SUSTAINABILITY

FEATURES
50 Years of the Royal Air Force
Ornithological Society – RAFOS
that identified bird population changes
to inform the management of resources
to aid the national conservation effort.
RAFOS has also been used in important
tasks for the MOD, such as carrying out
the requisite raptor species surveys
before and after the Akrotiri Aerial Farm
completion in Cyprus.
1976 Masirah Island © Dave Bodley
RAFOS is a volunteer organisation
celebrating its 50th year in 2015. It is
and has been part of the broader RAF
community of clubs and societies,
existing to promote an interest in birds
among members of the RAF and
associated civilians. RAFOS members
are keen conservationists and bird
watchers, most of whom are serving or
have served in the Royal Air Force.
RAFOS has run a variety of field trips
each year, both at home and abroad,
covering locations as varied as
uninhabited islands in the Outer
Hebrides to the Far East over the years.
Many of these trips involved survey
work and bird ringing, while others are
just social birding outings but they are
all fantastic opportunities to improve
knowledge, pass on experiences and
simply enjoy and appreciate the
natural history around us.
The atmosphere on these trips has
always reflected the typical
comradeship of the RAF with much
humour as well as serious birding, and
this is a key aspect that continues today.
Numbers in the RAF have declined
since 1965 and RAFOS has suffered
from a reduced membership. The
Society is therefore looking for new
members from those currently serving
in the RAF, their partners, veterans, and
MOD civil servants. RAFOS is especially
keen to increase its serving
membership; those with an interest in
conservation and our ‘feathered
friends’; and people who will add to
our knowledge base. Novices are
equally welcome as there is a vast
wealth of experience within the group
and members are just waiting to pass
this on. We need your help for RAFOS
to continue for another 50 years.
Jungle ringing in bamboo forest © Dave Bodley
While birding is a very pleasant hobby, it
has also provided very important
assistance for other scientific
organisations by carrying out surveys
and data gathering for the British Trust
for Ornithology (BTO), the RSPB, local
Wildlife Trusts, Birdlife International and
some of its worldwide partners, such as
Birdlife Cyprus. RAFOS surveys made a
significant, and much acclaimed,
contribution to the recent BTO Atlas of
British Birds, a highly important project
1967 Malaysia bird photography
and recording © Dave Bodley
For further information please visit the
RAFOS website at www.rafos.org.uk or
find the ‘Royal Air Force Ornithological
Society’ group on Facebook and
Twitter (@RAFOSBirding).
FS Scott Drinkel
RAFOS Publicity Member
Sanctuary 44 • 2015
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