Anyone done the RSPB bird survey this weekend

I did, it was the usual count that I get daily
5 Blackbirds 4cocks one hen
1 Song Thrush
5 Wood Pidgeons
1 Robin
2 Bluetits
3 Dunnocks
3 Starlings
2 Ravens
1 Crow
1 Sparrow Hawk

Did not include as not landed, the eight Sea Gulls 7 Miles from the sea
and the twice daily fly past of the 50 Racing pidgeons from the bloke down the road

Jack McHammocklashing (Bird fancier Not of the feathered kind :-)

 

I did it 2 years ago.
It was followed up with loads of emails, post and raffle tickets.

To me it seemed like a scam to get easy access to targets that might be prepared to support their Admin costs.

Last year the emails arrived, however I did not respond to the survey. This year none so far.

I wish you luck Jack. It would be informative to see if you get targetted this year.

I did actually enjoy the survey at the time.

 

I managed to tick all the NO boxes that were hidden both on the site and in the newspaper

It really put me off, this sneaky way to indoctrinate the unsuspecting, but I thought hey it is a good cause give it a go

I also was a bit peeved at the constant pushing of over priced products

NIGER seed at £25 when I know and do buy it for £11 locally
Seed feeders £25 available at the works for £3.59

Peanuts you could buy caviar at less

Regards Jack McH

 

I did the survey for the first time .. i also bought their Xmas cards as they said 100 % of the profit goes to the charity which i thought was pretty good these days .. and very nice cards they were too , mostly British birds Micky

 

Putting on my cynical head again.
There are currently 66 vacancies available with RSPB around the country and covering a wide range of levels.
An example below is a Membership Development Assistant in Aberdeen.
To justify the £14.8k salary they only have to cajole 125 new members (thats £118/member)
Assuming a lowly 50% Admin cost for an employee (some may know the real level) I assume each member is worth £236 Annually to the RSPB.

Location: Aberdeen
We are looking for a dynamic individual who will enthusiastically set up at events and venues and proactively work to inspire and enthuse the public about our work and how their financial support is crucial for nature conservation. The postholder will deliver 125 memberships or more for the RSPB in 6 months and will work with the membership team to maximise our return on investment at events by being creative where needed. The postholder will motivate those around them to get more involved and will be an ambassador for the RSPB at all times.
Salary

£14,800 - 16,000

They are also looking for a Mail Order & ECommerce Manager @£37k salary - must be a busy chap!

 

Cynically I note that no-one ever says what percentage of the take is swallowed in Admin.
There used to be a tale that the Red Cross was 95% Admin. - that is only 5p in every £1 actually donated/raised went towards their work in the field. The rest was Admin.:nono:

 

I guess you are right
Whilst I said I made sure I had ticked the not wanted mail/phone I did accept by email to a throw away address

I have had three pleading emails so far, of the benefits of being a member, adopt a robin, at my local RSPB, and I can go visit it anytime for only £2 admission instead of £5

Go watch the newly arrived pair of sea eagles, released in Fife over the year, and two have taken up residence at the RSPB Reserve which happens to be opposite the Trout Farm
(so the Trout Farm are paying for the lunch and the RSPB
reap the benefit :-)

Jack McH (YOU WERE RIGHT)

 

I'd like to point out in this stage of the conversation that GC staff take 0% of the donations, they are purely to cover the server costs.

We don't get paid but if anyone wants to hit the donations button on my website, that will only go to ziggy, so don't do that, contribute to Nathan's site for great justice

 

Obviously there is the GC exception clause to any comment

 

Don't worry gcc, I wasn't moaning, just making it clear

 

Thats OK. I've been waiting for the chance to use the Avatar.

 

I wish I did do the survey ... was in the garden on Sunday, and three massive Buzzards came sailing overhead, about 20 feet up, all calling to each other ... hung around for a couple of minutes, gained some height above the houses, the flew off in procession ...

 

Poor show Sunday
All I recorded was
1 Blackbird
1 Dunnock
2 Blue Tits
1 Robin
1 Feral Pigoen
2 Chaffinch
3 Black Headed Gulls