Minutes of the 5th meeting of SIG held at 7.30 p.m., 28^th February 2000 at Coutts House (confirmed)

Present: J Webb (Chair), D Skingsley (Secretary), C Slawson (Record Compiler), H Ball (Site Co-ordinator), Simon Phipps, E Brown, N Collingwood , T Beynon, M Waterhouse, J Stanney

Apologies: D Emley, R Tribbeck, M Webb

1) Minutes of the previous meeting were presented and accepted as a true record of events.

2) Signatories to SIG account were changed to the present Chair and Secretary

3) Members with access to the internet were encouraged to comment on the SIG web site and pass comment onto the Secretary. The site would also be publicised by SWT in their magazine.

http://www.staffs-ecology.org.uk/sig/

4) Educational issues: members have been asked by Potteries Outdoor Group (POG) if it was possible to have a guided walk on the 8^th of August. T. Beynon and N. Collingwood would be willing to lead a group but considered a weekday (eve ?) to be poor in terms of invertebrate interest. Members agreed that some clarification was needed from POG. Secretary to liaise between POG and T Beynon.

5) Cotton Dell (SIG 2000 site)

1. Map needs to be updated so that SIG members can clearly follow access to the site. Chair to work out details with Site- co-ordinator and provide map to the secretary in order for it to be placed on the web site.
2. Recording Hot Spots May 14^th, June 18^th, July 23^rd all 2pm at the Car Park

7) Record compiler’s report:

1. The current state of invertebrate records for Staffordshire were presented indicating a species count of 4,767 species dominated by Diptera and Lepidoptera extracted from current databases at Ecorecord and Hanley Museum.
2. Additional record sources need investigating. Particular mention was made of the Daltrey collection at the Herbert Museum and Art Gallery, Coventry. The secretary is to contact Steve Lane to discuss ways of making this information available to SIG
3. Members were made aware of RECORDER 2000 which should be available in June or July this year.

1. Records are needed to help the Wood Pasture and Parkland Survey for SBAP. Information to the Chair
2. JCB have sponsored a 3 year survey on Aculeate Hymenoptera. Records to Chair.

1. Mark Preece of Staffordshire Moorlands Council is undertaking an Survey of Wetley Moor and is seeking an expert in aquatic insects. Members suggested Dr Paul Mitchell of Staffordshire University.