pioneering contributions to wetland and waterbird conservation during the 1960s–1980s,
Geoffrey found time to continue his research and to write scientific papers and reviews. Some
(
c
. 29) of his publications appeared in
Wildfowl
, on a diverse range of subjects including
Greylag Goose
Anser anser
biometrics, Nacton Decoy, White-headed Duck
Oxyura leucocephala
behaviour, and most recently a paper on his main research interest entitled
“Nonsense orientation
in Mallard; a resumé and an investigation of the mechanism of a sun-compass
” which appeared in
Wildfowl
35. In his final editorial (in
Wildfowl
39), Geoffrey wished the journal well, noting that
the new editor Dr Janet Kear had received universal acclaim for the way in which she
improved the already prestigious
Ibis
journal, and that
Wildfowl
would be in safe hands.
Nevertheless, the scientific reputation that Geoffrey originally established for the journal
forms the basis for its continuation into the 21st century, with authors who published in
Wildfowl
under Geoffrey’s editorship still doing so today. We hope that he’d appreciate that the
young researchers whose early efforts he accepted for publication retain their enthusiasm and
interest in this ever-engaging family of birds many years later, and that he would be content
with the current standard of their contributions.
Preparation of
Wildfowl
63 has been a major collaborative effort, and I remain indebted to
Tony Fox for his time, effort and invaluable comments as Associate Editor for
Wildfowl
. I am
also most grateful to Editorial Board members – Jeff Black, Bruce Dugger, Andy Green,
Matt Guillemain and David Roshier – for continuing to provide the advice and support
essential for maintaining the standards and interest of the journal. I thank the referees for
their valuable comments on the papers, Louise Edwards for her expertise and Ellen Matthews
(EM Typesetting) and the staff at Berforts Information Press Ltd. for taking the papers
forward to publication. My colleagues Maggie Sage, Linda Dickenson and Jane Gawthorne
provided helpful support throughout, including in the distribution of
Wildfowl
63.
Eileen Rees
Editor:
Wildfowl
WWT Martin Mere
3
©Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust
Wildfowl
(2013) 63: 1–3
