45 
like the Riyadh region, it is to be hoped that Increased 
developraents will provide more suitable habitats for the birds of 
this vas t country . 
The final talk was given by Dr. W. R. P. Bourne about seabird 
nioveinents in and around the Persian Gulf. The prevailing factors 
influencing birds in the area are the two raonsoons - -^ith 
south-westerly winds in summer and north-easterlies in winter. 
Associated with these winds are the cold water upwel lings off the 
coast of south-west Arabia whicli attract large concentrations of 
seabirds; the move-ments of these birds are still far from 
understood. Perhaps the one good thing to come out of the 
hostilities between Iran and Iraq has been the opportunity it has 
provided for ornithologists like Dr. Bourne to visit the area, even 
if under far from ideal birdwatching conditions! 
The business side of the AGM was swiftly and efficiently dealt with 
by the Chairman, Mike Rands, who reported that the Society was in a 
healthy financial position and that membership had grown 
significantly over the last year. Mike stressed that everyone 
should be proud of the development and achievements of OSME during 
its first 10 years. However, there is still a trenendous amount of 
work to be done to document and conserve the bird life of the Middle 
East and the Society should look towards a more active role during 
the coming 10 years. Two members of the existing Council retired by 
rotation - Nigel Redman, who was Treasurer and had been involved 
actively with the Society for the last eight years, and Effie Warr, 
who was Secretary and Membership Secretary. Mike paid tribute to 
the hard work put in by both. As a small token of appreciation of 
Effie's tremendous devotion to duty, she was presented with a large 
bouquet of flowers by past Chairman, Richard Porter, on behalf of 
OSME. Although deserving a good rest, Effie has agreed/volunteered 
to remain as Membership Secretary at least for the coming year. 
Four new members of Council were elected - Mark Andrews (currently 
working in the Conservation Education Department at Twycross Zoo) ; 
Chris Bowden (a contract research worker with the RSP3 and a member 
of the 1985 Yemen Expedition); Mike Evans (another raetnber of the 
Yemen Expedition team) and Hilary Welch (of Djibouti fame, who has 
been a co-opted member of Council for the last two yeirs). 
Eleventh Annual General Meeting 
Make a note in your diaries that the 11 th AGM will be held on 
Saturday 15 July 1939; venue and details will be a nn . >i in th»- 
spring Bulletin. 
Society Officers 1988/89 
Vice Presidents 
Sir Derek Barber, JK 
Prof. Or. W. Biittlker, Switzerland 
Major M. D. Gallagher, Oman 
