55 
Dave Cottridge was the tour guide, waxing lyrical about the Arava valley, 
a region spanning the Dead Sea to Eiiat. He'd make a good courier: an 
unflappable f man-f or-all-seasons ' speaker, with something for everyone. 
Sylvia warblers are Dave's piece de resistance. He reviewed the finer 
details of their identification, shared numerous photographic tips with 
the audience and kept the anecdotes coming. One involved a hide, a 
camera, a Cyprus Warbler and an urgent call of nature; the bird would not 
play ball, f rustratingly eluding the lens until exactly the moment when 
Dave's bladder could take no more. Seriously though, the photographic 
ends more than justified the means! 
The collective birding bladder was bursting at this point, and the fluck 
flew to the foyer. A chance to make and renew contacts, buy that new 
birding bible and, once again, eye up the artwork. A cream tea was served 
with scones and a variety of jams, all courtesy of Bungay WI. 
It was 'get-your-bins-out ' time now for a sneak preview of snippets from 
the excellent BBC television series, The Great Rift , highlights of this 
being breeding birds on Red Sea islands with Mike Jennings, superb 
bird's-eye views of migrating pelicans and storks over Israel and Steppe 
Eagles coming in off the Bab-el Mandeb with Geoff Welch. 
Richard Porter, an OSME original, took to the platform for the final 
session. The tenth anniversary was nearly over; it was time to look 
forward. 
Migration was the talk's mainstay. Raptor routes were discussed: some 
were known; others hardly covered. More sampling points (and samplers) 
were needed to ascertain numbers and trends in population dynamics. 
Raptors sit at the pinnacles of their food chains so their presence or 
absence within ecosystems indicate the environment's 'health'. Birding 
is, after all, a global phenomenon, and, in this respect, the Middle East 
represents a barometer, reflecting world trends. The challenge was clear, 
the gauntlet thrown down; OSME would continue to read the meter. 
The raffle draw arrived with an excellent selection of prizes; first prize 
was a John Busby painting, quickly despatched, the recipient grinning like 
the Cheshire cat! 
Chris Harbard's quiz presented a few problems judging by the answer sheet 
returns. The result? A tie - a flip of a coin - and the escorting away 
of a bottle of 'Famous Sandgrouse' whisky. Tony Marr nicely rounded off 
the day with a brief speech including some rather witty anecdotes about 
Richard ' does ' nt-he-speak-good-English-f or-a-Turk' Porter. 
The day was a tremendous success, and no doubt enjoyable for all those who 
participated. The rather princely sum of £1,100 was raised for 
conservation projects in the Middle East, and we wish to thank all those 
who took part. 
