Thanks to all who have contributed records to the site. Through your efforts we have added a good number of records for the winter Atlas especially for the rather poorly covered inland squares of SD56 SD57 qnd SD 45. Only two days to go before the winter Atlas period closes so please send in any records you have. You can see something of the progress we have made by comparing the map below which is the most up to date for Dunnock with the one we published earlier in the winter.

The breeding Atlas starts on April 1st and runs to the end of July. We have many more gaps to fill during the breeding season than we had at the start of this winters Atlas, so any help you can give throughout this period will be very welcome indeed. We hope to give you some pointers as to what species to look out for and where before April 1st.

John Wilson

Well it’s still a wintry scene although the big thaw is due to set in. The icy weather has led to sightings of birds in unusual places e.g. Woodcock in gardens and Oystercatcher feeding on grass verges by main roads.

Don’t forget to send in your records (use the Add Your Own Record link above or submit roving records directly onto the BTO website by pasting http://www.bto.org/birdatlas into your browser.

If you are doing timed tetrad visits, we are now into the “late winter period” and second visits need to be completed by the end of February.

The elusive Tawny Owl.
Tawny Owl has eluded most Atlas surveyors in the LDBWS area. Despite many records of Tawny Owl being added nationally to the Atlas map following the successful BBC Autumnwatch programme (see www.bto.org) it seems that north Lancashire tawnies kept a low profile and the tetrad map below shows where we still need records from.
If you hear or see a Tawny Owl this winter please let us know by using the Add Your Own Record link above.
Many thanks, Jean.

Winter records of Tawny Owl are shown in red.

Map showing tetrad names.

The map above shows the tetrads in which Dunnock have so far been recorded but there are quite a few tetrads in which Dunnock appear to be missing. If you find any in these tetrads please send in your records by clicking on the Add your record link above. To work out which tetrad is which compare the bold outlined area of the Dunnock map with the tetrad map below.

If you are feeling in a pioneering mood, 9 tetrads in and near the LDBWS area have NO records for winter yet. These are:
SD54D (E of Cabus)
SD54F (Walmesley Bridge, R. Brock)
SD54G (Claughton on Brock)
SD54K (Whitechapel)
SD54P (Stakehouse Fell)
SD54Q (Barns Fold Reservoir)
SD54U (Bleasdale Moors)
SD66X (Burn Moor and Croasdale Grains)
SD66Y (either side of the minor road from High Bentham to Keasden)

To view these or any other tetrads go to www.bto.org/birdatlas and click on Atlas Tools at the top. You can then type in the name of the tetrad and view a map of it.

This is a tetrad for those who like to keep fit. There are currently no winter records for this tetrad so if you fancy a yomp in the snow or perhaps to help you with your New Year’s resolution to get fit then any records of birds you see either side of the footpath from Grit Fell to Ward’s Stone would be most welcome. Who knows, there may be Snow Buntings up there just waiting to be found…. As always click on the Add your own records link above to send in your findings from this or any other tetrad.

The sun shone, the wind was light and it seemed a perfect day to do the moorland tetrad SD56X. This tetrad isn’t far from Caton and is just east of the tall turbines on Caton Moor. Apart from a few sheep all I had for company in an hour were 2 Stonechats! After an hour tramping over the rushy, boggy ground it was time to survey the other habitat in the tetrad, the inbye. Big mistake! I nearly got caught in the crossfire from a small army of shooters. Beating a hasty retreat I decided that tetrading in the countryside on a Saturday is not a good idea although it can give a good Snipe and Woodcock count.

Woodcock are particularly difficult to find and are under-recorded for the Atlas.  If you have any records from anywhere in the LDBWS area please send them in using the link above.

Many thanks

Jean

½ We’re halfway through the Atlas.

2 Only this winter and next winter to gather as many records as possible.

5 The top 5 recorded birds in our area: Number one is the ever popular ROBIN with 1375 records, Number two is Carrion Crow (1359 records submitted),Number three is Chaffinch (1339 records), Number four is Blue Tit (1246Records) and Number five is Starling (1100 records)

THE MOST POPULAR BIRD IN THE LDBWS AREA

10 The number of tetrads that still need to be booked for timed visits. 5 of these are in the LDBWS area (see map below) and the others are in SD54 (see BTO Atlas site).

77 The number of tetrads that haven’t yet had a timed visit done in winter – surveyors please check
which tetrads you’ve booked and which you still need to do.

192 The rarest recorded birds in winter with only 1 record each: Eagle Owl, Helmeted Guineafowl(!!), Firecrest, Ring-necked Parakeet, Black Guillemot, American Golden Plover, Red Kite, Great Northern Diver, Velvet Scoter.

262 The number of observers who have sent in records for the LDBWS area.

46673 The enormous number of records submitted for our area.

Tetrads available.  If you can spare 1-2 hours to do one of these between now and 31st December, please contact Jean Roberts on jeanrbrts6@aol.com

We are now over half way through the Atlas 2007-11 project, and we need help with many species and in many areas. The winter Atlas runs from November through to February. Within our area we are trying to fully cover each tetrad (2km.x2km square). The following is a guide to some of the species we need help with , we hope shortly to give a list of the tetrads that need further coverage.

Birds of Prey

Any records of any species are welcome for all tetrads. Even Kestrel and Sparrowhawk have not been recorded in many areas.

Owls

Again any records are valuable. Tawny owls and Little owls are still under-recorded.

Bullfinch & Nuthatch

Records away from the Arnside Silverdale area are needed.

Woodpeckers

Any away from the Arnside/Silverdale area

Wagtails

Both  species are under-recorded so any records are valuable.

Siskin & Lesser Redpoll

These two species visit garden feeders during late winter so please report any sightings.

Skylark and Meadow Pipit

Very scarce in winter so any sightings are especially valuable

Other Species

Of course records of any unusual species  should be reported. The following is a list of species which are regular but very patchily distributed.

Grey Partridge , Red- legged Partridge, Water Rail,  Oystercatcher, Golden Plover . Shore waders away from the coast. Jack Snipe, Snipe. Stock Dove, Kingfisher, Dipper, Chiffchaff , Blackcap, Goldcrest, Marsh Tit, Yellowhammer & Reed Bunting.

Thank you for your help it is very much needed and appreciated.

Local tetrad map