THE HAYES CONFERENCE CENTRE once more plays host to the BTO’s Annual

Conference, this year focusing on ringing and nest recording, but with a

range of talks that will suit everyone.

LOOKING OUT FOR BIRDS FROM DIFFERENT

PERSPECTIVES

BTO Annual ConferenceThe HayesSwanwick

8–10 December 2017

PROGRAMME

Friday 8 December

1700 onwards Registration

1800–1900 Swarovski drinks reception and reception for newcomers

1900–2030 Dinner

The Friday evening talk 2030–2115Chair: Dave Leech

2030–2115 Nick Baker – Confessions and obsessions of an 'Ouzeller'

2130 onwards Nest Record Scheme get together (BH)

Saturday 9 December

0830 Breakfast

0930–0940 Opening of the conference

Swarovski Optik Session: Tracks 0940–1045Chair: Andy Clements

0940–1010 Steve Votier – Tracking gannets: insights from 10 years of bio-logging

1010–1045 Mike Toms & Harriet Mead - An incline of Nightjar: engaging science through art

1045–1130 Refreshments

Witherby Lecture 1130–1230Chair: Jenny Gill

1130–1230 Stuart Bearhop – The ups and downs of an extreme migrant

1230–1300 Presentation of BTO medals

1300–1415 Lunch

Celebrating Project Ringing 1415–1545Chair: Rob Robinson

1415–1430 Introduction1430–1455 Stuart Downhill – Marsworth CES: following in footsteps

1455–1520 Matt Prior – Landscape scale Tree Sparrow conservation – a 17-year obsession

1520–1545 Stephen Westerberg & Martin Ketcher – How a Whinchat RAS at RSPB Geltsdale grew into a lot more

1545–1630 Refreshments

All talks are in the Derbyshire Conference Suite unless otherwise stated – BH = Butterley Hall & MCH = Main Conference Hall

Ringers' Meeting (MCH) 1630–1745 or

1630–1655 Update from HQ 1655–1745 BTO journals and publishing your work. New opportunities for owls.

Monitoring News 1630–1745Chair: Dawn Balmer

1630–1655 Teresa Frost – 70 years of wintering waterbird monitoring

1655–1720 Greg Conway – The importance of English upland farmland for breeding waders

1720–1745 John Calladine – Short-eared Owls: sensitivities to changes of land use in upland Britain

1800–1900 BTO AGM & annual review of BTO work

1930 Annual Dinner

2130 DemOn drop-in session

Sunday 10 December

0800 Short Christian service by members of A Rocha (Chapel)

0830 Breakfast

Looking to the future 0930–1045Chair: James Pearce-Higgins

0930–0955 Ollie Padget – Navigation: the case of pelagic seabirds

0955–1020 Jacob Davies – Demographic causes of range change in Reed Warbler

1020–1045 Sara Zonneveld – The breeding ecology of ground-nesting birds on Dartmoor

1045–1130 Refreshments

Conservation in action 1130–1230Chair: Ian Bainbridge

1130–1150 Rosemary Setchfield – Solving Corn Bunting decline: the power of demography

1150–1210 David Jardine – Raptor studies on a small island of the Hebrides

1210–1230 Amanda Perkins & Tony Cross – Curlew country: the first four years

1230–1250 Raffle and quiz results

1250–1300 Closing remarks

1300 Lunch & departure

What’s onArt exhibitionThere will be paintings and drawings for sale and a chance for you to exhibit your own artwork. Please call Sarah Harris on 01842 750050.NHBS NHBS – Everything for wildlife, science & environment: our distribution agent, will have a range of books and other wildlife equipment on offer at the conference. If you are interested in ordering a particular title give them a call on 01803 865913.Secondhand booksThere will be a selection of natural history books available to purchase.

BTO shopsRinging equipment will be available, as well as a selection of cards, calendars, books and gifts.

DisplaysPlease book space for display material in advance by contacting events@bto.org at BTO HQ.CompetitionsQuiz and raffle.

General Information RegistrationYou will be welcomed by BTO staff, who will have your name badge, ticket for the annual dinner and details of your accommodation. Your badge will serve as your pass to meals and talks, so please wear it at all times.SecurityAll rooms can be locked. However, a safe is available for valuable items. If you would prefer to use this facility, please ask the Conference Centre manager. Entrance to the buildings in the evenings is via doors with keypads. The number is announced at the meal on Friday evening or can be obtained from Reception.

8–10 December The Hayes Conference Centre

Swanwick, Derbyshire DE55 1AUTel: 01773 526000, Fax 01773 540841

(Grid ref: SK410527)

Sponsored by Swarovski