The Ornithological Society of the Middle East was formed in April 1978 as a successor to the Ornithological Society of Turkey and was expanded in 2001 to cover the Caucasus and Central Asia. Its aims are as follows:
- To collect, collate and publish ornithological data on birds of the Middle East, the Caucasus and Central Asia.
- To encourage an interest in and conservation of birds of the Middle East, the Caucasus and Central Asia.
- To assist environmental and conservation organisations and natural history societies in and concerned with ornithological studies and activities in the Middle East, the Caucasus and Central Asia.
The OSME region
- lies between Europe, China and the Horn of Africa on two major migration flyways crossing Central Asia’s wind-swept steppes, the Caucasus’s towering mountains, Arabia’s wide arid deserts and the tropical seas of the Indian Ocean, with…
- over 1,000 species of bird recorded….
- important populations over 90 species of global conservation concern…
- over one million migrating birds of prey concentrated at a handful of sites…
- over three million wintering waterbirds
- and much, much more.
What does OSME do?
OSME encourages birdwatchers
- to birdwatch in the region
- to participate in surveys
- to work with others involved in the region
OSME promotes
- the standardised recording of bird observations
- collaboration with local bird conservation groups
- an annual conservation and research fund – since 1999 over 50 projects have been supported by grants totalling over £30,000.
OSME acts by
- bringing together knowledge of the region’s birdlife
- publishing a wide range of papers in its journal
- holding meetings, occasionally with other societies, where guest speakers are invited to provide new perspectives on ornithology in the region
How does OSME work?
OSME is run entirely by volunteers and is the only ornithological society active in, and covering, the whole of the Middle East, the Caucasus and Central Asia.
With members in over 40 countries, OSME provides a unique forum for the exchange of information and ideas.
OSME is a voluntary organisation with charitable status, registration number 282938.
The work of the Society is entirely supported by its membership in the region and around the world.
Gift Aid
Members who pay UK income tax can increase the value of their subscription and donations, at no additional cost to themselves, by completing a Gift Aid form. This enables OSME to claim £0.28 for each £1 paid (= £4.20 on an individual membership) from the government, money that can then be used to support the work of the Society. If you have not yet signed up for this, please do so today. Forms can either be obtained the treasurer
or click here for a downloadable version. If using the downloadable form, please print it out, complete and mail or scan and return as an email attachment.