LDBWS > Current survey work

Surveys

Survey Name (with web link if available)

Recorder (with email link)

LDBWS Records & Surveys

Birds of the District (LDBWS)

Pete Crooks

Nest Boxes (LDBWS)

Mute Swan Survey 2004 (NW Swan Study Group/LDBWS)

Mac & Sheila Cooper

Most of the breeding sites of Mute Swan are picked up each year on the River Lune and the Canal. However, pairs breeding on other sites are not generally noted and this year we are trying to measure the total number of breeding pairs in our area. Please contact Mac and Sheila Cooper with your records. (More details ..)

Oystercatcher & Ringed Plover (LDBWS)

Kevin Briggs

Kevin Briggs is planning a survey of breeding Oystercatchers and Ringed Plover.

Swifts (LDBWS)

Phil Holland

It is intended to locate and survey the main breeding colonies in 2004. Send information to Phil Holland.

Yellowhammers (LDBWS)

Brian Townson

The survey of breeding Yellowhammers is continuing and if you are interested contact Brian Townson before April.

BTO/RSPB/WWT Surveys

BTO Representative

Breeding Bird Survey (BTO)

This is one of the most important nationwide bird surveys carried out. It is used to monitor changes in the population of our more common birds. It is run jointly by the BTO with the RSPB and Joint Nature Conservation Committee. The survey consists of walking two transects of a 1km grid square and recording the species and number of birds encountered. This is carried out twice in the breeding season.
In our area there are 15 BBS random 1km squares, 14 of which are covered, but a volunteer recorder is required for one on Goodber Common. Results can now be submitted electronically and results can be viewed on the BTO web site.

Nest Record Scheme (BTO)

Only 3 members of the society submitting nest records in 2003. The BTO is concerned about the reduction in the number of "open nest records" being submitted. The NRS is important as it is used to monitor nesting success, including the number of eggs laid, hatching and fledging outcomes together with information on nesting sites.
The BTO provides detailed guidance on nest recording without disturbing breeding birds. Records can be submitted on cards or electronically.

Ringing (BTO)

John Wilson

Waterways Bird Survey (BTO)

Surveys are carried out on stretches of linear waterways between March and July, mapping the position and activities of riparian birds. Normally, each stretch is surveyed nine times in the breeding season. At the end of the survey the maps are analysed to show the number and distribution of breeding territories for birds associated with water. Nationally, the results show population changes of these breeding birds and have been important in alerting us to declines in certain species.
Seven sections of the River Lune between Lancaster and Kirkby Lonsdale have been covered almost continuously for thirty years. Currently, one of the stretches requires an observer.

Waterways Breeding Bird Survey (BTO)

This is a survey of rivers and canals using a similar transect method to the BBS. Only two recording visits are required between April and June. All but one of the local WBS plots had additional WBBS surveys in 2003. Also WBBS surveys are carried out on three random plots of the Lancaster Canal, which were covered for fist time in 2003.

WeBS Wildfowl & Wader Counts (Coastal)

Jon Carter

WeBS Wildfowl & Wader Counts (Inland)

Pete Marsh

Winter Gull Roost 2004-2007 (BTO)

This has started and the main field work has been done on coastal roosts. Next year we will probably have some randomly selected coastal sites to cover.

Heronries Survey 2004 (BTO)

This is the longest running bird survey which started in 1928 and was taken over by the BTO in 1934. We have several heronries in our area and we would like to know if any new heronries are established. All our known heronries are visited annually to count the number of occupied nests.

House Sparrow Survey 2004 (BTO)

Work is continuing from 2003. Volunteers are sought for 2004 to survey in urban and suburban areas. Garden Bird Watch information will be used as well. Contact Rosie Cleary or Mike Toms at the BTO.

BTO Migration Watch

http://www.bto.org/migwatch

This is a website-based survey, recording the arrival and flow of migrants through the country. Contact Dawn Balmer at the BTO.

BirdTrack

BirdTrack is an online bird recording project that will monitor migration, seasonal movements and map the distribution of scarce birds (not rarities or rare breeding birds) and is organised by BTO on behalf of BTO, RSPB and BirdWatch Ireland.

BirdTrack welcomes your sightings of winter visitors such as Redwing, Fieldfare, Brambling, geese and swans so that we can track the arrival of these species. We are also interested in records of late summer visitors so we can map their departure.

You can enter your records on the BirdTrack website: http://www.birdtrack.net

BTO/CJ Garden Bird Watch

http://www.bto.org/gbw/index.htm

This is a popular all year nationwide survey, which involves recording wild birds in your garden. It costs Ł12 a year to be involved in the scheme and participants receive a quarterly magazine, "The Bird Table". Contact Mike Toms at the BTO.

Additional surveys for 2004-07

Swallow Feeding Survey - 2004

Following a pilot survey in 2003, 1000 randomly selected tetrads across UK will be looked at to gather data on foraging preferences of Swallows with respect to crops, grassland and potentially important features such as hedgerows and ponds. Counts of martins, Swifts and potential predators (Kestrel, Hobby and Sparrowhawk) will also be included in the survey which will require two recording visits between the end of May and the start of August. The areas to be covered have been selected, using some of the existing random BBS plots away from urban areas and below 200 metres in altitude.

National Nightjar Survey - 2004

This survey is being run jointly by the RSPB, English Nature, Forest Enterprise and the BTO and will determine the current population level of Nightjars. The last survey in 1992 recorded a 50% increase on the 1981 survey and it will be interesting to see if that trend has continued. All occupied sites in 1992 and other sites occupied subsequently will be revisited.

Next National Distribution Atlas

The BTO are starting to plan a combined breeding and winter atlas, starting in 2007/8 over four years. This will be the third Breeding Atlas and the second Winter Atlas. We will require as much help as possible with this survey to achieve full coverage of our area.

Ringing

North Lancs Ringing Group website

Ringing Recoveries : send copy of details to:-

John Wilson

Colour rings : send details of sightings for the three local colour ringing projects as follows:

Mute Swans

(NW Swan Study Group) - Mac & Sheila Cooper or Wes Halton

Bearded Tit

John Wilson

Common Sandpiper - Ringing on River Lune

Phil Holland

Ringed Plover

Kevin Briggs or Andrew Cadman

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Thanks go to James Shepherd for today's header photo of Cotestones. If you have a suitable picture of a local birding spot, why not send it to the webmaster, at andymccafferty@gmail.com? I need to resize (and if necessary crop) pictures to make them 600x130 pixels, so ideally send it at that size (definitely not smaller).

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