Bird Atlas 2007-11

Bird Atlas 2007-11 is a huge and exciting project that will map the abundance and distribution of birds in Britain and Ireland during both the breeding season and winter. The results will be the basis for the conservation of birds for the coming decades, just like those of past atlases have been. For example, one of the important findings from the last breeding atlas (1988-91) was the widespread range contraction of many of our farmland birds, which led to detailed research and conservation measures to prevent further decline. Within the SBSG recording area there has been an excellent start to the fieldwork for the new national Bird Atlas 2007-11, but there are plenty of areas to the west and east that have not yet been surveyed.

There are two ways to take part in this great project. You can do Timed Tetrad Visits to a 2km x 2km square of your choice, visiting twice in the winter months and twice in the breeding season. Alternatively, but just as important, you can submit Roving Records of birds that you see on field trips or one-off records of elusive species, like Hawfinches and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers.

To check the availability of your chosen tetrad, submit Roving Records online or simply find out ore about this project, visit www.birdatlas.net. Alternatively, contact your BTO Regional Representative.

Breeding Bird Survey

The Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) is a long-term survey of randomly selected 1km squares and provides important information about our birds during the breeding season in a variety of habitats. The survey method involves recording the birds observed during walks along two 1km transects across the square. The walks are done twice, at least 4 weeks apart, and usually take about 1-2 hours. A third walk is required to record the important habitats.

A number of squares are available across the SBSG recording area:

SK1099 Woodhead

SK1594 Howden Moor

SK3391 Wadsley Bridge, Sheffield

SK3690 Fir Vale

SK4997 Hooton Roberts

If you are interested in taking on one of these squares, please contact your BTO Regional Representative David Gains

Elsewhere across the BTO region these squares still need a surveyor:

Waterways Breeding Bird Survey

The Waterways Bird Survey (WBS) has been replaced by the Waterways Breeding Bird Survey (WBBS), which is both quicker and more effective in monitoring bird populations. There are a number of randomly selected waterways in the SBSG recording area; all of them are being surveyed:

SK5298 River Don

SK2181 River Derwent

SK3084 River Porter

SK3088 River Rivelin

Just outside the SBSG region, the following waterway is not being surveyed: SE3100 Dove & Dearne Navigation

Heronries Census

Each year, all the known heron colonies are counted, which involves at least one visit, preferably 2 or 3 to count the nests and, if possible, the number of chicks. Within the SBSG recording area, most of the currently (or recently) used heronries are now being surveyed though a few still remain. Also, herons are spreading and so we are always on the lookout for details of new heronries.

The following heronries all have surveyors:

SK274903 Near Damflask Reservoir, Loxley Valley, Low Bradfield, Sheffield

SK397974 Shire Oaks Wood, Wentworth Park

SK333902 Hillsborough Park, Sheffield

SK169922 Island Plantation, Derwent Reservoir

SK196860 Win Hill, Ladybower Reservoir

SK278958 More Hall Reservoir, Ewden village, near Stocksbridge, Sheffield

SK226906 Strines Reservoir, Low Bradfield, Sheffield

SK260927 Agden Reservoir, Low Bradfield, Sheffield

The following do not have surveyors:

SK268871 Rivelin Valley, near Sheffield

If you are interested in surveying one of these heronries or know of one that is not listed, please contact your BTO Regional Representative David Gains

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