This Article first appeared in
AAC(UK) Newsletter 182
published Summer 2009

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Mapping Britain and Ireland’s birds: The 2007-2011 Bird Atlas project

By Bob Swann. Scottish Organiser, Bird Atlas project. bob.swann@bto.org

An ambitious four year project is currently underway to map the distribution of Britain and Ireland’s birds, both in winter and during the breeding season. This important project is a partnership between the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), the Scottish Ornithologist’s Club (SOC) and Birdwatch Ireland (BWI). Bob Swann, Scottish Organiser discusses the project which started on the 1st November 2007.

As mountaineers, most of us are interested in the environment around us and one aspect of this is the birds we see whilst we are indulging in our passion for climbing. The more observant amongst us may have noted that the numbers and distribution of some species have shown some marked changes over recent years. Ravens, our largest member of the crow family, for instance appear to be increasing throughout the country. Peregrines, likewise, have shown big increases, though in some regions they are actually declining. It is important for bird conservation organisations to keep track of these changes. One way of doing this is by mapping bird distributions. This has been done before, but almost 20 years ago. The last breeding atlases were conducted between 1968-72 and again in 1988- 91. There has only been one previous winter atlas, back in 1981-84. Now a major new project, Bird Atlas 2007- 11 aims to update this information.

A lot has changed in the countryside since these past atlases. It will be fascinating to see how this will have affected the distribution and abundance of our birds, both in summer and winter. There is evidence that many upland species are in decline. There is particular concern about the Ring Ouzel, the mountain blackbird that summers in the Scottish hills but winters in North Africa. What of the true mountain specialists like Dotterel, Snow Bunting and Ptarmigan? How will their distributions be affected, particularly by climate change.

Methodology

In order to ascertain current distributions, all species will be mapped by 10km squares, using the grid system found on Ordnance Survey maps. Two complementary methods are being used. The first involves gathering Roving Records. The aim here is to record full species lists for every 10km square in Britain and Ireland in winter (November-February) and summer (April-July). This can be obtained by a specific visit to a square to find as many birds as possible, but equally well it could just be a list of birds chanced on whilst out during a day on the hills. Every record counts and the data can easily be submitted online by visiting www.birdatlas.net logging in and clicking on submit roving records or more traditionally on a paper Roving Records form which can be obtained from: The Atlas Organiser, BTO, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2PU.

As well as mapping the overall distribution of our birds, relative abundance will also be mapped. In order to work this out we are using a different method, the Timed Tetrad Visit (TTV). A minimum of two hours field work needs to be conducted in each sample tetrad (a 2x2 km block) in summer and/or winter. Typically each visit will involve a walk through the tetrad, undertaking a count of all birds seen or heard during a one hour period. You could conduct a TTV as you walk out to a hill counting the birds as you go up and then again on your return journey, particularly if you follow a different route, until you have clocked up the hour in the tetrad. In order to register for Timed Tetrad Visits you need to contact your local organiser. This can be done by logging on to www.birdatlas.net and clicking on request a tetrad. Otherwise contact the atlas organiser Dawn Balmer directly by e-mail  dawn.balmer@bto.org or at BTO HQ. Dawn will put you in touch with your local organiser.

It is likely that most mountaineers could assist the atlas project by providing Roving Records from remote upland areas. We would be keen to get records of a whole variety of distinctive upland species including Dipper, Ring Ouzel, Red Grouse, Ptarmigan, Golden Plover, Peregrine, Raven and Snow Bunting. Basically in any of the remoter parts of the country a list of the birds you have seen and positively identified will be very valuable. Any records up to 31st July 2011 can be submitted as long as you know the species, place, 10km square and date. During the summer if you can also record any evidence of breeding activity this will enhance the record. This could just be that you saw the birds in suitable breeding habitat (code H), saw a pair of birds (P), came across a nest (NE) or saw some recently fledged young (FF). A full list of codes is found on the website or on all atlas forms.

The atlas is a massive project. Getting full coverage is not going to be easy. We have got off to a flying start with thousands of records already having been submitted. There are many gaps, for ptarmigan and other mountain species, which you could help fill.

The effort involved with atlasing is going to be very worthwhile. Not only is it fun, it is also a good way of putting something back into your outdoor activities. The results from this project will be the basis for the conservation of birds in Britain and Ireland for the coming decades. Your effort will help conserve our bird populations for years to come. So check out the web site now.  

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