Sheffield Breeding Atlas 2003

Sheffield Breeding Bird Atlas Project 2003

Introduction - What is it all about? - News - Announcements - etc.

It is now over 25 years since the publication of "Birds of the Sheffield Area - including the NE Peak District" and it is now time to look again at the birds which breed in our recording area. Over the next 2 or 3 summers we plan to plot the breeding distribution of these species. We will then be able to chart any changes in status for all local breeding species, and use the data to have an input to local conservation issues, such as site management, habitat loss, etc.

Information will be collected by tetrad [a 2km x 2km square]. We want to record the level of breeding activity for all species present in each tetrad during the breeding season. For most species it is sufficient simply to secure the best evidence possible as to the species’ breeding status: was the species just present, or was it singing or nest-building, or did you find young fledged birds, etc, simply by ticking an appropriate box on a Recording Form.

In addition, for species on the "BTO Red Data List" [identified as having undergone a rapid decline in the last 30 years], we aim to try to indicate how many pairs are located in each category in each tetrad. The same would apply to any species found in your tetrad that does not appear on the Recording Form. By their nature, these species are unlikely to occur in great numbers, and counting them should not be difficult.

Look at the links above or below to see: how to choose tetrads, view maps of the Recording Area, view and print off "Instruction Sheets" and "Recording Forms".

Completed Breeding Atlas Recording Forms

We hope those of you who have taken part in the Breeding Atlas project have enjoyed doing so and have gained a greater insight into local bird populations as a result. We'll be looking for members (and non-members) to take further tetrads early next year and very much hope you'll be inspired to continue (or start) being involved with this project. Next spring we will be offering to 'buddy' members who would like to gain experience of how it all works.

Please return recording forms from this breeding season, completed as fully as possible, to David Wood, either at an indoor meeting, or by post to 23 Crimicar Drive, SHEFFIELD, S10 4EF.

Don't forget to submit details of breeding records also to the database via record slips or direct to Dave Williams by email.
Anyone able to offer support to Dave in the inputting of records to the database should contact either Dave or myself, and we'll be very glad to talk you through things. Don't forget also to submit those 'casual' breeding records for tetrads other than those you've been responsible for, or if you haven't taken a tetrad of your own.

Many thanks, and don't be shy in coming forward for next Spring's round of the breeding survey.