After lunch, OSME made its mark on the meeting, with Hilary Welch on 
twin projectors and Geoff Welch speaking. After the increasing technical 
problems during the morning's talks, the Welch's talk stirred the audience. 
Geoff s declaration that Djibouti was 'gateway to Heaven* was backed up 
by superb photographs of the country's potential for nrdgration studies. 
Rod Martins then spoke on bird conservation opportunities in the new, 
united Yemen, and Gemant Magnin (DHKD) then presented an overview 
of illegal hunting in Turkey and its possible impact on bird populations. 
Following the meeting, many of us travelled to Flevoland where a formal 
meeting between representatives from DHKD, OSME and WIWO took 
place to pool ideas for bird conservation research initiatives in Turkey. 
All three organisations had proposed major survey work on the Kizilirmak 
Delta, and so a joint project was readily agreed. 
On the Sunday, a smaller group spent the day birdwatching on the 
sufjerb Oostvaardersplassen, the largest and best known wetland nature 
reserve in Flevoland, which is designated a 'National Nature Monument'. 
The UK contingent particularly enjoyed the constant stream of birds of 
prey, but the highlight of the day was a very tame, juvenile Sabine's Gull, 
feeding on the hard shoulder of a busy road. This created a Dutch 'twitch'. 
The whole event was most enjoyable, and OSME would warmly like to 
thank NOU and WIWO, and in particular Vincent van Den Berk, for 
making it all possible. 
Mark Andrews 
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