Choosing a Symbol

By Dave Jenks, Society Archivist

The Montagu’s Harrier is an eminently suitable species to feature as an emblem of the Society, for it was in 1808/9 that the Kingsbridge-based pioneer naturalist, George Montagu, first described the differences that separated his bird from the Hen Harrier. With its strong historical connections with Devon it is surprising that it was some forty years after its formation before the Society first chose to use the Harrier as its emblem.

Some well-known names from the world of ornithology have been involved in its development. The species was first used as a motif by the Society in 1968 when it featured on a tie designed by Robert Gillmor, following a request from Tony Soper, the then Vice-president. Then, for many years, the Society used a life-like sketch of the bird on its literature which was drawn by Roger Penhallurick, responding to a specific request by Humphrey Sitters. A drawing of a Montagu’s Harrier, designed by Alan Lawrence, was adopted by the Society in 1987 and was used as the Society logo up until 2005, this appears above.

The new logo, based entirely upon the Alan Lawrence original but with a more stylised and cleaner treatment was produced as part of the re-branding exercise that was carried out as part of the society's current 5-year 'Strategic Plan'. The new logo, together with new stationery and Society titles, banner and badge logos, were all designed by Ian Farrell as part of the Society's Publishing Group.