MAKING A REAL DIFFERENCE FOR BIRDS
From the British Trust for Ornithology
G I N VO E T LVED Find
! ou survey t about th e YO help w U can in 201 ith 3
The Power of Volunteering: Bird Atlas 2007-11
Reaping the reward of more than a million hours of volunteer recording INSPIRING A NEW GENERATION OF BIRD COUNTERS Younger members reveal what they love about today’s BTO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p14
FROM DUCK POND TO MAJOR WETLAND There’s still lots to learn about even our most familiar birds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p18
LEARNING MORE AS YOU WATCH BIRDS We’ve added more training courses to meet demand . . . . . . (see insert) & p22
E D I TO R I A L
WELCOME... ...to the second issue of Volunteer, the annual BTO magazine that aims to highlight the remarkable and truly inspiring contribution that volunteer birdwatchers make to wildlife monitoring in the UK. Bird Atlas 2007–11 is one project which demonstrates this amazing contribution beautifully. Over 40,000 people participated over a four-year period, contributing records of 216 million birds of 520 different species. This is a world-leading citizen science project of which we should all feel very proud. The Bird Atlas 2007–11 book will be a visual feast, not only because of the very latest maps, which will update everything we know about UK birds, but also thanks to the fantastic images kindly donated to the project by photographers from around the world. We want the book to grace the coffee tables and bookshelves of as many atlas contributors as possible. We also want many other people
to own a copy to ensure that the important messages it contains reach a really wide audience. We owe this to all the volunteers who contributed to this mammoth project. Please use the 35% discounted pre-publication offer inside to reserve your own copy and let others know about it too. The more copies we sell, the greater our impact will be for birds, birdwatchers and conservationists. I hope this magazine convinces you of the value of what you do for our birds or inspires you to make your first contribution this year. The breeding season is already underway and there is a whole array of surveys waiting for you. If you aren’t already a member please consider joining to support our work, use the 50% discount coupon inside. As always, I am keen to hear your thoughts on this magazine and on our wider work – so please do get in touch. In the meantime, happy birdwatching,
Ieuan Evans Head of Membership and Volunteer Engagement (ieuan.evans@bto.org)
FACTS & FIGURES: THINGS WE KNOW, THANKS TO YOU The three most widespread species
Shrike (-89%), Cirl Bunting (-84%),
In 2012, almost 20 times as many Barn Owl
(by breeding range size) in Britain are
Hawfinch (-76%), Wryneck (-73%) and
nests were monitored as Greenfinch nests!
Wren, Skylark and Pied Wagtail. In
Capercaillie (-73%).
Numbers of Greenfinches have dropped by 9% since 1995, but we ought to be able to
Ireland they are Wren, Swallow and Hooded Crow.
Over the past five years there has been a 15-
fill in more than 150 nest record cards for this
fold increase in the use of gardens by Lesser
garden-nesting species between us in 2013?
In Britain, the five species that expanded
Redpoll during early spring. Your sightings
their breeding ranges most between 1970
indicate that nyger seed is the favourite food
and 2010 were Cetti’s Warbler (6,783%),
of this diminutive finch.
Mediterranean Gull (6,500%), Ring-necked Parakeet (4,400%), Red Kite (1,974%) and
540 nest records for Robin were
Avocet (1,663%).
submitted in 2012, the most in a single year since 1985. Suffolk was the top
2
The largest contractions in breeding
Robin-recording county, with 38 nests
range in Britain between 1970 and
monitored, followed closely by
2010 were shown by Red-backed
Nottinghamshire (37) and Devon (32).
BTO Volunteer Magazine | 2 013
C O N T E N TS
COVER PHOTOGRAPHS: ANDY MUSGROVE/JOHN MATKIN/Northeastwildlife.co.uk/DAVID TIPLING davidtipling.com CONTENTS: JILL PAKENHAM/JOHN HARDING/STEVEN ROUND stevenround-birdphotography.co.uk/Northeastwildlife.co.uk/MELANIE EVANS
IN THIS ISSUE... pg16
pg6
pg8
pg22
Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
More than birds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Stories from the web . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Another year of successful birdwatching.
From bumblebees to Brown Hares; working
Ringing provides insights into the lives of
with others to make full use of all your wildlife
individual birds.
Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Woodcock Survey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Introducing a special new survey of this secretive woodland wader.
Looking out for upland birds . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Take to the hills in Wales and Scotland this summer.
New maps from BBS results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Records from Breeding Bird Survey volunteers turn into fascinating maps.
observations.
Mystery Mallards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Much-maligned habitat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Our most familiar duck still has secrets to
Learning to value your own personal scrubby
reveal, especially during the winter.
corner of the UK.
A new arrival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Every map in Bird Atlas 2007–11 tells a new story about the birds of Britain & Ireland.
Following migrants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 How BirdTrack can help us to appreciate the dynamic nature of migration.
Developing your skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
What has the BTO got for me? . . . . . . . . . 14
Brushing up on nest recording skills, ready for
A younger member’s view.
a busy retirement.
THE BRITISH TRUST FOR ORNITHOLOGY
CONTACT US BTO, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2PU Telephone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01842 750050 Facsimile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01842 750030 E-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . btonews@bto.org Web site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.bto.org BTO Scotland, School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Cottrell Building, University of Stirling, FK9 4LA Telephone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01786 466560 Facsimile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01786 466561 E-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . scotinfo@bto.org BTO Cymru, Thoday Building, Deiniol Rd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW Telephone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01248 383285 E-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . kelvin.jones@bto.org The BTO promotes and encourages the wider understanding, appreciation and conservation of birds. Registered Charity no. 216652 (England & Wales) no. SC039193 (Scotland)
2 013 | BTO Volunteer Magazine
ISSN 0005 – 3392
Patron HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, KG, KT President Baroness Young of Old Scone Chairman Ian Newton Honorary Secretary Neil Bucknell Honorary Treasurer John Osmond BTO VOLUNTEER MAGAZINE JNCC — All references to JNCC in Volunteer refer to the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, which is the statutory adviser to Government on UK and international nature conservation, on behalf of the Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside, the Countryside Council for Wales, Natural England and Scottish Natural Heritage. Editors Ieuan Evans and Su Gough Layout, design, imagesetting and typesetting O’Connor Design Consultants
Printing Breckland Print, New Road, Attleborough, Norfolk NR17 1YE BTO MEMBERSHIP Individual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £32 Family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £42 Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £800 Fellow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £54 Family Fellow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £64 Life Fellow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £1,350 Fellows receive Bird Study journal.
When you have finished with this magazine, pass it to a friend or recycle it.
The views expressed by the contributors to this magazine are not necessarily those of the Editors, the Council of the BTO or its committees. The Editors welcomes any articles on birds. © BTO 2013. Quotations should carry a full acknowledgement.
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W H AT ’S N EW NEW SURVEY FOR 2013...
Get Involved in the 2013 Woodcock Survey The first breeding Woodcock Survey, undertaken in 2003 by BTO and GCT (now GWCT – Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust), estimated a breeding population of 78,000 males in Britain. However, results from recent local surveys and Bird Atlas 2007–11 indicate a further decline in breeding distribution and Woodcock is currently amber categorised and a Species of European Conservation Concern. The 2013 GWCT/BTO Woodcock Survey will provide a new population estimate and assessment of abundance change, as well as examining breeding habitat characteristics and the potential impact of grazing. SURVEY SITES AND METHODS A total of 1,580 survey sites (1-km squares), which have been selected randomly, based on the amount of woodland present, will
Elusive on the ground, Woodcock have distinctive display flights which make them easy to survey. What better way to spend a warm, spring evening, than looking out for ‘roding’ male Woodcock?
be available in Britain and Northern Ireland. Within each site a single fixed count point will
is 75 minutes, commencing 15 minutes
GETTING INVOLVED
be selected, from which all observations will
before sunset and finish 60 minutes after
This survey can be completed on-line, so
be conducted.
sunset.
surveyors can select sites and enter data through
Timing of visits: A maximum of four visits
What to record: During the 75-minute
org/woodcock-survey), where information
will be required:
survey period all observations of Woodcock
and documentation can be found and
April: one daytime recce to relocate the
(in flight), both by sight and sound, will
downloaded. If you do not have access to the
original 2003 count point or establish a new
be recorded to the nearest minute and
internet, please contact your local BTO Regional
one.
logged. Some basic information on habitat,
Representative (RR) or Greg Conway at BTO HQ
May to June: three visits to the count point
and deer and livestock presence will also
(Email: woodcock@bto.org or Phone: 01842
at dusk, at least one week apart.
be collected between mid-May and mid-
750050), who will be able to send printed
Visit time and duration: the count period
June.
copies of the survey documentation.
the Woodcock Survey webpage (www.bto.
VOLUNTEERS CELEBRATED At this year’s annual conference we celebrated the remarkable contributions of two amazing BTO volunteers. Mick Marquiss was awarded our Bernard Tucker Medal for his outstanding contributions to the Trust’s scientific work, particularly through his long-term contribution to the Unconventional Methods Technical Panel. This panel reports to the Ringing Committee on applications for unconventional bird trapping or marking projects such as wing-tagging and GPS trackers. At the same conference, we celebrated the contributions of our Regional Representative
4
Le know t us someo if there is n like to e you woul d nomin at one of the m e for this ye edals ar for Somerset, Eve Tigwell, who was presented with our Jubilee Medal. Eve has been RR for 22 years, ensuring excellent coverage of her region for all of our core and occasional surveys. She’s also made significant contributions to the wider work of the BTO through tenures on BTO Council and the BTO Regional Network Committee. Dozens of volunteers give their time and expertise to our organisation every year by contributing as regional organisers or by taking on committee roles and we are extremely grateful for this help.
BTO Volunteer Magazine | 2 013
W H AT ’S N EW WALES
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR CHATS IN WALES 2012 proved to be the third-wettest year on record in Wales, with 205mm of rain in June, compared to the month average of 86mm. Not the type to be deterred, BTO volunteers struggled onwards and managed to survey almost 200 squares in Wales for Stonechat, Whinchat and Wheatear. The Principality is a stronghold for these species and understanding more about their habitat requirements is an important goal for this project. The survey will run again this year and we need more volunteers to help us. This is a simple survey requiring a single visit in each of April, May and June to a randomly selected square. A free identification video for the species covered by this survey is available here: www.bto. org/about-birds/bird-id/know-your-chats GETTING INVOLVED Visit www.bto.org/chats or phone 01248 383285
Whinchat numbers are dropping. We’ll be trying to find them in Wales this summer. Can you help out?
SCOTLAND
‘What’s Up’ in Scotland?
STEVEN ROUND stevenround-birdphotography.co.uk/EDMUND FELLOWES/CATH DAVEY
Our uplands are special places for people and wildlife, but land-use and climate are changing – how is Scotland’s wildlife responding? The truth is we don’t know because not enough people are looking. What’s Up is an ambitious new collaboration aimed at increasing our coverage of birds in Scotland’s Uplands. Thanks to generous support from Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club we’ll be delivering a programme of training courses to engage more people from a range of audiences in biological recording in upland habitats. We’re also looking for your help. COULD YOU: Monitor an upland Breeding Bird Survey square? Mentor a less experienced BBS recorder? Walk transects along mountain ridges and plateaux? If you can help, please visit the project webpage here: www.bto.org/scotland/whats-up or phone 01786 466560.
2 013 | BTO Volunteer Magazine
5
SUMMER BIRDS
NEW MAPS BRING NEW PERSPECTIVE STEVEN ROUND stevenround-birdphotography.co.uk
Some people claim to enjoy winter, says BBS Organiser, Kate Risely. They refer to wild swans, and winter thrushes, and brisk walks through picturesque snow-covered landscapes. However, even the hardiest cold-weather birdwatcher must enjoy their first encounter with a returning summer migrant, and the rest of us spend the long winter months looking forward to the first sights and sounds of spring: Swallows and Chiffchaffs, Whitethroats and Willow Warblers. The pleasure of greeting these returning travellers, however, is tempered by the knowledge that some are struggling to cope with life in a changing environment.
The Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) uses
everywhere, but BBS shows that the highest
counts made by volunteers to detect
concentrations are in the south and west,
changes in breeding bird numbers from one
the species becoming less common in
year to the next, and these trends can often
the north of the UK. Increases have been
be linked to environmental changes. Recent
modest in their core southern range, but
work using BBS counts from across the UK
populations have grown by over 50% since
breeding Swallows are increasing only in
have allowed us to produce new maps for
the early 90s across much of central and
western parts of Britain, and are declining
many species, showing how density and
eastern England. It has been suggested that
on the east coast and in Northern Ireland.
population trajectory vary across the UK.
improved overwinter survival may be behind
It is thought that a loss of livestock and
These will allow finer-scale analyses of the
these gains, and it’s interesting to note that
grazing in eastern areas, together with arable
causes of change. They also show the best,
Blackcap, also a short-distance migrant with
intensification, has caused a decline, while
and worst, parts of the country for many of
a growing tendency to overwinter in Britain,
the spread of pasture in the west and north
our summer migrants.
shows a similar pattern of increases.
has resulted in population increases.
FIRST SPRING ARRIVALS
A SINGLE SWALLOW DOES NOT A
you may be simultaneously gaining Swallows
Those with their ‘eyes to the skies’ might
SPRING MAKE
but losing House Martins. In contrast to
spot an early Sand Martin, but the first
According to BirdTrack, Swallows start arriving
Swallow, the population trends for House
spring encounter for most people is probably
from their African wintering grounds around
Martin show a north–south divide, with
with one of the many Chiffchaffs that
mid-March, earlier than many other migrants.
breeding populations doing badly in
flood into the country in the first weeks
The overall BBS trend shows a rise of 35%
southern areas but increasing in northern
of March. Chiffchaffs may seem common
since the early 90s, but the map shows that
England and Scotland. The decreases in
Generations of birdwatchers have eagerly awaited the arrival of Swallows each spring. Both the timing and destination of these impressive migrants has changed over time.
If you live in western England or Wales
6
BTO Volunteer Magazine | 2 013
SUMMER BIRDS
Change in population density between 1994-96 and 2007-09 Chiffchaff
Swallow
Cuckoo
Phylloscopus collybita
Hirundo rustica
Cuculus canorus
Density (birds/km²)
Density (birds/km²)
Density (birds/km²)
> 40 20 – 40 10 –20 5 –10 2.5 –5 1.25– 2.5 0.62– 1.25 0.31– 0.62 0.16– 0.31 0 – 0.61
Relative change in density > 75% 50% to 75% 25% to 50% -25% to 25% -50% to -25% -75% to -50% < -75% insufficient data
> 80 40 – 80 20 – 40 10 –20 5 –10 2.5 – 5 1.2 – 2.5 0.6 – 1.2 0.3 – 0.6 0 – 0.3
Relative change in density > 75% 50% to 75% 25% to 50% -25% to 25% -50% to -25% -75% to -50% < -75% insufficient data
DECODING THE MAPS Increases are shown in blue and declines in red. Dot size indicates average density. Distance band counts from the BBS can be used to map the abundance and trends of 49 bird species across the UK. These maps complement those to be published in the
forthcoming Bird Atlas 2007–11. The statistical models used to create these maps are less reliable in areas where few BBS squares are surveyed, including upland areas, parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland and some islands. Please consider this when interpreting the maps.
the south-east are particularly severe and
We know that Cuckoo numbers have dropped more in England than Wales, with Scottish figures holding steady. The map above provides more detail.
House Martins in London have declined by over 75% since the early 90s. This clear link with urban areas suggests that changes in
>2 1–2 0.5–1 0.25 – 0.5 0.125 – 0.25 0.062– 0.125 0.031– 0.062 0.016– 0.031 0.008– 0.016 0– 0.008
Relative change in density > 75% 50% to 75% 25% to 50% -25% to 25% -50% to -25% -75% to -50% < -75% insufficient data
the built environment could be affecting the breeding success of our House Martins.
is that migrants from different parts of the UK might spend the winter in
NORTH–SOUTH DIVIDE
different regions of Africa, or that there
For Cuckoos, the divide in population
could be variation in the timing of
trends is clearly south-east to north-west.
migration between birds that breed in
A similar pattern is shown by many other
different regions. Whatever the cause,
summer migrants such as Willow Warblers,
it’s well known that many of our
and this pattern is the subject of research
summer migrants are struggling, and these
and investigation using BTO data sets, from
BBS maps may provide further clues as to
the BBS, the Nest Record Scheme, and
the causes of change.
Constant Effort ringing. Increases in the north
Given these population declines, it’s
and declines in the south could be due to
always encouraging to hear the first Willow
differences in climate, or changes in habitat,
Warbler or Cuckoo of the spring – and
such as agricultural intensification in the
it also means it’s nearly time for BBS
south and changes in forestry in the north,
surveyors to collect another year’s worth of
or impacts of deer browsing. Another theory
invaluable data.
2 013 | BTO Volunteer Magazine
GET INVOLVED
These maps, and more, can be seen at www. bto.org/bbs-maps You can find out more about taking part in BBS by visiting www.bto. org/bbs or phone 01842 750050.
7
N OT J U S T B I R D S
WHAT CAN BIRDWATCHERS TELL US ABOUT
OTHER WILDLIFE?
Bumblebee
Birdwatching is a popular pastime but interest often extends beyond birds to other types of animals and plants. Many of us keep notes of the butterflies, mammals and other creatures that we encounter alongside our records of birds and some of these records are submitted at the end of the year to a local biological records centre or a national organisation. Some of us also collect other taxa records alongside the survey work that we do for the BTO and you might be wondering how these records are used, says Mike Toms, Head of Garden Ecology.
through both BirdTrack and Garden BirdWatch
BIRDS FIRST
HERE BE DRAGONS
A BUZZ IN THE AIR
As birdwatchers we make a substantial
At the moment our attention is focused on
BTO GBW has also been collecting weekly
contribution to the monitoring and
the upcoming and ground-breaking Bird Atlas
records of garden-visiting bumblebees since
surveillance of wild bird populations within
2007–11, but it is not just birds that are the
2007, the information being passed to the
Britain and Ireland, delivering information that
subject of periodic atlas studies. The National
Bumblebee Conservation Trust, to help address
underpins conservation action and shapes
Dragonfly Atlas 2008–13, a project being
some key questions about the role that
policy. Although very much a ‘birds first’
coordinated by the British Dragonfly Society
gardens play for bees within a wider landscape.
organisation, the BTO plays an important
(BDS), is going to be a landmark publication,
The weekly and systematic nature of the survey
role in collecting information on other wildlife
delivering much-needed new information for
also allows researchers to examine the recent
and in sharing its expertise in survey design
57 species: 42 resident/migrant species, 13
phenomenon of winter activity in two of our
and monitoring methods with those working
vagrants and two now probably extinct. Many
familiar bumblebee species. The cause of this
on other taxa. Opportunities for collecting
birdwatchers have a keen interest in dragonflies
increase in winter activity is unknown but may
information on other species are judged on
and, prompted by discussions with colleagues
be linked to a changing climate and data from
a case-by-case basis. We don’t
at BDS, we have added the ability to log them
BTO GBW should be able to help look at this.
(GBW), so far providing 19,229 records from gardens and the wider countryside. The records from 2011 and 2012 have already been passed across to the BDS atlas team. The systematic weekly information collected through GBW also allows us to look at the flight seasons of those species using gardens, and is already highlighting differences between years.
collect data willy-nilly, rather we explore how the information gained would dovetail with that
8
Large Red Dam
selfly
TRACKING MAMMALS The BTO has been involved with the Tracking
already being collected through
Mammals Partnership for many years,
other sources. A better idea of
contributing mammal information, collected
how this works in practice can be
as part of the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS)
seen from looking at three of the
since 1995. This information is used to
core BTO surveys that already
calculate national and regional population
collect information on other
trends for a range of mammal species,
taxa already (Fig 1) and thinking
providing a valuable measure of population
about how the data collected
change within the wider countryside. These
through them are being used.
data have also been used to produce
BTO Volunteer Magazine | 2 013
N OT J U S T B I R D S
BBS (www.bto.org/bbs) Main scheme for monitoring the population changes of the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s common breeding birds. Mammal recording started in 1995. Of the nine mammals for which trends can be produced from BBS counts, four have increased significantly since 1995: Grey Squirrel (53%), Reevesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Muntjac (67%), Red Deer (99%) and Roe Deer (58%). Three mammals have declined significantly: Rabbit (-46%), Mountain/Irish Hare (-52%) and Fox (-24%). Recent declines in Mountain/Irish Hares may represent population cycles, while the current decline in Rabbits, following a period of recovery from myxomatosis, could be linked to viral haemorrhagic disease. Other species (e.g. Hedgehog, Mole and Badger) may be monitored by their field signs.
Hedgehog
distribution and abundance maps for mammals, in a similar manner to the
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
approach adopted for birds. Mammal records are also collected through GBW, the two surveys complementing one another in the range of species that they cover (Fig 1).
How you can help us to record birds and other wildlife by taking part in BTO surveys which include other wildlife recording
Mammal data from both BBS and GBW were used in a recent review, examining the extent to which different schemes could be used for the long-term monitoring of Hedgehog populations. Concerns have been raised that the Hedgehog may be in decline within the UK, something borne out by examination of these data sets. When it comes to alerting policymakers
BirdTrack (www.birdtrack.net) A year-round scheme that uses your birdwatching records to examine bird migration, movements and distribution throughout Britain and Ireland. Dragonfly and damselfly recording was added in 2012 and records are shared with the British Dragonfly Society.
BTO Garden BirdWatch (www.bto.org/gbw) The main scheme for monitoring garden birds, revealing seasonal and long-term patterns in garden use linked to changing populations and behaviour. From 2003 a limited range of nonbird species was recorded. In 2007 the full range of mammals, butterflies, reptiles and amphibians and bumblebees was recorded, with dragonflies added in 2011. Some 560,000 other wildlife records are now added annually. Data are shared with several organisations and supplied for county atlas projects and other research.
and conservation practitioners to changes in Hedgehog populations, it is reassuring to note that through GBW we have the ability to detect a change in the Hedgehog population of just 10% (over a ten-year period) with a
A COMPARISON OF MAMMAL RECORDING
power of 80%, neatly dovetailing with the FIG 1 Comparison
and with BBS.
of BTO Garden
Northeastwildlife.co.uk/JOHN HARDING
BirdWatch and BBS
RECOGNISING OUR CONTRIBUTION
mammal recording.
One of the core strengths of the BTO is the
Garden BirdWatchers
network of volunteer birdwatchers of which
are likely to encounter
we are a part. By tapping into our interests
Hedgehogs and Wood
in other taxa the BTO has been able to
Mice, while BBS
support partners within the wider wildlife
volunteers provide
recording community, delivering much-needed
better information on
information on changing populations. Working
Roe Deer, Brown Hare
in partnership in this manner makes the
and other species likely
most of your kind support, recognising that a
to be encountered in
birdwatcher is often not just a birdwatcher but
the wider countryside.
90
Breeding Bird Survey (%)
Mammals on Roads Survey operated by PTES
70
50
30
10 10
30
50
70
90
Garden BirdWatch (%)
someone with a wider wildlife interest.
2 013 | BTO Volunteer Magazine
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S C RU B H A B I TAT
SCRUBBING UP WELL As birdwatchers, we appreciate things that other people don’t notice, says Graham Appleton. Things like a Pied Wagtail on a school playground or a January burst of song from a Mistle Thrush. There are habitats that we value that other people don’t notice as well, several of which come into the category ‘scrub’.
Scrub is not a pretty word, with its second-rate overtones. In its various forms, however, areas of shrubs and young trees present great opportunities for birds. Most scrub habitats are transient, appearing when something stops happening, which means that the land upon which it is found has lost much of its financial value. With an economic upturn, increasing food prices or a change in political direction, priorities change; suddenly scrub is under threat and so are Whinchats, House Sparrows, and Nightingales. If you value an unused piece of land then perhaps this is the time to monitor the birds that use it, so that you have facts and figures to hand when change is next on the horizon? VALUING HABITAT BTO scientists use data collected by volunteers in two ways – when responding
COUNTING HOUSE SPARROWS Noticing a House Sparrow is a first step, when appreciating the value of scrub habitat, but the observation becomes far more useful if made as part of a BTO-led survey or added to a list on a BirdTrack walk.
to requests for information that will affect planning decisions, as well as undertaking direct research that helps to inform policymakers. Nightingales are birds that have
staff to judge the value of the development
that were linked with the presence of House
learned to love scrubby areas in the
site and to give informed advice to those
Sparrows – large gardens, school playing-
southeast, turning to them as traditional
with responsibility for planning consents and
fields and allotments, all places which tend
coppice sites have grown up or been over-
potential mitigation measures.
to have scrubby edges and with value as
run by deer. The Nightingales’ occupation of
Scrubby corners can be much closer
building land. Why not take a local walk and
potential development sites can put them in
to home. Some volunteers will have been
think about where you see House Sparrows?
the front line in planning decisions, as has
involved in the House Sparrow surveys of
For me, the guaranteed spots are around the
been seen recently in Kent. With the help
2003 and 2004, when we asked Garden
village school and in an overgrown garden
of last year’s Nightingale Survey we were
BirdWatchers to walk the streets of their
attached to a somewhat broken-down house
able to provide Natural England with a new
neighbourhoods to count House Sparrows.
– places which are either neglected or left
estimate of the national population, enabling
The data collected identified key elements
alone, according to one’s point of view.
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BTO Volunteer Magazine | 2 013
S C RU B H A B I TAT
It’s not just birds that benefit from scrubby corners with brambles, as this Comma butterfly illustrates.
DAVID TIPLING davidtipling.com/ STEVEN ROUND stevenround-birdphotography.co.uk
Redstart is one of four amber-listed species of conservation concern that benefit from ffridd, a special Welsh hillside scrubby habitat.
BIRDS ON THE EDGE
for several species. As moorland grass
Areas of shrub and young trees can be
blends into woodland, so the range of
of national conservation importance.
species changes, with Tree Pipit, Wren
BTO research has recently been focused
and Willow Warbler being particularly
on the moorland–forestry interface in
associated with bracken, Stonechat, Linnet
Scotland and ffridd, the sloping land that
and Dunnock with gorse mixtures and
separates lowland and upland farming in
Blackbird, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Garden
Wales. Scottish and Welsh governments
Warbler, Great Tit, Pied Flycatcher, Redstart,
have decided to significantly increase the
Song Thrush, Robin, Willow Warbler and
amount of afforested land and this could
Wren with the scrubby woodland. This list
have significant impacts – both positive
includes four species on the amber list of
and negative. BTO Scotland scientists
species under threat in Wales. If forestry
have been looking at the developing bird
is to be focused upon this sloping ‘waste’
communities in regenerating and newly
land, then that could have conservation
planted woodlands, the role of shrubs
consequences.
at the moorland–forestry interface, birds
AS A BBS VOLUNTEER, YOU CAN PROVIDE THE BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON HABITATS AND BIRD DENSITIES AGAINST WHICH THE VALUE OF SCRUB CAN BE JUDGED.
to fund the work of scientists who study
use of upland scrub by particular species
habitat use but there are two additional ways
such as Whinchat and Short-eared Owl.
to get involved. As a BBS volunteer, you
With support from the J & J R Wilson Trust,
can provide the background information on
John Calladine is trying to assess the
habitats and bird densities against which the
contribution of upland scrub in supporting
value of scrub can be judged. In addition,
seemingly increasing populations of Willow
simply make sure that best use is made of
Warbler, Tree Pipit, Cuckoo and others,
your local knowledge by submitting your
many of which are decreasing in more
bird lists on BirdTrack. We can provide much
southern and lowland areas.
better evidence and advice if we have
Welsh ffridd is a really important habitat
2 013 | BTO Volunteer Magazine
By supporting the BTO, you are helping
within plantations themselves and the
information at our fingertips.
11
B I R D AT L A S 2007‒11
Breeding distribution of Great Spotted Woodpecker 2008–11. A ‘classic’ atlas map, with dots showing locations where the species has been recorded breeding. The big surprise from the latest atlas is the colonisation of Ireland. Small dots = possible breeding, medium dots = probable breeding and large dots = confirmed breeding.
Simple distribution maps give no idea of variations in the abundance of a species. Here winter Robin abundance is presented, calculated from Timed Tetrad Visit counts, which reveal a complex pattern in a bird often considered ubiquitous across Britain & Ireland. The darker the blue, the greater the density.
1
THE
BIG REVEAL After four hard years of fieldwork for Bird Atlas 2007–11, the publication of the resulting book is finally near. Dawn Balmer and Simon Gillings share some of the emerging maps and the fascinating stories that accompany them – just a small fraction of the new knowledge the book will reveal.
12
2
By the time you read this, most of the finalised text and maps for Bird Atlas 2007—11 will have been dispatched to our designers. After a few more months of writing, designing, proofing and printing the book will be available later this year. Achieving such amazing coverage across Britain and Ireland was an enormous task, and it’s proving just as big a job for the Atlas Team to put the book together, but it’s so exciting to see it all finally
Great Spotted Woodpecker
coming together. migrate to the UK, whereas resident British 1. GREAT SPOT INVADES IRELAND
individuals seldom move significant distances.
Perhaps one of the most surprising stories to
Genetic analysis of feathers obtained in Irish
emerge has been the colonisation of Ireland
nests, however, has shown that Britain is their
by Great Spotted Woodpeckers. Formerly
true origin. There has been further expansion
a rare visitor to Ireland – the first proof of
in Britain too, mostly in Scotland, but also
breeding in Northern Ireland was in 2006.
in-filling in eastern and western England,
The breeding distribution map shows how
representing a 19% increase in range since
they have proceeded to colonise the east,
the 1988–91 Breeding Atlas (Fig 1).
with some evidence of westward expansion. Despite the proximity of breeding Great
2. IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS
Spotted Woodpeckers in Wales, Irish colonists
It probably doesn’t come as a surprise to learn
were assumed to originate from Scandinavia
that Atlas data show Robins are present in 95%
– ringing studies show that Scandinavian
of all the 10-km squares in Britain and 98% of
Great Spotted Woodpeckers sometimes
those in Ireland. Such distribution data, however,
BTO Volunteer Magazine | 2 013
B I R D AT L A S 2007‒11
New maps are able to show losses and gains over the period since previous atlases. Black triangles represent losses, red triangles show gains and pink areas represent stability. Redshank, along with other breeding waders, show a worrying pattern with a predominance of black over the last 40 years of breeding atlases.
Northeastwildlife.co.uk/STEVEN ROUND stevenround-birdphotography.co.uk
3
For the first time we are able to look at spatial patterns of change in abundance over time. Here, reds show an increase and browns a decrease. House Martin shows that the abundance has been changing geographically, with numbers in the south and east decreasing and in the north and west increasing.
4
You c Bird A an buy tlas 20 for a re 07–11 duce pre-pu blicatio d of just n price £45. See fl www.b yer or visit
to.org/ book atlas-
give no impression of how common the birds
distribution change maps are designed to show
might be around the country. Bird Atlas Timed
both recent (since the 1988–91 Breeding Atlas)
Tetrad Visit data reveal a striking difference in
and longer-term (since the 1968–72 Breeding
the relative abundance of Robins in Britain and
Atlas) changes. The Redshank map shows that
Ireland – on average, 3.9 individuals recorded
there are few places where the species has
per hour in Britain versus 6.9 in Ireland. This
been recorded breeding in all three breeding
pattern is apparent in the breeding season
atlases. Instead, there are many areas showing
too, and for other species including Wren,
recent losses across Britain and Ireland, most
Song Thrush, Goldcrest and Bullfinch. Why the
prominently across mainland Scotland, central
relative abundance of these species might be
southern England and in western Ireland. These
so much higher in Ireland is unclear, although
losses amount to a range contraction of 43% in
competition and climate could be involved. The
Britain and 55% in Ireland since the 1968–72
the south and east, contrasting with increases
Robin abundance map also shows that densities
Breeding Atlas. Further work to investigate these
in the north and west. The map here for House
are greater away from the upland areas, but that
changes and identify the causes for a suite of
Martin (Fig 4) illustrates this pattern well, but
some lowland areas such as the East Anglian
breeding waders is a high priority (Fig 3).
similar patterns can be seen for other species
Fens also have lower densities (Fig 2).
House Martin
like Sand Martin, Swallow, Willow Warbler and 4. EARLY WARNING SYSTEM
Cuckoo . Currently, the explanation for such
3. WADER WORRIES
Before a species disappears from a 10-km
patterns remains unknown so we hope that
Further contraction of the breeding ranges of
square there are early warning signs that
the Atlas, along with complementary data from
Redshank, Curlew, Lapwing and Snipe is one of
changes are taking place. Using the Timed
monitoring schemes, can be used to shed light
the important conservation messages coming
Tetrad Visit information collected in the 1988–91
on the causes. Bird Atlas 2007—11 is going to
out of the forthcoming Atlas. This corroborates
Breeding Atlas and Bird Atlas 2007–11 we have
raise many questions and areas for future study.
the decline in numbers recorded through other
been able to measure changes in the number
long-term monitoring schemes, in particular the
of tetrads a species occupies per 20-km square.
BBS in the UK and the Countryside Bird Survey
The results for a number of species are striking
in the Republic of Ireland. The Atlas breeding
and show a pattern of declines in abundance in
2 013 | BTO Volunteer Magazine
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Bird Atlas 2007–11 has been organised by BTO, in partnership with BirdWatch Ireland and the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club.
13
YO U N G PE O P L E A N D BTO
TWEETING IN THE Join u the n s at ext confe BTO r in De ence rbysh ir 6-8 D ecem e ber 2013.
Having joined the BTO just a couple of weeks previously, John Matkin attended the final sessions of the BTO’s Annual Conference in Swanwick, Derbyshire. Here he tells us a little more about what he discovered.
science behind bird behaviour: it’s ‘geeky’
“I had expected, as with so many birding
may never ‘get’ social media, it really is one
hours staring at a rock face. I appreciate
events, that this would be something of
of the directions in which this organisation
that twitchers have their place, it certainly
a beard-and-jumper convention at which
should continue to head.
motivates some, but the idea of interacting
the only useful purpose I would serve
but in 2013 ‘geeky’ is OK. Besides, twitching is for retired accountants who can afford to charter a plane to Fair Isle then spend 10
with stressed-out life-listers who would
would be to bring down the average age.
WHAT’S TYPICAL?
rather you die than see a particular bird
But I couldn’t have been more wrong, and
I may not be the sort of member
before they do really isn’t my cup of tea.
I left the conference excited by what I had
the BTO usually attracts, but then not being
seen and heard in a morning of optimism,
typical is something young birders are
CITIZEN SCIENCE IS THE DRAW
enthusiasm and forward thinking. Yes, there
generally used to. I’m several years beyond
The BTO with its focus on citizen science
were beards, and yes, there were jumpers
the awkward teenage phase in which being
and the collation of data is appealing to the
and yes, a lot of the attendees were messy-
open about being a keen birdwatcher
thousands of scientifically-minded young
haired sixty-somethings but there were
would be social suicide. Nowadays I’m
people who would love to contribute, and
also many younger people. What’s more,
always out and about with my binoculars
social media really are the best way to reach
some of these young people were even
but, as I don’t know anyone my age with
them, especially as they’re already out there
doing the talking! And best of all, the sixty-
similar interests, I tend to go it alone. I’m a
on the reserves and online just quietly
somethings were nodding, and listening,
‘watcher’ not a ‘ticker’. I find far more interest
doing their own thing. One of the strengths
and embracing the fact that, although they
in observing changes and recording the
of the BTO (and one that was most apparent
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BTO Volunteer Magazine | 2 013
YO U N G PE O P L E A N D BTO
CHANGES... that December morning) is its ability to reach these people, link them up, and get them involved. It’s a no-brainer – it benefits everyone involved. I know this because I am one of those people (or at least I like to think so) and it
THROUGH THE BTO’S RETWEETING OF MEMBERS’ MESSAGES I FOUND OTHER PEOPLE WHO WERE A BIT LIKE ME.
was because of social media that I ended up
Survey (WeBS). Twitter (again) introduced
at the Annual Conference. I first encountered
me to the Annual Conference, which sort of
the BTO on Twitter and was immediately
brings us up to date.
Get online!
From Tweets to online bird identification videos, our selection of digital resources:
TOP TWEETERS...
drawn in by links to those fascinating species distribution maps, that in turn led me to
GETTING INVOLVED
@_BTO BTO’s own twitter account
discover things about godwits that I didn’t
Now I’m not promising to contribute a
@BirdTrack Find out the latest news
know I didn’t know. Through the BTO’s
mass of data; for me the idea of providing
@BTO_GBW Bird news from gardens
retweeting of members’ messages I found
1,000+ nest records, as we heard about at
@BirdWatchIE BirdWatch Ireland
other people who were a bit like me, and
the conference, is an amazing feat that sits
@Birds in Wales WOS
others who were far better than me and
somewhere on that very fine line between
@Scottishbirding The SOC
doing brilliant research. I became an avid
ambitious heroism and insane self-sacrifice,
@IBIS-journal The latest in science
(and occasionally jealous) fan of their blogs.
but I have been inspired by what I saw and
As a result of this awareness, when a
heard at Swanwick that morning and felt
BTO Research Ecologist gave a talk at a
much more connected to something positive
local bird club I braved the beards and the
and productive. I also now have a lot of
jumpers and went along. A couple of hours
reading material and, being early in the year
later I joined the BTO via Twitter (through
and with thoughts naturally turning to the
the ‘Member get a Member’ campaign)
coming bird breeding season, I am already
and the next day I joined the Wetland Bird
wondering what small part I can play.”
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK
www.facebook.com/the.BTO
JOHN MATKIN/DAVID TIPLING davidtipling.com
Explore our YouTube channel:
www.youtube.com/BTOvideo
The latest Bird ID videos (Little Egret/Great White Egret and Curlew/Whimbrel are the most recent), survey guides and much more – check them all out. By taking part in a survey, entering your bird lists on BirdTrack, or counting birds in your garden, you are making a contribution to science and conservation. All your records count.
2 013 | BTO Volunteer Magazine
15
F RO M T H E W E B
TALES FROM THE ‘DEMOG BLOG’
Web logs or ‘Blogs’ have become a popular method for communicating information via the internet. We now run several blogs, one of the most popular is the ‘Demog Blog’, a space where staff from the Demography Team report on some of the most interesting and intriguing tales from bird ringing and nest finding. Here we share a small selection of the surprising stories that have been reported since the Demog Blog started in 2010.
16
COMMON SANDPIPER
One bird left Britain on 21 July and
MOVEMENTS MAPPED
migrated for three days to Morocco
Common Sandpipers are small migrant
where it staged (rested and fed) before
waders. During the breeding season
continuing its migration to West Africa,
they can be found on upland waterways,
arriving on 29 July. It spent most of
but during migration can turn up almost
its time in southern Senegal or the
anywhere there is water. The birds are
Gambia. Prior to northward migration, the
very common around the Mediterranean
bird spent a period inland, before crossing
in spring as they move north and, over the
the western Sahara Desert to Morocco.
years, several ringed birds have been found
Its migration was then delayed, probably
in places such as Algeria, Morocco and
due to adverse weather. After a week in
Italy. The exact location of their wintering
Morocco, however, it followed the east
grounds has remained a mystery, however,
coast of Spain and crossed to western
as the only ringed bird recovered south of
France before moving through England
the Sahara (in Guinea Bissau) was thought
to Scotland. We do know that Common
to be a bird on migration.
Sandpipers are capable of making a single
In 2011 the Highland Ringing Group
non-stop flight between wintering and
fitted a number of Scottish-breeding
breeding grounds, but this bird migrated
Common Sandpipers with geolocators for
in medium-range ‘skips’ during both its
the first time.
southward and northward migrations.
BTO Volunteer Magazine | 2 013
F RO M T H E W E B
Re fascina ad more ting st ories f the D rom http:/ emog Blog
/b blogsp toringing. ot.co.u k
A TALE OF TWO NESTS IN ONE Barn Owl is by far the most commonly nest-recorded owl species in Britain and Ireland, with 1,823 nest records in 2011, compared with 476 for Tawny Owl and 143 for Little Owl. Barn Owl has undoubtedly benefited from the increase in nesting sites provided by volunteers through nest-box schemes all over the country.
Since their relatively recent arrival,
November of the same year. Although
about a box that had been used by
ringing Little Egrets in the UK is providing
the bird looked very tatty after its long
Barn Owls for the previous three years.
fascinating data about their movements.
journey, it seemed generally healthy.
When this box was checked on 5 June
In 2010 we reported that one British-
2012 it contained five white Barn Owl
ringed Little Egret had moved south to
ringed in Galway, Ireland, and seen on
eggs and four Kestrel eggs, all of which
Galicia in Spain, but in January 2011
the Azores on 15 October 2010 with four
were being incubated by a female Barn
this record was smashed! Colour-ringed
other unringed Egrets. Were it not for
Owl! This would usually mean that the
Little Egret ‘GN20692’ was ringed near
the colour rings on these two birds, we
owl had evicted the female Kestrel
Bangor, Gwynedd, on 19 June 2010 and
would never have known about their
and laid her own eggs. However,
was spotted in Tenerife on 3 and 25
amazing flights.
In August 2012, we were informed
EDMUND FELLOWES/JIM LENNON/STEVEN ROUND stevenround-birdphotography.co.uk/JILL PAKENHAM. MAP: © GOOGLE MAPS
WANDERING EGRETS
Another Little Egret, ‘GR00505’, was
during the next check, there were five Barn Owl chicks, one tiny Kestrel chick, two warm Kestrel eggs and one
GOOSE CAUSES A BIT
have also had single reports of White-
addled Kestrel egg. The next box check
OF A ‘BARNIE’
fronted and Canada Geese, Turnstone,
revealed just three Barn Owl chicks
There have been few reports of
Kittiwake and Arctic, Roseate and
and the unhatched Kestrel egg.
British-ringed birds being found in
Common Terns.
Owls usually incubate from the time
USA, but when they do turn up, the
On 29 November 2010, we heard
that their first egg is laid, so the owl
majority are Manx Shearwaters (eight
about the first British-ringed Barnacle
chicks hatch about a day apart, giving
individuals) or Great Skuas (three). We
Goose to be recorded across the
the earlier hatchlings a better chance of
Atlantic. Barnacle Geese in North
survival during lean times. The earlier-
America are rare, so one turning up
hatching owl chicks sometimes consume
there with a known origin is quite
their younger nestmates and in this case
special. Barnacle Goose ‘1291347’
the smaller Kestrel chicks would probably
was ringed on Islay (Inner Hebrides,
have featured on the menu.
Scotland) on 13 November 2002 and
Dual occupation has been recorded
was seen there frequenlty in winter
in boxes before, with Barn Owl/Kestrel
until March 2005 when it disappeared.
eggs and Barn Owl/Stock Dove but
More than five years later it reappeared
never with a Barn Owl incubating the
in America, at Orchard Beach, Bronx,
other species’ eggs and successfully
over 5,200km from where it was ringed.
hatching them out!
Who knows where this bird had been in the meantime!
2 013 | BTO Volunteer Magazine
17
MALLARD IN FOCUS
MALLARD
MYSTERIES
Mallard is often considered the eponymous â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;duckâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, familiar to all and found everywhere. Chas Holt, National Organiser of the Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) says that the closest that many people get to sharing the lives of ducks is when they watch Mallards greedily accepting bread at the local park, but there is a lot more to this species than first meets the eye.
With a widespread distribution across
similar patterns have also been detected
indicative of an arrival of Mallards from the
Britain and Ireland, Mallards use a range
for other species of wildfowl. With a large
Continent in those freezing periods. In the
of wetland habitats from small ponds to
number of the Mallards wintering in Britain
same way that a general trend toward milder
reservoirs, marshes and coastal estuaries,
and Ireland considered to originate from the
winter weather in northwest Europe has
although the local Mallards in the park
Continent, reduced immigration of birds has
probably affected Mallard and other wildfowl,
may not, in fact, be pure wild stock. Some
probably contributed to the declines reported
it has also been shown to have resulted in
populations within a global range that spans
through WeBS (Fig 1). In particular, falling
a shift in the core distributions of several
the entire northern hemisphere are largely
numbers at five of the most important sites
waders commonly found on our estuaries,
resident, while others are migratory and can
for the species in Britain (Severn Estuary,
including Oystercatcher, Curlew and Dunlin.
winter at sites many hundreds of miles from
Ouse Washes, Martin Mere, the Wash and
where they breed, although research has
Humber Estuary) suggest that a greater
wetland birds to harsh winter weather,
shown that in recent years the distance that
proportion of the migratory population have
however, can be surprisingly complex. In
Mallards move within Europe during winter
been remaining further east in other parts
the case of the Mallard, frozen conditions in
has declined. It is believed that this has
of Europe. It is notable, therefore, that the
Britain tend to concentrate birds on larger
been in response to milder winter weather
WeBS index appeared to stabilise during two
water bodies (with birds having been forced
conditions linked to climate change, and
recent cold winters (2009/10 and 2010/11),
from smaller sites that are more likely to
Understanding the response of ubiquitous
be frozen) and it is these larger sites which tend to be those that receive best coverage
Annual WeBS indices for Mallard in Britain
through WeBS. So, as well as the decrease
WeBS annual index value
180 (most recent winter, 2010/11, is set to 100)
160
in continental Mallards visiting our shores, a reduced likelihood for small sites to freeze in
140
winter in recent years may have also resulted
120
in declining numbers of Mallards noted by
100
WeBS counters at larger wetlands. Intriguingly,
80
the drop in Mallards wintering across Britain
60 40
contrasts with a UK breeding population
20
which rose by 33% between 1984 and 2009. It has been suggested that some of
0 66/67
70/71
74/75
78/79
82/83
86/87
90/91
94/95
98/99
02/03
06/07
Year
FIG 1 The British wintering population of Mallard has dropped steadily during the last 20 years. WeBS indices and associated trends for a range of waterbirds feature in the annual WeBS report.
10/11
this increase in breeding numbers, however, relates to non-wild Mallards originating from domesticated birds or captive-reared stock released for shooting, complicating the status of our most familiar duck still further.
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BTO Volunteer Magazine | 2 013
MALLARD IN FOCUS
YOU CAN HELP!
The monitoring of Mallards, and other species such as Moorhen and Little Grebe, would benefit from more extensive WeBS coverage of smaller wetlands within the wider countryside. This would, for example, help improve the understanding of reasons for the Mallard’s different seasonal trends. So, if you go birding (or even just feed the ducks) in winter at a wetland near you, then why not count the birds and contribute your monthly observations to WeBS! Observations can be submitted online via www.bto.org/webs Simply email webs@bto.org and we’ll get you set up, or phone 01842 750050. You’ll then join the 3,000 other WeBS counters generating invaluable information about Britain’s waterbirds – including the humble Mallard!
Eatonnature.co.uk
ON THE HUNT FOR ANSWERS
2 013 | BTO Volunteer Magazine
According to Wetlands International, the number of Mallards in northwest Europe is approximately 4.5 million individuals. Roughly the same number are shot annually in the European Union, Norway and Switzerland, underlining its importance as a quarry species. Many shot Mallards will have been released for hunting: limited information on bag sizes in some parts of Europe is preventing a better understanding of population trends. Wildfowl researchers consider it important that hunting activity is harmonised with flyway trends, and that research is initiated to look at possible effects of released Mallards on the wild population. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS WeBS is a partnership between BTO, RSPB and JNCC in association with WWT.
19
M I G R A N T A R R I VA L S
DELAYS ON THE
NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY
For many birdwatchers, migration is one of the most exciting elements of observing and recording birds, says Nick Moran, BirdTrack Organiser. When you stop to think about it, the very notion that birds weighing as little as a coin routinely traverse seas, deserts, mountains and much more besides is simply mind-boggling. The spectacle of encountering returning migrants at this time of year, ingrained as it is in our social and cultural heritage, is as uplifting as it is astonishing.
One captivating facet of migration is
any records at all until the end of the third
through in a short, sharp pulse. Swift and
the variation in arrival periods between
week of April. Interestingly, the Whinchat
Spotted Flycatcher are species that typically
years. Spring 2012 was particularly
reporting rate then rocketed to double its
begin to arrive in late April/early May. In
memorable for the unusual weather
usual peak (Fig 3). This is perhaps because
contrast to the suite of species that arrive in
across southwestern Europe, and the
the ‘bottleneck’ caused by the weather
mid April, both seemed to miss the worst of
effect this had on the timing of the return
meant that instead of birds trickling through
the weather altogether, reaching Britain and
of several species of summer migrants.
over a period of several weeks, most came
Ireland at the same time as normal.
Comparatively warm, dry weather in MIGRATION STUDY TOOL
March provided ideal conditions for some CATCH-UP WITH BIRDTRACK
Chiffchaff, to head north. The proportion of birdwatchers’ complete lists (‘reporting rate’) submitted to BirdTrack neatly captures this anomaly (Fig 1). A TOPSY-TURVY SPRING Within a few weeks, the weather had turned on its head: wet, windy conditions battered southwest Europe in the second and third weeks of April, just when most of the populations of many migratory species were attempting to make the ‘final push’ to their northern breeding grounds. For example, the first few Whitethroats generally arrive at the very start of April, and this proved to be the case in 2012, but within a couple of weeks the BirdTrack reporting rate showed that the bulk of the Whitethroat arrival had been delayed (Fig 2). Whinchat, a species usually arriving here a week or so later than Whitethroat, showed an even more clear-cut pattern, with barely
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Not only does BirdTrack give us a nearreal-time window onto migration as it
BirdTrack Complete Lists are a record of everything you’ve detected and positively identified – by sight and/or sound – on a single birdwatching visit to a site. The measure of absence – as well as presence – that they provide makes complete lists particularly valuable for monitoring the arrival (and departure) timings of migratory species, and comparing these with long-term trends. Although Casual/Roving Records don’t give such a robust measure of arrival and departure times, they are still very useful for distribution-mapping projects. For example, 8.1 million BirdTrack records have been incorporated into the forthcoming Bird Atlas 2007–11! Visit www.birdtrack.net to catch up with the very latest migration news and add your own sightings!
unfolds but it also gathers data that can be used to investigate changes in migration timing over longer periods. BTO scientists are engaged in cutting-edge research to compare the arrival and departure times of migrants in the last decade – as captured in BirdTrack – to those of the 1960s. We know about the latter thanks to another data set collected by BTO volunteers during the Inland Observation Points survey 1962–66. This research is revealing some striking changes, with species such as Wheatear and Sand Martin arriving up to three weeks earlier now than they did in the 1960s. Understanding to what extent different species’ migratory strategies are able to respond to climate change is essential if we are to build a complete picture of the factors affecting the populations of these birds and, ultimately, identify appropriate measures to protect them.
BTO Volunteer Magazine | 2 013
STEVEN ROUND stevenround-birdphotography.co.uk
of our early-returning species, such as
M I G R A N T A R R I VA L S
2012 ARRIVALS
The BirdTrack reporting rate (% of complete lists) for 70 60 Av. 2005–11
50
2012
40 30 20 10
Ap r
Ap r
23 -
16 -
-Ap r 09
02 -Ap r
26 -
Ma r
Ma r 19 -
12 -M ar
05 -
27 -Fe
b
Ma r
0
FIG 1 Chiffchaff. One of the earliest arriving migrants, this
species appeared to respond to the very warm dry March by returning early. 50 45
Av. 2005–11
40
2012
35 30 25 20 15 10 5
21 -M
ay
y Ma 14 -
ay
Ap
07 -M
r
r
30 -
r Ap
Ap 23 -
r
16 -
09
-Ap
r
r Ma
02 -Ap
26 -
19 -
Ma
r
0
FIG 2 Whitethroat (pictured). Whitethroat arrives later, by
which time the weather had changed for the worse in Britain and further south, holding up migrants on their way north.
3 Av. 2005–11 2012 2
1
ur free go wit availab BirdTrack a h pp le iPhon for Android – es. ;.w and w birdtr w.bto.org/ ack-ap p
2 013 | BTO Volunteer Magazine
21 -M
ay
y Ma 14 -
ay 07 -M
r 30 -Ap
r 23 -Ap
r Ap 16 -
r 09 -Ap
r
0
02 -Ap
recordGet ing no Recor w! d on t he o
FIG 3 Whinchat. Presumably delayed in southern Europe
by poor weather, Whinchats were recorded widely when they did finally start crossing our shores, as the more usual trickle turned into a flood.
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T R A I N I NG
A NEST‒FINDER’S
“For most of my life the words ‘could do better’ have hovered over me like a wagging finger and they were never more appropriate than when describing my nest-finding skills, or rather lack of them”, says Rob Hubble, volunteer nest recorder. “Wanting to make our birding count and recognising that responsible nest monitoring is vital to the work of the BTO, my wife, Stella, and I have contributed to the Nest Record Scheme (NRS) for over 25 years.”
content in this first session. Distilled into a couple of sentences, it covered field-craft techniques, bird lore, how the NRS works,
NRS priorities, and most importantly, the fact that birds, who apparently do not understand our motives, always come first. So, minimise disturbance, cover your tracks, know what you can and cannot do at the nest and how different species may react. One other thing that came across strongly was the sheer
We have rarely submitted more than 20
few hot and dry weekends of the 2012
enthusiasm and confidence of all the leaders;
nest records a year, however, and half of
British monsoon season, on a nest-finding
we WOULD find nests both as a group and
those have been from nest boxes, which
training workshop.
as individuals.
even in our garden are fairly easy to find!
Our group of 12 participants and three
We live on Dartmoor and have been
leaders met on the Friday evening for
INTO THE FIELD
frustrated by our lack of success in finding
introductions and a bit of relaxed theory.
The excitement and inspiration survived the
ground nesters such as chats and pipits.
Generally I have found that birders, like
night, so we were on a high as we set off
Retired now, we decided to commit more
gardeners, are congenial company and this
early the next morning. Never at my best
of our time to this pursuit and thus found
group was no exception. Although good
before the third mug of coffee, I almost
ourselves in the Devil’s Punchbowl, Surrey,
humoured (the Two Ronnies would have
missed the first nest. We had walked a few
at the end of May 2012, during one of the
been proud) there was plenty of serious
yards from our parked cars when a light tap Using a stick to lightly tap vegetation is a very effective way of locating nests of tight-sitting species, such as Reed Bunting, during incubation. Birds return quickly once the observers retreat. Placing a mirror on the end of a nesting stick allows the recorder to check the contents of nests in thick vegetation without risking life and limb.
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BTO Volunteer Magazine | 2 013
T R A I N I NG
TALE
of Dave Leech’s stick (a vital piece of kit, that) put up a Chiffchaff from its exquisite domed nest low in dense foliage. This account would quickly become tiresome if I chronicled each of the 40 nests we subsequently found over the weekend, but there can’t be anything more exciting than finding your ‘own’ nest; mine was also a tap-off, a Blackcap in a holly bush. Just as rewarding as ‘tapping’ is the time-honoured technique of sitting and watching a bird back to its nest – known to the cognoscenti by a vernacular verb involving a short word for posterior. Sticks are still a vital tool as it can be surprisingly difficult to locate the spot where the bird disappeared, especially Meadow Pipit is one of the NRS priority species; it is declining but information on breeding success is currently sparse.
on heaths where, as Ronald Reagan might have said “You’ve seen one bit of heather, you’ve seen them all”. Placing the stick in the vicinity of the nest site provides a good
Relocating nests in uniform habitats such as reedbeds often requires a map and GPS.
RICHARD CASTELL/CARL BARIMORE/DAVE LEECH/TONY DAVIS/EDMUND FELLOWES
THE EXCITEMENT AND INSPIRATION SURVIVED THE NIGHT, SO WE WERE ON A HIGH AS WE SET OFF EARLY THE NEXT MORNING.
The domed nest of the Chiffchaff is extremely well concealed in thick vegetation, typically 10–30cm off the ground.
marker for a second watch-back. These and
the field. At one point, a nest containing
other techniques were demonstrated and
eggs was found, but was it Blackcap or
practised in a variety of habitats, including
Garden Warbler? Three of the BTO’s finest
woodland, and the nests of 20 species were
pondered and debated but they couldn’t
located. These included Treecreeper, which
come to a conclusion. If nest records
course leader Tony Davis did admit had
are to be of use, there is no room for
nested under the same piece of bark the
guesswork masquerading as fact. These
previous year! This was another useful lesson
scientists knew that and were happy to
– pick a few patches that you can get to know
put personal egos aside – proof had to
well or specialise in a few species whose
await a further visit to see the actual bird,
habits and calls can become second nature
which turned out to be a Garden Warbler.
and your success rate should rise.
So, we had a great weekend, but ultimately was the course of any use
A WORTHWHILE WEEKEND
when we got home? Well, in the 14
Before attending the course we had bought
weeks of nesting before the course we
the newly published BTO nest-finding
had found no ground nesters. In the
guide, which we have found invaluable, but
subsequent nine weeks we found 21, and
there really is no substitute for absorbing
our third-ever Meadow Pipit nest turned
the field-craft of experienced nesters in
out to contain a Cuckoo!
2 013 | BTO Volunteer Magazine
Find o ut more about nest recor www ding at
.bto.o rg
/nrs or ph 01842 one 75005 0 23