## **2022 Chairman’s report for Charity Commission** Portland Bird Observatory and Field Centre’s ac�vi�es returned to normal and in some areas exceeded those experienced pre-covid. The full reopening of the observatory for accommoda�on and day visitors saw an unprecedented increase following relaxa�on of the previous COVID restric�ons. Interest in the charity was reflected by a marked increase in visits by the general public, many having read of our conserva�on and scien�fic work which had been reported daily on the observatory blog throughout the lockdowns. The interest in nature generally and the work of socie�es and chari�es working in this sphere were obviously s�mulated by many television programmes watched during the Covid pandemic. indicators was back to high levels with the many visi�ng naturalists contribu�ng to the daily records. The final database of sixty years past records which had been digi�sed and edited over several years was received from the Bri�sh Trust for Ornithology, these having contributed to their capacity to inform JNCC and the government on biodiversity changes during this period. Award for our farming for wildlife a�er successful comple�on of the first fiveyear programme. We were sorry to lose Richard Newton, our trustee with farming experience who had undertaken all work for the past twenty years but contracted James Foot, a local farmer who con�nued the agreed programme. The acreage farmed for conserva�on increased during the year thanks to a bequest from the family of a previously regular visitor to the observatory. The generous sum of £100K enabled the purchase of two areas of limestone grassland and five lawnsheds totalling 4.4 acres which were incorporated into the farming regime. The observatory now farms just under 40 acres maintaining and increasing the biodiversity of Portland Bill under increasing pressure from other uses. The educa�onal programme was enabled again by the warden, Mar�n Cade and our newly appointed Assistant Warden Jodie Mae Henderson, who like our previous AW, Erin Taylor, had served at Skokholm Bird Observatory. The work of the observatory was detailed to the many visits by schools, bird socie�es, WI, University of the Third Age as well as general visitors. The membership rose to nearly 800 reaching pre-covid levels. Formal educa�on and work experience was undertaken u�lising our Neil Arnold Memorial Fund and the BTO Young Bird Observatory Volunteer scheme enabling two students to spend a total of eight weeks training at PBO. period during COVID and ensured a successful resump�on of all of the observatory’s opera�ons and ac�vi�es. Peter J Morgan Chairman of Portland Bird Observatory and Field Centre. RO RVAT RY AND HELD (Ef4TRÉ ECEIPTS JJ40 PAYMENTS ACCOUIIT FOA AR ENDED RECEIPTS Accomm¢d¥tion Bank Interest and Oividénds Rec￿ Bookshop Sèle5 (Note 11 FarrnlnB Incorne INCtè 11 Donations and 8eque5ts Membershlp Fees 43.2C& 73.021.42 5.791.J3 634.93 1.347.41 13.796LiI 25.186.rx) 65.640.39 4.511.46 797 65 2J)99.34 JL.981.C Exceptional IhcomE- Bequest for Purthas• (Note 31 TOTAL 237.798.89 110.215.84 xp 88nk Char8e5 and Mtrth•hi Fees Cleani itysurarKe ehl and ￿e1t 919.53 4,259.32 3.322.65 S.366.(6 5,620.02 1.71L.24 881.32 1.(fj3.96 2.306.55 1.250 14.34945 7.Yl.30 44&LX) 439.33 15.041.$1 43.49866 S87.84 L.565 52 3,Tr)5 22 7,018 80 S.263.12 IW76 3,518.04 l.S67.50 2.249.42 1.6W C 7.187.85 1,710 00 72.00 Posr4e Printlng. S¢•llonery ino OMi