OSME Survey of Yemen - 1993 
Plans for the OSME Ornithological Survey of the southern part of the 
Republic of Yemen scheduled for Spring 1993 are taking shape. The Gulf 
War delayed progress, but we are now actively seeking permission and 
are optimistic it will be granted . So far, 44 people have expressed interest 
in going, but we do want all OSME members to have the opportunity of 
applying, even though many will be disappointed: it is likely we will be 
able to take only 18. We want the best 18, so if you are interested and 
haven't yet applied, please do so without delay. 
Provisionally, we plan to spend eight weeks in what was previously 
South Yemen (until the North and South amalgamated) from about 13 
March. We expect some people will be able to manage the full period but 
others probably only four weeks. 
Anyone expressing interest will be sent further details and be asked to 
complete a questionnaire. Anyone selected will be expected to make a 
personal contribution of £600 (not £500 as stated in previous Bulletins). 
Yemen is a very hot, humid and tough country, so this project is definitely 
not for the weak-willed. Everyone who has previously expressed 
interest will be contacted in the next two "months with the questionnaire 
which will need to be submitted by mid-August. 
Richard Porter - Project Leader 
Rodney Martins 
It is with deep regret that I failed to pay tribute to Rod Martins in the 
Autumn Bulletin, who retired from Council after completing his five 
years at the 1991 Annual General Meeting. 
Rod's contributions to OSME have been outstanding and considerable. 
He is probably best known for his editing of the Turkish Bird Report, but 
he was also a key figure on the OSME Yemen Expedition in 1985, which 
was my own first opportunity to meet with him. I was deeply impressed 
by his commitment to ornithology and conservation and his tremendous 
field skills. All of us greatly enjoyed working with him in Yemen, and I 
know a number of colleagues who have subsequently enjoyed his 
company on further field trips. It was Rod's subsequent work with one 
of the sponsors of the expedition that poineered the opening up of Yemen 
to bird tourism, something that will not only benefit the tourists but has 
also had a considerable impact on the Yemeni appreciation of their 
natural resources, and something that ultimately will help their economy. 
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