British Trust for Ornithology – Bird Atlas 2007
With the help of volunteers, the British Trust for Ornithology is undertaking a major survey of the bird population in
There are two methods of counting. “Roving Records”, from which they aim to compile “lists that are as complete as possible for every 10km square in Britain and Ireland in winter and the breeding season. From species lists for grid squares to one-off records of hard to find species and anything in between.” Anyone can participate just by downloading the form.
The second method is by “Timed Tetrad Visits”. TTVs are principally concerned with establishing the relative abundance of birdlife within a tetrad in a set time period. A tetrad is a 2km x 2km square labelled A-Z within a 10km square area. Contact your Bird Atlas Regional Organiser through the BTO website to take part in this.
In the 20 years since the fieldwork for the first Bird Atlas was carried out, there have been both rallies and declines. The barn owl, for instance, initially in decline has recovered to a certain extent with careful management. The once ubiquitous house sparrow, on the other hand, appears to be struggling, particularly in urban areas.
Proof that our climate is warming? The little egret, a rare visitor from overseas 20 years ago, is now well-established here in many resident colonies.
Leave a comment
Subscribe to our blog email updates
Managing Your Woodland for Wildlife
A new book on encouraging biodiversity in your woodland. Available free here »
3 comments so far
catherine
29 November, 2007
see also the RSPB/BTO Woodland Bird Survey at http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-6MWL96
BirdTrack – Recording Bird Migration and Population Patterns | The Woodlands.co.uk Blog
9 May, 2008
[...] movements at both a local and national level. This information is also fed into the annual Bird Atlas and, of particular interest to wood owners, the Bird Conservation Targeting Project. This project, [...]
BirdTrack – Recording Bird Migration and Population Patterns | The Woodlands.co.uk Blog
4 October, 2011
[...] movements at both a local and national level. This information is also fed into the annual Bird Atlas and, of particular interest to wood owners, the Bird Conservation Targeting Project. This [...]