The Breeding Bird Survey looks at about 80 randomly selected one-kilometre squares in Derbyshire each year in order to assess the state of our breeding bird populations. Given the randomness in their selection and the varied geography of Derbyshire, some of those inevitably fall on the high moorlands of the Dark Peak. One surveyor, Paul Bingham, has surveyed some of these for upwards of 20 years. Not only that, but the BTO has attached ‘Upland Adjacent’ squares to the ones that Paul has covered, the idea being to maximise the amount of data that can be gathered from these more remote areas by getting two-for-the-price-of-one, so to speak, given that they do require significant effort. Paul has suggested that it might be time to involve some more volunteers in covering these areas, but they are not for the faint-hearted – in Paul’s own words, "ability to cope with the terrain and navigate and stay safe in potentially difficult conditions is more important than bird identification skills". While these areas are not especially species-rich, they do offer the opportunity to come across some wader and raptor species in their breeding habitat. There are three principal squares, each with an attached ‘Upland Adjacent’, in the Bleaklow, Featherbed Moss and Kinder areas. If you would like to get involved and take on one of these surveys, or if you would like further information, please contact Simon Roddis, email
