24 
I also gave a 30 minute illustrated talk about OSME to 30-40 delegates one 
evening. I was gratified to have been able to achieve this. Due to the 
fullness of the conference programme and the logistics of accommodation 
(delegates were staying in four different places, anything from 10-30 
minutes bus ride apart), it was not possible to address the whole 
conference . 
Overall, the conference itself was centred around the publication of the 
latest in the ICBP study report series, Important Bird Areas in Europe. 
More than anything, the book stands as a major milestone in international 
cooperation in conservation: without the ICBP network of national 
organisations the book would not have been possible. This feeling of 
strength through working together ran through the whole conference, 
re-vitalising waning enthusiasms and encouraging particularly the smaller 
organisations . 
The first day of the conference was entitled 'The Importance of Turkey for 
Bird Conservation in Europe' and was attended by Isin £elebi, the Turkish 
Minister of State, who also addressed the meeting. 
Several points came out very clearly during the day's talks: 
The international importance of Turkey for birds, including several 
endangered species. 
The vital importance of Turkey's wetlands for migrants, wintering 
waterfowl and breeding populations, particularly of endangered 
species . 
The huge pressure that Turkey's wildlife is under from increasing 
tourist and industrial development, pollution, irrigation schemes, and 
pesticides . 
The gargantuan task which DHKD (with a mere four fulltime members of 
staff and five birdwatchers in the entire country) has taken on and 
the impressive list of successes already achieved. 
The urgent need for bodies and birdwatchers outside Turkey to 
contribute to DHKD ' s conservation efforts by helping with data 
gathering. 
Attendance at the conference would have been worthwhile solely for the 
contact made with DHKD (though most conversations and ideas were in fact 
exchanged during the relative quiet of the post-conference excursion). 
DHKD was very enthusiastic that OSME should run an expedition (or two) to 
Turkey and this is now being followed up by the Conservation Research 
Committee . 
