BTO Volunteer magazine No. 1

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

4

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

5

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

8

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).

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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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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

23

BTO Volunteer Mag_BTO 31/01/2012 13:29 Page 1

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