MAKING A REAL DIFFERENCE FOR BIRDS
From the British Trust for Ornithology
IT’S THE SECOND YEAR OF THE HOUSE MARTIN! Help us survey their nests!
JO THE IN MAR HOUSE TIN SURV NEST IN 20 EY 16
THE WONDERS OF BIRD MIGRATION
NEST BOXES: HOLES FOR HOMES
A MIXED PICTURE FOR PEREGRINES
Why bird migration is simply the best
Annual National Nest Box Week explained
How did the UK’s Peregrines fare in 2014?
E D I TO R I A L
WELCOME... …to the second year of the House Martin! With the population in steep decline in England, we’ve set ourselves the task of finding out what is happening to our House Martins. Last year, with your help, we collected data on how the population is faring across the UK. This year we want to look in more detail at House Martin nests so that we can analyse what is happening during the breeding season. Taken together, the data from these two surveys should provide powerful evidence of the factors affecting one of our most beloved summer visitors. We need all the help we can get, so if you have House Martin nests near you, please read on for details on how to take part in this year’s survey. BTO aims to help birdwatchers of all abilities to develop their birding skills and in this issue our Training Manager Su Gough provides some tips on how to get started. Even if you don’t consider yourself to be a serious birder, I highly recommend that you get into the habit of keeping a bird list whenever you go out. The simple act of making a list forces you to pay more attention to the birds around you and, in my experience, can accelerate your development as a birdwatcher. Many of us note the arrival of the first of our summer migrants and BirdTrack provides the perfect tool for keeping a
record of this. We are excited to have launched a new version of the BirdTrack App which will make keeping your records even easier, whether you are a casual birdwatcher or a serious lister. The new version allows you to record the birds you’ve seen outside the UK so it’s perfect for your holiday records. With over 5.5 million bird observations recorded through BirdTrack in 2015 alone, the scheme has become a treasure trove of data for bird conservation globally. It’s free, it’s fun, it can help you develop your birding skills and it contributes to bird conservation – what’s not to like? We have just launched a new campaign which we’d love your help with. Share those special birding moments which have given you goosebumps via letter, email or social media (using the hashtag #birdingmoment). With your permission, we’ll be putting these memories to good use in encouraging even more people to remember BTO in their wills. We are nothing without our volunteers so if you already contribute to our surveys and schemes, thank you! If you haven’t started yet or have been taking a break for a while, I hope this magazine provides the inspiration that gets you going this year. Happy birding,
Ieuan Evans Associate Director, Communications (Engagement)
DID YOU KNOW? Volunteers taking part in the BTOled Norfolk Bat Survey generated over 1.2 million bat recordings between 2013 and 2015, making it one of the most extensive high-quality data sets for bats from anywhere in the world. From its Norfolk beginnings, this survey has now been extended to other parts of East Anglia and to southern Scotland. Analysis of data collected by volunteers taking part in the BTO/RSPB/JNCC Breeding Bird Survey showed how much bigger Britain has become for some of our
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birds. The recently published study found most species examined had expanded their range at an average of 3.3 km per year. More than one million birds were ringed in the UK and Ireland in 2014. The recording area with the highest ringing total was Suffolk, where 55,524 birds were ringed. In most areas, including Suffolk, Blue Tit was the most commonly ringed species. However, in Breconshire it was Pied Flycatcher, in Cornwall it was Sedge Warbler, in Co. Down it was Manx Shearwater and in the Outer Hebrides it was Puffin!
Puffin ringing – mind that beak!
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C O N T E N TS
IN THIS ISSUE...
COVER PHOTOGRAPHS: HOUSE MARTIN BY DAVID TIPLING - NATURE PICTURE LIBRARY CONTENTS: ANNE CARRINGTON-COTTON/ANDY MASON/BLINKWINKEL - ALAMY/AMY LEWIS/JILL PAKENHAM - BTO IMAGES
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Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Holes for homes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Ieuan introduces another year of fabulous volunteering opportunities
Why we started and continue to
Owls – how well do we really know them? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
promote National Nest Box Week
Owls might appear to be familiar to many
Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
What’s Under Your Feet? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
The wonders of migration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
The first results from our schools’
of us, but do we really understand their conservation needs?
citizen-science project
Name that bird . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
BirdTrack spring appeal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
House Martin Nest Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Top hints and tips to build your confidence in
How BirdTrack could be even more brilliant with your help
2016 is the second year
bird identification and fine-tune your skills
of the BTO House Martin Survey
News round-up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Learning the birding ropes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Mixed fortunes for the UK’s Peregrines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
From Woodcocks to upland waders – volunteer surveys for 2016
The importance of observatories
Results from our 2014 Peregrine Survey,
in a birder’s lifetime journey
broken down by country and nest type
Why bird migration is simply the best
THE BRITISH TRUST FOR ORNITHOLOGY
CONTAC T US BTO, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2PU Telephone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01842 750050 E-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . btonews@bto.org Twitter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . @_BTO Web site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.bto.org BTO Scotland, School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Cottrell Building, University of Stirling, FK9 4LA Telephone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01786 466560 Twitter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . @BTO_Scotland 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. SCO39193 (Scotland)
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ISSN 0005 – 3392
Patron HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, KG, KT President Chris Packham Chairman Tony Fox Honorary Secretary Frances Hurst Honorary Treasurer John Osmond BTO VOLUNTEER MAGAZINE JNCC — All references to JNCC in BTO 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, Natural England, Natural Resources Wales and Scottish Natural Heritage. Editors Ieuan Evans and Viola Ross-Smith Layout, design, imagesetting and typesetting O’Connor Design Consultants
Printing Reflex Litho, St Helen’s Way, Thetford IP24 1HG BTO MEMBERSHIP Individual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£36 Family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £45 Young birder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £12 Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £900 Fellow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £57 Family Fellow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £67 Life Fellow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £1,425 Monthly membership subscriptions available. Fellows receive Bird Study journal. Concession rates are available for students and pensioners.
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 Editor, the Council of the BTO or its committees. © BTO 2016. Quotations should carry a full acknowledgement.
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B I R D M I G R AT I O N
THE
WONDERS OF MIGRATION The arrival of spring can have strange effects on both birds and birdwatchers, pinging them from the slumber of winter into a frenzy of frantic activity. Here we examine the impact on one birdwatcher in particular, our Media Manager Paul Stancliffe.
As winter begins to give way to spring
It will have seen polarised light, even
I develop a restlessness that increases as
on a cloudy day, and have known the
the season unfolds. As the days lengthen I
exact position of the sun. It will have
can be found pacing around the house, and
pulled star maps from its memory
according to my wife, acting like a caged
banks and used visual cues that it
animal. She identified the cause of this anxiety
had built up on previous migrations;
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early on in our marriage and announced that I was suffering from Zugunruhe, the word coined by German scientists to describe the migratory restlessness that they saw in caged birds each spring and autumn. It is not that I want to be actively migrating during this time; it is more that I know how many birds will be on the move and the desire to see this wonderful spectacle causes me to be restless. I will not be alone in this: many birders will identify with it too. From mid-February I want to be out, I want to see my first Wheatear – my earliest ever was seen on St Mary’s airfield, Isles of Scilly, on 17 February and when I do see it the feeling of joy is immense. Can you imagine it? The St Mary’s bird had just flown from Africa: it had crossed the mighty Sahara desert, flown over the Mediterranean, navigated around the Pyrenees and was about to finish crossing the English Channel. On its way it may have had to contend with sandstorms, crosswinds, predators, cloudbursts and the guns of hunters and it will have had to use every tool in its migratory armoury to get here. NAVIGATIONAL SKILLS It will have sensed the direction of magnetic north using a small amount of magneticsensitive material located in its tiny brain.
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BIRD MIGRATION IN FOCUS… 1. To witness the mass movement of diurnal migration is one of the most exciting and exhilarating natural spectacles on the planet. Here, vast numbers of Brambling and other finch species are seen migrating across the North Sea to spend the winter in the UK. 2. Wheatears arriving on the south coast of Britain in spring. Northern Wheatears undertake one of the longest migrations of any small bird. Migrating from sub-Saharan Africa, they cross oceans, ice and desert across vast areas of the Northern Hemisphere that includes northern and central Asia, Europe, Greenland, Alaska, and parts of Canada. 3. This Spotted Flycatcher was photographed on Fair Isle, Shetland, in October 2015. Clues from the plumage tell us that this bird hatched only a few months previously, so it was at the start of its very first arduous autumn journey to sub-Saharan Africa; a journey many young birds do not survive. 4. Many European migrants, including small passerine species, fly at high altitude over and through mountain valleys and passes on their journeys to and from their breeding areas.
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NATURE PICTURE LIBRARY - ALAMY/MARTIN CADE/JASON VANUS - NATURAL VISIONS/RON NIEBRUGGE - ALAMY
B I R D M I G R AT I O N
is of an Arctic Tern from Anglesey, North Wales, which was subsequently found dead on a beach in Queensland, Australia, 11,000 miles from where it was ringed in the nest as a chick. VIS MIG Some of my best days of birding have been spent watching ‘visible migration’ in action. I have been treated to hundreds of Swallows arriving on the south coast; picking them out as small dots just a few feet above the waves a mile or so offshore and following them inland as they continue to head north can only be described as exhilarating. Only weeks earlier many of these birds will have been roosting in a reed bed in South Africa. To really experience birds on the move, the weather conditions have to be just right; and not necessarily for the birds. During optimal conditions for the birds – clear skies, light winds – they will be too high to see easily from the ground and far too high to hear as they utter their contact calls; many migrant birds are surprisingly vocal during active migration and it is more often than not the calls that give them away. Light drizzle and overcast skies are the ideal conditions to experience visible migration. Any bird moving, and there can be lots, will be keeping low, looking for visual clues for the journey ahead, or searching for somewhere to pitch up and wait until the weather improves. Just this autumn I experienced a huge fall of Goldcrests on the North Norfolk coast. These tiny birds had
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just crossed the North Sea in a stiff breeze and were exhausted. They were everywhere, hopping around on the beach and in the sand dunes, and every small bush held several; I
all-in-all an awesome feat of navigation that
European landmass, Britain is in an ideal
counted thirteen together on a low branch of
would make a sat-nav proud. The tower on
location to observe bird migration. Beginning
a small pine. It was an amazing spectacle and
St Mary’s airfield is one of the highest points
in early March and continuing through to
one I will never forget.
on the islands and on a clear day can be
late May, around 16 million birds will make
seen from quite a distance, so it is likely no
their way here. Perhaps five times that many
for visible migration, it doesn’t always happen,
coincidence that this is where I most often
will make the return journey south during
but to increase your chances head for the
saw my first Wheatear
the autumn months, many for the first time.
coast, be there for first light, and don’t be put
of the spring.
Some of these birds face a journey of 5,000
off by the rain. Migration might just deliver an
miles or more. The longest flight recorded
amazing spectacle for you too.
Sitting on the western edge of the
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Even when the weather reports look ideal
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B I R D T R AC K
BIRDTRACK – GETTING STARTED IN MAKING
YOUR BIRDWATCHING COUNT
BirdTrack has become well established as one of the easiest ways to log your bird sightings, both at home and in the field (via the smartphone app). As Stephen McAvoy explains, the system allows you to store your observations safely, while at the same time making them available for conservation efforts at local, national and international scales.
500,000 sightings mark be broken?
BirdTrack is a great way of logging all
LOCAL BIRDTRACKING
wildlife apps by the World Wildlife Fund, for
your bird sightings while contributing to
If you regularly birdwatch in your local area,
both Apple and Android smartphones. A
ornithological knowledge. The most valuable
you may be interested in taking part in the
major new feature for this version is the ability
type of data from a scientific point of
Patchwork Challenge (PWC). Launched in
to record sightings from around the world,
view are Complete Lists. These include all
2013, it aims to encourage more birders to
allowing BirdTrackers to contribute to projects
species you managed to positively identify
visit local sites regularly, particularly where
like the ongoing European Breeding Bird
while out and about. Adding a start and
these would otherwise remain under-
Atlas when birding in continental Europe. The
end time for your visit provides additional
watched. PWC actively encourages birders
design of the app has received an overhaul
information about the amount of effort
to log their sightings in BirdTrack and many
and many features are now even more
you made, which is very useful when the
participants are using the system as an
intuitive to use, ensuring that it continues to
data are analysed. Complete Lists provide
ideal way to store their patch sightings. In
be the ideal tool for recording your sightings in
a picture of which species are absent, as
2015, ‘Patchworkers’ added almost 400,000
the field. The first phase launched earlier this
well as present in the area and over time
sightings to BirdTrack, including many from
year and further new features are scheduled
will generate an accurate representation of
previously under-reported areas. With over
for release in the future.
patterns in bird distribution.
500 participants signed up for 2016, can the
Having started almost 15 years ago, BirdTrack continues to evolve and there are exciting developments planned for this year. One of these is a new version of the very popular app, voted amongst the top ten
WHERE NEXT FOR BIRDTRACK? This year will also see more development BIRDTR ACK APPEAL: BRI DGI NG THE KNOWLEDG E GAP
of the BirdTrack global data-entry tool, the features of which will be merged with those
WE URGENTLY NEED to find out more about bird population declines. Many migrant birds in particular are declining, and very often the key drivers for these declines are not fully understood. Given the number of participants involved and the volume of records already collected for Britain and Ireland, there is a unique opportunity to use BirdTrack data to help grasp how migratory birds are using different habitats as they move to and from their breeding areas. BTO scientists want to unlock the wealth of information held within BirdTrack to bridge the gaps in our knowledge, so we can better understand the relative importance of different habitats on birds’ migratory routes.
These analyses could identify key areas, habitat types or even ‘migratory corridors’ that warrant conservation focus. By working with our European partners, such knowledge could be extended to a continental scale. We are very fortunate that birdwatchers freely give of their time to collect and enter records into BirdTrack – an amazing example of citizen science. However, resources are needed to fully realise the science and conservation value of these data, to increase the volume of records substantially and to improve the standardisation of data recording. We are therefore launching an appeal this spring to raise money for this important research. www.bto.org/support-us/appeals
of the existing British and Irish part of the website. A major development is that places can now be created using polygon, path and point tools, rather than only based on Ordnance Survey grid squares. These allow for more accurately described recording areas. Finally, besides dragonflies, you can log mammal sightings through the global tool as well. So, plenty to look forward to this year if you are using BirdTrack and now is the ideal time to get started if you aren’t already! FIND OUT MORE For information on the Patchwork Challenge, see: http://patchworkchallenge. blogspot.co.uk
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B I R D T R AC K
HOW BRILLIANT BIR DTR AC KERS
CHRIS KNIGHTS
CONTRIB UTE TO CONSERVATION
UPTAKE OF BIRDTRACK by birdwatchers across Britain has been phenomenal with sightings submitted from almost all areas of the country. The database now includes over 40 million records,
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more than 5.7 million of which were added in 2015. This mountain of data is of enormous value for conservation and is essential in filling in the gaps of structured surveys, such as the Atlas project and contributing to the understanding of more difficultto-survey species such as Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Hawfinch.
BirdTrack data can be particularly useful in improving our understanding of the conservation requirements for species that are difficult to monitor, for example Hawfinch.
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N EW S RO U N D - U P VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteers needed to survey English upland waders This year, we’re looking for volunteers to help survey breeding waders in English upland farmland, so we can assess whether agrienvironment schemes are effective in conserving these declining birds. Thanks to fantastic volunteers taking part in schemes like the BTO/RSPB/ JNCC Breeding Bird Survey, we know that populations of waders and farmland birds that breed in the English uplands have shown considerable declines in JOHN HARDING
recent decades. Through agri-environment schemes, farmers have been paid to manage their land differently to try and help reverse these trends, but the effect this approach is having on waders breeding
Waders such as Lapwing are on the Birds of Conservation Concern Red List.
on farms in upland landscapes is not yet clear. We do know that the areas of upland
This work aims to assess the effect of
other farmland species you find within each
farmland called ‘in-bye’, which refers to
agri-environment scheme management
‘in-bye’ field during your visits. The primary
the enclosed land below the moorland,
and will provide a baseline against which to
focus is to record the number of pairs of
are known to support substantial numbers
measure future population changes.
breeding waders, including Curlew, Lapwing,
of breeding waders. This year, we are
Taking part involves making two morning
Redshank and Snipe, but habitat information
conducting a survey to estimate the
visits to one of the pre-selected 2-km
will also be recorded. Please visit www.bto.
population size of waders and other bird
squares between April and July. We would
org/bweuf to register online and request
species supported by ‘in-bye’ farmland.
like to record all of the breeding waders and
your preferred survey square.
N EW BTO C LOTH I NG R ANG E L AU NC H ED
The BTO has teamed up with Teemill to offer a range of organic cotton clothing and accessories, proceeds from which go to funding our research. All our T-shirts, tops, sweatshirts and tote bags are printed in the UK on premium-quality 100% organic cotton, made in an ethically accredited wind-powered factory. The bright and fresh designs include Cuckoo, House Martin and Curlew. To view the new range and place your order, visit https://bto.teemill.co.uk
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N EW S RO U N D - U P GWCT/BTO WOODCOCK SURVEY
GWCT/BTO breeding Woodcock monitoring
HUGH INSLEY
V ww isit woo w.bto.o to fin dcock-s rg/ urv d to ta out mor ey eo ke the s part in r urve y
Breeding Woodcock numbers fell sharply between 2003 and 2013. Please help us to monitor this species more closely in forthcoming years.
Thanks to your help, we know Woodcock is in trouble. Continuing monitoring is vital to provide an early warning of further declines.
in both breeding numbers and range
150 sites, but in 2015 this dropped to
differed regionally, with greatest losses in
around half that number. Including more
the west and south of Britain. However,
sites will greatly increase the capacity for
overall losses were substantial enough to
monitoring future changes. We only need to
move Woodcock from the Amber List to
cover occupied sites, so we would be very
Red List in the latest update to the Birds of
grateful if you could consider revisiting your
The results from the data collected by
Conservation Concern report, published in
2013 survey sites, or suggesting a local site
volunteers taking part in the 2013 GWCT/
December 2015.
that you know to be occupied, which can
BTO Woodcock Survey have now been
These steep declines make the need
published in our journal, Bird Study, and
for annual monitoring ever more important,
show that the British breeding Woodcock
especially since there is a relatively long
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT WOODCOCK
population decreased to an estimated
wait before the next survey. Annual
For further details of how to take part, or
55,241 males, representing a 29% decline
counts serve two uses, firstly to show how
to read the 2013 survey paper, please visit:
since 2003. A substantial reduction in
breeding numbers change between years,
www.bto.org/woodcock-survey or
the breeding range has also occurred,
which may be due to weather or overwinter
contact woodcock@bto.org.
with Bird Atlas 2007–11 data showing a
survival, but more importantly to give early
For more information on the latest Birds
56% decrease in occupied 10-km squares
warning of an even greater decline. During
of Conservation Concern report, see:
between 1970 and 2010. The change
2014, volunteers counted a tremendous
www.bto.org/uk-red-list.
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be covered for at least two years.
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N E S T B OX E S
MAKING YOUR OWN NEST BOX Making your own nest box is simple and rewarding. First select the type of box you want to make and then use our illustrations and instructions to build your box.
SELECT YOUR BOX
HOLES HOMES
For gardens we recommend Small-hole nest box which is most suited to tit species and House Sparrows Small open-fronted nest box which is mostly used by Robin, sometimes Wren
FOR
BUILDING A NEST BOX Before you start building your box, study the nest box illustrations provided – dimensions and advice on the materials to use and the hole sizes. Make sure that you put your box up as soon as it has been built – the longer it’s up, the more chance it has of attracting visitors. Putting boxes up even in April can result in successful occupancy in that summer. Though not essential, it is best to apply a non-toxic (water-based) wood preservative; it will add years to the life of your box!
In 1997 ‘Britain Needs More Holes’ was a catchphrase coined to launch National Nest Box Week, an event that runs from 14 to 21 February each year, and has since grown to become one of the best-recognised awareness campaigns in the ornithological calendar; its message is simple – build or buy a nest box and give a bird a home.
(prongs) between the gutter and
being because of the need to provide
tiles. Though woodland management
more nesting holes. Back in the 1980s
policy is now much more sympathetic
and early 90s natural holes in old and
to the needs of wildlife, the housing
decaying trees were scarce largely
situation is still pretty dire, with few
due to woodland management policy;
opportunities for species such as Swift
dead or dying trees were usually
and House Sparrow to find nest holes
cleared, keeping woodland ‘tidy’ and
or cavities in restored buildings, and
easier to manage. Cavities in houses
even less or no chance in new builds!
also became a thing of the past as
Britain still needs more holes! So,
repairs to wooden fascias, soffits
if you haven’t already got a nest box
and bargeboards were replaced by
on your house or in your garden, or
UPVC plastic instead. Re-roofing older
you have a neighbour that hasn’t,
properties resulted in the now-routine
then think about making your own or
fitting of plastic bird-proofing strips
buying one.
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ACCESS FOR INSPECTION AND CLEANING BTO IMAGES/BLINKWINKEL - ALAMY
National Nest Box Week came into
HOLE SIZES Different species need different hole sizes: 25 mm or larger for Blue, Coal and Marsh Tit; 28 mm or larger for Great Tit and Tree Sparrow; 32 mm for House Sparrow.
Nest boxes should have a means of easy access for both inspection and cleaning. Attach a waterproof hinge to the roof of the box, so that it can be lifted easily but won’t fall off. Car inner tubes or Butyl rubber are ideal waterproof materials to use. Cut the rubber to the width of the box, and then nail the rubber along the back of the box and to the roof.
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N E S T B OX E S
OPEN-FRONTED
Plank size: 150 mm x 1095 mm
PUTTING UP A NEST BOX Where you site your box is as important as what it looks like. The highest priority when putting up a nest box must be to provide a safe and comfortable environment in which birds can nest successfully. Here are some important tips: Shelter your nest box from the weather, especially the prevailing wind and sunlight Site at least 3 metres above the ground Open-fronted boxes should be hidden from view Site well away from bird feeders Use galvanised or stainless-steel nails/screws when attaching to trees or buildings Birds may not take to a new nest box straight away; it can take a year or more before birds will begin to investigate a potential nest site. Brand new items in a gardens, including nest boxes or bird feeders, are viewed with suspicion by birds and take some time for them to get used to.
START MONITORING YOUR NEST BOX HOLE-ENTRANCE
Plank size: 150 mm x 1170 mm
MATERIALS AND TIPS It is important that the inside of the box doesn’t get too cold or warm and that the box is durable. Nest boxes should be made from wood (Woodcrete – a unique combination of sawdust and concrete is often used for commercial boxes). Metal and plastic are unsuitable materials as they may cause the contents of the nest to overheat or allow condensation to build up inside the box, wetting eggs and chicks. The type of wood used is not critical but hardwoods, such as oak and beech, will outlive soft wood, such as pine. Rather more critical is the thickness of the wood, which should be at least 15mm to provide sufficient insulation and to prevent warping. It is better to nail your box together rather than gluing it (remember to use galvanised/stainless-steel nails to stop rust) as this allows water to drain. Make sure you drill a couple of holes in the base of your box to ensure that any rain that does get in can drain out quickly. Top tip – Do not put a perch on the front of the nest box as this is not necessary and may aid access to a predator!
2 016 | BTO Volunteer Magazine
It is perfectly safe to check inside your nest box periodically. At the beginning of the nesting season keep disturbance to a minimum and just observe whether birds are entering the box; if they are doing so frequently, chances are that they are building a nest and it is best to avoid looking inside for a couple of weeks. An ideal opportunity to check inside is when you know that both the parents are away. If you’re not sure whether a bird is in the nest, it’s important to follow these guidelines: Before looking in the box, give the side a light tap so that any adult birds can become aware of your presence and have the opportunity to fly away before you open the lid. To look inside, lift the lid very slowly. If there is an adult bird still sitting tight on the nest, gently lower the lid and leave as quietly as possible. If there is no adult present in the box, you are free to make your observations thoroughly but quickly to avoid staying for longer than is necessary and leave as quietly as you can. Look in a nest box or open nest on a few occasions, once every 4‒5 days. A few well-planned visits to the nest box can provide all the information needed and disturb the birds as little as possible. Watching nesting birds is highly rewarding – first, knowing that you provided the box for them to nest, and second, recording their progress, hopefully to fledging. To get the most out of putting up your nest box, take part in Nest Box Challenge and help us to monitor the breeding success of birds in Britain’s green spaces. To take part, simply register your nest box online at www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/nbc
11
W H AT ’S U N D E R YO U R F E E T?
One of our biggest school citizen science projects ever!
UNEARTHING THE NEXT GENERATION OF
A UK-wide collaboration between BTO and EDF Energy to map the creatures that are living under our feet for the very first time. These are the results of the first dig that took place in October 2015.
CITIZEN SCIENTISTS
Invertebrates form an important source of food for Britain’s birds but little is known about how many there are, where they are or how their presence changes across the UK
What did we dig up?
Over the past year or so we have been
recording. School children have been
Others fortunate to(Woodlice, work withBeetles, EDF Energy’s
recording the birds and invertebrates in
A UK-wide collaboration between Oneschool of ourcitizen biggestscience school projects citizen science One of our biggest ever! projects ever!
Spiders, Centipedes, Slugs, award-winning education programme, their grounds and the first results (below) BTO and EDF Energy to map the Grubs, Maggots, Earwigs, 2281 One of our biggest school citizen science projects ever! creatures that are living under our The Pod, to Caterpillars deliver a citizen-science show just how busy they’ve been. In the Snails, Earthworms 4373 A UK-wideBTO collaboration between BTO and EDF Energy A UK-wide collaboration between and EDF Energy andschools unknown) feet for the very first time. - average project to nationwide. Workingtoinmap the creatures coming1.1g months the classes will carry out map theunder creatures that for arethe living under feet for the very first time. thattoare living our feet very first our time. weight of worm A UK-wide collaboration between BTO and EDF Energy Number of soil These are the results of the first dig
partnership with EDF Energy, our What’s further which willplace These are results ofcontribute the first dig that took place in October 2015. These are the resultsinvestigations of the first dig the that took October 2015. to map the creatures thatinare living under our feet for the very first time. invertebrates that took place in October 2015. Under Your Feet? project has so far to a scientific paper, byfirst dig that took place These to arebe theprepared results of the in October 2015. The total length caught engaged over 1,700 schools in biological BTO scientists next year. of worms caught Invertebrates form an important source of food for Britain’s birds but little is known
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WHAT DID WE DIG UP?
the same as biggest school citizen science projects ever! One of our soil invertebrates
19 double-deckers did we dig up? What did weWhat digWhat up? did we dig up?
A UK-wide collaboration between BTO and EDF Energy
Others (Woodlice, Beetles, to map the creatures that are living under our feet for the very first time. Others (Woodlice, Beetles, These are the results of the first dig that took place in October 2015. Others (Woodlice, Spiders, Centipedes, Slugs,Beetles, Spiders, Centipedes, Slugs, Spiders, Centipedes, Slugs, Grubs, Maggots, Earwigs, Grubs, Maggots, Earwigs, 2281Caterpillars Grubs, Maggots, Earwigs, 2281 Invertebrates source of food for Britain’s birds but little is known 2281 form an important Snails, Earthworms 4373 Snails, Caterpillars Earthworms Snails, Caterpillars 4373 about how many there are, where4373 they are or how their presence changes across the UK Earthworms and unknown) 1.1g - average and unknown) 1.1g - average and unknown) 1.1g - average weight of worm Number of soil weight of worm Number of soil weight of worm
Which birds and how many did we see?
What did we dig up? Number of soil invertebrates One school saw invertebrates151 invertebrates The Spiders, Centipedes, Slugs, Otherfor smallBritain’s bird Thetotal totallength length The total length caught source of food birds but57 caught 45Maggots,caught Pied Wagtail 317 Grubs, Earwigs, of worms caught of worms caught 2281 of worms caught Small birds
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40Snails, Caterpillars Chaffinch little is known about how many there Goldfinch presence changes across 12 the UK.
Medium birds
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Starling Blackbird Song Thrush Fieldfare Mistle Thrush Redwing
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27
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GRAPHIC BY NIGEL HAWTIN http://nigelhawtin.com
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2 016 | BTO Volunteer Magazine
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13
H O U S E M A RT I N S U RV EY
HOUSE MARTIN SURVEY 2016
– ALL ABOUT NESTS! The House Martin has declined by almost 70% in England since the early 1980s, which has led to it being Amber Listed as a species of conservation concern. We urgently need to understand more about this change and have enlisted our volunteer army to help us. House Martin Survey organiser Ian Woodward explains how you can make your contribution this year.
squares. House Martins can nest in both heavily urban and sparse rural areas and we needed to check both extremes, Last summer we kicked off our House
so some of our volunteers spent many
Martin Survey by asking volunteers to visit
hours walking around city streets, whilst
randomly selected 1-km squares across
others drove long distances to check a
the UK to look for nests. Thank you all
single house, taking just a few minutes to
for the great response: our target was to
complete the actual survey itself. Often,
cover between 2,000 and 3,000 squares
this effort went unrewarded: a feature
and we nearly achieved the higher end
of random-square surveys is the fact
of this range, with results being received
that the target species may not even
on a survey square was 62 in the Scottish
from 2,902 squares. In some of our
be present in the square. Our regular
Borders (for the purposes of the survey
regions, the level of coverage was so
volunteers will be fully aware that these
each separate structure with one or more
good that we were able to select extra
‘nil returns’ are vital to our survey work:
nests was defined as a colony), and the
squares. A special thank you is due to
the survey aim was to produce a robust
largest number of nests recorded was
the ten observers who covered ten or
UK population estimate, and the zero
130 in Hampshire. As well as buildings,
more squares each, including two of
counts are just as important for this as
participants also recorded nests on cliffs
our regional representatives who each
the counts from squares with colonies.
(in Cleveland) and on bridges. We have
covered 30 squares! The effort made by our volunteers is all the more remarkable when you consider the variability in some of the
Of course, many of you did find House
now begun our analysis of the data from
Martins, sometimes in very large numbers.
the survey and will ensure that we keep
The largest number of ‘colonies’ recorded
you updated as this work progresses. At the start of the 2015 survey, we received a few emails from potential
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BTO Volunteer Magazine | 2 016
H O U S E M A RT I N S U RV EY
V www isit . bto.o hous e r to ta martins- g/ ke p 2 01 nest art in th 6 e stud y
“The 2016 House Martin ‘Nest Study’ will focus on making regular observations at the nest.” You can survey House Martin nests for us anywhere, provided you have permission of the householder or land owner.
of each nest and information about the activity observed at each nest. Each visit will be quick, usually lasting up to 15 minutes, but participants need to be able to carry out regular visits throughout the breeding season, from mid-April to September, so we can be confident that no breeding attempts are missed. Ideally, visits should be carried out weekly; however, there is no need to worry if you miss a week here and there anywhere where one or more pairs of House Martin are nesting. The 2016 House Martin ‘Nest Study’
This commitment to regular, short visits over a six-month period means that the
will focus on making regular observations
survey is particularly suited to those with
at the nest. We will be interested in
nests on or very close to their home or
volunteers who were disappointed
factors including the timing and duration
place of work. However, it is not restricted
because their local colony hadn’t been
of nest building and fledging, and how
to these sites. You can survey nests
selected, or because there were no
many breeding attempts are made. All
elsewhere if you are able to visit them
available survey squares close enough for
observations can be made from ground
regularly and have the permission of the
them to reach. Unfortunately this is the
level or from another suitable vantage
householder or land owner if necessary.
nature of randomised surveys: we try to
point such as a window: you will not need
ensure that squares are as widespread
to climb a ladder or look inside the nest.
as possible but need to select them randomly to ensure our science is robust.
You will need to record some simple
HOW TO GET INVOLVED Further information about the nest
information about the site and the
study can be found at www.bto.org/
location of the nest(s) on your first visit,
housemartins-2016, where you will also
disappointed in 2015, the good news
and on subsequent visits all you will
be able to register your survey site. Please
is that the second part of our House
normally need to record will be the time
take part if you can; we hope to be able to
Martin Survey, this coming summer,
and duration of your visit, the condition
compare results from across the UK to see
For those of you who may have been JOHN INSULL - ALAMY
for a holiday or for other reasons.
has different aims, and that you can
how they vary, so the more participants
pick your own study site, which can be
we have the better!
2 016 | BTO Volunteer Magazine
15
B I R D O B S E RVATO R I E S
LEARNING THE
BIRDING ROPES
There are 19 bird observatories in the UK, dotted around the coast from Fair Isle in the north of Scotland to Portland on the south coast of England. These hallowed institutions hold a special place in the hearts of many birdwatchers, providing not just birds, but friendship and learning too. Paul Stancliffe describes the role they have played on his birding journey.
As a young birdwatcher learning the ropes
Reed Buntings, Swallows and Spotted
and gaining new identification skills, the bird
Flycatchers as they streamed overhead,
observatories and, more importantly, the
each uttering their distinctive flight calls.
experts that worked at them played a key
I ringed thrushes at roosts during the
role in my ‘mentoring’. Gibraltar Point was
winter months, walked Snow Buntings
the first observatory I visited, taken there
into traps and enjoyed checking out
as a boy by my long-suffering non-birding
the finer points of warbler identification
parents, when Dick Lambert was the warden.
during the spring and autumn migration
His knowledge was immense; I wanted that
periods – seeing my first-ever Subalpine,
knowledge, I wanted to be able to identify
Greenish and Icterine Warblers amongst
the specks that were flying over, both by
Lesser Whitethroats, Willow Warblers and
call and by jizz, and I wanted to learn to ring
Chiffchaffs, and I enjoyed discussing
birds too – seeing them in the hand would
the details of Redpoll identification with
surely add more to my growing catalogue of
experienced birders.
identification features.
It was also at Gib that I was
The longshore drifting and erosion at Spurn Point has resulted in the bird observatory having to move to new premises further up the peninsula. The new observatory is now open and offers superb accommodation.
introduced to monitoring – walking a EARLY LEARNING
given part of the reserve and recording
a skill I eagerly transferred to my local patch
So began my love affair with Gib and visible
my observations using the BTO’s Common
of Attenborough Nature Reserve in land-
bird migration. I counted Meadow Pipits and
Birds Census techniques and codes. This was
locked Nottinghamshire, adding a whole new dimension to my everyday birding. These, for me, were heady days indeed and I have to admit over forty years later that part of me yearns for those early days of discovery. FAST-FORWARD Four decades later and things have changed in the birding scene quite a bit. Anyone starting out has a wealth of bird guides at their fingertips, access to the very latest birding news, at a national and local level and a whole host of apps to help with bird identification. So, it would seem that a visit to a bird observatory might not be at the top of the list? But read on… Though some of our bird observatories are struggling to attract short-stay overnight visitor bookings, the areas themselves
Bird ringing is an important role of bird observatories and offers the opportunity for visitors to watch operations at close quarters and see birds in the hand.
16
remain popular with visiting birders because observatories are situated in locations that
BTO Volunteer Magazine | 2 016
DAVID TIPLING - BTO IMAGES/ROB ADAMS - BTO IMAGES/ROB READ - NATURE PHOTOGRAPHERS LTD/JILL PAKENHAM - BTO IMAGES
B I R D O B S E RVATO R I E S
Portland Bill Observatory occupies the magnificent setting of a former lighthouse.
“Bird observatory wardens are professional birders, amongst other things, and spend a lot of time in the field continually honing their skills.”
mapping and bird ringing are all things that visitors can help with. The excitement mounts, too, the longer you stay, with the chance of witnessing large-scale movements of birds or even big ‘falls’ of migrants. If you’re into insects, especially moths, then most observatories run overnight moth traps; I have seen some great moths over the years as well as a variety of scarce and rare birds too.
intercept bird movements. However, having
All-in-all a great way to increase
visited and stayed at some of them during
your skills and have a great holiday in a
the last couple of years I have found they
wonderful location, and, if that’s not reason
still have an enormous amount to offer.
enough to visit a bird observatory, the
The expertise is still there, bird observatory
evening log is something not to be missed!
wardens are professional birders, amongst
I can think of nothing better than sitting
other things, and spend a lot of time in the
discussing the day’s events, the birds that
field continually honing their skills. A short-
were seen, and those that should have
term stay at an observatory provides the
been seen but weren’t, the weather, how
opportunity to get involved in the day-to-day
it will be better tomorrow – it always is –
work; censusing breeding birds, reporting
and the best part, how your day stacks up
visible migration and grounded migrants,
against everyone else’s and what you need
moth-trapping, butterfly recording, plant-
to look out for in the morning!
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Elephant Hawk-moth. Most bird observatories run moth traps and frequently turn up scarce and rare moth species. Visitors should turn up early in the morning to see the night’s catch and learn from experienced ‘mothers’ how to identify them.
17
OW L S
TAWNY OWL was placed on the latest Birds of Conservation Concern Amber List, published in December 2015, because of declines in its breeding population.
Five species of owl can be considered as widespread breeders within the UK (Barn, Tawny, Little, Long-eared and Short-eared Owl), with another two either occasional breeders (Snowy Owl) or establishing non-natives (European Eagle Owl). Our knowledge of these species, in terms of population size, trends and demographic processes, is mixed, ranging from ‘very good’ to ‘virtually absent’. Barn Owl is the best monitored, reflecting the size of its breeding population, favourable habitat associations and willingness to occupy nest boxes erected by landowners, ringing groups and owl enthusiasts. In contrast, the Long-eared Owl has been described as a ‘good contender for the least understood widespread breeding species in Britain’ and we know extremely little about its status or distribution. Does our lack of knowledge matter? As top predators, owls are well placed to provide an indication of the state of the environments in which they live; because they are charismatic, they can also be used as a focus for wider conservation efforts. But do we need to know everything about them; in fact, do we even need to know how many of them there are breeding and/or wintering here in the UK? SO WHAT DO WE NEED TO KNOW, AND WHAT CAN WE ACTUALLY ACHIEVE?
HOW WELL DO WE REALLY KNOW OUR
OWLS?
Charismatic and recognisable, owls have long been popular with both birdwatchers and the wider public. They feature in our literature, adorn our greetings cards and home furnishings, and are prominent in magazine articles and the photographs that accompany them. But how much do we really know about the owls that breed here in the UK, and are we confident that we know enough about them to safeguard their populations? Mike Toms takes a closer look. 18
Central to our understanding must be some measure of population change, ideally captured in a manner that will enable us to understand what is driving the patterns seen. Successful conservation action depends upon such information. For example, Shorteared Owl remains on the latest Birds of Conservation Concern (BoCC) Amber List because of the changes in its UK breeding range, documented through the three UK breeding bird atlases; Tawny Owl has been added to the same list because of changes in its breeding population, again based on our volunteer-collected data. Interestingly, both Barn Owl and Long-eared Owl appear on the BoCC Green List – indicating a favourable conservation status – despite the fact that, while we have good information to support the inclusion of Barn Owl on this list,
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OW L S
it could be argued that it is a lack of reliable information that sees the Long-eared Owl
Our knowledge of SHORT-EARED OWL population trends is poor, but this species has undergone a large breeding range contraction in Scotland.
placed here. Concern over the uncertainty regarding the status of Long-eared Owl and Short-eared Owl in the UK has led to them being added to the list of species for which breeding data are collated by the Rare Breeding Birds Panel. We also need to secure the information that will inform conservation and management decisions. We know, for example, that Long-eared Owls are associated with coniferous forest (and to a lesser extent scrub habitats) during the breeding season; the provision of evidencebased advice on how to manage such habitats for Long-eared Owls is likely to be well received. Pilot work, developing and testing survey methods for Long-eared Owls, would be a good starting point for the future delivery of such advice and we can learn from the work done on other owl species, such as for Barn Owl, through the Project Barn Owl and Barn Owl Monitoring Programme work carried out by the BTO. Understanding what information is needed (see table) and what can realistically be achieved is going to be key. We may not be able to secure a measure of the population size for Long-eared Owl but we might be able to develop a monitoring programme that can provide a measure of population change. One thing is certain, however, and that is the willingness of volunteers to support and participate in work on our owls. As we increase our focus on these species I am sure many of us will
SHORT-EARED OWL – A CASE STUDY Our knowledge of the current status of the Short-eared Owl is largely limited to data collected through the national Bird Atlas projects and a handful of nest monitoring studies, neither of which can be used to determine population trends. Although the species has an extensive global range, available evidence suggests that populations are declining in most of the areas where trends are known (though knowledge is very poor). Data from Bird Atlas 2007‒11 show the species to have undergone the second-largest breeding range contraction of any species in Scotland – where the bulk of our population is thought to breed – between 1988‒91 and 2008‒11. Short-eared Owl appears on Annex 1 of the EU Birds Directive, so information
on distribution, population trends and density is badly needed to fulfil the UK’s obligations. We need to be realistic about what we can achieve, however. BTO research, led by John Calladine at BTO Scotland and funded by Scottish Natural Heritage, underlines that we are unlikely to secure an accurate measure of population size because any survey to estimate this is likely to be impractical, unreliable and costly. We could, however, secure a baseline for an ongoing monitoring programme and deliver improved knowledge on breeding densities, regional patterns of breeding success and habitat associations, all of which could inform conservation policy, the designation of Special Protection Areas and habitat management decisions.
want to get involved.
BTO HOWARD STOCKDALE/MOSS TAYLOR
TABLE OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE UK’S ‘ WIDESPEAD’ OWL SPECIES As this table shows, our current knowledge of the status, breeding distribution and demography of the UK’s ‘widespread’ owls is rather mixed. A tick indicates a good degree of knowledge, a question mark indicates knowledge but with some uncertainty in our understanding and a cross indicates a complete lack of knowledge
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BARN OWL
LITTLE OWL
TAWNY OWL
LONG-EARED OWL
SHORT-EARED OWL
POPULATION SIZE POPULATION TREND DISTRIBUTION RANGE CHANGE DEMOGRAPHIC PARAMETERS SURVEY METHODS HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
19
BIRD ID
NAME THAT
BIRD
2 1
With more than 100 bird species regularly breeding in the UK and many more visiting for the winter, learning to identify them could seem daunting. Su Gough, BTO Training Manager, shares some of the ‘tricks’ to help get you started on a journey you will never regret making…
5
There are so many different species and
as starters? Size and shape are the first to
so many subtle plumages, it just seems
consider: a buffy-coloured bird with a red
confusing in the beginning! But I promise
face, feeding on the bird table. What would
it’s not as bad as you think and, with small
you think? A Goldfinch? Having no further
steps, you will be amazed at how much and
information, so did we – until it emerged
confidently identify it as a Chaffinch. Where
how quickly you improve. To the uninitiated,
that the bird was over 3ft tall: it was an
on the body any white appears is crucial,
identifying birds is all about simply matching
escaped Sandhill Crane!
too – and will help you to realise that the
what we see with pictures in books and
Then come the plumage details and
large pink, black and white bird on the lawn
for some species this may be possible, but
the trick here is knowing what to look for.
I believe this tactic is likely to put you off
The most obvious colour is usually white,
because it fails on too many occasions.
is a Jay rather than a Hoopoe. Being aware of what the most
so make a note of any white markings
common birds are in a given area or
So, where to start? One of the best
as these will be the first, and sometimes
habitat at a particular time of year will
ways to identify an unknown bird is to
only, markings you see. It is rare to have
significantly reduce the number of
compare it to a species you already know
prolonged, side-on views to match the book
‘possibles’ to study in the book. One of
and there will be some, even if you consider
illustrations, but knowing just a glimpse of a
the most frequent mistakes I encounter is
yourself a complete beginner. How about
Robin-sized brownish garden bird with white
an assumption that any unfamiliar bird is
Robin, Blackbird, duck (Mallard) and Crow
on the wings and outer tail will be enough to
something extremely rare.
WHICH THRUSH IS IT?
YOU NOTICE A spotty-breasted thrush in your garden in summer and would love to know what it is. How do you go about it? By glancing through your Britain & Ireland field guide you learn that there are four species that occur: Redwing, Fieldfare, Song Thrush and Mistle Thrush. All of them are found in the part of the country you live in, but as you read further you realise that both Redwing and Fieldfare are only winter visitors. You have already cut the potentials by half but,
20
unfortunately, the two remaining are the most similar looking! The key here is to study the differences between the two, and these will be pointed out in your field guide. One (Mistle) is large, upright and a cold pale, greyishbrown whilst the other (Song) is small and a richer, warm brown. There is a BTO ID video workshop on these two species and, although you suspect that the bird in your garden is a Song Thrush, you decide to watch that to confirm your identification.
Song Thrush
Mistle Thrush
Redwing
Fieldfare
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BIRD ID
FIND OUT MORE
3 4
One field guide we recommend is the Collins BTO Guide to British Birds by Paul Sterry and Paul Stancliffe (every common British bird, every plumage). To find out more about this book, or discuss other options, chat to Su on su.gough@bto.org or call her on 01842 750050.
HIGH-FLYING RAPTORS: Identifying birds of prey in flight is known as one of the most difficult ID challenges out there, but all of the techniques described in this article will stand you in good stead with the more challenging groups. For example, check for long or short tail, forked, square-ended or fan-shaped, heavily barred, unbarred or single bar at tail tip; underparts barred or plain; trailing edge of wing with or without dark band. The birds above are: 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Goshawk, 3 Red Kite, 4 Montagu’s Harrier, 5 Marsh Harrier.
FIELD GUIDES
These almost invariably turn out to be Reed
Getting a suitable field guide is a help too.
Buntings that look very different to the
There are so many available it is bewildering
handsome black-headed, white-moustached
but, if you are just starting out, avoid the
summer males, which may be the only picture
temptation to get a guide that covers the
in some books.
PAUL STERRY - NATURE PHOTOGRAPHERS LTD
whole of Europe or even further. An example:
The free BTO ID videos concentrate on identifying birds in the field and tackle the most useful features for each species, be that visual or sound. There are now almost 60 five-minute videos covering a diverse range of species from garden birds through to winter-plumaged seabirds. Something useful regardless of your level of expertise. www.bto.org/about-birds/bird-id To help take your bird ID to the next level, why not come on one of our training courses, held throughout the country. Choosing a venue away from where you live can help introduce you to new species as well. www.bto.org/training
Habitat, season and distribution are also
you spot an unfamiliar, small Robin-sized,
really good ways of minimising the number of
buff bird standing upright on the ground. It
species to consider. Identifying the medium-
put a name to a bird remains. Perhaps one
has a white rump and tail with a black end.
sized humped birds in fields in East Anglia
of the most important lessons is realising
If you look this bird up in the black Collins
is made easier if you know that you only
that there will be the ones that you cannot,
Bird Guide – a book that is loved by many
get grouse in the uplands. Then I need to
with your current knowledge and experience,
including myself and often considered the
concentrate only on the two partridges to be
put a name to. It happens to us all and,
birdwatcher’s Bible — you will find 10 pages
found in the country and now, having whittled
rather than being a let-down, can be used
of wheatears, covering 17 species and that is
down the possibles to two, concentrating
as an opportunity to learn more about the
not including all the different subspecies! An
on the plumage differences between these
differences between those similar species, so
impossible task? Generally, we get only the
becomes much more achievable.
that we know what to look for next time.
complicate things for yourself? The balance
BUILDING CONFIDENCE
sound is the key way to identify many
is not to oversimplify; make sure your book
It is a process of adding to your repertoire
similar-looking species. Space prevents me
shows males and females, alongside breeding
slowly but surely. You will learn new species
from touching on this subject and we will be
and winter plumages, if appropriate. We get
and less-obvious plumages of familiar species
returning to this in a future article.
a lot of queries about unfamiliar sparrow-like
and you will get much quicker at identifying
brown birds in gardens in hard winter weather.
mystery birds but that challenge of trying to
one species of wheatear in the UK, so why
2 016 | BTO Volunteer Magazine
As you progress you will discover that
Embrace the challenge of learning to identify new birds and enjoy!
21
PE R E G R I N E S U RV EY
PEREGRINE RESULTS
GRAHAM CATLEY
Results from the 2014 Peregrine Survey showed population increases in some lowland regions, contrasting with decreases in upland areas.
MIXED FORTUNES FOR
PEREGRINES
In 2014, we ran our sixth decadal survey to record the number of Peregrine breeding territories in the UK and Isle of Man, allowing us to assess population changes of this iconic species since the early 1960s. As Dawn Balmer and Mark Wilson explain, the results paint a mixed picture for a species that was once so close to extinction in this part of the world. Peregrines are the world’s fastest animals,
population estimated at around 1,500 pairs.
those for Northern Ireland and England are
reaching speeds of more than 200 miles
The results indicate strong regional patterns
higher. The increase in England is particularly
per hour during aerial dives to catch prey.
of change. Estimates for Wales, Scotland and
notable, with the estimated number of
Unfortunately, this supreme hunting skill has
the Isle of Man are lower than in 2002, while
breeding Peregrines in England exceeding
brought this raptor into conflict with humans, which, combined with the adverse effects
TABLE PEREGRINE UK POPULATION ESTIMATES
of pesticides used in the mid-twentieth
Provisional estimates of the UK and IoM peregrine population (numbers of breeding pairs) 2014.
century, reduced Peregrines to the edge of extinction in Britain. Our first Peregrine Survey was in 1961, meaning the population recovery has been well documented by survey participants. Results from our most recent Peregrine Survey, in 2014, suggest an increase in breeding numbers of about 5% since the 2002 survey, with the UK
22
AREA Wales Scotland England Isle of Man Northern Ireland Total
2002
2014
% CHANGE
283
249
-12
571
509
-11
470
628
+34
31
23
-26
82
96
+17
1,437
1,505
+5
BTO Volunteer Magazine | 2 016
PE R E G R I N E S U RV EY
FIG 1 BREEDING PEREGRINE NEST PREFERENCES FOCUS ON HAMPSHIRE
The type of nest favoured by breeding Peregrines varied between different parts of the UK.
by BTO Vice-President, Keith Betton
100 90 80
NEST TYPE
% OF NESTS
70
Natural (inland) Natural (coast)
60 50
Quarry
40
Human structure
30 20 10 0
UK
England & Wales
Scotland
Northern Ireland
COUNTRY
FIG 2 OUTCOME OF MONITORED PEREGRINE NESTS
The tops of pylons can be a good place to spot Peregrine nests, especially on towers where the pylon line changes direction.
The percentage of UK Peregrine nests of known outcome that fledged at least one chick, per nest type.
% OF CHICKS FLEDGED (UK)
70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Human structure
Quarry
Natural (coast)
Natural (inland)
NEST TYPE
that in Scotland for the first time. The
nesting on human structures. Human
results suggest that Peregrine populations
structures were less used elsewhere, with
in lowland regions are predominantly
the majority of nests in Scotland being
stable or increasing, while those in most
situated on inland crags, and most pairs in
upland regions are decreasing. Further
Northern Ireland breeding in quarries.
analyses are under way, and we will
At the UK level the percentage of
present final numbers in due course.
pairs that fledged young was highest at
As part of the fieldwork, volunteers
nests on human structures, intermediate
recorded the nest type; whether on a
at quarries and natural coastal sites, and
human structure or in a quarry, natural
lowest on natural inland sites. Further
(coast) or natural (inland). At the UK
analyses are likely to highlight ways in
level, quarries and natural sites (coastal
which the relationships between nest-site
and inland) were used to a very similar
type, occupancy and breeding success are
extent, with slightly fewer nests on human
affected by country, region and geography.
contrasts at smaller scales. Peregrines breeding in England, Wales and the Isle of Man were quite evenly distributed between site types, with relatively large numbers
2 016 | BTO Volunteer Magazine
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thank you to all volunteers who contributed to the 2014 Peregrine Survey. Particular thanks to the raptor study groups, whose members put an enormous effort into survey work.
KEITH BETTON
structures (Figure 1) but there were
Peregrines started to breed in Hampshire in 1993. Their first nest was very safe from humans – high up on the chimney of Fawley Power Station, the tallest structure in the county. Pairs have nested there ever since. In 1995 a nest was built on a pylon near to Southampton. Over time more pylon nests were built, particularly on those towers where the pylon line changes direction. In these places, the pylon insulators are horizontal, providing an ideal site for a Peregrine nest. Unfortunately the failure rate on pylons and other man-made structures can be considerably higher than on more natural cliff-type sites. Pylons and open rooftops are often susceptible to the effects of bad weather and human disturbance. In 2014 we confirmed breeding at 16 localities, with 12 pairs fledging at least 26 young. Peregrines used four nest boxes, from which a total of ten chicks fledged. This gives an average fledging rate of 2.5 chicks per nestbox, compared with a county average of 1.6 chicks per nest. There were six pylon nests which fledged seven chicks in total, despite two nests failing. Pairs elsewhere nested on buildings (4), tall chimneys (2), quarries (2) plus single pairs on a grain silo and a crane. The pair nesting on the grain silo chose to lay their eggs on a pile of spilled grain below a damaged pipe. The female continued to incubate her eggs despite grain falling on her! She had been colour-ringed in Greater London in 2012, so this was her first year breeding.
23
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