BBS 2023 update
The following are still available, please contact me to volunteer:
SE6169 north of Farlington
SE7970 Sutton Grange, Norton
News and information from the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) for members in the York Region
The following are still available, please contact me to volunteer:
SE6169 north of Farlington
SE7970 Sutton Grange, Norton
Posted by YorkRR at Saturday, March 25, 2023 0 comments
Since the previous national survey in 2013, there has been annual monitoring of Woodcocks with six to eight sites being visited each year. The first national survey was in 2003, so 2023 sees the third to provide updated population estimates and investigate the causes of the ongoing decline in breeding Woodcock numbers.
In order to do our part to achieve high coverage, I am looking for coverage at four priority sites in addition to the six covered last year. Two volunteers have already come forward and, if I can cover the other two, there is possibility of another three becoming available.
So please contact me if you would like to take part at a site near Garrowby Hill and one north of Dunnington. The map of survey squares is publicly visible on the main Woodcock Survey page at www.bto.org/woodcock.
Posted by YorkRR at Tuesday, February 14, 2023 0 comments
Shortly, I shall be checking with the current BBS volunteers to see if they will be continuing with their square this year. Most regular surveyors do revisit their squares each year, which is good for the continuity of the survey, but there is usually some turnover as volunteers retire or move house. There could, therefore, be some others coming free but currently I am looking for surveyors for the following:
SE6169 north of Farlington
SE6655 Brockfield
SE6979 West Ness
SE7366 north of Kirkham
SE7970 Sutton Grange, Norton
Posted by YorkRR at Tuesday, February 14, 2023 0 comments
I am looking for some volunteers to help with some BTO surveys that need covering in the York Region. If you would like to help, please email me using the link in the right hand panel or else request through the website links.
Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) – annual survey
Three squares available – SE6169 north west of Sheriff Hutton;
SE6979 at West Ness and SE7366 north of Kirkham.
The survey involves a recce visit and two early-morning
spring visits to an allocated 1-km square, to count all the birds you
see or hear while walking two 1-km lines across the square.
Further information about the survey can be found at https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/breeding-bird-survey.
Breeding Waders of Wet Meadows – single year survey
10 Lapwing plots and one AES field plots available in SE53
(1), SE63 (1), SE64 (1), SE65 (1), SE74 (1), SE75 (4) and SE76 (2).
The survey will require three daytime visits, with at least
one week separating each, and a single dusk visit for Snipe during May - only
if present at the site.
For maps and to request sites, please go to https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/breeding-waders-wet-meadows.
Woodcock Survey – annual survey
One site available near Sand Hutton and potentially another
near Dunnington.
Three visits around dusk in May and June to record roding
birds.
For more details on the survey see https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/woodcock-survey.
Posted by YorkRR at Saturday, April 09, 2022 0 comments
In recent years up to 2020, coverage had been running at or just under 40 squares for the BBS and four WBBS sites. Last year Covid-19 restrictions prevented early season visits but a remarkable 75% of allocated BBS squares did have late season visits, with three of the WBBS sites covered too.
Although not all regular surveyors have confirmed, I do know that the following sites are available:
Posted by YorkRR at Saturday, February 27, 2021 0 comments
The Breeding Waders of Wet Meadows was originally scheduled for 2020 but postponed to 2021 because of the pandemic. The BTO is currently planning for it to go ahead this spring, but this is obviously dependent upon the Covid-19 restrictions permitting at the time.
There are around 90 sites in the list for the York Region to get covered, about half are priority, so there is plenty of opportunity for involvement. Some of these are known important sites, others are selected Lapwing plots on farmland. The survey requires three visits between mid-April and the end of June, with an extra visit if the site has Snipe.
Please visit BTO website to see the site request map and read about the details of the methods https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/breeding-waders-wet-meadows
Posted by YorkRR at Saturday, February 27, 2021 0 comments
Unfortunately the BWWM has been cancelled, the BBS and WBBS are on hold and the Urban Gull survey (part of the Seabird Census) are postponed owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, Garden BirdWatch is now free as a special offer, please visit the BTO website for more details.
Stay safe.
Posted by YorkRR at Wednesday, April 01, 2020 0 comments