As many birders will already know, Mike Rogers, secretary of the British Birds Rarities Committee for a quarter of a century, sadly died earlier this year. His contribution to birding in Britain was immense, understated and rarely fully appreciated. Not only did he look after the administration of each of the thousand or so submissions to BBRC every year, he also took on the sometimes delicate task of feeding back the committee’s decisions to observers, not always an easy job but one he undertook with great responsibility.

A fund has been set up as a tribute to his contribution. The project which has been earmarked for the fund is to build a new hide overlooking the Seaward Hide at Porth Hellick on St Mary’s. The existing Seaward Hide was originally put there by Mike himself and it is in need of refurbishment so this will also be part of the project. This highly appropriate enterprise will provide a lasting memorial and enhance the experience of the thousands of birders and the many other interested visitors who make their way to the rarity rich Scilly Isles every year.

If you wish to contribute to the fund please send either a cheque made out to ‘Mike Rogers Memorial Fund’ or cash to:

‘Mike Rogers memorial fund’
c/o Nigel Hudson
Post Office Flat
Hugh Town
St Mary’s
Scilly
TR21 0LL