Minutes 8th July 2009

20th Cowal Red Squirrel Committee Minutes 8th July 2009

Present/Attending John Massey, Jan Ferguson, Heather Smith, Kerrie Ferguson, Jim Downie.

1. Apologies
Dinah McDonald, Jimmy Sim.

2. Minutes of Meeting 7th April 2009
John reported that he had misplaced his notes for this meeting due to moving his office about and would continue looking.
Proposed Seconded
Changes None

3. Matters Arising
Nothing to report.

4. Business of the group

4.1. Members.
Current membership = 100
4.2. Finance
On Account £504.33 + 206 Bills Paid Nil Total £710.33

4.3. Other
It was agreed that we purchase 6 hand held microscopes to aid the Feeder box surveying. Jim agreed to action this and will contact John for payment. John and Jim will investigate costs for a pull–up display to enhance the ‘Road- show’ as it was agreed to purchase this item.

5. Planning Applications and Department
John will contact David Eaglesham again at Argyll & Bute planning to try and arrange a meeting. John reported that he had been contacted by Ross Petro to conduct a survey of the woods at Dunclutha and was waiting for further details.

6. Pine cones transects Update
Jim reported that this was due to take place on 16th July and would make all preparations for permissions and transport. Kerrie and Heather agreed to participate in this.

7. Feeding Boxes Update
Jim reported that we should not have to get any more nuts until next year. John asked Jim if he could send him the photo’s of the survey as he was being pestered for them by the funders.

8. Training Update
Jim agreed to conduct training for Pine cone transects as needed and also
Microscope usage in identifying squirrel hairs. Jan agreed to contact Hesselhead for animal welfare training and John agreed to contact Phil Ratcliff to see if he could assist the group with this.

9. Website Update
John agreed to contact Susan to update the website and if not how could we do it ourselves.

10. Road-Show Events
Lochgoil raft race 1st Aug. Ardgarten 2nd Aug. John will contact Jim S to make arrangements for collection and return of materials so that both events can be covered. Heather agreed to assist at Ardgarten and use the time to carry out feeder survey simultaneously. Small Acorns- Hunter’s Quay 15-16th Aug. Jan agreed to assist at this event.

11. Future Planned Activities
John reported that he had attended a meeting with Alice Blazy-Winning (Friends of Loch Lomond) and that they were keen to sponsor our group with their payback scheme. Possibilities of this could be sponsoring a squirrel hide and/or supplying us with items such as fridge magnets. Benmore gardens would be interested in the squirrel hide.

12. Any other business
John reported that he Paul Kent generously offered to donate the print that is owed to him to be auctioned or sold on and donated to the group. Jim suggested that the group write a letter of support to Mel Tonkin for the proposed squirrel officer post.

13. Date, Place and time of next meeting
TBA