid-19 have significantly reduced, it was fantastic to welcome the return of binoculars during the trips. Handing out a pair of binoculars to every student vastly increases the value of the cruise and experiences that are taken back to the classroom. In total, 23 boat trips were run across 15 different local primary schools. Of the six school bird boat trips that were postponed due to the weather, three were rescheduled into April 2023.
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Feedback received from primary schools:
It was my first experience of the trip and I can honestly say, both the children and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Massive thank you and we look forward to it again next year.
- Haymoor Junior School
Brilliant - many children had never been on a boat before.
- Talbot Primary
We think the knowledge and expertise of the staff presenting is excellent. Thank you. Links with our Science project on Evolution, Adaptation and Inheritance where we study how birds have adapted to their environment - based on Charles Darwin's finches. We then look at Oystercatchers and Spoonbills . - Longfleet Primary
It was invaluable to learn about conservation and ecology, which also coincided with our science topic about animal habitats. It really extended our learning and understanding of marine habitats. Thank you so much. I can't believe such trips are free for the children. - Bishops Aldhelm's Primary
Nature Heals Project
We were delighted to be granted funding by the Fine Family Foundation to carry out a Nature Heals project, aimed at connecting more people with nature who would find it valuable to their mental health sessions for this project with attendees from WISE Ability, an employment support service, to deliver the sessions. We delivered our free Nature Heals sessions over 3 days for the group, which included a bird ringing demonstration, moth trapping, forest bathing (with Dorset Forest Bathing) and a mindfulness workshop, all at Careys Secret Garden, ending with a boat trip around Poole Harbour. We were very pleased with the outcome of these sessions, and the feedback from attendees was very positive. Further plans are being made to continue the project in 2023/24. Thank you to the Fine Family Foundation for their support and for enabling us to fund this project.
Poole Museum
deinstallation began on 25th April 2022. Our chapter with Poole Museum offered an exciting opportunity to communicate our stories and project work to a new and larger audience. We are delighted to have We look forward to working closely with the museum in the future, helping to guide and support future interpretation during their redevelopment, restoration and re-opening scheduled for Spring/Summer 2024.
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Webcams
The much-loved Brownsea Lagoon webcams returned back online on 18th November 2022. After a prolonged period of being offline due to various technical issues, a completely new system was installed, complete with higher definition cameras. This project was delivered in partnership with Dorset Wildlife Trust and National Trust to livestream focus on winter waders and the breeding tern islands. We also like to thank the Ewan Brodie memorial fund for contributing towards the project and have midNovember and March, the Brownsea livestreams received 30,000 unique views.
Ham Common Lookout
In spring 2022, we developed plans for the installation of a new fully-accessible raised viewing platform to be installed at BCP Ham Common, in partnership with BCP Council and Haven Holidays. The platform was purpose-built for watching Osprey and White-tailed Eagle in the Wareham Channel, one of the areas in the harbour that they most regularly frequent. The platform, referred to as the Ham Common Lookout, was funded between the three organisations, including through a private donation to Birds of Poole Harbour, and was installed in early September 2022. The platform has since been used regularly by the general public, with educational interpretation boards offering additional information about the site. The platform will also be used during our free pop-up Osprey Watches at Ham Common during the late summer each year, improving the viewing experience and accessibility of our events. A locally carved wooden sculpture of an Osprey is also a special addition to the viewpoint.
Ham Common Lookout (Credit: BCP Council)
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Conservation Projects
Poole Harbour Osprey Project
Overview
Our Osprey Project reached its most significant milestone so far in 2022, with the first successful breeding of Ospreys in Southern England since 1847!
Resident female CJ7 returned on April 5th, choosing to settle on a different artificial nest to that she used the previous two years, this time on the Carey Estate near Wareham. She was joined by translocated male 022 on April 10th, and the pair immediately began courtship to re-enforce the bond and their move to this new nest site was unequivocal, we publicly launched the new livestream camera importance of their success to the future local population, we worked hard alongside the landowners, business Carey Secret Garden and Dorset Police to keep the location of the nest site secret and well protected throughout the season.
CJ7 laid three eggs, each three days apart on April 23rd, 26th and 29th. Then followed a long incubation period during which CJ7 carried out most of the duties whilst 022 hunted to provide food for her and remained otherwise close by. The first chick hatched on June 1st, closely followed by the second on June 3rd, whilst the third egg (suspected to be the first laid) did not hatch: not uncommon during a first time breeding attempt. The chicks grew rapidly, fed diligently by CJ7 on 3-4 fish per day caught by 022. On July 4th the two chicks were removed from the nest under licence and ringed by the Birds of Poole Harbour and Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation teams. Based on biometric measurements the chicks, ringed 5H1 (eldest) and 5H2 (youngest), were both determined to be female. 5H1 fledged on 21st July, followed closely by 5H2 on July 23rd. Both young remained close to the nest, where they continued to regularly receive food from both parents.
CJ7, 022 and their chicks 5H1 and 5H2 on the livestream nest in July 2022
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On the evening of August 5th, the youngest chick 5H2 was attacked by a juvenile female Goshawk (a natural predator of Osprey) whilst perched on the edge of the nest, and despite instant retaliation from CJ7 who was perched nearby she was pulled from the nest. She was found injured but alive at the base of the tree, where she was collected by the team and taken to the emergency Vets Now practice in Wimborne who cared for her overnight, before she was transferred to raptor specialist John Chitty and his colleagues at the Anton Vets practice in Andover. Sadly, despite initial signs of recovery and surviving more than 48 hours in care, she died on the morning of August 8th. We remain incredibly grateful to both organisations for their hard work and to Dr Tim Mackrill for his guidance and expertise during that challenging period.
Thankfully the eldest chick 5H1 continued to survive well, benefiting from the full attention of both parents. She began exploring further afield and was photographed in the main harbour on multiple occasions during late August, including from our public Osprey Cruise on the 24th. The last sighting of her before she departed on migration was at RSPB Arne on August 28th. CJ7 departed the same day but 022 remained in the area until September 10th, making multiple visits to various other artificial nest sites around the harbour, possibly demonstrating his territory to passage birds.
Osprey chick 5H1 over Coombe Heath at RSPB Arne on August 28th 2022 (Credit: Kate Plater)
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Further success was also celebrated for two of our translocated females, 014 and 019, who both bred with Welsh males on nests less than 1 km apart in the Glaslyn Valley in North Wales. 014 bred for her second season and produced two chicks, whilst 019 bred for the first time and successfully raised a single chick, all of which survived to migration. Therefore a total of four chicks were produced to individuals from the Poole Harbour Translocation Project in 2022. No new two-year-olds were seen returning to the UK, as the translocation project did not go ahead in 2020.
Cameras
Thanks to a generous donation from Natural England we were able to purchase a new 4K nest camera to enhance the existing livestream setup following the success of the 2022 season. Public donations were also combined with a contribution from BBC Springwatch to fund a new power cable and installation of camera equipment by FPCR in late February and early March 2023. Maintenance of all deployed camera traps and their associated artificial nests was also carried out during this period in preparation for the spring migration period. The original livestreamed nest occupied by CJ7 and 022 until late 2021 was also decommissioned and dismantled during the winter period, as it was deemed that they had abandoned the site due to disturbance factors and it was no longer an appropriate area in which to encourage breeding Ospreys to settle.
Translocation
Unfortunately the fifth and penultimate year of the Osprey Translocation Project had to be postponed in 2022 due to the rapidly developing epidemic of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) across the UK. Of specific concern was the high prevalence of the disease in the region of Scotland from which Osprey chicks are collected for translocation and the uncertainty around t the population. Whilst Ospreys are likely to be at lower risk of transmission than scavenging or colonial species for example, their susceptibility to the disease was ultimately unknown and safe procedures for husbandry had not been established. The decision was therefore made collectively between Birds of Poole Harbour and our partners at the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation that it would be irresponsible to go ahead with the translocation and thus, the project was postponed until the following year, in the hope that by this time the bird flu risks would be significantly reduced.
Nest Platform Installations
Over the winter period we were pleased to install 2 more Osprey nest platforms on private sites in the Poole Harbour area, one of which is situated on Middlebere Farm and so is visible from the RSPB Arne Lookout hide. Both nests were fitted with motion-sensitive cameras so that we are able to monitor activity during the Osprey season. The cost of installing the nests and cameras were generously covered through private donations.
Engagement
The huge success of the Osprey Project was celebrated across media platforms, with features on BBC Breakfast, BBC Springwatch, BBC Radio Solent, and even across the Atlantic on CBC Radio in Canada. During the early part of the Osprey season when activity was high on the nest, we also hosted weekly Q & A sessions on the YouTube livestream chat, engaging many people with the project and answering their questions.
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We hosted 30 Osprey Cruises in the summer, taking out over 1,500 people to view Ospreys around the harbour, which received excellent feedback. Unlike previous years we did not host any free Pop-up Osprey Watches at the Ham Common during the Osprey migration period in August, as the site was under construction to build our Osprey and White-tailed Eagle viewing area, in partnership with BCP Council and Haven Rockley Caravan Park. The viewpoint opened on September 1st and was enjoyed by hundreds of visitors throughout the Autumn and Winter.
We gave online Osprey Project talks to Oxford Ornithological Society, RSPB South Wilts, and RSPB Richmond & Twickenham. An in-person talk was also provided to Poole Bobbin Lace Circle in January 2023 to thank them for selecting us as their chosen charity for the year and raising a £600 donation for the Charity. In July 2022, we were also invited to host a stall and speak at Hen Harrier Fest in Cheshire. We also invited international Osprey expert Alan Poole to give an online talk through the charity in June, which was well received.
Purbeck Chough Reintroduction Feasibility Study
During 2022, Birds of Poole Harbour began preparations for conducting a feasibility study for the reintroduction of Chough to Purbeck, with support from the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation. Already sitting on the Chough Southern England Steering Group, we also sought advice from Kent Wildlife Trust, Wildwood and Paradise Park, who are running the Kent Chough Reintroduction Project. Potential release sites were identified within Purbeck, with support from the National Trust.
The first phase of a feasibility study was carried out in early 2023 by staff Liv Cooper and Brittany Maxted, and Dr Tim Mackrill on behalf of the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, partially funded by Natural England. The initial findings, including habitat analysis, showed South Purbeck and the Isle of Portland to be highly suitable for a Chough reintroduction, with a potential release site confirmed. BopH presented the habitat analysis results at Chough Southern England Steering Group Meeting at Marwell Zoo on March 24th 2023. The next phase of the feasibility study, including methodology development, will be undertaken later in 2023.
Dorset Swift Network
In February 2023, we had the first meeting for the newly established Dorset Swift Network, aiming to monitor and bolster Common Swift populations within Dorset. From the initial meeting, we had representatives from BoPH, Dorset Council, BCP Council, Dorset Bird Club, Christchurch Harbour Ornithological Group and Swanage Swift Group. The network is now seeking funding to install nest boxes in areas with existing populations of Swifts, and galvanise community support within those areas.
Hobby Nests
We were approached by a local donor who offered to fund two Hobby nest installations and cameras at two private sites in and around the harbour. A donation of £2,500 was received in February 2021. The first nest and camera were installed during early spring 2021 but unfortunately no Hobby took to the nest. The second nest was installed later in the summer and a pair of Hobby took to the nest cam. Things were looking good and the Hobby pair were making the nest their home until unfortunately working with the landowner to see how we can hopefully get Hobby nesting back on their land again over the coming summers.
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Natural England Sunnyside Scrapes
In March 2022, we helped manage the re-creation of the Sunnyside scrapes in order to restore the habitat we had created back in 2018. The work involved getting a digger on site to open up the area and free it from invasive juncus so that wading birds could begin using the site again. To date three pairs of Lapwing bred on the new scrape this spring producing 7 chicks in total. In the autumn the area was also used by passage migrants such as Yellow Wagtail, Wheatear, Wood Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover and Green Sandpiper. It also became an important refuge for over-wintering species such as Jack Snipe and Common Snipe which then allowed us to host our winter ringing sessions at this site.
Wader Fencing at NT Studland
In September, we collaborated with the National Trust Studland team to install a wader-protection fenced area in Shell Bay, with funding from our Nightjar Walks going towards the installation costs. This project is a trial aiming to provide a secure area for birds to roost, undisturbed by people and dogs also using the beach, which has proven to be successful in Christchurch at Hengistbury Head. Unfortunately the fencing has seen some initial damage due to movement of the sand dunes, requiring re-instalment, and so we are looking into options for further securing the fencing in the future.
Wader Fencing at NT Studland (Credit: National Trust)
Partnerships and Sponsorship
Osprey Europe
Osprey Europe continues to be a supportive partner in our Osprey reintroduction program by continuing to share news stories on their social media platforms, each of which have a large public outreach. They also kindly donated a new water-resistant travel case for our transportation of binoculars onto our cruises, which has been extremely useful.
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Careys Secret Garden
demonstrations, guided walks and ID courses at the gardens. Our first two Nature Heals sessions were also hosted at the gardens. Plans were developed over the winter of 2022/23 for delivering guided Osprey nest viewing sessions in partnership with the Gardens, following the successful return of the nesting pair. Careys Secret Garden shares our vision for opening access to view the nest site, carefully balancing the protection and privacy of the breeding birds, while optimising public engagement with the project.
Surveys and Scientific Projects
As a charity, we aim to obtain high quality data on populations and status of birds and other wildlife that are relevant to our wider conservation values.
Breeding Raptors of Poole Harbour Survey
As part of our ongoing assessment of understanding bird populations across the harbour, we out by Nick Hopper. This was a large undertaking having never been done before and with focus being on 9 different species, it was an incredibly in depth and varied piece of work. The study focused on the breeding populations of Common Buzzard, Honey Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Hobby, Peregrine Falcon, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Northern Goshawk, Western Osprey and Common Raven, the breeding locations of each species and gauge a baseline population status for each species. This was done by initially monitoring suitable habitat at the relevant times of year and observing displaying and courtship behaviour. Later in the season this was followed up with some visits to assess breeding productivity. Overall the study was a huge success and we were able to categorically state the true population totals for each of the species named above. It was exciting to be able to include breeding Osprey within the report as this was the first breeding of this species in southern Britain for nearly 200 years, which was a direct result of our Osprey translocation Project.
Big Poole Harbour Bird Count
We continued hosting our Big Poole Harbour Bird Count events this year, with our first ever spring count on the 25th May 2022, and our third winter count on the 19th January 2023. Engagement was higher during the winter count with 60+ participants versus 30+ on the spring count.
Poole Harbour WeBS counts
We continue to manage the Poole Harbour WeBS (Wetland Birds Surveys), which is a national scheme run by the BTO (British Trust for Ornithology). The survey involves a team of 30 volunteers distributed across the harbour to conduct a monthly count in September through to March. This is a hugely important survey, as the collective data affords Poole Harbour much of its designated protection. At the end of March, we coordinated an additional quick-response survey to assess the impact of the Poole Harbour Oil Spill. Fortunately, our survey found that there was minimal impact on the birdlife across the harbour, with the vast majority of overwintering birds having left the area in the weeks prior.
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A particular thanks goes out to Rod Brummitt for his collection of the survey data and coordination of the volunteers across all of the WeBS counts.
Student Grant
PhD Funding
-time PhD research. The grant covers her tuition and research costs, whilst she remains employed full-time by Birds of Poole Harbour and divides her time between work and studies. The funding has already been donated to the charity in full and is ring-fenced for this purpose.
Brittany has been involved in the charity since 2015 and is responsible for managing our Osprey Translocation Project. She began her part-time PhD at Bournemouth University in September 2019, supervised by Professor Richard Stillman, Dr Pippa Gillingham, and Professor Ross Hill. The Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation has provided the main dataset for her research, alongside additional supervision from Dr Tim Mackrill. The research aims to investigate the drivers of nesting decisions and range expansion in the British Osprey population, and to provide a management framework for the species in the future.
The project helps to strengthen and establish ties with other organisations, and also provides opportunities for publication of peerstatus within conservation and scientific communities.
Brittany submitted her Major Review Briefing Document in May 2022, and later attended and passed her Major Review in July 2022. The Major Review is a compulsory assessment conducted from 36 months after enrolment, where the academic standard of the student and their work is evaluated and approval to continue studying at the doctoral level is given. Brittany provided written and verbal evidence of her research progress to date, intended further work and a proposed timeline to completion, which were independently assessed by Professor Rick Stafford from Bournemouth University and Dr Sean Walls from Lotek Ltd UK.
Additionally, Brittany has made substantial progress with her analysis for the first two chapters of her thesis, which respectively explore the drivers of nest site selection and breeding productivity of the Scottish Osprey population. Brittany plans to write up these findings during winter 2023/24 and begin her data analysis for later chapters.
Fundraising
We continued our fundraising activities this year for the Osprey Project through Just Giving. Through the year, we raised a total of £8,662 through Just Giving, more than doubling our Osprey Project donations from the prior year. The funds raised have helped support the improvement of our Osprey nest webcam, as well as additional infrastructure maintenance across the harbour.
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Volunteer Contribution
A total of 23 volunteers committed an outstanding 898 hours to assisting with our Osprey Project during the 2022 season, predominantly helping to monitor and protect the nesting Ospreys.
Similarly, it was brilliant to get volunteer support on our School Bird Boat Project after being unable to run the project in 2021-2022. Our School Bird Boat volunteers contributed a total of 62 hours to the project this year.
Without the work and dedication of our volunteers, the charity would not have been able to achieve the level of engagement and project work that we have this year. As always, we are extremely grateful for their input and would like to recognise how invaluable their support is.
Small companies provision statement
This report has been prepared in accordance with the small companies regime under the Companies Act 2006.
The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on .................... and signed on its behalf by:
......................................... Kerry Fletcher Trustee
......................................... Paul Morton Trustee
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Birds of Poole Harbour Trustees, Report Reference and Administrative Details Chairman Paul Morton Trustees lan Alexander Margaret Constantine Kerry Fletcher Sam Jolliffe Secretary Kerry Fletcher Charity Registration Number 1152615 The charity is incorporated in England and Wales. Carey House Carey Wareham Dorset BH20 7PG Principal Office Independent Examiner PKF Francis Clark Towngate House 2 - 8 Parkslone Road Poole Dorset BH15 2PW Bankers Barclays 100 High Street Poole Dorset BH15 1BL Metro Bank One Southampton Row London WC1B SHA Page 15
Birds of Poole Harbour Trustees, Report Statgmgnt of trust99s' responsibilities The Iruslees Iwho are also the directors of Birds of Poole Harbour for the purposes of company lawl are responsible for preparing the trustees, report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law the Iruslees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the stale of affairs of the charitable incorporated organisation and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, of the charitable incorporated organisalion for that period. In preparing these financial stalemenls, the trustees are required to.. select suitable accounting policies and apply them consislenlly., observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP., make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent-, stale whether applicable accounting stsndards, comprising FRS 102 have been followed. subject lo any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial slalemenls; and prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that can disclose with reasonable accumcy at any time the financial position of the Charitable incorporated organisation and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for tsking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable companys website. Legislation governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. Approved by the Iruslees of the charity on 10 November 2023 and signed on ils behalf by- Paul Morton Chaim)an Kerry Fletcher Company Secretary and Trustee Page 16
Birds of Poole Harbour Independent Examinerfs Report to the trustees of Birds of Poole Harbour ('the Company,) I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2023. Responsibilities and basis of report As the Iruslees of Birds of Poole Harbour land also its directors for the purposes of wmpany lawl you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 20061'lhe 2006 Acl'l. Having satisfied myself that the accounts of Birds of Poole HarboLJr are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out Ljnder section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 I'lhe 2011 Act'l. In carryng out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llbl of the 2011 Act. Independent examiner's statement Since the Company's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that l am qualified to undertake the examination because l am a member of ICAEW, which is one of the listed bodies. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come lo my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause lo believe- 1. accounting records were not kept in respect of Birds of Poole Harbour as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act., or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records., or 3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'lrue and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination- or 4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordan with the methods and principles of the ststement of Recommended Practi for accounting and reporting by charities lapplicable lo charities preparing their accounts in accordan with the Financial Reporting Stsndard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 10211. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination lo which allenlion should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts lo be reached. Anne-marie Gates FCCA FCA la partner ofj PKF Francis Clatk Towngale House 2- 8 Parkstone Road Poole Dorset BH15 2PW 22 November 2023 Page 17
Birds of Poole Harbour Statement of Financial Activities Year Ended 31 March 2023 (Including Income and Expenditure Account) Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total 2023 Note Income and Endowments from: Donations and legacies Charitable activities Investment income 84,141 131,830 80 36,592 120,733 131,830 80 Total income 216,051 36,592 252,643 Expenditure on: Charitable activities 204,466 40,704 245,170 Total expenditure 204,466 40,704 245,170 Net incomellexpenditurel Net movement in funds 11,585 4,112 7,473 11,585 14,1121 7,473 Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward 48,379 27,824 76,203 Total funds carried forward 14 59,964 23,712 83,676 The notes on pages 21 to 33 fomi an integral part of these financial statements. Page 18
Birds of Poole Harbour Statement of Financial Activities Year Ended 31 March 2023 (Including Income and Expenditure Account) Total 2022 Unrestricted Restricted Note Income and Endowments from: Donations and legacies Charitable activities Investment income 93,662 110,625 13,995 107,657 110,625 Total Income 204,298 13,995 218,293 Expenditure on: Charitable activities 304,179 14,447 318,626 Total Expenditure 304,179 14,447 318,626 Net expenditure Transfers beeen funds 199,8811 525 14521 15251 1100,3331 Net movement in funds 199,3561 19771 1100,3331 Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward 147,735 28,801 176,536 14 48,379 27,824 76,203 The funds breakdown for 2022 is shown in note 14. The notes on pages 21 to 33 fomi an integral part of these financial statements. Page 19
Birds of Poole Harbour (Registration number: CE000516) Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2023 2023 2022 Note Fixed assets Tangible assets 27,748 22,068 Current assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 12 8,413 119,881 4,440 93,412 128,294 97,852 Creditors- Amounts falling due within one year Net current assets 13 172,3661 143,7171 55,928 54,135 Ngt assgts 83,676 76,203 Funds ofthe charity: Restrlcted Income funds Restricted funds 23,712 27,824 Unrestricted income funds Unrestricted funds 59,964 48,379 Total funds 14 83,676 76,203 The financial statements on pages 18 to 33 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on 10 November 2023 and signed on their behalf by- Paul Morton Chaimian Kerry Fletcher Company Secretary and Trustee The notes on pages 21 to 33 fomi an integral part of these financial statements. Page 20
Birds of Poole Harbour Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 1 Accounting policies Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are sel out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise slated. Statement of compliance The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities= Statement of Recommended Practice (applicable lo charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 10211 (issued in October 20191- (Charities SORP IFRS 10211, the Financial Reporting Stsndard applicable in the UK and Republic of Iland IFRS 1021 and the Companies Act 2006. Basis of preparation Birds of Poole Harbour meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise slated in the relevant accounting policy notes. Going concern The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The trustees consider there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability lo continue as a going concem nor any significant areas of unceriainly that affect the carrwng value of assets held by the charity. Exemption from preparing a cash flow statement The charity adopted Bulletin 1 published on 2 February 2016 and have therefore not included a cash flow statemenel in these financial statements. Income and endowments All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of the income receivable can be measured reliably. Donations Donations are recognised when the charity has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date. In the event that a donation is subject lo conditions that require a level of perfomiance by the charity before the charity is enlilled lo the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully mel, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that these conditions will b8 fulfilled in the reporting period. Page 21
Birds of Poole Harbour Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 Deferred inoome Deferred income represents amounts received for future periods and is released to incoming resour8 in the period for which, it has been received. Such income is only deferred when.. The donor specifies that the grant or donation must only be used in future accounting periods., or The donor has imposed conditions which must be met before the charity has unconditional entitlement. Investment In¢ome Bank interest is recognised when it is received. Charitable activities Engagement centre sales are recognised when goods are sold. Boat trips and tour income is recognised when the trips lake pla. Expondituro All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or conslruclive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated lo the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs lo that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed lo particular headings they have been allocated on a basis wnsislenl with the use of resources, with central staff wsls allocated on the basis of lime spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset's use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs. Charitable activities Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incLJrred by the charity in the delivery of ils activities and services for ils beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly lo such activities and those costs of an indirect natLJre necessary to support them. Governance costs These include the costs attributable lo the charitys Complian with conslitulional and statutory requirements, including audit, strategic management and trustees meetings and reimbursed expenses. Taxatlon The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore il meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempl from taxation in respect of income or capital gains reiVed within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively lo charitable purposes. Tangible fixed assets Individual fixed assets are initially recorded at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses. Page 22
Birds of Poole Harbour Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 Depreciation and amortisation Depreciation is provided on tsngible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows.. Asset class Office equipment and website Furniture and fixtures Conservation assets HQ equipment Depreciation method and rate 3 and 5 years straight line 5 years straight line 3 and 5 years straight line 3 years straight line Trade debtors Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business. Trade debtors are recognised initially al the transaction price. They are subsequenuy measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the impainment of trade debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the charity will not be able lo collect all amounts due according lo the original terms of the receivables. Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amoLJnt of cash and are subject lo an insignificant risk of change in value. Trade credltors Trade creditors are obligations lo pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if the charity does not have an unconditional right, at the end of the reporting period, to defer settlement of the eredilor for at least twelve months after the reporting date. If there is an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the reporting date, they are presented as non-current Trade creditors are recognised initially at the transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Fund structure Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees, discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity. Restricted income funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes. the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose. Pensions and other post retirement obligations The charity opeffites a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions are charged in the Statement of Financial Activities as they become payable in accordance with the rules of the scheme. Page 23
Birds of Poole Harbour Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 2 Income from donations and legacies Unrestrlcted funds General Restricted funds Total 2023 Total 2022 Donations and legacies., Donations from individuals Gift aid reclaimed 71,587 12,554 36,592 108,179 12,554 89,441 18,216 84,141 36,592 120,733 107,657 3 Incomg from Charitablg activitlgs Unrestrlcted funds General Total 2023 Product Sales Public Bird Boat Income Other income 172 111,295 20,363 172 111,295 20,363 131,830 131,830 Unrestrlcted funds General Total 2022 Product Sales Public Bird Bo8t Income Swtft Boxes Other income 28,086 49,512 200 32,827 28,086 49,512 200 32,827 110,625 110,625 4 Investment income Unrestricted funds General Total 2023 Total 2022 Interest receivable and similar income., Interest receivable on bank deposits 80 80 Page 24
Birds of Poole Harbour Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 5 Expenditure on charitable activities Total 2023 Total 2022 Purchases Osprey tags Rent and rates Light, heat and power Insurance Cleaning School boat trip costs Surveys Conservation work Repairs, renewals and equipment People engagement Telephone costs Travel and subsisten Computer costs Printing, postage and stationery Training Refreshments Equipment hire Public boat trip costs Other costs Publicity Consultancy Recruitment cost Sludenl Grant costs Wages and Salaries Bank charges Credit card charges Loss on the disposal of Fixed Assets Governance costs I see note 61 Depreciation 121 1,646 23,085 2,770 13,928 2,570 2,682 232 8,474 7,271 2,500 10,883 4,207 542 3,196 17,505 13,391 11,500 5,016 3,343 1,621 1,648 6,086 1,969 746 3,573 1,943 4,114 225 1,269 22,300 36 507 9,200 210 2,162 87,154 313 2,416 54,066 6,500 42,748 386 6,146 51,750 17451 2,581 2,069 182 2,163 85,892 253 2,925 6,806 17,336 245,170 318,626 Page 25
Birds of Poole Harbour Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 6 Analysis of governance and support costs Governance costs Unrestrlcted Total 2023 Total 2022 General Independent examiner fees Examination of the financial statements Accountancy Fees 5,300 1,506 5,300 1,506 5,050 1,450 6,806 6,806 6,500 7 Net in¢omingloutgoing resources Net incominglloulgoingl resources for the year include.. 2023 2022 Loss on disposal of fixed assets held for the charity's own use Depreciation of fixed assets Independent Examination Fee Accountancy Fees 54,066 42,748 5,050 1,450 17,336 5,300 1,506 8 Trustees remuneration and expenses During the year the charity made the following transactions with trustees- Paul Morton £71 12022= £1921 of expenses were reimbursed lo Paul Morton during the year. No trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the year. Page 26
Birds of Poole Harbour Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 9 Staff costs The aggregate payroll costs were as follows.. 2023 2022 Staff costs durlng the year were: Wages and salaries Social security costs Pension costs 80,500 2,652 2,740 77,725 6,759 2,670 85,892 87,154 The monthly average number of persons (including senior management I leadership leaml employed by the charity during the year expressed as full time equivalents was as follows.. 2023 No 2022 No Average number of employees No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 during the year. 10 Taxation Birds of Poole Harbour is a registered charity and its activities are therefore exempt from tsxation. Page 27
Birds of Poole Harbour Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 11 Tangible fixed assets Office equlpment Furnlture and Conservatlon and website flxtures assets HQ equlpment Total Cost Al 1 April 2022 Additions 54,372 1,034 74,408 23,016 7,471 137,285 23,016 Al 31 March 2023 54,372 1,034 97,424 7,471 160,301 Depreciation Al 1 April 2022 Charge for the year 42,473 500 66,988 5,256 115,217 8,572 207 6,342 2,215 17,336 Al 31 March 2023 51,045 707 73,330 7,471 132,553 Net book value Al 31 March 2023 3,327 327 24,094 27,748 Al 31 March 2022 11,899 534 7,420 2,215 22,068 12 Debtors 2023 2022 Trade debtors Prepayments Accrued income Other debtors 5,552 2,861 166 2,509 362 1,403 8,413 4,440 13 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 2023 2022 Tffide creditors Pension scheme creditor Accruals Deferred income 27,851 457 21,399 22,659 17,841 457 7,389 18,030 72,366 43,717 Page 28
Birds of Poole Harbour Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 14 Funds Balance at 1 April 2022 Incoming resources Resources Balance at 31 expended March 2023 Unrestricted funds General General Funds 48,379 216,051 1204,4661 59,964 Restricted funds Osprey Infrastructure PHD - Osprey House Martin Project Chough Reintroduction Project Nightjar Walk Feed The Birds Project Nature Heals Project Eagle Nest Infrastructure School Bird Boats 5,031 13,813 4,169 9,415 17,9771 12,1631 14,1691 11,3111 15,3021 12371 11,8651 11751 17,505 6,469 11,650 3,747 1,800 2,436 3,502 237 2,230 900 18,500 365 867 1,925 142 930 Total restrlcted funds 27,824 36,592 140,7041 23,712 Total funds 76,203 252,643 245,170 83,676 Page 29
Birds of Poole Harbour Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 Balance at 1 Aprll 2021 Balance at 31 March 2022 Incomlng Resources resources expended Transfers Unrestrlcted funds General General Funds 147,735 204,298 1304,179) 525 48,379 Restricted Osprey Translocation Project Osprey Infrastructure Swtft City Project PHD - Osprey House Martin Project Sunnyside Farm Project Conlaclless Donation Station Pergins Island Nest Cam Chough Reintroduction Project Nightjar Walk Hobbie Nest Project Feed The Birds Project Eagle Nest InfrastrLJCture School Bird Boats 1,894 453 346 20,186 169 264 1,894 3,137 2,684 13461 16,762} 389 4,000 250 13,813 4,169 {431 14711 359 750 13591 17501 350 1,489 2,500 41 12961 1321 12,500) 16311 15581 12,170) {541 2,045 3,502 827 700 3,100 237 142 930 Total restricted funds 28,801 13,995 114,447) 15251 27,824 Total funds 176,536 218,293 1318,626) 76,203 Page 30
Birds of Poole Harbour Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 The specific purposes for which the funds are to be applied are as follows.. Osprey Project - A pioneering 5-year reintrodurtion program, trying to restore Osprey, a large fish eating bird of prey, lo its former breeding grounds after a 200-year absence. The project see's 6 week old Osprey chicks brought down from Scotland and raised and released here in Poole Harbour, in the hope theyll eventually breed here. As part of this project we have launched a fundraiser to cover the cost of some of the infrastructure to help us monitor and engage with the PLJblic in the future. Part of this is our Osprey cameras. Osprey Cameras A public fundraiser campaign was started to raise funds for SMS trail cameras lo be bought and placed on our Osprey nest platforms around Poole Harbour lo monitor Osprey 8Ctivity and behaviour on our nests. Osprey PHD placement - For the first time, we have been able to provide funding for a local student lo pursue a postgraduate degree in avian biology. Brittany Maxled is a member of the Birds of Poole Harbour team, who has been involved in the Osprey Projed since its inception and has managed the translocations for the last three years. The funding we provide covers the costs of her research and tuition fees, whilst she remains employed full-lime al Birds of Poole Harbour, dividing her time between work and research, and allowing her to maintain her current role as Osprey Project Officer alongside her studies. House Martin Tower Project - Funds are being raised lo build and erect a House Martin nesting tower in Upton, Poole in an effort lo help build Poole's struggling House Martin population. Nightjar Walks Each summer we cary out guided walks on National Trust land at Slepe Heath, Wareham. When we began these walks several years ago, we agreed wth the National Trust that funds raised through these events would be spent on specific projects on National Trust land within the PurbecklPoole Harbour region. The current project proposal is for a wading bird protection zone on Shell Beach, Studland which is currently in it's design phase and being oryanised by the National Trust. Feed the Birds To keep the bird cam feeders lopped for public viewing on our website, we host regular online fundraisers to purchase bird food for the feeders. Will also ceIVed a donation from member of the public specifically for bird food and new feeders for our webcam. We only purchase the food as and when we need to. Page 31
Birds of Poole Harbour Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 School Bird Boat Project - Our School Bird project continues lo go from strength to strength, and is designed to connect local school children with their local environment. Poole Harbour is an important habitat for a range of species but also for industry and tourism. The focus of the trips is lo highlight the link between all of the harbours important dynamics and how those relationships are managed in. During the 2022123 School bird boat season we l(x)k out and engaged with 1293 school children. ChoLJgh reinlroduclion Chough is rare species of corvid Icrowl which used lo breed in Dorset several centuries ago. They were wiped out by humans and have failed to regain their populations across their historic range. Just like our Osprey tr8nsloc8tion, we are exploring the possibility of carrwng out a Chough translocation Ireinlroduclionl here along the Purbeck co8St, to see if we can see Chough recolonise this historic landscape. Eagle nest infraslruclure - White-tailed Eagles were once widespread across the UK but were wiped out by humans around 240 years ago. In 2019 a While-lailed Eagle reinlroduclion was started on the Isle of Wight and as a result a pair are now seemingly selling up a territory here in Poole Harbour. To help speed up the process and lo see if we can encourage them lo nest in a safe area, we've begun working with landowners to build eagle nest platforms around the harbour. Nature heals project - Nature Heals is an event concept developed by the Fine Family Foundation, lo help provide support and wellbeing through nature for vulnerable groups and individuals. We were given funding lo to carry out a series of events which we SUC$sfUllY did during the summer of 2022. We had more events planned for the summer of 2023, bul sadly the groups we wanted lo work with pulled out, meaning we still have some funding left lo carry out some events in the coming months. Page 32
Birds of Poole Harbour Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 15 Analysis of net assets between funds Unrestricted funds General Total funds at 31 March 2023 Restricted funds Tangible fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities 27,748 104,582 172,366 27,748 128,294 72,366 23,712 Total nel assets 59,964 23,712 83,676 16 Related party transactions There were no related party transactions in the year. Page 33