Prior to the start of the 2023 season, we held a very successful Members’ Day in Penkridge to begin our 70[th] Birthday celebrations. It was especially appropriate to have Roger Broadbent, current Chair of the West Midlands Bird Club, to speak to the assembled members, given the strong ties between the two organisations.
Steve and Emma Stansfield arrived on the island in mid-March, followed by Ed Betteridge and Ollie King, our two returning assistants. Cristin was in a very poor state and required a great deal of work from the staff and volunteers Lynda and Mike to get it ready for the first guests of the season.
In late spring, Ollie decided that he needed to leave the island for personal reasons. We were sorry to say goodbye to him at the end of July and grateful to Steve, Emma and Ed, for agreeing to take on the extra work for the remainder of the season.
We were sad to hear that Steve’s father had passed away in early August and this meant that Steve and Emma had to be off the island on a number of occasions to be with friends and family.
We also heard of the death of Tony John, for many years the Editor of the annual report, and a regular visitor to the Observatory. His obituary appeared in the Beacon at the end of the season.
However, there were still many things to celebrate in 2023 – bird-wise in late spring we had Song Sparrow, Eastern Subalpine Warbler, Golden Oriole and White-throated Sparrow and amongst the moths trapped were Emperor Moth and Peppered Moth.
Our AGM took place in North Wales, and we were delighted to present Alicia Normand with an award for Outstanding Contribution to the work of the Observatory as she stepped down from her role as Bookings Administrator after nearly 30 years.
The 70[th] Birthday celebrations culminated in a lunch and barbecue on the island in late August. Unfortunately, the weather decided to put difficulties in the way of preparations and those planning to come for the day or the weekend were unable to attend. Despite this, we held the lunch on the Monday when our weekly visitors had managed to arrive and the barbecue a couple of days later. Both were highly enjoyable occasions and were attended by island residents as well as those from the Obs.
During the season, we held two University Weeks, showcased the Observatory at the Bird Fair and hosted 4 young people from the BTO’s YBOV scheme, all of whom had a great time.
September saw not one, not two but three Black and White Warblers arrive at the Obs, along with many other autumn migrants and birds from Eastern Europe and Asia.
These are a few of the highlights, but amongst it all the work of the Observatory continued apace. The tagging project for Shearwaters produced some fascinating insights into the habits of that most endearing of creatures. The Shearwater census showed how successful these birds are in terms of the increasing size of the colony on the island. Our solar panels have produced 6.41 megawatts of power since their installation. They have saved us a great deal of money on Calor gas and allowed us to keep the running of the generator to a minimum.
Thanks, as ever, go to Steve and Emma for their determination to take BBFO to an ever-higher standard, in terms of accommodation, outreach, education and scientific outcome, and to Connor, who left the island to begin the second year of his university degree in the autumn of 2023 and whose assistance in IT and other field has been much appreciated. Thanks are also to due to Ed for his unflagging energy and to Ollie and all the interns and volunteers who came to assist the staff on the island during the season. We are grateful to Colin Evans for the safe and reliable boat service and to the other residents of Bardsey for their friendship and goodwill. The Choir would also like to record her appreciation of her fellow trustees for the work they put in off the island and to thank all our members for their continued enthusiasm and support for the work of the Observatory.
BARDSEY BIRD AND FIELD OBSERVATORY
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31ST DECEMBER 2023
| BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31ST DECEMBER 2023 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CURRENT ASSETS Debtors Stock National Savings Investment Account Bank Balance High Interest Business Account Bardsey Flora Account PayPal Account Current Account LESS : CURRENT LIABILITIES Creditors NET CURRENT ASSETS NET ASSETS REPRESENTED BY: ACCUMULATED FUND Balance at 1st January 2023 Excess of Income over Expenditure for the Year Balance at 31st December 2023 RESERVE ACCOUNT AW ACCOUNT BARDSEY FLORA FUND HELIGOLAND FUND TONY CHARLES MEMORIAL FUND BIRDS OF BARDSEY FUND |
Note 1 2 3 |
17,418.00 1,148.40 4,224.18 126,683.99 10,843.33 1,028.38 26,858.30 188,204.58 21,273.55 166,931.03 166,931.03 66,165.03 13,170.08 79,335.11 60,000.00 10,500.00 10,843.33 1,421.67 830.92 4,000.00 166,931.03 2023 |
2022 | |
| 50,611.61 1,031.49 4,182.36 85,651.43 10,741.07 227.57 28,913.79 181,359.32 27,700.63 153,658.69 153,658.69 68,995.69 2,830.66 - 66,165.03 60,000.00 10,500.00 10,741.07 1,421.67 830.92 4,000.00 153,658.69 |
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BARDSEY BIRD AND FIELD OBSERVATORY
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023
| INCOME Subscriptions Donations and Miscellaneous Receipts Income Tax Recoverable Grant from NRW Sales Visitors Fees Bank Interest National Savings Investment Account Interest EXPENDITURE Cristin - Rent Expenses - Running Expenses Equipment Bank Charges Report Sales Expenses Salaries and National Insurance Petty Cash and Sundries including Postage and Telephone Professional Services Projects Insurance EXCESS OF INCOME OVER EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR |
2023 3,868.00 11,372.36 1,793.00 11,825.00 8,899.94 59,043.70 1,032.56 41.82 97,876.38 1,590.90 20,298.40 1,115.90 18.85 3,836.00 3,792.09 45,220.84 1,612.16 6,000.00 50.22 1,170.94 84,706.30 13,170.08 |
2022 3,605.54 4,234.23 623.74 16,325.00 4,062.49 49,604.15 82.69 3.89 78,541.73 1,492.50 22,941.82 318.60 17.81 4,130.00 636.09 40,236.54 2,574.78 5,000.00 2,982.80 1,041.45 81,372.39 2,830.66 - |
|---|---|---|
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BARDSEY BIRD AND FIELD OBSERVATORY
NOTES TO THE BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31ST DECEMBER 2023
| 1. DEBTORS AND PAYMENTS IN ADVANCE Other Income Grant from NRW Income Tax Recoverable 2. STOCK Promotional Merchandise for Resale Stock is stated at the lower of cost or estimated net realisable value 3. CREDITORS Accommodation Running Expenses Salaries Treasurer Account |
£ 2,500.00 11,825.00 3,093.00 17,418.00 |
|---|---|
| 1,148.40 1,148.40 |
|
| 8,327.95 12,620.60 175.00 150.00 21,273.55 |
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EXAMINER. REPORT ON THE ACCOUNT OF FIE D OBSERVATORY I have examined th¢ Balance she at 31st D¢tember 2023 and ¢he Income and ExpenJiwr¢ Account for the year ended on th81 date as shown on the atthched pages i 10 3 and certify ibat they are in accordance with th¢ books and records of BaTd5ey Bird ond Field Observatory. J.S. Craig ¢rtrw 2&J¥ 19 The Coppice Manc¢tt Aiherblone Wanvi¢kshire ft i e•Cf4hk Agpfj è le5,20. SS 15170.og Li7ltl8 ¥ 1144.LkV SFyck