Making a real difference for birds
From the British Trust for Ornithology
LINKing PEOPLE, BIRDS AND CONSERVATION Discover the breadth of the BTO’s work
WH ON I AT ’S N Get in 2 012 vo i n train lv ing co ed and e ve urses your ants in rea
The Benefits of Contributing to the BTO How surveying really helped one volunteer develop his skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p10
WHY COUNTING BIRDS REALLY DOES COUNT Volunteers map the changing fortunes of Britain’s wildlife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p6
A WINDOW INTO THE WORLD OF BIRDS Tracking the spread of emerging diseases in our garden birds . . . . . . . . . . p14
E d i to r i a l
Welcome... ... to Volunteer, a new BTO magazine designed to highlight the importance of volunteer birdwatchers and ringers to wildlife monitoring and conservation. Keeping in touch with 15,000 BTO members and 45,000 volunteers is a big challenge, and this new magazine, which replaces the March/April BTO News for members, aims to connect different strands of our work, provide feedback on what we are achieving together and inform others of the enormous value of volunteers to monitoring birds. A large part of the cost of producing and distributing Volunteer has been provided by Defra, in recognition of the huge contribution you all make to monitoring work. We are delighted to have their support for this new initiative. Why ‘Volunteer’? In 2010, we undertook some research to find out how we could make your experience of supporting the BTO better. In response to your input we’ve completely revamped our website, created new bird ID videos,
increased the number of bird ID and Survey training courses, worked harder at tailoring BTO surveys more towards birders, and raised the profile of our work. You also identified the need for a single magazine for all BTO supporters, providing a way for members and volunteers to learn more about our different surveys and to see how your contributions fit with the rest of the work that we do. Our intention from the outset for this new magazine was to capture the extraordinary enthusiasm, passion and expertise that is shared between BTO volunteers, members, staff and supporters. I hope we’ve caught at least some of this flavour and that you enjoy reading the magazine. I’d love to be able to present more volunteer experiences, stories and projects in all of our publications so, if you’ve got a story you’d like to share, please do get in touch; I’d love to hear from you. Happy birdwatching,
Ieuan Evans Head of Membership and Volunteer Engagement
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Defra is delighted to support this first issue of Volunteer and to celebrate the key role that birdwatchers and bird ringers play in monitoring what is happening to our natural environment. When we published our new England Biodiversity Strategy (‘Biodiversity 2020’) in August last year we highlighted the importance of monitoring and surveillance to ensure that we can assess whether the Strategy is having the impact
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that we expect. So, I should like to record my thanks to the 60,000 people who get involved in the surveys that are organised by the British Trust for Ornithology, often working with other organisations. Through its partnership with the JNCC, the BTO provides the facts that underpin the decisions we make about how to manage the natural heritage of these islands. Whether you count birds on a wetland, in the hills or in
your own garden, you are making a real difference. It’s birdwatching with a purpose – as well as for pleasure.
Richard Benyon MP Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at DEFRA
BTO Volunteer Magazine | 2 012
c o n t e n ts
In this issue... pg10
Cover photographs: David tipling davidtipling.com/Edmund Fellowes/rachel irvine Contents: Steven Round stevenround-birdphotography.co.uk/Paul reddish
pg16 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 A new magazine for members & volunteers. Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Around the country . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Catching up with what’s new and what’s been happening in your region.
Nightingales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 A major new survey for Spring 2012. Find out more and how you can help.
pg8
pg22
Tracking winter seabirds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Legacy of a legacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
How novel tracking methods, and simple sightings of ringed birds, can solve a mystery.
There are other ways to help birds and research; the story of one woman’s lasting legacy for nesting birds.
From Manchester . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 One volunteer shares his experiences of taking part in a BTO survey.
Get involved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Surveying does not need to be a major operation – you can even take part from the comfort of your own home!
Lapwings – the whole story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Different surveys are designed to answer different questions. We select one species and show you how this is all brought together. Giving it back . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 What do we do for you?
Counting birds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Fitting it all together . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
What’s on in 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Find out why counting birds really does matter for conservation.
How your records feed into science, with remarkable results.
Skill building, surveys and events for you to get involved in.
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 Road, 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)
2 012 | BTO Volunteer Magazine
ISBN 978-1-908581-01-3
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 & Su Gough Layout, design, imagesetting and typesetting O’Connor Design Consultants
Printing Breckland Print, New Road, Attleborough, Norfolk NR17 1YE BTO Membership Individual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £31 Family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £41 Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £775 Fellow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £52 Family Fellow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £62 Life Fellow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £1300 Fellows receive Bird Study journal. Concessionary membership is available.
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 Editor welcomes any articles on birds. © BTO 2012. Quotations should carry a full acknowledgement.
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W h at ’s N ew The latest news...
Regional Round-up
Looking out for birds, wherever you live. There are different priorities across the
Northern Ireland
UK but there is something for everyone to do
Every extra volunteer
this spring, and the Thrushes Survey to look
makes a difference in
forward to in the autumn. And don’t forget that
Northern Ireland. We
local atlas work is still being organised by bird
need more help with
clubs from Shetland to Cornwall. See www.
Fieldfare
just about every survey:
bto.org/training and www.bto.org/news-
Garden BirdWatchers, ringers, Wetland Bird
of a visit to a 1-km square in April, May and
events as well as the article on page 22.
Survey (WeBS) counters, nest recorders and,
June. Data can be submitted via a user-friendly
as elsewhere, we need to cover more BBS
web interface or on paper forms. To take part,
scotland
squares to ensure we have the information
contact your Regional Representative in Wales
With so many
needed to guide conservation policy in the
or, if you feel like crossing Offa’s Dyke and
birdwatchers concentrated
Province. There are 12 training events to ease
visiting some stunning Welsh countryside,
within the central belt of
your way into one of these surveys. We are
contact me or visit www.bto.org/national-
the country, our focus in
also trying to monitor all the heronries in
offices/cymru
Scotland is to improve
Northern Ireland – if you know of one, let
Contact Kelvin Jones E-mail: kelvin.jones@
the coverage elsewhere. BTO Regional
me know. You might even confirm the first
bto.org tel: 01248 383285
Representatives are contacting people who
breeding of Little Egrets!
kindly supported Bird Atlas 2007–11, to
Contact Shane Wolsey E-mail: shane.
All around the UK
ask them to sign up for the Breeding Bird
wolsey@bto.org
Apart from a few Redwings which will breed in Scotland, the rest of our winter thrushes
Survey (BBS) squares which fall within their tetrads, but further offers of help will be
Wales
will be leaving in the next couple of weeks.
much appreciated. With such rapid changes
The big challenge for
When they return next autumn, we’ll be asking
happening to breeding birds in Scotland,
BTO volunteers in Wales
birdwatchers to chart their arrival and monitor
achieving good BBS coverage has never been
this summer is to survey
how their distributions change. We will also
more important; six species have declined
Wheatear, Whinchat and
want to assess the importance of the different
significantly in Scotland since the start of the
Stonechat. The first two
habitats they use, especially when the weather
BBS survey, with the greatest declines shown
species are in rapid decline, and the last
turns colder. We need to know what the balance
by Kestrel, Curlew, Lapwing and Meadow
one is interesting in that it is so responsive
is between the use of hedgerows and fields,
Pipit. Check out our training pages
to changes in winter weather patterns. BBS
how crucial orchards are to Fieldfares, and when
(www.bto.org/scotland/training) with details
is the principal means for recording changes
gardens become really important. The UK is
of local training courses.
in populations but we need a more detailed
internationally important for thrushes and, with
Contact Mandy Cook E-mail: mandy.
survey of the distribution and habitat
populations in decline, we really need to answer
cook@bto.org tel: 01786 466560
requirements of chats. The survey consists
some of these questions.
keep an eye out for The famous five!
If you haven’t been following our Cuckoo satellite-tracking project, now is a great time to tune in. All five birds made it safely to Africa, to spend winter in and around the Congo rainforest, and February saw some movements northwards. We are now eagerly awaiting their return to the UK and
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the start of spring! Which will be the first of the ‘famous five’ to return to the UK? What will we learn when we start to track their Scottish cousins – birds which occupy sites where numbers do not appear to be declining? You can sponsor a Cuckoo and follow their journeys at www.bto.org/cuckoos
(Late February 2012)
BTO Volunteer Magazine | 2 012
W h at ’s N ew Join in...
Nightingale survey
We’re in the dark when it comes to Nightingales. If you are prepared to get up early (or stay up very late) then your records can help to explain what is happening.
in Brief one for the oldies!
Some of our volunteers have been counting birds for 60 years – others have just started – while there are birds that have been collecting data for over 40 years, simply by carrying a BTO ring. 1. Manx Shearwater (2003) Minimum age . . . . . . . . . . 49yr 11m 5d
In Britain, the breeding distribution of
2. Razorbill (2004, below) Minimum age . . . . . . . 41yr 11m 23d
the Nightingale has always been restricted to the southeast and we know that this
3. Fulmar (1992) Minimum age . . . . . . . 40yr 10m 16d
range has been contracting since at least the 1960s. According to Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) data, numbers have dropped
4. Oystercatcher (2010) Minimum age . . . . . . . . . . . . 40yr 1m 2d
57% between 1995 and 2009. Possible explanations include loss of suitable breeding habitat, changes within the West African wintering grounds and problems on migration, but we need to know
Edmund Fellowes/Steven Smith/Mary Wolsey/Gerallt Pennant/©Google maps/David tipling davidtipling.com/Luke Delve
more in order to prescribe some positive conservation action for this special species.
darkest hours of the night. Failure to attract
This spring we are asking volunteers
a mate could be an important feature of the
to help with a full survey of breeding
Nightingale’s population dynamics.
Nightingales across Britain, to map all singing males and compare numbers and distribution with the previous survey
what the survey requires Two morning visits (between an hour
in 1999. Over 2,700 tetrads have been
before sunrise and 0900 hrs), during 21
identified for coverage, based on sites
April to 14 May.
occupied in 1999 or within the past five
Two (optional) nocturnal visits (between
years, but also including 300 randomly
midnight and 0300 hrs), during 18 May to
Welsh Hawfinch Hope
selected unoccupied tetrads from within the
4 June (only required if males have been
known range – to assess the completeness
heard during morning/daytime visits).
Contrary to what is happening in the rest of the country, the Welsh population of Hawfinches has boomed in recent years. Hawfinches are scarce and elusive birds, but several Welsh ringers have developed a reliable technique for catching them. Birdwatchers can help by looking out for birds wearing coloured rings. Hopefully these shy birds will start giving up some of their secrets.
of survey coverage. Knowing where Nightingales are in 2012,
Additional records will also be welcome, via BirdTrack or on paper.
and which habitats they are using, will be vital in aiding their future conservation.
We need your help
For example, there may be opportunities
With so many tetrads to cover, all offers
to create woodland habitats, suitable for
of help with this survey will be greatly
nesting, in areas where the availability of
appreciated. Please contact your BTO
habitat appears to be limiting population
Regional Representative for details of tetrads
growth, or to give more protection to
in your area and to obtain survey forms and
Nightingales at key sites.
maps. Further details can be found on the
A novel element of the 2012 survey will be the use of night-time visits to assess
BTO website at: www.bto.org/nightingale-survey
the number of paired and unpaired males. All territorial males sing in the daytime
Contacts
(especially at dawn and dusk) but only
Greg Conway greg.conway@bto.org and
unpaired males continue to sing during the
John Marchant john.marchant@bto.org
2 012 | BTO Volunteer Magazine
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Counting Birds
Why counting
counts
Understanding why birdwatchers compulsively count the birds they see would make a fascinating psychological study. One of BTO’s biggest counters at the moment is BirdTrack Organiser Nick Moran. Here Nick reveals what got him started and why he thinks counting birds is so important.
My earliest BirdTrack list reveals
number of butterflies in a joint project
the beginnings of my own tendency to
with Butterfly Conservation.
count – amid the 30 species I logged at
Another key reason to count
600
Wheldrake Ings as a 10-year-old come the
individuals of particular species
telltale numbers: Shelduck 2, Goldeneye
is so that population estimates
2, Goosander 2. The fact that I counted
can be generated, whether
the ‘more interesting’ species I recorded all
that is at a national scale or
those years ago is probably attributable to
for specific sites. For example,
the good habits instilled in me by my birding
the Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS)
role models at the time; the local YOC leader,
makes direct use of waterbird counts
Harry Hulse, and my dad, Neil. If someone
from wetland sites across the UK to assess
estimate of the number of birds using each
had asked me why I counted, I would have
changes in the numbers and distribution
site can be made. The results are used to
struggled to give a good answer. Twenty-
of waterbirds. WeBS volunteers count at
recognise important sites for waterbirds,
something years on and I’m still at it, the
coordinated times so that counts can be
identify and evaluate the effects of proposed
difference being that I now have a clearer
consolidated for larger sites, such as estuaries
development, and monitor Special Protection
understanding of the value of counting
and large inland waters, and an accurate
Areas and Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
The min imu of Bitter m number ns in th during w e UK inter 2009/10 .
individual birds.
Steven Round stevenround-birdphotography.co.uk/David tipling davidtipling.com
Keeping track of populations One of the more obvious reasons for keeping running totals of birds is so that population trends can be produced. Counts are central to the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) methodology, for example; for this volunteers count the number of individuals of each species they encounter within a predetermined 1-km square, and researchers then compare these actual values to the counts made in previous years. A population change is calculated for every BBS square, and all these individual changes are combined to produce population trends for each species. BBS volunteers also collect vital data on the numbers of mammals by tallying any they find during the two annual visits they make to their BBS square. Many make additional visits to their squares to survey the
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Even counts of common species, like Blue Tit, contribute to conservation science, through surveys such as BBS, weekly Garden BirdWatch returns and the careful monitoring of eggs and chicks in nests.
BTO Volunteer Magazine | 2 012
Counting Birds
Nick (right), his dad and (non-birding) brother, circa 1985, already on the look out for birds. Whether participating in a structured survey or doing your day-to-day birdwatching, there’s value in noting the number of individuals encountered.
For Grey Herons, monitored since 1928
islands – and following the progress of these
through nest-counting at heronries, it is
nests – Nest Record Scheme participants
annual population estimates that reveal
provide vital information about the timing
the national and regional population
of breeding and the number of fledglings
trends. Counts made and submitted in
raised. These figures provide a powerful tool
less structured formats are valuable too; for
for understanding the impacts of habitat and
example, the recent estimate of the number
climate change, amongst other variables,
of Bitterns spending the winter in the UK
on breeding success, and the influence
relied heavily on ‘casual’ birdwatching records
of breeding success on the size of the
submitted via BirdTrack, BirdGuides and the
population.
county bird recording network.
One of the less tangible uses for counts is shown by some recent analyses of detectability,
Intriguing patterns revealed
in which birds counted by BBS volunteers were
The 2013 publication of Bird Atlas 2007–11 is
used to work out the likely number of birds
being eagerly anticipated in bird conservation
present but not actually detected during the
circles. Counts made during the ‘Timed Tetrad
survey. BBS volunteers record their counts in
Visit’ element of this comprehensive stocktake
distance bands, making it possible to calculate
of Britain and Ireland’s birds are being used
the detectability of different species at different
to map the relative abundance of different
distances from the observer, and hence how
species, revealing some intriguing patterns.
many individuals were probably missed. Adding
One such pattern is the abundance of both
the number of birds recorded by sight or sound
Blue and Great Tits, which the Atlas reveals is
to those that went undetected presents the
lower in Ireland than it is in Britain.
unique opportunity to produce an estimate
Counting is not just about individuals,
of the actual number of birds present. As a
though. By recording counts of eggs and
10-year-old birdwatcher, I would have struggled
chicks in any nests that they find, from those
to comprehend the idea that I was also
of Blue Tits in gardens to Kittiwakes on remote
counting birds that I could not see or hear!
2 012 | BTO Volunteer Magazine
Any counts that you would like to contribute will help us to build a more complete picture of movements, migrations and distributions.
Acknowledgements BirdTrack is organised by the BTO, on behalf of the BTO, RSPB, BirdWatch Ireland and the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club. The Breeding Bird Survey is run by the BTO and is jointly funded by BTO, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) and the RSPB. The BTO Nest Record Scheme is funded by a partnership of the BTO and the JNCC. The Wetland Bird Survey is a partnership between the BTO, the RSPB and the JNCC, in association with the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. BTO Garden BirdWatch is funded by BTO Garden BirdWatchers Find out more Wootton, S., Grantham, M.J., Moran, N.J. & Gilbert, G. (2011). Eurasian Bittern distribution and abundance in the UK during the 2009/10 winter. British Birds 104: 636–641.
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t r ac k i n g w i n t e r s e a b i r d s
Where do our seabirds go in We’re pretty good at monitoring our seabirds in summer; we can count breeding pairs and the chicks they rear. But we don’t know so much about where they go in winter, or how they cope with short winter days and life-threatening storms. To protect our seabirds and understand population declines, we need to know where they winter and how their location affects survival. Guest authors Jane Reid, Francis Daunt, Sarah Wanless & Hannah Grist take up the story.
Then, relocate them in the winter There’s no point in ringing all those Shags on balmy summer days if we don’t invest even greater effort in looking for them in the depths of winter. Initially, we and a few die hard accomplices went and looked for the Shags ourselves. But Britain is too big for just us; reinforcements were required!
We get some information on winter
First, ring them
Just as multiple BTO ringing groups helped
locations from recoveries of ringed seabirds
We’re working with ringers and birdwatchers
increase the number of Shags ringed, SOC
that are found dead, but these recoveries
to track the year-round movements and
members and other birdwatchers are helping
don’t tell us about individuals that are still
survival of Shags, which can be ringed in large
to increase the number and geographical
alive. New tracking technologies let us
numbers and use favoured coastal roost sites,
spread of subsequent sightings. Over the last
follow individuals in amazing detail, but
where their rings can be seen, throughout
three winters we have accumulated more
usually we can’t track enough individuals
the year. Over the last 15 years, over 12,000
than 8,500 sightings of over 2,500 individual
to measure variation in survival between
Shags have been colour-ringed as chicks
ringed Shags, seen by 60 different observers
different areas, males and females or adults
or breeding adults on the Isle of May NNR,
from Norfolk to Orkney. Now we can answer
and juveniles. So, how are we going to
as part of a long-term study by CEH. Each
our first question: ‘where do our ringed Shags
make progress? One way is to use simple,
individual gets a coloured plastic ring with a
spend the winter?’ The simple answer is ‘all
tried and tested methods: ringing and
unique three-letter code (for example, Red
over the place’, but these movements are
birdwatching. We can colour-ring lots of
JNH, see below). This code can be read using
not just random, and some really fascinating
individuals and look for them in subsequent
a telescope, or photographed, up to 150m
patterns are emerging.
seasons. That might seem like a daunting
away. During 2009–11 other ringing groups
task, but it can be done if we choose the
have also helped, and together we’ve colour-
winter near where they hatched or bred. But
right species and mobilise squadrons of
ringed 4,800 Shags across nine colonies from
some individuals move much further afield.
enthusiastic ringers and birdwatchers!
the Farne Islands to Caithness (Fig 1).
In fact, individuals that were ringed at any
Unsurprisingly, some Shags spend the
Badbea, Caithness Robin Sellers 105
North Sutor Bob Swann & Highland RG 85
Inverness Bullers of Buchan Raymond Duncan & Grampian RG 274
Portknockie Fraserburgh Peterhead Aberdeen Fife Ness
Forth Islands John Davies & Forth Seabird Group 637
Farne Islands Chris Redfern & Northumbria Natural History Society RG 274
Isle of May CEH 3399
Dunbar Berwick-uponTweed Blyth
Fig 1 Map showing the locations of the breeding colonies where Shags have been
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Colour-ringed Shags from different colonies winter in the
colour-ringed, the ringing totals for the last three years, and the names of the ringers/
harbour at Fraserburgh. Ring resightings show that the same
ringing groups involved. The main winter areas mentioned in the text are also included.
individuals return year after year to the same spot.
BTO Volunteer Magazine | 2 012
t r ac k i n g w i n t e r s e a b i r d s
Steven Round stevenround-birdphotography.co.uk/©Google maps/ruud altenburg
winter…
and why?
breeding colony can turn up almost anywhere
Inverness to Portknockie, Peterhead, Fife
in winter. Peterhead and Fraserburgh
Ness, Dunbar, Berwick or Blyth.
harbours are particularly exciting places if
The big questions now are why
you’re into winter Shag-spotting; over 150
individuals go where they do and what
different ringed individuals were sighted in
are the consequences of their choices? Do
each place during October–December 2011.
individuals move to find better food supplies,
A chilly December day spent in Fraserburgh
and if so why don’t all Shags move to the
can reveal Shags that originated everywhere
best places? Might winter movements have
from the Farnes to Caithness!
a genetic basis, meaning that some Shags have a genetic propensity to travel further in
3ft to the left? It must
winter? Do members of the same family or
be ‘red jnh’!
mated pairs travel together, or do they spend
Now that we’re into our third winter of
the winter hundreds of kilometres apart?
sightings, an even more fascinating pattern is evident: individual Shags are often incredibly
We need your sightings
faithful to their own particular wintering
of Shags
spot. For example, several individuals
If we’re going to answer these
that were ringed and breed on the
fascinating questions we’ll need
Isle of May spend each winter
many more sightings of ringed Shags
in Fraserburgh. Not only that,
from all along the North Sea coast.
but they return to exactly the
So, if you’re out on the coast you
same spot on the harbour
know what to do: please check those
wall! Other adults that
Shags for colour rings and send us
breed on the Isle of May
your sightings (shags@ceh.ac.uk).
are equally faithful to
We’d be really delighted to receive
particular wintering
observations from anywhere at any
spots everywhere from
time of year! Find out more The authors carry out this work through several organisations. Jane Reid (University of Aberdeen), Francis Daunt and Sarah Wanless (Centre for Ecology and Hydrology – CEH) and Hannah Grist (University of Aberdeen, CEH and Scottish Ornithologists’ Club – SOC). To find out more about the work they are carrying out visit www.abdn.ac.uk, www.ceh.ac.uk and www.the-soc.org.uk. If you wish to report a sighting of a colour-ringed Shag, please contact shags@ceh.ac.uk with the location, ring colour and all three letters.
2 012 | BTO Volunteer Magazine
9
S t e ph e n’s v i ew
Volunteer fieldwork
From Manchester
Volunteer Stephen Young, from Manchester, shares with us why he got involved in doing fieldwork for Bird Atlas 2007–11 and explains why he believes it has had a positive effect on his birding skills.
spaces which have the greatest biodiversity value has important implications for planners, developers, and environmental groups and agencies and runs nicely in tandem with the national Atlas. I had the time, and love walking
Looking out for birds in urban areas? It’s not just sparrows and pig eons: listen out for singing Blackbirds, loo k down from bridges for Grey Wagtails and look up for screaming Swifts ove rhead.
I live in Greater Manchester – perhaps
and exploring new areas. It was a real
not the best birding area in the country
opportunity to ‘make my birding count’.
you might think, but Bird Atlas 2007–11
Thinking about how best to tackle the
covers the entire country, from coast to
fieldwork, I suspected that the more
mountain-top and everything in-between.
experienced birders would focus initially on
Manchester is a post-industrial city that
the ‘hotspots’ like Audenshaw Reservoirs
struggles with all the usual 21st century
and Pennington Flash. It seemed to
pressures for investment and development
me that this was an opportunity for an
and I could see that this was an especially
inexperienced bird recorder like me to get
important project, because of the need
the winter numbers up, find the commoner
to examine the changing distributions
breeding birds in spring and attempt to
of birds in the context of climate and
confirm breeding. Then the more skilled
environmental change. I had heard the
birders could find the less common
BTO tag line ‘Make your birding count’
species and top up the confirmed breeding
and thought this summed up nicely the
status of the ones I had missed.
link between enjoying birding on the one
Above all, though, I knew this was a
hand, and adding to the evidence base
fantastic opportunity to learn a lot. Taking
that feeds into government and council
on two tetrads for the 2004–07 Cheshire
plans and priorities on the other.
Atlas had shown me that! During the fieldwork for that I’d assimilated a lot
Make MY birding count
about ID, habitat, song and ‘jizz’, so I knew
This was not the only reason I decided to
that this learning would carry on if I got
get involved. In Greater Manchester the
involved in an even bigger project like the
aim was also to repeat the local Atlas, last done in 1984. Identifying sites and green
10
BTO Volunteer Magazine | 2 012
S t e ph e n’s v i ew
Apart from the newly fled ged Goldcrests, another great memory is wat ching a Peregrine chase Feral Pigeon s around the Town Hall clock. I reckon the biggest ‘wows’ come from finding things for yourself.
national Atlas. The Atlas, in effect, took me on a four-year training course! Lifelong benefit – become a better birder
approaching a couple of mill ponds where
And the result? I’ve become much better
I’d earlier seen adults. I’ve developed a much better knowledge
as I walk. I’ve also learnt to pick up more
of the microhabitats that different species
at the edge of my vision and that’s led to
use and the types of food they need for
me being much better at ‘jizz’. For years I
their young. I found the ‘week-by-week hints’
used to focus almost entirely on the colour
feature on the Atlas website really helpful.
of birds, but I’ve found it becomes almost
Seeing the breeding season as a ‘week-by-
misleading when you’re in the field – there
week’ process is a new way of thinking for
are so many occasions when you see very
me and it’s certainly sent me back to the
little colour. So you’re left with just that
books with a different sense of perspective.
‘general impression’, having to interpret the relative size, shape and how they fly and/or
Swept away
move on the ground or on water. This has
I had simply no idea how involved I’d get!
been simply the biggest and best gain of all.
The Atlas website itself played a crucial
I’ve become much better at identifying
role in increasing the numbers of records
birds by sound and I’ve learnt to listen
that I contributed. My wife also liked the
in May/June for those tiny high-pitched
way I could locate precise spots that
calls in trees and hedges that reveal the
lacked records, meaning we could help
presence of newly fledged family groups.
cover these areas during a trip out onto
One of last year’s highlights was finding
the moors above Manchester, or when
a family of tiny Goldcrest – I’ve never
booking a cottage on a favourite Hebridean
done that before! My fieldcraft skills have
island. The website says I’ve contributed to
improved as well. I managed to find
19 Timed Tetrad Visits and around 4,800
fluffy young Moorhen in two tetrads by
Roving Records. I’d been sure at the start
making sure I stayed out of view when
that if I threw myself into it I’d have some great birds and terrific memories, but I had no idea just how swept up I’d get in it all.
2 012 | BTO Volunteer Magazine
Steven Round stevenround-birdphotography.co.uk/rod calbrade/OS - Crown Copyright and Database Right 2011
at looking all around, above and behind,
I’ve developed a much better knowledge of the microhabitats that different species use and the types of food they need for their young. I found the ‘week-by-week hints’ feature on the Atlas website really helpful.
11
G et i n vo lv e d
Pull up a chair: your contribution begins
AT Home
It is not just by being out in the field, binoculars in hand, that BTO birdwatchers contribute to our work. For many, the volunteering begins in the living room. As this article reveals, there are many ways in which you can make a contribution from the comfort of your own home.
A time to sit and stare
think of themselves as birdwatchers, simply
an incredible 3.3 million birds from the paper
Gardens are an important habitat in their own
because they do not go birdwatching in the
archive of ringing schedules. John recently
right, being the major contributors to urban
wider countryside. Equally important is the
received the BTO’s Jubilee Medal in recognition
biodiversity. They are, however, difficult to
accessibility of GBW to those less mobile and
of his contribution.
monitor using conventional surveys; think of
no longer able to contribute to more active
the looks you would get if you went around
surveys some distance from home.
A wider network In many ways the unsung heroes of the BTO
peering into other people’s gardens with your binoculars! Fortunately, we have been able
Working behind the scenes,
family are the volunteers who operate the
to tap into the enthusiasm that many people
from home
BTO’s Regional Network. Collectively, these
have for their gardens, engaging them in the
Before personal computers and the Internet
Regional Representatives, GBW Ambassadors
weekly collection of the information that we
became key to data collection, the vast majority
and local organisers help to coordinate our
need. With its 15,000 participants, BTO’s
of records were submitted to the BTO on
surveys and promote our work at the local
Garden BirdWatch (GBW) survey has been
paper. Many of these paper-based data have
level. Many have looked after the BTO and
exploring the ways in which birds (and other
now been computerised, most of them by
its volunteers for years, and the chances are
wildlife) use gardens and how this use has
volunteers, entering data from such schemes
that you will have had dealings with your local
changed over time. We now have 80 million
as Bird Atlas 2007–11, WeBS and BBS. In the
representatives at some stage.
records collected through GBW, records
case of the Nest Record Scheme, for example,
that reveal seasonal patterns in garden use
some 65,776 nest records have been input by
only about being out in the field and collecting
and long-term changes that reflect factors
volunteers, including 14,868 Pied Flycatcher,
records. It is more than this, and there are
operating at a wider spatial scale (see right
4,770 Woodpigeon and 5,106 Coal Tit records.
many different ways in which people make an
and article on pp14-15).
The long-term trends that we now produce for
important contribution to our work. All deserve
these species in the BirdTrends report (www.
due recognition for their efforts and for giving
in particular increasing pressures on land
bto.org/birdtrends) could only be constructed
so freely in support of the BTO.
for development, mean that it is essential
because of this additional data inputting. Two
for us to understand how gardens are used
key inputters of Nest Record data are Mike
by birds and other wildlife. This makes
Reed, who has input 11,748 nest records, and
birdwatching at home all the more important.
Michael Palles-Clark, who has input 41,229. The
Garden-based surveys additionally broaden
value of our ringing data has also been given a
the BTO’s constituency, bringing in new
fantastic boost because of volunteer inputters,
volunteers and enabling them to make a
particularly through the efforts of John Bonell,
contribution, including those who may not
who has so far input the ringing information for
Changes in the wider countryside, and
12
Being part of the BTO’s family, then, is not
Find out more Chamberlain, D.E., Gosler, A.G. & Glue, D.E. (2007). Effects of the winter beechmast crop on bird occurrence in British gardens. Bird Study 54: 120–126. McKenzie, A.J., Petty, S.J., Toms, M.P. & Furness, R.W. (2007). Importance of Sitka Spruce Picea sitchensis seed and garden bird-feeders for Siskins Carduelis spinus and Coal Tits Periparus ater. Bird Study 54: 236–247.
BTO Volunteer Magazine | 2 012
G et i n vo lv e d
Co al Ti ts an d Sp ru ce se ed
Use of gardens by Coal Tits
The use of garden fee ders by Coal Tits is lower in those years the crop of Sitka Sp when ruce seed has been go od (arrows). 75
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Seed crops and garden use
Birds are mobile and may respond to changing food resources by moving between sites or habitats. Examination of data collected through GBW and the Garden Bird Feeding Survey (GBFS) has revealed that several species increase their use of garden feeding stations in those years when seed crops (of tree species like Sitka Spruce and Beech) are poor. In years when crops are good, the use of gardens by species like Siskin, Coal Tit (pictured), Chaffinch and Great Tit is reduced (see above).
2 012 | BTO Volunteer Magazine
To out m find ore part in , or to take BTO Gard BirdW atch v en isit ww
w.bto. o gbw rg/
13
Vo lu n t e e r o b s e rvat i o n s & r e s e a rc h
fitting it all together The Garden Bird Health initiative was already underway, when a new disease was discovered in Chaffinches and Greenfinches. This placed us in a perfect position to monitor the spread and impact of this disease – trichomonosis – previously known mainly in pigeons and domestic birds. Mike Toms takes up the story.
Origins
and forwarding some specimens for post-
Trichomonosis is a well-known disease of
mortem examination. Information from the
component proved particularly useful,
pigeons and doves – and of raptors that
BTO volunteer network was used alongside
allowing us to build up a picture of the
eat infected prey – causing lesions in the
opportunistic observations, largely collated
occurrence and spread of the disease
throat and gullet that can interfere with
through the RSPB’s Wildlife Enquiries Unit or
during the initial years of the outbreak
the bird’s ability to swallow. The disease
directly via the veterinary laboratories. All of
(2006–2008). While the impact of the
was first recognised in British passerines in
this work was carried out under the Garden
disease on the numbers of Greenfinches
2005, when sick and dead Greenfinches
Bird Health initiative (GBHi), a working group
and Chaffinches seen using gardens was
and Chaffinches were encountered with the
bringing together ornithologists, vets, micro-
obvious, it was not until BTO researchers
disease. The following year saw widespread
biologists and representatives from industry.
were able to bring in information from the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) that the effects
epidemic mortality the timing of which coincided with noticeable declines in BTO Garden BirdWatch (GBW) reporting rates and
on breeding populations became clear. This
Origins of UK wintering Chaffinches
analysis revealed that the summer 2006 outbreak had brought about a 35% decline
count data for both Greenfinch and Chaffinch.
in the breeding Greenfinch population and a 20% decline in the breeding Chaffinch
trichomonosis
population in the region with the greatest
At the time of the outbreak, some 750 BTO
level of disease incidence (central and
volunteers were already involved in a project
western counties of England). Something
investigating the incidence of disease in birds
like 500,000 Greenfinches were lost as
visiting garden feeding stations. These BTO Garden BirdWatchers were systematically reporting dead and diseased birds observed in their garden on a weekly basis, liaising with staff at nominated veterinary laboratories
14
Many of our wintering Chaffinches arrive from Fennoscandia, returning there in spring.
from ‘time to fly’ j. flegg
Tracking the emergence of
a result of the 2006 outbreak. While BTO researchers were working on the population level impacts of the disease, the vets (led by Becki Lawson at the Institute of Zoology) were busy confirming that it was a new
BTO Volunteer Magazine | 2 012
northeastwildlife northeastwildlife.co.uk/Steven Round stevenround-birdphotography.co.uk
The systematic nature of the BTO
Vo lu n t e e r o b s e rvat i o n s & r e s e a rc h Both Chaffinch (left) and Greenfinch (right) have been affected by the outbreak of trichomonosis. Thanks to participants in GBW and BBS we have been able to track the impact of the disease on populations of these species.
Gre enfi nch es in gard ens Imp act of trich omo nos is on
was having an impact on Greenfinches One of the first signs that trichomonosis rate, a measure of garden use. was the sudden decline in GBW reporting
% of gardens with Greenfinches
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strain of the protozoan parasite Trichomonas
might have arrived via migratory birds that had
gallinae that was behind this emerging
wintered in Britain. This was supported by a
infectious disease.
molecular analysis, which found no variation between the British and Fennoscandian
On the move
parasite strains involved. An examination
There was a pronounced shift in the disease
of ring-recovery data suggests Chaffinch
epicentre towards eastern England in 2007,
as the most likely vector. Fennoscandian
something that can also be seen in the
Greenfinches tend to winter in the Low
shifting pattern of recoveries of rings from
Countries, while Fennoscandian Chaffinches
Greenfinches found dead. An examination of
winter here. The disease has since been
BTO ring-recovery data found that, in the ten
reported from Germany, suggesting that it
years before the 2006 outbreak, reports of
might now spread to other parts of Europe.
dead ringed Greenfinches were more or less
This work has highlighted the importance
evenly distributed across England with respect
of co-ordinated surveillance schemes for
to longitude. In 2006, 60% of the recoveries
disease monitoring and, importantly, the
came from a region stretching from 3.5°W
tremendous role that volunteers can play in
(mid Wales) to 1°W (Nottingham), whereas
this kind of research. The partnership between
in 2007, 66% of the recoveries came from
volunteers and researchers, the latter drawn
a region spanning 1.5°W (Southampton and
from a range of organisations and disciplines,
Sheffield) to 1°E (east London), a significant
has been key to the success of this work. In
shift in median longitude.
this case, the quick response was of particular importance; by understanding the nature of
Crossing the continent
the emerging disease, we have been able
During 2008 the disease emerged in
to support conservation policy and provide
Scandinavia, the timing suggesting that it
informed advice in a timely fashion.
2 012 | BTO Volunteer Magazine
Acknowledgements The Garden Bird Health initiative (GBHi) was established as a UFAW Working Group in 2003 and operated until spring 2010. It brought together researchers from different backgrounds and was generously sponsored by the Birdcare Standards Association, British Veterinary Association Animal Welfare Foundation, BTO Garden BirdWatchers, CJ Wildbird Foods Ltd, Cranswick Pet Products, Defra, Gardman Ltd, RCVS Trust, RSPB, Tom Chambers Ltd, The John and Pamela Salter Trust and UFAW. Find out more Lawson, B., Cunningham, A.A., Chantrey, J., Hughes, L.A., John, S.K., Bunbury, N., Bell, D.J., Tyler, K.M. (2011) A clonal strain of Trichomonas gallinae is the aetiologic agent of an emerging avian epidemic disease. Infect Genet Evol 11, 1638–1645. Lawson, B., Robinson, R.A., Neimanis, A., Handeland, K., Isomursu, M., Agren, E.O., Hamnes, I.S., Tyler, K.M., Chantrey, J., Hughes, L.A. et al. (2011) Evidence of spread of the emerging infectious disease finch trichomonosis, by migrating birds. Ecohealth 8, 143–153. Robinson, R.A., Lawson, B., Toms, M.P., Peck, K.M., Kirkwood, J.K., Chantrey, J., Clatworthy, I.R., Evans, A.D., Hughes, L.A., Hutchinson, O.C. et al. (2012) Emerging infectious disease leads to rapid population declines of common British birds. PLoS ONE. 5, e12215 (doi 10.1371/journal.pone.0012215).
15
I n v e stin g in birds
If conservationists are to have any
recruits. To this end, we developed the NRS
chance of reversing population declines,
Quickstart Guide, which contains everything
they must first understand what is causing
you ever need to know about becoming a
them. The devastating influence of DDT and
nest recorder in six colourful pages. The BTO
other organochlorine pesticides on songbird
Field Guide to Monitoring Nests, written by
numbers, prior to it being banned in the
James Ferguson-Lees, Richard Castell and
1970s, is testament to the impact that a
myself, provides additional guidance on
reduction in breeding success can have
finding, identifying and monitoring the nests
at a national scale. Recent declines of species
of 145 species. As there is no substitute for
such as Lapwing and Linnet have likewise
practical experience, we have also established
been linked to falling productivity. None of
a series of training courses, designed to help
this would be known if it were not for the
existing recorders develop their skills as they
incredible efforts of the thousands of
move towards monitoring trickier species.
volunteers who have contributed data to
Since 2007, the development of Nest
the BTO’s Nest Record Scheme (NRS) since
Box Challenge (NBC), in collaboration with
its inception in 1939.
the BBC has allowed anyone with a nest
It is difficult to imagine a world prior to the production of affordable binoculars and telescopes, but the ornithologists of the late 19th century had to work much harder to improve their knowledge; the fieldcraft required to locate nests forming an essential part of their armoury. During the 20th century, the increased accessibility of optical equipment and the negative perception of nest monitoring, fostered by the destructive behaviour of egg collectors, saw these skills gradually disappear. Nest recording schemes
The
legacy of a
legacy
across Europe began to fold and our own NRS was in serious trouble – but what could we do? Dilys Breese Throughout her career as a natural history broadcaster on both radio and television, Dilys Breese was passionate in her desire to involve amateurs in conservation. For her, it was not
box to record the contents on-line. Thanks to Dilys’s legacy, NBC was extended to include open-nesting species such as Blackbird and Collared Dove in 2009, and in 2012 work on the creation of a full on-line system for NRS will commence. So, has it all worked? The answer is a resounding ‘yes’. Over 40,000 nests were monitored in 2010, the fifth highest total in the last 70 years, and it’s not just a case of existing recorders collecting more data – the number of observers collecting data on declining species such as Dunnock,
The profile of the Nest Record Scheme has increased rapidly over the last few years. Dave Leech explains how one woman played a pivotal role without monitoring any nests herself...
Willow Warbler and Linnet has increased dramatically over the last three years (right). This recruitment is vital to the long-term sustainability of the NRS. Thank you, Dilys, as you continue to inspire and motivate amateurs to play their part in the fight to conserve our wildlife. Great progress is being made, but I’m sure she would agree that this is no time to rest
simply enough to observe wildlife – we should be actively involved in safeguarding it for future
the Nest Record Scheme, a survey which is
on our laurels; so make 2012 the year you
generations. With such an outlook, it was only
accessible to everyone, everywhere, without
became a nest recorder.
natural that she should become heavily involved
the need for expensive equipment, seemed
with BTO and, through her work as Honorary
a fitting recipient of Dilys’s support. With her
Secretary and Chair of the Garden BirdWatch
help, we have been able to undertake a series
Working Group, she had a huge impact on our
of improvements aimed at recruiting new nest
survey work. Her death in 2007 robbed us of
recorders and developing their skills, while also
one of our most enthusiastic supporters, but the
providing more support to existing volunteers.
inclusion of BTO as a beneficiary in her will has ensured that her influence on bird conservation
the next nesting generation
remains as significant as ever.
Tasked with creating the next generation of
Given her desire to bridge the gap between amateur and professional conservationists,
16
nest recorders, our first priority was to improve the guidance materials produced for new
Acknowledgements We greatly appreciate the support of Dilys Breese and the executor of her estate. Thanks also to the volunteers who make all this possible, be they nest recorders, training course leaders or data inputters, and the JNCC for the support that they give under the BTO/JNCC partnership on behalf of the Country Agencies. Find out more For more information on the Nest Record Scheme and how to take, part visit www.bto.org/nrs or email nrs@bto.org. To find out more about Nest Box Challenge visit www.bto.org/nbc.
BTO Volunteer Magazine | 2 012
I n v e stin g in birds
New nesters flock to NRS...
Why take p not Nest R art in the ecord Simpl Scheme? y visit
Numbers of observers submitting records of Willow Warbler, Linnet and Dunnock have all increased markedly as a result of work funded by Dilys Breese’s legacy since 2007 (see arrows below).
www. bto. nrs org/
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80 70 60 50 40 30 20
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Paul reddish/Northeastwildlife.co.uk/STEVEN ROUND stevenround-birdphotography.co.uk
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m o n i to r i n g L a p w i n g s
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1
years of
Lapwing enquiries
Lapwing is a good example of how different strands of targeted birdwatching and surveying can combine to help conservation scientists understand the factors driving population changes. BTO Senior Research Ecologist Simon Gillings explains.
turn of BTO ringers and nest recorders to
BTO members and surveyors have a
breeding Lapwing Surveys, with the aim
could no longer offset mortality. Detailed
long history of association with the Lapwing.
of refining population trends and updating
studies have now shown that nocturnal
First in 1937, Max Nicholson, and then in
habitat use information. Such ‘special surveys’
mammalian predation is one of the main
1960-61, Michael Lister organised Lapwing
are one of the key ways in which we can dig
causes of chick mortality.
Habitat Enquiries to understand the factors
beneath the surface of a trend to identify
governing distribution and abundance. With
factors potentially driving the changes. For
winter. Lapwings are renowned for their ability to
the advent of the Common Birds Census
the Lapwing, the observed 49% decline in
move in response to cold weather. Being reliant
(CBC) in the early 1960s, surveyors were
breeding numbers in England and Wales was
on soil invertebrates, especially earthworms,
monitoring Lapwing numbers on an annual
related to changes in agriculture, especially
long periods of frost or snow can render their
basis, a practice that has continued with the
the availability and proximity of arable and
food inaccessible and force them to move to
transition to the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS).
grass fields. Since then, similar declines
milder climes. So how have the combined
have been found in Northern Ireland and
effects of changing agriculture and a changing
special surveys
Scotland. Fundamentally, these declines are
winter climate affected them? The first clue
It is sometimes difficult, however, to devise
the result of a decrease in productivity (the
comes from the Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS)
a general monitoring technique that surveys
number of chicks fledged), an increase in
whose volunteers have counted waterbirds on
every species optimally. So, in 1987 and
mortality (death of immature or adult birds),
estuaries and inland wetlands since the early
again in 1998, the BTO ran dedicated
or a combination of the two. Now it was the
1970s. At a time when the national breeding
18
play their part, helping to demonstrate on the one hand that mortality remained largely constant through the decline, whereas chick productivity dropped to such an extent it
Meanwhile, changes were also afoot in
BTO Volunteer Magazine | 2 012
m o n i to r i n g L a p w i n g s
2
lapwing knowledge…
0171L_BT 0171L_BT
3
population had undergone a steep decline,
that the best place for Lapwings is now
the coastal wintering population paradoxically
yet further east? Or are the decades of
increased. Information collected by BTO
breeding population decline now evident
ringers and summarised in The Migration
in the winter numbers too? Our recently
Atlas shows that Britain draws Lapwings from
completed Bird Atlas 2007–11 fieldwork
continental Europe as far afield as Scandinavia
gives us an opportunity to see how Lapwing
and eastern Europe each autumn. So did our
winter distribution has changed across
wintering population increase due to healthy
the whole of Britain and Ireland. In the
populations in those countries? In short, no.
breeding season, we can see that, perhaps
BirdLife International’s Birds in Europe shows
surprisingly, Lapwings still cling on in almost
that Lapwing populations in the majority of
all the 10-km squares in which they were
these countries were also in steep decline.
present 20 years ago. However, thanks to
Instead it looks as if our coastal increases were
over 150,000 hours of Timed Tetrad Visits
the result of an eastward shift in the wintering
by Atlas surveyors, we can see that in the
location of flocks. For example, parts of
majority of these areas Lapwing numbers
Buckinghamshire, formerly the home of large
have tumbled. You might think with nearly
winter gatherings of Lapwings, now hold very
80 years of Lapwing studies we would know
few through the winter.
what makes the Lapwing tick. But against a constantly changing environment there is
change brings questions
always a role for BTO volunteers to record
Questions still remain. Does the recent
nests and count or ring birds, to crack the
downturn in the WeBS counts mean
latest complex conservation problems.
2 012 | BTO Volunteer Magazine
0171L_BD
A provisional map from Bird Atlas 2007–11 shows that, despite decades of decline, the Lapwing is still a surprisingly widespread breeding bird.
1 & 2. On the ground or in flight, the Lapwing is a distinctive bird. Slow flapping flocks are a common sight during cold weather. 3. Reports of ringed birds, as illustrated here by the first ever UK recovery, help to document movements and quantify mortality.
Distribution of lapwing
0171L_BD
Here we show a representation of how and where Lapwing breeding abundance has changed between the 1988–91 and 2007–11 Atlases. Pink to orange squares indicate areas where Lapwing numbers have increased. Sadly, these are outweighed by grey to black squares indicating ever greater declines.
19
vo lu n t e e r r ewa r d s
What does BTO give back to
volunteers? Much of this magazine is about what you, as volunteers, do for the BTO but you might be forgiven for wondering what we do for you? Andy Clements explains.
areas for birds, signal broad changes in wildlife populations, inform management prescriptions (for example in Environmental Stewardship), and enable reasoned scientific argument in hot topics like the effect of Sparrowhawks and Magpies on songbirds. All of these issues illustrate where the BTO has helped to magnify your efforts, by bringing everyone’s records together, We use your data to inform BTO research on hot topics such as the effect of predation levels on prey.
undertaking powerful analyses and explaining the patterns in your BBS, WeBS and GBFS data.
We are developing digital ways of recording your results in the field, but they won’t replace notebooks.
We make the most of
We help you develop
surveyors in your area, and to coordinate
your observations…
your skills…
effort. We provide some basic start-up
Research aimed at understanding what
What if you are a new volunteer, hoping
tools to aid recording, such as CDs of
inspires and motivates volunteers to help
to make your birding count? Increasingly,
common countryside bird songs, to help
the BTO strongly suggests that being able
the BTO can give you the assistance you
you develop the skills of sound-based
to contribute your own individual records
might need to become more confident in
recognition, and a range of books that
of birds and other wildlife to a respected
your own birding abilities. Our training and
focus upon, for example, garden wildlife
body of scientific work is a significant factor.
mentoring is designed to develop skills
and nest recording. The BTO also now
It is also very important to you that the
and build confidence, helping more birders
provides identification training through
BTO uses your records for conservation
to get actively involved in surveys. Our
YouTube videos, explaining the differences
purposes. I think this is one significant
Regional Representatives – 140 across the
between similar species – grey geese,
service that we provide to our volunteers;
UK – are there to encourage and support
and Marsh/Willow Tit are two recent and
whilst everyone’s sightings are valuable, the
you, to link you with other volunteer
diverse examples. We have more recently
whole is very much greater than the sum
been keeping you up-to-date with BTO
of its parts. We help to make your efforts
activities and news through Facebook,
go further. Your voluntary contribution
Twitter and blogs; the ‘Demog blog’,
is partnered with a committed group of
and the ‘Migration blog’ are two popular
scientists, many of whom are also volunteer
examples.
surveyors in their own time. These BTO scientists analyse our valuable long-term
We try to give you the
volunteer data sets, interpret results to
tools you want…
inform scientific debate and contribute to
If you engage with the BTO through providing records for surveys, then you will
conservation solutions. Your records form the basis of Government indicators, such as the long-running Farmland Bird Index, underpin our knowledge of UK protected
20
The BTO offers training and mentoring to help you develop your skills and enable your active participation.
most likely use our web applications to enter data. Our on-line community for Bird Atlas 2007–11 numbered over 17,000 volunteers,
BTO Volunteer Magazine | 2 012
vo lu n t e e r r ewa r d s
MIKE ATKINSON mikeatkinson.net/David tipling davidtipling.com/Pete Wilson/DanaË Sheehan
Surveying birds can seem like a rather solitary undertaking, but the knowledge that you are making a real difference makes it all worthwhile.
supported by the IS team in Thetford and
you are making a real difference. Increasingly
The future…
professional survey organisers. BirdTrack is an
we sing your praises in the monthly
What about the future? We live in a
amazing example of where our development
e-newsletter, in articles written for birding
digital age, where people increasingly
of a database for volunteer bird recording
magazines, in our partnership discussions, as
expect rapid turnaround of information
is sensitive to your needs and your desires.
we chat to our media contacts and when we
and instant access on the move. BTO
At one level, BirdTrack provides free on-line
talk to Government ministers and officials.
is responding to this trend, making
software for managing all your bird records,
Your regular counts, which contribute to
information available to volunteers
and soon we aim to enable you to compare
national wildlife indicators, are as interesting
on cutting-edge digital platforms, and
your observations at a site with those of
to conservation planners as the FTSE indicator
in ways that enhance your ‘wildlife
your friends, and to enjoy interrogating your
is to investors. When Chris Packham uses the
experience’. Ringers can access useful
own records on many more levels. Once
phrase ‘our friends at the BTO’ he is talking
information out in the field on the BTO
again though, the services BirdTrack provides
about you – our volunteers – and we hope
Ringers’ App, and this also connects
are coupled with functionality, allowing the
that that makes you feel proud.
through to BirdTrends on the BTO
BTO to make the most of your data on both
website, for full population information
national and regional scales. Seeing reports
on many species. Through projects
on-line is a popular feature, and a good
such as ‘Out of Africa’, which aims to
example is the on-line Ringing Report where
understand population declines in our
we have provided ringing totals for all species
long-distance migrant birds wintering in
since the start of the ringing scheme in 1909,
West Africa, we are building the capacity
and now include country and county totals of
of a new cohort of volunteers across the
birds ringed.
globe. As the family of BTO volunteers continues to grow, we will strive to
You make a difference… You may feel as if you are ploughing a lone furrow, as you patrol an estuary on your WeBS count or seek out the hidden Robin nest, but
2 012 | BTO Volunteer Magazine
provide new and better ways to engage, Chris Hewson and his Ghanaian colleagues have been supported by a number of volunteers in Africa.
help and motivate volunteers of all levels, while ensuring that the maximum use is made of your valuable contributions.
21
There’s always something to do with the BTO, from birdwatching and surveys to conferences and events: all make for fascinating ways to get involved. Key to symbols B Birding C Conference E Event P Publication S Survey T Training
April S Welsh Chat Survey Starts in March Wales www.bto.org/chats
E London Wild
Bird Watch 2012 20–22 April WWT London Wetland Centre, SW13 www.londonwild birdwatch.co.uk S Nightingale Survey Starts 21 April Southern UK www.bto.org/nightingalesurvey C BOU Conference;
‘Ecosystem Services. Do we need birds?’ 3–5 April University of Leicester www.bou-online.blogspot.com
T Bird ID for
Beginners’ Workshop Wednesday 25 April BTO, The Nunnery, Norfolk www.bto.org/training
T Residential Bird Survey Techniques Course 13–15 April Malham Tarn, N. Yorkshire www.bto.org/training
C BTO Norfolk Conference Saturday 14 April East Tuddenham, Norfolk www.bto.org/news-events
S BBS first bird visit April – mid May BBS Squares www.bto.org/bbs T Bird ID for Improvers’ Workshop Thursday 26 April BTO, The Nunnery, Norfolk www.bto.org/training
May T Bird ID for
Beginners’ Workshop Thursday 3 May Minsmere RSPB Reserve, Suffolk www.bto.org/training T Bird ID for
Improvers’ Workshop Friday 4 May Minsmere RSPB Reserve, Suffolk www.bto.org/training B International Dawn Chorus Day Sunday 6 May Anywhere www.idcd.info
T BBS Methodology Workshop Saturday 14 April Newcastle, Co. Down shane.wolsey@bto.org
T Nest Recording Wednesday 18 April Oxford Island, Co. Armagh shane.wolsey@bto.org
22
T Residential Bird ID Course 20–22 April Fully booked Dale Fort, Pembrokeshire www.bto.org/training
T Residential Bird Survey Techniques Course 8–10 May Rhyd-y-Creuau, North Wales www.bto.org/training T Residential Bird ID Course 8–10 May Fully booked Rhyd-y-Creuau, North Wales www.bto.org/training E World Migratory Bird Day 12–13 May Anywhere www.worldmigratory birdday.org P BTO News magazine Mid May Members only www.bto.org C Bird Habitats in Ireland Friday 18 May Dublin, Ireland www.birdhabitats. wordpress.com E Dawn Chorus and Bird ID Event Saturday 19 May Painshill Gardens, Surrey www.painshill.co.uk
B Watch out for our tagged Cuckoos returning to the UK April Anywhere! www.bto.org/cuckoos
BTO Volunteer Magazine | 2 012
Chris Gunn/Edmund Fellowes/Robin Anderson/John Harding/David tipling davidtipling.com/BarrIE Galpin/Peter Beavan/kate risely
what’s on
W h at ’ s o n i n 2012
W h at ’s o n i n 2012 Improve your bird
Surprised by what is on offer?
ID skills.
Feel like you are missing out?
Adult male Wheatears are relatively easy birds to identify, but would you be so sure of your identification if confronted with this female and young? Our new ID video will help you to build your confidence in identifying Wheatear and the related Stonechat and Whinchat.
Join as a BTO member and support the survey and research work on show in this magazine. You can now join via monthly instalments from just £2.59/month. For more information visit www.bto.org. Join today and claim 20% off the cost of a BTO Training Course* In addition, you will receive:
Come and meet us.
Attend the BTO Birdfair...
Find out more about BTO and what we do. Our staff and volunteers visit a range of events throughout the UK.
E Scottish Birdfair 19–20 May Hopetoun House, Edinburgh www.scottishbirdfair.org.uk
Meet fellow lorem but would you be so sure of your lorem ipdum gjjbfbasfhb here.
*offer applies to certain training courses, see website for more information www.bto.org/training
July P BTO News magazine Mid July Members only www.bto.org
S Nestbox Challenge Through to July Anywhere www.bto.org/nbc
October T Residential Bird Survey Techniques Course 5–7 October Kindrogan, Perthshire www.bto.org/training
S BBS second bird visit
Mid May – June BBS Squares www.bto.org/bbs
E The Welsh Game Fair 16–17 June Nantyci Showground, Carmarthen, West Wales www.welshgamefair.com B Get to grips with singing warblers Anytime Anywhere Bird ID videos www.bto.org/ about-birds/bird-id
P BTO Annual Review magazine Mid September Members only www.bto.org C Cambridgeshire BC/ BTO/RSPB Conference Saturday 29 September Cottenham Village College www.bto.org/news-events
T Residential Bird Survey Techniques Course 24–26 May Dale Fort, Pembrokeshire www.bto.org/training
June
The latest updates on Britain’s birds via our regular magazine BTO News, Volunteer and Annual Review Opportunities to join surveys A local BTO point of contact A range of training days and courses Special offers on BTO publications Access to one of the best natural history libraries in the country
E Royal Welsh Show
23–26 July Builth Wells, Powys www.rwas.co.uk
T Residential Bird ID Course 19–21 October Flatford Mill, Suffolk www.bto.org/training
August
Conference Saturday 17 November Bourneville College, Longbridge, Birmingham
E Birdfair 2012
17–19 August Rutland Water www.birdfair.org
C BTO Yorkshire Conference Saturday 8 September Weetwood Hall, Leeds www.bto.org/news-events S Winter Thrush Survey
Starts in September Across whole UK www.bto.org/winter-thrushes
2 012 | BTO Volunteer Magazine
C BTO Birdwatchers’ Conference, N. Ireland Saturday 10 November Oxford Island, Co. Armagh C West Midlands BC/BTO
T Introduction to Ringing Residential Course 10–12 August Slapton Ley, South Devon www.bto.org/ringing
September
C WOS Ornithological Conference Saturday 10 November Myddfai Community Hall, Llandovery
T Residential Bird Survey Techniques Course 26–28 October Flatford Mill, Suffolk www.bto.org/training
T Bird Survey Techniques for Professionals 20–21 November BTO Scotland, University of Stirling www.bto.org/training P BTO News magazine
Mid November Members only www.bto.org
November
December
C Scottish Ringers’
C BTO Annual Conference
Conference 9–10 November Carrbridge, Highland
7–9 December Swanwick, Derbyshire www.bto.org/news-events
Throughout the year S Nest Recording
Anywhere www.bto.org/nrs S BTO Garden BirdWatch Anywhere www.bto.org/gbw S BirdTrack Anywhere www.bto.org/birdtrack P E-newsletter Monthly Sign up at: www.bto.org/enews S Other surveys Anywhere www.bto.org T B Training videos New ID videos being added all the time www.bto.org/about-birds/ bird-id
Follow us on: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube
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BTO Volunteer Mag_BTO 31/01/2012 13:29 Page 1
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