Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Encyclopedia
Bird Notes and News was first published in April 1903.
The title changed to 'Bird Notes' in 1947. In the 1950s, there were four copies per year (one for each season, published on the 1st of each third month, March, June, September and December). Each volume covered two years, spread over three calendar years. For example, volume XXV (25), number one was dated Winter 1951, and number eight in the same volume was dated Autumn 1953.
From the mid 1950s, many of the covers were by Charles Tunnicliffe
. Two of the originals are on long-term loan to the Tunnicliffe gallery at Oriel Ynys Môn
, but in 1995 the RSPB sold 114 at a Sotheby's
auction, raising £210,000; the most expensive being a picture of a partridge which sold for £6,440.
From January 1964 (vol. 31, no. 1), publication increased to six per year, (issued in the odd-numbered months, January, March and so on, but dated "January–February", "March–April", etc.). Volumes again covered two years, so vol. 30, covering 1962–63, therefore included nine issues, ending with the "Winter 1963–64" edition instead of eight. The final edition, vol. 31 no. 12, was published in late 1965.
Birds is still published quarterly, the Winter 2011 edition, dated November 2011-January 2012, being vol. 23 no. 8.
Note some dual editorships at times of change-over.
.
s and legacies
, worth a total of £ 53.669 million. As a registered charity, the organisation is entitled to gift aid
worth an extra £0.28 on every £1.00 donated by income tax
payers. The bulk of the income (£63.757 million in 2006) is spent on conservation projects, maintenance of the reserves and on education projects, with the rest going on fundraising efforts and reducing the pension deficit, worth £19.8 million in 2006.
s have been given different titles.
. The RSPB is the UK Partner of BirdLife International
and manages the South Atlantic Invasive Species Project
on behalf of the partner governments.
The title changed to 'Bird Notes' in 1947. In the 1950s, there were four copies per year (one for each season, published on the 1st of each third month, March, June, September and December). Each volume covered two years, spread over three calendar years. For example, volume XXV (25), number one was dated Winter 1951, and number eight in the same volume was dated Autumn 1953.
From the mid 1950s, many of the covers were by Charles Tunnicliffe
Charles Tunnicliffe
Charles Frederick Tunnicliffe was an internationally renowned naturalistic painter of British birds and other wildlife. He spent most of his working life on the Isle of Anglesey.-Life:...
. Two of the originals are on long-term loan to the Tunnicliffe gallery at Oriel Ynys Môn
Oriel Ynys Môn
Oriel Ynys Môn is a museum and arts centre located in Llangefni, Ynys Môn, Wales.A two-part centre, the History Gallery provides an insight into the island's culture, history and environment...
, but in 1995 the RSPB sold 114 at a Sotheby's
Sotheby's
Sotheby's is the world's fourth oldest auction house in continuous operation.-History:The oldest auction house in operation is the Stockholms Auktionsverk founded in 1674, the second oldest is Göteborgs Auktionsverk founded in 1681 and third oldest being founded in 1731, all Swedish...
auction, raising £210,000; the most expensive being a picture of a partridge which sold for £6,440.
From January 1964 (vol. 31, no. 1), publication increased to six per year, (issued in the odd-numbered months, January, March and so on, but dated "January–February", "March–April", etc.). Volumes again covered two years, so vol. 30, covering 1962–63, therefore included nine issues, ending with the "Winter 1963–64" edition instead of eight. The final edition, vol. 31 no. 12, was published in late 1965.
Editors
- Miss M. G. Davies, BA, MBOU (for many years, until vol. 30 no. 9)
- John Clegg (from vol. 31 No. 1 – vol. 31 no. 3)
- Jeremy Boswell (from vol. 31 no. 4 – vol. 31 no. 12)
Birds
Bird Notes successor Birds replaced it immediately, with volume 1, number 1 being the January–February 1966 edition. Issues were published quarterly, numbered so that a new volume started every other year.Birds is still published quarterly, the Winter 2011 edition, dated November 2011-January 2012, being vol. 23 no. 8.
Editors
Note some dual editorships at times of change-over.
- Jeremy Boswell (vol. 1 no.1 – vol. 1 no. 6)
- Michael Everett (vol. 1 no. 6 and vol. 1 no. 7)
- Nicholas Hammond (vol. 1 no. 7 – vol. 5 no. 6)
- Gerald Searle (vol. 5 no. 7 – vol. 6 no. 5)
- Nicholas Hammond (vol. 6 no. 6 – vol. 6 no. 9)
- No editor credited (vol. 7 no. 1 – vol. 8 no. 5)
- Sylvia Sullivan (vol. 8 no. 6 – vol. 10 no. 2)
- Nicholas Hammond (vol. 10 no. 3 – vol. 11 no. 1)
- Annette Preece ("Managing Editor", vol. 11 no. 2 – vol. 12 no. 4)
- Rob HumeRob HumeRobert `Rob` Hume is an English ornithologist, author and journalist specialising in avian and natural history subjects. From Spring 1989 , until Summer 2009 Robert `Rob` Hume is an English ornithologist, author and journalist specialising in avian and natural history subjects. From Spring 1989...
(vol. 12 no. 5 – vol. 22 no. 7) - Sarah Brennan (vol. 22 no. 7 – vol. 23 no. 3)
- Mark Ward/ Sarah Brennan (vol. 23 no. 3 -)
Junior divisions
The RSPB has two separate groups for children and teenagers: Wildlife Explorers (founded in 1943 as the Junior Bird Recorders' Club; from 1965–2000 the Young Ornithologists Club or YOC) and RSPB Phoenix. Wildlife Explorers is targeted at children aged between 8 and 12, although it also has some younger members, and has two different magazines: Wild Times for the under 8s and Bird Life for those over 8. RSPB Phoenix is aimed at teenagers, and produces Wingbeat magazine, although members also receive Bird Life magazine. The RSPB is a member of The National Council for Voluntary Youth ServicesNational Council for Voluntary Youth Services
The National Council for Voluntary Youth Services is a membership network of around 170 voluntary and community organisations, as well as local and regional networks, who work with young people and operate in England...
.
Finances
The RSPB is funded primarily by its members; in 2006, over 50% of the society's £88 million income came from subscriptions, donationDonation
A donation is a gift given by physical or legal persons, typically for charitable purposes and/or to benefit a cause. A donation may take various forms, including cash, services, new or used goods including clothing, toys, food, and vehicles...
s and legacies
Inheritance
Inheritance is the practice of passing on property, titles, debts, rights and obligations upon the death of an individual. It has long played an important role in human societies...
, worth a total of £ 53.669 million. As a registered charity, the organisation is entitled to gift aid
Gift Aid
Gift Aid is a UK tax incentive that enables tax-effective giving by individuals to charities in the United Kingdom. Gift Aid was originally introduced in Finance Act 1990 for donation from 1 October 1990, but was originally limited to cash gifts of £600 or more...
worth an extra £0.28 on every £1.00 donated by income tax
Income tax
An income tax is a tax levied on the income of individuals or businesses . Various income tax systems exist, with varying degrees of tax incidence. Income taxation can be progressive, proportional, or regressive. When the tax is levied on the income of companies, it is often called a corporate...
payers. The bulk of the income (£63.757 million in 2006) is spent on conservation projects, maintenance of the reserves and on education projects, with the rest going on fundraising efforts and reducing the pension deficit, worth £19.8 million in 2006.
Presidents
- Winifred Cavendish-Bentinck, Duchess of Portland 1891–1954
- Cyril Hurcomb
- Colonel Sir Tufton BeamishTufton Beamish, Baron ChelwoodTufton Victor Hamilton Beamish, Baron Chelwood MC was a British Army officer and Conservative Party Member of Parliament for Lewes ....
- Derek Barber, Baron Barber of TewkesburyDerek Barber, Baron Barber of TewkesburyDerek Coates Barber, Baron Barber of Tewkesbury, Kt is a British member of the House of Lords and was a senior civil servant and agricultural expert.Barber was educated at the Royal Agricultural College and served in the Second World War...
- Robert DougallRobert DougallRobert Dougall MBE was a British broadcaster and ornithologist, mainly known as a newsreader and announcer.-Television news:...
- Max NicholsonEdward Max NicholsonEdward Max Nicholson was a pioneering environmentalist, ornithologist and internationalist, and a founder of the World Wildlife Fund.-Early life:...
1980–1985 - Magnus MagnussonMagnus MagnussonMagnus Magnusson KBE was a television presenter, journalist, translator and writer. He was born in Iceland but lived in Scotland for almost all of his life, although he never took British citizenship...
1985–1990 - Sir Derek Barber 1990–1991
- Ian Prestt 1991–1994
- Julian PettiferJulian PettiferJulian Pettifer OBE is a British television journalist. He was President of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and is Vice President of the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts...
1994–? - Jonathan DimblebyJonathan DimblebyJonathan Dimbleby is a British presenter of current affairs and political radio and television programmes, a political commentator and a writer. He is the son of Richard Dimbleby and younger brother of British TV presenter David Dimbleby.-Education:Dimbleby was educated at Charterhouse School, a...
2001–? - Julian PettiferJulian PettiferJulian Pettifer OBE is a British television journalist. He was President of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and is Vice President of the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts...
2004–2009 - Kate HumbleKate HumbleKatherine 'Kate' Humble is an English television presenter, mainly for the BBC, specialising in wildlife and science programmes...
2009 – current
Chief officers
Over time, the organisation's chief officerChief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
s have been given different titles.
- W H Hudson – Chairman of Committee 1894
- Sir Montagu Sharpe KBEOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
DLDeputy LieutenantIn the United Kingdom, a Deputy Lieutenant is one of several deputies to the Lord Lieutenant of a lieutenancy area; an English ceremonial county, Welsh preserved county, Scottish lieutenancy area, or Northern Irish county borough or county....
– Chairman of Committee 1895–1942 - Phillip Brown
- Peter ConderPeter ConderPeter Conder, OBE was a British ornithologist and conservationist known predominantly for his contribution as Director of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.-Early life:...
MBEOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
– Secretary 1963. Director 1964–1975 - Ian Prestt CBE – Director General 1975–1991
- Barbara YoungBarbara Young, Baroness Young of Old SconeBarbara Scott Young, Baroness Young of Old Scone sits on the cross benches in the House of Lords. She was created a life peer in 1997 as Baroness Young of Old Scone, of Old Scone in Perth and Kinross....
– CEO 1991–1998 - Sir Graham Wynne – CEO 1998–2010
- Mike Clarke – Chief Executive incumbent
Associate organisations
The RSPB is a member of Wildlife and Countryside LinkWildlife and Countryside Link
Wildlife and Countryside Link brings together voluntary organisations in the UK to protect and enhance wildlife, landscape and the marine environment and to further the quiet enjoyment and appreciation of the countryside...
. The RSPB is the UK Partner of BirdLife International
BirdLife International
BirdLife International is a global Partnership of conservation organisations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources...
and manages the South Atlantic Invasive Species Project
South Atlantic Invasive Species Project
The South Atlantic Invasive Species Project is a three year project funded under the European Union EDF 9. The purpose of the project is to increase the capacity of the UK's South Atlantic Overseas Territories to deal with invasive species issues...
on behalf of the partner governments.
See also
- List of RSPB reserves
- :Category:Royal Society for the Protection of Birds reserves
- List of Birdlife International national partner organisations