The BOU

MEDALS, ALFRED NEWTON LECTURES & HONORARY MEMBERS

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Founders Gold Medal

Presented to the four original Members surviving at the Jubilee Celebration, 9 December 1908

F. D. Godman
P. S. Godman
W. H. Hudleston
P. L. Sclater

Union Medallists

The Union Medal is awarded by BOU Council to a Union Member in recognition of eminent services to ornithology and to the Union and ornithology.

1912 — W. Goodfellow, C. H. B. Grant,
1948 — W. P. Lowe
1953 — A. W. Boyd
1959 — W. B. Alexander, E. A. Armstrong, D. A. Bannerman, Miss E. V. Baxter, P. M Scott
1960 — C. W. Benson
1967 — Salim Ali
1968 — J. M. M. Fisher, C. R. S. Pitman
1969 — C. W. Mackworth_Praed
1970 — L. H. Brown
1971 — S. Marchant, H. N. Southern, B. Stonehouse
1972 — D. Goodwin, N. W. Moore
1973 — Mrs B. P. Hall
1975 — K. H. Voous
1976 — K. Williamson, G. C. Shortridge, A. F. R. Wollaston
1979 — K. E. L. Simmons
1980 — G. V. T. Matthews
1984 — S. Cramp, P. A. D. Hollom, G. Mountfort
1987 — I. Newton
1988 — J. F. Monk
1989 — R. Spencer
1991 — F. B. M. Campbell
1992 — M. P. Harris
1993 — R. M. Lockley
1995 — R. Tory Peterson
1996 — C. J. Mead
1997 — R. A. F. Gillmor, J. S. Ash
1998 — J. Kear
2004 — G. Bonham
2008 — C. J. Feare
2011 — P. Jones

Godman-Salvin Medallists

The Godman-Salvin Medal is awarded by BOU Council to an individual as a signal honour for distinguished ornithological work.

1922 — W. E. Clarke
1929 — E. Hartert
1930 — W. L. Sclater
1936 — H. Lynes
1938 — H. F. Witherby
1946 — P. R. Lowe
1951 — R. Meinertzhagen
1959 — D. L. Lack, Sir A. Landsborough Thomson
1962 — E. M. Nicholson
1966 — R. E. Moreau
1968 — W. H. Thorpe
1969 — N. Tinbergen
1971 — Sir Julian S. Huxley
1977 — V.C. Wynne-Edwards
1982 — D.W. Snow
1988 — C.M. Perrins
1990 — G.M. Dunnet
1991 — D.A. Ratcliffe
1992 — J.C. Coulson
1995 — E. Mayr
1996 — P.R. Evans
1999 — G.R. Potts
2004 — J.P. Croxall
2006 — M.P. Harris
2009 — R. Green
2010 — I. Newton

Alfred Newton Lecturers

The object of the Alfred Newton Lecture should be the presentation of a major lecture by an internationally renowned figure on an appropriate ornithological theme. The lecture should come from a world-wide pool; the lecture should be given annually at one or other of the BOU's main meetings and should be linked with the conference theme wherever possible, and would normally be published in Ibis.

1994 — Prof I. Newton
1995 — Prof J. Kear
1998 — Prof J. Diamond
2003 — Prof C. Perrins
2009 — Prof T.R. Birkhead

BOU Ibis Award

An award recognising the outstanding achievement of younger ornithologists.

2006 J. Vickery
2003 W. Cresswell

Honorary Members

The BOU's Rules allow for the appointment of up to 20 Honorary Members for their distinguishes contribution to ornithology. The current Honorary Members are:

Dr P. Berthold (Germany)
Dr J. Blondel (France)
Dr U. Glutz von Blotzheim (Switzerland)
Dr S. Somadikarta (Indonesia)
Mr J Sultana (Malta)
Prof S. Ulfstrand (Sweden )

Students and early-career researchers

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As part of our ongoing outreach to students and early-career researchers, the BOU can support you in a number of ways, and are aimed at researchers anywhere, not just UK-based. We continue to look for ways of expanding this support and we welcome any new ideas, please contact us.

BOU annual spring conference - reduced and free places, presentations

We offer reduced rates to students in developed countries and a small number of free places for those in developing countries. More details

If you wish to take part in the conference programme, look out for requests for oral papers for individual themes or submit a poster. See individual conference pages.

BOU autumn one-day conference - reduced rates

We can offer students a reduced rate for our autumn one-day meetings. More details

Career Development Bursaries

Introduced in 2011, the BOU aims to award a number of these bursaries each year. Aimed at career development to encourage you to undertake research outside your normal interest area, skill-base or normal institute. More details

Small Research Grants

In addition to the Career Development Bursaries, the BOU's long-standing grants scheme allows for student researchers to apply for funding for specific aspects of your research. See here for more details. More details

BRANTA - BOU Register Avian Thesis Abstracts

Reduced rate subscription to Ibis - the BOU's international journal of avian science

Ibis remains one of the key journals for avian researchers to publish and for reference. Ibis is ranked 2/19 in Ornithology journals with an Impact Factor of 2.295. The delay to publication (from acceptance of ms) can be under 8 weeks for online publication and 12 weeks for print publication.

Students and early-career researchers can get a reduced rate subscription to Ibis when you join the BOU. Join here.

Submit to Ibis - more and more young avian science researchers are seeing Ibis as the publication of choice because of its standing, high potential for citation and speed to publication. Submit here | More about Ibis

BOU related links

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British Birds

British Birds Rarities Committee

British Ornithologists' Club

British Trust for Ornithology

Rare Breeding Birds Panel

RSPB

BOU people

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BOU STAFF

Senior Administrator Mr S.P. Dudley

Journal & Office Manager Mrs A.F. Langford

COUNCIL

Officers

President Dr J. Gill (elected 2011; University of East Anglia)

Vice Presidents Prof G.R. Martin (elected 2011: Birmingham University)

Honorary Secretary Dr K. Smith (elected 2010).

Honorary Treasurer Mr P.J. Oliver FCA (elected 2007).

Ordinary Members of Council

Dr N. Burton (Chairman Meetings Committee, elected 2011; BTO)

Dr J.M. Collinson (Chairman Records Committee, elected 2010; University of Aberdeen)

Dr P. Donald (Chairman Grants Committee, elected 2008; Editor in Chief of Ibis; RSPB)

Dr I.R. Hartley (Chairman Ibis Committee, elected 2008; University of Lancaster)

Dr S. Butchart (elected 2011; BirdLife)

Dr T. Pizzari (elected 2009; University of Oxford)

Dr G. Siriwardena (elected 2009; BTO)

Dr C. Spottiswoode (elected 2009; University of Cambridge)

Prof S. Wanless (elected 2008; CEH).

Elected members of Council are Trustees of the BOU.

BOU EDITORIAL POSITIONS

Ibis - Editor in Chief Dr P.F. Donald

Ibis - Editors Dr R. Bowie, Dr D. Chamberlain, Dr. R. Nager, Prof. J. Wilson

Checklist Series – Editor Dr. D.A. Wells

Rules, online annual reports, accounts and AGM items

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RULES OF THE BOU

Rules approved at the BOU's 2010 AGM

ANNUAL REPORTS

2010 Annual Report of Council and Accounts

2009 Annual Report of Council and Accounts

2008 Annual Report of Council and Accounts

AGM MINUTES

2011 AGM minutes (for approval at 2012 AGM)

2010 AGM minutes

2009 AGM minutes

2008 AGM minutes

BOU Publications

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Ibis - the international journal of avian science

For most ornithologists and birdwatchers, the public face of the British Ornithologists' Union is Ibis, the quarterly, international journal of the BOU.

Ibis has been published continuously since 1859. In 2009 we received over 400 papers submitted for publication from authors in 44 different countries. Ibis currently publishes 920 pages per volume. In addition, we also publish occasional supplements, usually the proceedings of BOU conferences which can be accessed via our BOU Proceedings website.

Because of their topicality, some papers published in Ibis have a wider circulation through being noticed by the media at large, such as Brian Sharp's paper on the survival rate of oiled, cleaned seabirds in North America, the publication of which coincided with the oil major spill off Skokholm.

Ibis is widely chosen as the journal in which to introduce new species to science. For example, in October 1999, a new species of golden-spectacled warbler Seicercus soror was described.

Ibis is of course available on-line.

Submit your manuscripts online here. For further details about the journal see here.

The BOU Checklist Series

Another principal activity of the BOU is the publication of the BOU’s Checklist series which are published jointly with the British Ornithologists’ Club.

The Checklists were originally intended to assist local ornithology by providing information on the birds of poorly known regions in mainly undeveloped countries. However, because of the rise of eco-tourism, some of these regions are not now so poorly known and some checklists have been reprinted as second editions. Checklists covering the birds of Cyprus, The Gambia and Wallacea have proved to be particularly popular as these areas are visited by increasing numbers of birdwatchers and ornithologists. In recent years we have added titles on Barbados and Borneo and are planning checklists for Cuba and other areas.

Suggestions for new titles can be submitted to the BOU Office.

Giving to the BOU

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Wandering Albatross by David Tipling/Windrush

Helping birds with your Will

For those who have enjoyed birds as either hobby or as part of their work, you can help ensure their future by leaving a legacy to the BOU in your Will. Any amount will be put to excellent use and will help the BOU to continue its important work.

A Will helps to ensure that your intentions are honoured after your lifetime. It can help protect both the people and causes closest to you.

Legacies are not just for the wealthy. People from all walks of life are now remembering those causes they support during their lifetime. Some charities rely heavily on legacies in order for them to continue their important work. By remembering the BOU in your Will you will help us to continue our work supporting the research of our world’s birds.

The Importance of legacies to the BOU

If birds are important to you - either as a hobby or as part of your work, please consider the BOU in your Will, and help us to continue supporting the research in to our world’s birdlife.

Without sound research, conservation bodies cannot provide sound protection of our world’s birds. For example, numerous studies have been made on the massive declines suffered by farmland birds in Britain. The BOU played an important role in delivering this research to the public arena by hosting conferences and publishing the research presented at the conferences so that conservation agencies and others have full access to the science which will enable them to help protect our farmland birds. Remembering the BOU in your Will can contribute to such projects and help us to continue to deliver the science on which the conservation of our birds can be enacted.

The BOU also supports research projects around the world directly. In 2004, ornithologist Guy Mountfort left the BOU a legacy to support such projects. We used this money to help support an ornithological expedition to Cambodia.

Income from legacies can be used to support many BOU projects.

About wills

This section will help to answer questions you may have when considering the BOU in your Will. If your question is not answered here, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

How important is a Will?

Not leaving a Will could result in lengthy and expensive complications for your family to sort out your estate.

When should I write a Will?

If you haven’t already done so, then do it now. If you have already written a Will, review it regularly so it reflects any changes in your life.

Can I write my own Will?

‘Do it Yourself Wills’ are available but can be a false economy. One error can invalidate an entire Will. We recommend that you draw up your Will with a solicitor.

Are there any tax advantages of leaving money to charity?

Legacies to registered charities are exempt from inheritance tax. In some cases, especially with larger estates, a bequest to a charity can be a useful way to avoid paying inheritance tax on some or all of your estate.

How to make a Will

Making a Will is not complicated and should cost you less than £100.

Making a Will from scratch

The first thing you should do is to appoint a professional adviser - usually a solicitor. You need to calculate the value of your estate (this is the total sum of your property, money (including the value of any policies) and possessions less any outstanding debts such as mortgages or other loans). Decide who you want to benefit from your Will: for example, your family, any friends and charities or good causes you support.

Updating an existing Will

If you have already written a Will, it is important to review it regularly, particularly so it reflects any changes in your personal circumstances, for example, if you get married, divorced, have children, grandchildren, or if you move house. Speak to your solicitor or bank about the simplest way to revise your Will quickly and cost-effectively.

Appointing your Executors

You will need to appoint your executors. They are appointed by you under your will to ensure that your wishes are carried out. Your Executors can be family, friends or your solicitor (or other legal person). Being an Executor can be involved and time consuming (depending on the size and state of your estate) and the duties of an Executor will be executed at a time when those closest to you will be grieving. Make sure you discuss this with the people who you want to act as Executors. An Executor can benefit from the Will he or she is appointed to.

Keep your will in a safe place

You should keep your Will safe (in a secure part of the house or in a bank deposit box) and make sure your Executors know who they are and where to find your Will. Ask your solicitor to keep a copy.

Sandhill Cranes by David Tipling/ Windrush

Remembering the BOU in your Will

If you wish to remember the BOU in your Will, you will need to include certain information.

It is important, for instance, that the BOU’s name, address and registered charity number are set out in full. If you want your money to be left to the BOU this is important, as ambiguous details can lead to money being given to the wrong organisation.

We advise that you use a solicitor to help you draw your Will. They will be able to make sure the wording is thorough and unambiguous, so that the benefits from your estate reaches the people and organisations you wish to benefit.

Suggested wording when leaving the BOU a legacy of all or part of net of your estate

I bequeath to the British Ornithologists’ Union of Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PS, UK, Registered Charity Number 249877 (hereinafter called the BOU) the residue [or % share of the residue] of my estate absolutely and I direct that (i) the proceeds may be used for the general purposes of the RSPB (ii) ) I further direct that a receipt signed by a person authorised by the Council of the BOU shall be a good and sufficient discharge to my executors.

Suggested wording when leaving the BOU a fixed sum legacy

I bequeath to the British Ornithologists’ Union of Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PS, UK, Registered Charity Number 249877 (hereinafter called the BOU) the sum of £______ and I direct that (i) the proceeds may be used for the general purposes of the RSPB (ii) I further direct that a receipt signed by a person authorised by the Council of the BOU shall be a good and sufficient discharge to my executors.

HOW BEST TO BENEFIT THE BOU

Should you specify a use for the gift?

Charities benefit most from unconditional cash bequests. They can then apply the gift to their charitable objectives in the best way they see fit at the time of receipt of the gift. The BOU’s activities give rise to different priorities at different times, so an unconditional gift is usually the best way to enable us to pursue our objectives.

Gifts of specific items or papers

You may have an asset or investment that you would like to identify as your gift. If so please direct your executors to sell the asset and pay the proceeds of sale to the BOU.

The BOU does not have any facilities for the storage of personal papers or similar and therefore gifts of papers create difficulties. If you have records of local interest, contact your local bird club, library or environmental records centre to find out if they would be interested in receiving them.

Bird libraries

Many people have cherished collections of books. Good bird books are very collectable, but we know of cases where collections have been disposed of by executors unaware of their value to house clearance contractors for little or no money. Avoid this by including a specific direction to your executors to seek specialist advice regarding the disposal of such books.

Trusts

The establishment of a trust under a Will to hold the sums to be given to a charity or charities identified as recipients of gifts under the Will is not as beneficial as outright gifts to those charities. The administration of such trusts usually involves expense which has to be discharged from the funds, thereby reducing the amount available for the cause you wish to benefit.

Substantial gifts

The BOU would like to establish a substantial financial base from which it can fund studentships, expeditions and the publication of ornithological material for which no other funding is available. If you are contemplating a substantial gift to help such work please contact us.

What should I do now?

If you would like to remember the BOU in your Will, please contact the BOU Office for more information. If you have not already done so, please go and see your solicitor or appoint one (if you don’t know who to appoint you can contact The Law Society or check out there ‘choose and using a solicitor’ section of their website at hwww.lawsociety.org.uk). If you have already included the BOU in your Will, please let us know, so that we can acknowledge your generosity. Thank you.

BRANTA

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BOU Register of Avian Thesis Abstracts (BRANTA)

Much of the valuable ornithological work done in Britain, and around the world, is done by students, particularly those submitting work for Doctoral or Masters theses. All too often the results of this research lies languishing on the shelves of a university library, unavailable to the world at large. The aim of BRANTA is bring this body of work to a wider audience.

Anyone who is about to undertake, is working on, or has submitted either a Doctoral or a Masters thesis on an ornithological topic anywhere in the world is invited to submit an abstract for inclusion in BRANTA. For inclusion, the thesis must address a topic in ornithology (in its broadest sense) and the author must provide a current email address so that they may be contacted. By including a current email address, it is hoped that network opportunities which are often lost when a student completes their thesis and moves to another insitution, will be stimulated. Another important part of BRANTA is the inclusion of published papers arising from thesis work, both to advertise the work of the student and to allow people to easily see at least some of the results. Contributors are encouraged to keep in touch with up to date details of their email address and publications, so that BRANTA may be of the most possible use.

To have your thesis abstract included in the register, please email the details to branta @ bou.org.uk, removing the spaces), or fill in this form (Right-click with your mouse and select "Save target as" to download as an MS Word file).

Browse Register by Authors

Browse Register by Species

BOU Office

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BOU OFFICE

BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION
PO Box 417
Peterborough
PE7 3FX UK
Tel/Fax +44 (0) 1 733 844 820

STAFF

Steve Dudley | Senior Administrator

Email | Tel/Fax +44 (0) 1 733 844 820

Angela Langford | Journal and Office Manager
Email | Tel - +44 (0) 7 876 437 370

WEBSITES

BOU home page
Ibis - the BOU's internatational journal of avian science
BOU Proceedings website

About the BOU

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The British Ornithologists' Union was founded in 1858 by scientists of the day including Prof Alfred Newton FRS. The BOU is one of the world’s oldest and most respected ornithological organisations with an international membership stretching across all continents. In 2008, the BOU celebrated 150 years supporting ornithology.

IBIS - international journal of avian science

We aim is to promote ornithology within the scientific and birdwatching communities by encouraging the study of birds in Britain, Europe and throughout the world in order to understand their biology and to aid their conservation. This is achieved in a number of ways, the most important of which is the publication of our quarterly international journal, IBIS, the BOU’s international journal of avian science. Established in 1859, Ibis is one of the world’s leading ornithological journals, featuring work at the cutting edge of our understanding of our worlds’ birdlife, be it behaviour, population dynamics, breeding biology, taxonomy, habitat use or conservation.

Conferences

The BOU organises regular meetings, seminars and conferences at which participants can learn more about the work being undertaken around the world on many aspects of ornithology.

Research grants

We have a long tradition of supporting ornithological research projects and expeditions around the world with the provision of research grants to researchers. These have included large-scale projects such as the BirdLife Indonesia project to which the BOU contributed nearly £50,000. But our support usually takes the form of smaller grants and other awards.

Support for students

The BOU also provides additional support, especially to young researchers, to assist their attendance of BOU conferences and meetings.

Other publications

The BOU further promotes ornithology by publishing books, including the renowned BOU Checklist Series and other key publications such as The New Dictionary of Birds.

We also regularly publish the proceedings from our conferences - recently these have included work on farmland birds, the impacts of climate change on birds, woodland birds and the effects of disturbance on birds.

Administration

The BOU is administered by a Council of Trustees elected by our membership. It has a set of rules that govern the activities of the society. The Annual General Meeting is held at our main spring conference.

Details of membership can be obtained from the BOU Office.

Rules, Annual Report and Accounts, AGM minutes, etc

View official BOU documents online here.

BOU people

For a list of staff, Council members and editors please see here.

A list of medallists, Alfred Newton Lecturers and Honorary Members can be found here.