The Conservation Breeding Advisory Group (CBAG) annual Avicultural Weekend - Organised by Nigel Hester and Billy Wilson - Saturday 5 February 2022

This year, the Conservation Breeding and Advisory Group meeting is at Waddesdon Manor, Waddesdon, near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0JH on Saturday 5^th February 2022 from 10:00. There are plans for a major movie company to be filming at Waddesdon but their schedule is not yet confirmed. The exact room for the CBAG meeting is, therefore, still to be confirmed. 

So, if the filming schedule is delayed then we will be in the Powerhouse (as previous) and we will have access to the main aviaries and the off-show aviaries. If the main house area is being used for filming, then we will be in the Windmill Archive, a very modern facility on the estate but away from the main house complex. There will be no aviary access if filming is in play, and we won't know exactly till closer to the date when we will contact all attendees. 

Provisional Programme:

10:00      11:00         Registration and coffee

11:00      13:00         Jo Gregson, WPA Chair and Conservation Liaison Introduction
Stewart Henderson, the Pheasantry at Fenton Barns, John Corder, WPA Vice-President, the Symposium in Indonesia, and how to address problems with rats in aviaries
Kelly Wilson’s presentation – video footage of pheasants from various internet sources

13:00      14:30         Lunch and a tour of the aviaries (dependent on film crew)

14:30      17:00        CBAG Annual General Meeting
Talk by Hein van Grouw, Curator of Birds,Tring Museum 
Stuart Wilson presents highlights from previous presentations,
Gavin Harrison, Studbook keeper for Mountain peacock pheasant and Assistant Bird Curator at Waddesdon Manor,
Fritz Esser, Video footage from Thailand
Question and answer session with a panel of experts. 

There is a refreshment charge of £10 per person to cover tea breaks and sandwiches/cake for lunch. You can pay cash or card on the day or make a BACS payment in Advance to:

Account: WPA UK, 20-80-33, 70391859, Please use reference CBAG2022.

Accommodation: There are multiple accommodation options around Waddesdon and Aylesbury to suit all pockets. 

We are recommending the Premier Inn at Aylesbury,  with the Horse and Jockey pub next door:

Premier Inn Aylesbury Hotel, Buckingham Road, Aylesbury, 
Buckinghamshire, HP19 9QL

Sat Nav Directions: HP19 9QL, What 3 Words: ///part.drive.weeks

Tel: 0333 777 3673

A link to the booking page below:

https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/england/buckinghamshire/aylesbury/aylesbury.html?ARRdd=04&ARRmm=02&ARRyyyy=2022&NIGHTS=1&ROOMS=1&ADULT1=2&CHILD1=0&COT1=0&INTTYP1=DB&BRAND=PI

However, as the Premier Inn and Horse and Jockey next door are currently not offering any breakfast options, members will need to do a web search to find alternative eateries that offer breakfast options to suit their taste and pocket.

Evening meals:

Friday 4 February - I have confirmation from the Horse and Jockey pub for the Friday evening 4th Feb 7:30pm 24 people split over 4 tables of 6 people, each table to be responsible for their own bill. Full menu choice on the night. 

A link to the menu options below:
https://www.emberinns.co.uk/nationalsearch/southeast/the-horse-and-jockey-aylesbury/mainmenu

Saturday 5^th February - I have confirmation from the Bell at Aston Clinton for the Saturday evening 5th Feb 7pm 24 people again split 4 tables of 6 people. Again each table to be responsible for their own bill and again full menu choice on the night. Menu:
https://www.thebellastonclinton.co.uk/dinnermenu

Nigel needs names and number of attendees to finalise arrangements with the restaurants and for the gate security at Waddesdon. Please email Nigel Hester (nigel.hester@adive.co.uk) with the following information:

COVID: Please do a rapid lateral flow coronavirus (COVID-19) test 1 or 2 days before the event.  If you do get a positive result (2 lines) - be respectful to others and PLEASE DO NOT come to the event.  Please let Nigel Hester know so he can cancel any evening meals you might have booked.

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu):

I am sure that all WPA members are aware that we are experiencing one of the worst ever winters for Avian Influenza (Bird Flu). Current restrictions require that all bird keepers across the UK keep their birds indoors (whether they have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock) and follow strict biosecurity measures to limit the spread of the disease. There are movement restrictions of birds in many areas of the country.

So if it is your intention to use our Waddesdon meeting to exchange birds, could you please ensure that you are acting within the law by checking on the government website (www.gov.uk/avian-influenza-bird-flu).

As Waddesdon Manor has its own biosecurity measures in place, we are not permitted to bring any birds onto their site, even the car parks. So if you have to arrange any bird transfers, could you please manage this somewhere away from Waddesdon.

We look forward to seeing you and if you need any other information, please let me or Nigel know.
Barbara (office@pheasant.org.uk - 07935383992)