Peter Conder
Encyclopedia
Peter Conder, OBE
(20 March 1919 – 8 October 1993) was a British ornithologist and conservationist
known predominantly for his contribution as Director of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
.
He was educated at Cranleigh School, Surrey. His interest in ornithology arose at Cranleigh School where he was a member of the school ornithological society; he recalled sneaking from the school dormitory for early morning birdwatching
expeditions.
After secondary school, Conder went to Lausanne, Switzerland to learn French and spent six weeks in Newfoundland on a British Schools Exploring Society expedition. In the spring of 1938, he started work at the pioneering advertising agency S H Benson (founded by Conder's grandfather).
was sent to France (with WWI weapons) in 1939, he was deployed with the Royal Ulster Rifles, the Coldstream Guards and the Grenadiers near Lille. On 12 June 1940 he was captured by the Germans at St Valery en Caux, France with the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division. They were marched through France, Belgium, Holland and Germany to Laufen
on the German-Austrian border. Conder later wrote, "When I was captured I lost thirty thousand words. Two years’ work".
, a prisoner-of-war-camp located in Laufen Castle on the banks of the Salzach river
, Germany. In the spring of 1941, with the other younger officers he was moved to Stalag XXI-D
in Poznań, Poland. In the move, he lost his suitcase containing writings of forty-five thousand words. A month later Conder was moved to Stalag XX-A
in the Toruń Fortress, Poland.
From Toruń they were moved in June 1941 to Oflag V-B Biberach
in southwest Germany. The camp was a modern German army barracks on the edge of the town set in a largely agricultural landscape with no trees or shrubs in the camp or close to it. Limited by the diversity of the local birds Conder spent the summer transcribing birdsong.
Biberach, was only 85 kilometres from the Swiss border and this short distance was the stimulus for several escape attempts. The most successful tunnel started below the seats (above the excreta) of a multi-holed lavatory which was situated on the edge of the camp. Eventually the digging team got out of the camp and four made it to the Scaffhausen Gap in Switzerland.
In the autumn of 1941, he was moved to Oflag VI-B
in Dössel outside Warburg
. The camp was on a plain which rose slightly to the south and was above the town of Warburg or the village of Doessel so that except for a hill to the south they could see almost 360 degrees. Five hundred yards up the hill there was a barn which was important to the escapers.
Officers with special interests had a chance to meet others with similar interests who had been in different camps and that went for birdwatchers particularly. Amongst were John Barrett
, John Buxton and George Waterston
. They met once a month in John Buxton’s room to record the birds they had seen and had regular talks and discussions.
In July he was watching the Black Redstart
and for most of the winter, Conder watched the feeding and roosting habits of the local flock of Rooks and Jackdaws and observed the migration of a variety of species including crows moving northeast to Russia. The birdwatching prisoners stationed themselves on a slag heap in the upper part of the camp where they had an overall view of the sky and horizon and could watch and record the birds that passed.
He was arrested by the German guards in early 1942 as suspicions arose over his motive as he was in a position to acquire intelligence for prisoners digging tunnels. Conder escaped twice; once through a tunnel with fourteen others but he was recaptured after an hour. The second time the prisoners were being marched to a new camp responding to news of the approaching Allied Forces, the line of prisoners was getting longer and longer and he and a friend dived into woods when they went round a bend. They hid in a barn for a few days and eventually saw American tanks approaching and were picked up. Conder arrived back in England on 5 April 1945.
4 Sept 1942 Oflag VII-B
. Of the camp he says, ‘It is in a valley with a river, forests on one side, and hills, rather like the South Downs, on the other. The buildings were barracks, and some new stone huts have been built, both of which are quite habitable. Along the edge of the camp is a double row of limes, and there are more trees in odd places around. It is of course a very good place for birds."
Conder started recording the behaviour of the Continental Goldfinch at this camp.
July 1943 – December 1944 Oflag IX-A/ Z in Rotenburg, Kassel district
‘I am not doing any really intensive bird watch this year, only carrying out two rather smaller surveys; one a census of all birds seen on walks in their different habitats and the other a general survey of all the birds in the camp, so that I have a definite object inside and outside the camp.
Bird Observatory with West Wales Field Society. Conder set up high standards of research and observation, not only for birds, but for the whole range of island wildlife He studied the Northern Wheatear.
1963 – Director, RSPB,
Conder appointed specialist staff to deal with nature reserves, research, education, publications, film and financial administration. The membership rose from 20,000 to 200,000. Spectacular conservation achievements included the RSPB's contribution to the successful campaign to stop the use of organocholorine pesticides, ospreys had become established once more as a breeding species in Britain, the society's list of nature reserves was added to each year and the realisation of the significance of research to successful nature conservation, an applied sicence, was beginning to be taken seriously by government. A sound working relationship with other conservation bodies, particularly overseas, was established. Almost certainly, his greatest achievement was to lay the foundations that made the RSPB one of the world's leading voluntary nature conservation organisations.
1976 – retired RSPB
Positions:
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(20 March 1919 – 8 October 1993) was a British ornithologist and conservationist
Conservationist
Conservationists are proponents or advocates of conservation. They advocate for the protection of all the species in an ecosystem with a strong focus on the natural environment...
known predominantly for his contribution as Director of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Bird Notes and News was first published in April 1903.The title changed to 'Bird Notes' in 1947. In the 1950s, there were four copies per year . Each volume covered two years, spread over three calendar years...
.
Early life
Peter Conder was born in Streatham, London, the son of John Reynolds Conder, a shipbroker, and his wife Edna Francis, née Benson.He was educated at Cranleigh School, Surrey. His interest in ornithology arose at Cranleigh School where he was a member of the school ornithological society; he recalled sneaking from the school dormitory for early morning birdwatching
Birdwatching
Birdwatching or birding is the observation of birds as a recreational activity. It can be done with the naked eye, through a visual enhancement device like binoculars and telescopes, or by listening for bird sounds. Birding often involves a significant auditory component, as many bird species are...
expeditions.
After secondary school, Conder went to Lausanne, Switzerland to learn French and spent six weeks in Newfoundland on a British Schools Exploring Society expedition. In the spring of 1938, he started work at the pioneering advertising agency S H Benson (founded by Conder's grandfather).
Second World War
As war approached, Conder joined the Territorial Army and was commissioned into the 2nd London Royal Corps of Signals. When the British Expeditionary ForceBritish Expeditionary Force (World War II)
The British Expeditionary Force was the British force in Europe from 1939–1940 during the Second World War. Commanded by General Lord Gort, the BEF constituted one-tenth of the defending Allied force....
was sent to France (with WWI weapons) in 1939, he was deployed with the Royal Ulster Rifles, the Coldstream Guards and the Grenadiers near Lille. On 12 June 1940 he was captured by the Germans at St Valery en Caux, France with the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division. They were marched through France, Belgium, Holland and Germany to Laufen
Laufen
Laufen is a municipality on the southeastern border of Bavaria with Austria.-History:It was first mentioned in a deed of 748. The rapids that gave the town the name were also responsible for the town's wealth from the salt trade...
on the German-Austrian border. Conder later wrote, "When I was captured I lost thirty thousand words. Two years’ work".
Prisoner of War
From July 1940 to March 1941, Conder was incarcerated in Oflag VII-COflag VII-C
Oflag VII-C was a World War II German prisoner-of-war camp for officers located in Laufen Castle in south-eastern Bavaria from 1940 to 1942. Most of the prisoners were British officers captured during the Battle of France in 1940. To relieve overcrowding, some of the officers were transferred to...
, a prisoner-of-war-camp located in Laufen Castle on the banks of the Salzach river
Salzach
The Salzach is a river in Austria and Germany. It is a right tributary of the Inn and is 225 kilometres in length.The river's name is derived from the German word Salz, meaning "salt". Until the 19th century shipping of salt down the river was an important part of the local economy...
, Germany. In the spring of 1941, with the other younger officers he was moved to Stalag XXI-D
Stalag XXI-D
Stalag XXI-D was a German World War II PoW Camp based in Poznań , Poland.- Description :Following the invasion of Poland in 1939 and the establishment of the Reichsgau Wartheland, Poznań became the administrative centre of 'Wehrkreis XXI' . Some of Poznań's eighteenth century forts were used as...
in Poznań, Poland. In the move, he lost his suitcase containing writings of forty-five thousand words. A month later Conder was moved to Stalag XX-A
Stalag XX-A
Stalag XX-A was a German World War II PoW Camp located in Thorn/Toruń, Poland. It was not a single camp and contained as many as 20,000 men at its peak. The main camp was located in a complex of fifteen forts that surrounded the whole of the city...
in the Toruń Fortress, Poland.
From Toruń they were moved in June 1941 to Oflag V-B Biberach
Oflag V-B
Oflag V-B Biberach, was a World War II German prisoner-of-war camp for officers located in Biberach in south-eastern Baden-Württemberg from 1940 to 1942. Most of the prisoners were British officers captured in the Battle of France in 1940 or in Greece in June 1941...
in southwest Germany. The camp was a modern German army barracks on the edge of the town set in a largely agricultural landscape with no trees or shrubs in the camp or close to it. Limited by the diversity of the local birds Conder spent the summer transcribing birdsong.
Biberach, was only 85 kilometres from the Swiss border and this short distance was the stimulus for several escape attempts. The most successful tunnel started below the seats (above the excreta) of a multi-holed lavatory which was situated on the edge of the camp. Eventually the digging team got out of the camp and four made it to the Scaffhausen Gap in Switzerland.
In the autumn of 1941, he was moved to Oflag VI-B
Oflag VI-B
Oflag VI-B Dössel was a World War II German POW camp for officers located SW of the small town Dössel in north-western Germany.- Timeline :In 1940 the camp was built on what had been originally intended to be an airfield...
in Dössel outside Warburg
Warburg
Warburg is a town in eastern North Rhine-Westphalia on the river Diemel near the three-state point shared by Hessen, Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia. It is in Höxter district and Detmold region...
. The camp was on a plain which rose slightly to the south and was above the town of Warburg or the village of Doessel so that except for a hill to the south they could see almost 360 degrees. Five hundred yards up the hill there was a barn which was important to the escapers.
Officers with special interests had a chance to meet others with similar interests who had been in different camps and that went for birdwatchers particularly. Amongst were John Barrett
John Barrett
John Barrett is the name of:* John Barrett , Irish track and field athlete who represented Great Britain at the 1908 Summer Olympics* John Barrett , Australian Senator...
, John Buxton and George Waterston
George Waterston
George Waterston was an ornithologist and conservationist in Scotland. He was Director of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in Scotland. He lived at 21 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh where he co-founded what was the Midlothian Ornithologists' Club and is now the Scottish Ornithologists'...
. They met once a month in John Buxton’s room to record the birds they had seen and had regular talks and discussions.
In July he was watching the Black Redstart
Black Redstart
The Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros is a small passerine bird in the redstart genus Phoenicurus. Like its relatives, it was formerly classed as a member of the Thrush family , but is now known to be an Old World flycatcher .-Description:The Black Redstart is 13–14.5 cm in length and 12–20...
and for most of the winter, Conder watched the feeding and roosting habits of the local flock of Rooks and Jackdaws and observed the migration of a variety of species including crows moving northeast to Russia. The birdwatching prisoners stationed themselves on a slag heap in the upper part of the camp where they had an overall view of the sky and horizon and could watch and record the birds that passed.
He was arrested by the German guards in early 1942 as suspicions arose over his motive as he was in a position to acquire intelligence for prisoners digging tunnels. Conder escaped twice; once through a tunnel with fourteen others but he was recaptured after an hour. The second time the prisoners were being marched to a new camp responding to news of the approaching Allied Forces, the line of prisoners was getting longer and longer and he and a friend dived into woods when they went round a bend. They hid in a barn for a few days and eventually saw American tanks approaching and were picked up. Conder arrived back in England on 5 April 1945.
4 Sept 1942 Oflag VII-B
Oflag VII-B
Oflag VII-B was a World War II German POW camp for officers, located 1 km from Eichstätt, Bavaria.- Timeline :The camp was built in September 1939 to house Polish prisoners from the German September 1939 offensive...
. Of the camp he says, ‘It is in a valley with a river, forests on one side, and hills, rather like the South Downs, on the other. The buildings were barracks, and some new stone huts have been built, both of which are quite habitable. Along the edge of the camp is a double row of limes, and there are more trees in odd places around. It is of course a very good place for birds."
Conder started recording the behaviour of the Continental Goldfinch at this camp.
July 1943 – December 1944 Oflag IX-A/ Z in Rotenburg, Kassel district
‘I am not doing any really intensive bird watch this year, only carrying out two rather smaller surveys; one a census of all birds seen on walks in their different habitats and the other a general survey of all the birds in the camp, so that I have a definite object inside and outside the camp.
Post-war
1947 – Bird warden at SkokholmSkokholm
Skokholm is an uninhabited island off the coast of south west Pembrokeshire in Wales, lying south of the neighbouring island of Skomer. The whole island is a Site of Special Scientific Interest as is Skomer. The surrounding waters are a marine reserve, all part of the Pembrokeshire Coast National...
Bird Observatory with West Wales Field Society. Conder set up high standards of research and observation, not only for birds, but for the whole range of island wildlife He studied the Northern Wheatear.
RSPB years
1954 – Assistant Secretary, RSPB (responsible for acquisition and management of nature reserves, research, prosecutions, monitoring oil pollution and pesticides and protection rare birds including protection of the ospreys at Loch Garten, Strathspey.)1963 – Director, RSPB,
Conder appointed specialist staff to deal with nature reserves, research, education, publications, film and financial administration. The membership rose from 20,000 to 200,000. Spectacular conservation achievements included the RSPB's contribution to the successful campaign to stop the use of organocholorine pesticides, ospreys had become established once more as a breeding species in Britain, the society's list of nature reserves was added to each year and the realisation of the significance of research to successful nature conservation, an applied sicence, was beginning to be taken seriously by government. A sound working relationship with other conservation bodies, particularly overseas, was established. Almost certainly, his greatest achievement was to lay the foundations that made the RSPB one of the world's leading voluntary nature conservation organisations.
1976 – retired RSPB
Post-RSPB
Conder spent the next decade serving on training programmes, conservation panels and advisory boards in Britain and abroad.- 1976 – appointed OBE for services to conservation
- 1977 – Honorary MA, Open University
- 1977 - RSPB Gold Medal
Positions:
- Home Office, Advisory Committee on Protection of Birds Act 1953-1975
- Department of the Environment, Scientific Authority for Animals
- UNESCOUNESCOThe United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
, Consultant, Sind Provence. - Advisory Committee for England, Nature Conservancy CouncilNature Conservancy CouncilThe Nature Conservancy Council was a United Kingdom government agency responsible for designating and managing National Nature Reserves and other nature conservation areas in Great Britain between 1973 and 1991 ....
, - Conservation Panel of the National Trust
- Founder Member of the Rare Breeding Birds PanelRare Breeding Birds PanelThe Rare Breeding Birds Panel is an ornithological body which collects data on the breeding attempts and successes of the rarer species of birds in the United Kingdom...
- Management Consultant for WWFWorld Wide Fund for NatureThe World Wide Fund for Nature is an international non-governmental organization working on issues regarding the conservation, research and restoration of the environment, formerly named the World Wildlife Fund, which remains its official name in Canada and the United States...
and IUCN in Pakistan and Jordan - Dyfed Wildlife Trust, Islands Management Committee
Retirement
Conder enjoyed painting, reading, listening to music and maintaining his allotment.Books
- British Garden Birds 1966, ISBN 0171470257
- Birds of Woods and Hedges 1969, ISBN 0171470311
- RSPB Guide to Birdwatching 1978, ASIN: B000RZC5Z6
- RSPB Guide to Watching British Birds (with David Saunders) 1984, ISBN 060030583X
- The Wheatear 1990; ISBN 0747004064
- The Spur Book of Birdwatching. ISBN 0723230307