BTO Volunteer magazine 2016

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

2

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!

BTO Volunteer Magazine | 2 016

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

pg10

pg 6

pg16

pg18

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)

2 016 | BTO Volunteer Magazine

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.

3

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;

2

1

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.

4

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.

3 BTO Volunteer Magazine | 2 016

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

4

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

2 016 | BTO Volunteer Magazine

Even when the weather reports look ideal

5

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

6

BTO Volunteer Magazine | 2 016

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,

2 016 | BTO Volunteer Magazine

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.

7

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

8

BTO Volunteer Magazine | 2 016

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.

2 016 | BTO Volunteer Magazine

be covered for at least two years.

9

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.

10

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.

BTO Volunteer Magazine | 2 016

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

Invertebrates form an important source of food for Britain’s birds but little is known adds upabout to how many there One school found are, where they are howfor their presence changes about how many there are, where they areform or how their presence changes across thebirds UK but Invertebrates an important source ofor food Britain’s little isacross knownthe UK

4227

Ants

3331

220m ofabout worm, how many there are, where they are or how their presence changes across the UK

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

Sparrow

Invertebrates form an important Others (Woodlice, Beetles, Robin 78

40Snails, Caterpillars Chaffinch little is known about how many there Goldfinch presence changes across 12 the UK.

Medium birds

Large birds

Starling Blackbird Song Thrush Fieldfare Mistle Thrush Redwing

Crow Wood Pigeon Gull Magpie WHICHFeral BIRDS Pigeon Other large bird Dove

4

9 9

17

birds Earthworms adds addsup uptoto

4373

3331 3331

3331

of worms caught adds up to 220m of worm, the same as 19 double-deckers

4227

Ants

Oneschool schoolfound found One

One school found 42274227 adds up to 1.1g - average 220mofofworm, worm, of worm 220m Number of soil 220m ofweight worm, thesame sameasas the invertebratesthe same as 19 double-deckers 391 soil invertebrates The total length19 double-deckers caught 19 double-deckers 325

27

Wren

and unknown)Ants Ants are, where theyDunnock are or how 14 their 4227 Ants

soil soilinvertebrates invertebrates

One school found

3331

soil invertebrates

335 329

Which birds and howmany manydid didwe wesee? see? birds and how Which birdsWhich andSmall how many did we see? birds AND HOW MANY DID WE SEE? 108

Small birds

Sparrow Robin Other small bird Pied Wagtail Chaffinch Wren Dunnock Goldfinch

GRAPHIC BY NIGEL HAWTIN http://nigelhawtin.com

Medium birds

Large birds

Starling Blackbird Song Thrush Fieldfare Mistle Thrush Redwing

66

33 birds Small

277

Sparrow

305

151

Robin how many did 78 we see?

Sparrow 151 Which birds and 151 57 Other small bird

Robin 78 78 Wagtail 5745 Other smallPied bird Small birds Sparrow 151 40 57 Wagtail 45 To join inPied and find Chaffinch out more go to: www.jointhepod.org Robin 78 27 Wren 45 40 Chaffinch Other small bird Dunnock 45 5714 40Pied Wagtail 27 Wren Goldfinch 40 12 Chaffinch 27 14 Dunnock 27 Wren birds 14 MediumDunnock Goldfinch 14 12 Starling 12 Medium birdsGoldfinch 12 Medium birds

One school saw

One school saw

Crow Wood Pigeon Gull Magpie Feral Pigeon Other large bird Dove

2 016 | BTO Volunteer Magazine

317 birds

317 birds 317

One school saw birds

325

Blackbird

Starling 17 Song Thrush Starling Blackbird Fieldfare 9 Blackbird Mistle Thrush 17 9 Song Thrush 17 Song Thrush Redwing Fieldfare 9 17 Fieldfare 9 4 Mistle Thrush Large birds Mistle Thrush9 9 9 Redwing 4 Crow Redwing 4 9Large birds

Large birds 4

317 birds

One school saw

Feral Pigeon Other large bird 66 Dove 33

108

66

33

391

325

Wood Pigeon

Crow Wood Pigeon Crow Gull Gull Magpie Wood Pigeon Magpie Feral Pigeon Feral Pigeon OtherGull large bird Other large Magpie bird Dove33 Dove

391

325

33

108 66

66

108

108

277

277

305

305

335 329

335 329

277

277

305

305

325

391

391

335 329

335 329

To join in andTo find outinmore to: www.jointhepod.org Towww.jointhepod.org join in and find out more go to: www.jointhepod.org join andgofind out more go to:

To join in and find out more go to: www.jointhepod.org To join in and find out more go to: www.jointhepod.org

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

14

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!

2 016 | BTO Volunteer Magazine

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,

BTO Volunteer Magazine | 2 016

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

2 016 | BTO Volunteer Magazine

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

BTO Volunteer Magazine | 2 016

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

New DBA VHD

“Smaller, Lighter, Brighter, Sharper”, the new DBA VHD takes our design philosophy to a new level. The all new VHD optical system offers brighter, sharper images compared to its predecessor in a similarly compact package. 100% made in Japan. 30 year guarantee.

Available in 8x42 and 10x42 with prices starting from just £579

Fieldscopes & Phonescoping HR ED Fieldscopes Designed and engineered without compromise, HR ED fieldscopes deliver exceptional optical performance combined with sublime handling and total reliability.

Available in straight through or 45˚ angled bodies with prices starting from £699. 30 year guarantee.

Bodies: HR 66 GA ED £699, HR 80 GA ED £849 Recommended eyepieces: SDLv2 18-54x/24-72x £289, HDF T 20xWW/27xWW £139, HDF T 28xWW/38xWW £159 Range of telephoto options available

Phonescoping Adapters Opticron smartphone photoadapters are a convenient and inexpensive way of attaching your smartphone to your Opticron spottingscope eyepiece and shooting high magnification photos and video.

Available for iPhone 4/4S, 5/5S & 6 and Samsung Galaxy S3, S4, S5, & S6.

Prices from £49.95

Opticron equipment can be tried, tested and purchased at good optical retailers nationwide. For more information, your nearest stockist and to order a Product Guide please phone 01582 726522 or visit us online at www.opticron.co.uk Opticron. Unit 21, Titan Court, Laporte Way, Luton, Beds, LU4 8EF UK Fax: 01582 723559 Email: sales@opticron.co.uk

BTO Volunteer 2016.indd 1

29/03/2016 14:41