Winter Thrushes

Next winter there will be a survey of winter thrushes. This winter, in preparation, please use BirdTrack to record as much information as possible about the Redwings and Fieldfares that you see.

For example record a count, activity and note about habitat. For over-flying birds (arriving migrants or birds moving about within the country, rather than birds making local movements to or from feeding areas) the direction of flight can be recorded too.

A measure of effort will also be very valuable so observers are asked to include a start and end time for any species lists submitted.

This will help the design and planning of the survey.
And also, please look out for the BTO raffle tickets which, this year, will raise funds to run the survey.

Bird Atlas dates

The website will allow you to enter bird atlas records until the end of the year - 31 December.

Although the Atlas period has finished for Timed Tetrad Visits, it is still open for breeding evidence. So if you have any new observations or records that you haven't submitted yet that can increase the level of evidence for any species, please enter on the website www.birdatlas.net.

Bird Atlas - Gap filling

With just two weeks to go for the Atlas fieldwork, we are doing really well in the York Region so thank you to all who have contributed so far.

However, there are a few species that we should still be able to record as confirmed breeding. Can you help fill some of these gaps, please?

As a guide, here are 5 species that have been recorded but not yet been confirmed for each of the 10km squares in the region:

SE53 Red-legged Partridge, Sparrowhawk, Collared Dove, Garden Warbler, Treecreeper
SE54 Feral Pigeon, Collared Dove, Meadow Pipit, Goldcrest, Marsh Tit
SE55 Red-legged Partridge, Feral Pigeon, Meadow Pipit, Goldcrest, Marsh Tit
SE56 Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Meadow Pipit, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit
SE57 Skylark, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Goldcrest, Yellowhammer

SE63 Sparrowhawk, Turtle Dove, Lesser Whitethroat, Marsh Tit, Lesser Redpoll
SE64 Red-legged Partridge, Sparrowhawk, Stock Dove, Collared Dove, Goldcrest
SE65 Red-legged Partridge, Meadow Pipit, Goldcrest, Spotted Flycatcher, Corn Bunting
SE66 Meadow Pipit, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Magpie, Jackdaw
SE67 Red-legged Partridge, Collared Dove, Skylark, Treecreeper, Reed Bunting

SE73 Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Magpie, Goldfinch, Yellowhammer
SE74 Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Collared Dove, Lesser Whitethroat, Jay
SE75 Feral Pigeon, Collared Dove, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Magpie
SE76 Red-legged Partridge, Sparrowhawk, Stock Dove, Magpie, Yellowhammer
SE77 Collared Dove, Skylark, Yellow Wagtail, Chiffchaff, Magpie

At this time of year we are looking for adults carrying food for young or faecal sacs away from the nest (code FF), occupied nests (code ON) or recently fledged young still showing some dependency on adults (code FL). If you are lucky enough to be birding in breeding wader habitats, then codes such as DD for distraction display are useful.

Perhaps you have records already, or can find the evidence in the next fortnight?

Breeding evidence for these and other species can be submitted easily online at www.birdatlas.net.

Thanks for your help.

Wider Countryside Butterfly Surveys on BBS squares in 2011

The BTO has teamed up with Butterfly Conservation to run the Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey, a project to improve our knowledge of butterfly populations.

All BBS volunteers can take part in the survey by making extra visits to their square between June and August to count butterflies. BBS volunteers should have received an email about how to take part, please contact me if you haven't got it.

See the results from the 2010 Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey here.

YOC evening trip - 14th June

The YOC evening trip this coming Tuesday, 14th June, will be to gather breeding evidence for the BTO Bird Atlas. We'll be visiting SE73, to the east of Bubwith.

Meet at the North Duffield Carrs car park at 7.00 p.m.

Please contact me if you want further details.

Atlas - gaps in breeding evidence by 10km square

I have posted information about all 15 hectads in the region to highlight species that have been recorded in the square but have not had their breeding evidence confirmed. For some squares, I have flagged up species that have no breeding evidence at all, not even M for migrant or U for Summering.

Generally there should be some 'breeding evidence' for a record, even if it is M, U, F for flying or H for present in breeding habitat.

This information is taken from the My Local Gaps utility on the website. Visiting this will give you the up to date picture.

Here are the links to the relevant post:
SE53
SE54
SE55
SE56
SE57
SE63
SE64
SE65
SE66
SE67
SE73
SE74
SE75
SE76
SE77

Atlas in SE77

SE77 is the 10km square that includes Castle Howard Great Lake (but not all of the grounds) and a good part of Malton.

These species have been recorded but have not had breeding confirmed, some of these should be breeding here. I have highlighted a few that would be worth looking for:

Gadwall
Teal
Shoveler
Tufted Duck
Red-legged Partridge
Grey Partridge
Pheasant
Little Grebe
Sparrowhawk
Buzzard
Oystercatcher
Woodcock
Curlew
Feral Pigeon
Stock Dove
Collared Dove
Cuckoo
Tawny Owl
Green Woodpecker
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Skylark
Tree Pipit
Yellow Wagtail
Yellow Wagtail (flavissima)
Grey Wagtail
Pied Wagtail (yarrellii)
Redstart
Lesser Whitethroat
Whitethroat
Chiffchaff
Willow Warbler
Goldcrest
Spotted Flycatcher
Marsh Tit
Nuthatch
Treecreeper
Jay
Magpie
Chaffinch
Bullfinch
Black Swan
Indian Peafowl

And these have no breeding evidence at all, not even M for migrant or U for Summering:

Barnacle Goose
Mandarin Duck
Mallard (domestic)
Pochard
Goldeneye
Black-headed Gull
Common Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Little Owl
Kingfisher
Meadow Pipit
Fieldfare
Siskin
Corn Bunting

Atlas in SE67

SE67 is the 10km square that includes Hovingham.

These species have been recorded but have not had breeding confirmed, some of these should be breeding here. I have highlighted a few that would be worth looking for:

Mute Swan
Canada Goose
Tufted Duck
Goosander
Ruddy Duck
Red-legged Partridge
Grey Partridge
Cormorant
Grey Heron
Sparrowhawk
Buzzard
Kestrel
Hobby
Coot
Oystercatcher
Woodcock
Curlew
Collared Dove
Turtle Dove
Cuckoo
Little Owl
Tawny Owl
Kingfisher
Green Woodpecker
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Skylark
Sand Martin
Tree Pipit
Yellow Wagtail
Pied Wagtail (yarrellii)
Lesser Whitethroat
Nuthatch
Treecreeper
Jay
Siskin
Yellowhammer
Reed Bunting

Atlas in SE57

SE57 is the 10km square that includes Yearsley and Newburgh.

These species have been recorded but have not had breeding confirmed, some of these should be breeding here. I have highlighted a few that would be worth looking for:

Canada Goose
Shelduck
Teal
Shoveler
Tufted Duck
Grey Partridge
Pheasant
Cormorant
Sparrowhawk
Buzzard
Kestrel
Hobby
Oystercatcher
Woodcock
Curlew
Feral Pigeon
Stock Dove
Turtle Dove
Cuckoo
Barn Owl
Little Owl
Nightjar
Green Woodpecker
Skylark
Tree Pipit
Yellow Wagtail
Pied Wagtail (yarrellii)
Mistle Thrush
Sedge Warbler
Blackcap
Garden Warbler
Lesser Whitethroat
Whitethroat
Wood Warbler
Chiffchaff
Willow Warbler
Goldcrest
Long-tailed Tit
Marsh Tit
Nuthatch
Jay
Siskin
Common Crossbill
Bullfinch
Yellowhammer
Reed Bunting

And these have no breeding evidence at all, not even M for migrant:

Grey Heron
Common Gull
Kingfisher
Meadow Pipit
Redwing
Lesser Redpoll

Atlas in SE76

SE76 is the 10km square that includes Howsham and Welburn.

These species have been recorded but have not had breeding confirmed, some of these should be breeding here. I have highlighted a few that would be worth looking for:

Greylag Goose
Canada Goose
Teal
Tufted Duck
Red-legged Partridge
Grey Partridge
Grey Heron
Sparrowhawk
Buzzard
Kestrel
Hobby
Oystercatcher
Curlew
Feral Pigeon
Stock Dove
Collared Dove
Cuckoo
Little Owl
Tawny Owl
Sand Martin
Yellow Wagtail (flavissima)
Redstart
Stonechat
Grasshopper Warbler
Sedge Warbler
Reed Warbler
Garden Warbler
Lesser Whitethroat
Willow Warbler
Goldcrest
Nuthatch
Jay
Magpie
Greenfinch
Lesser Redpoll
Bullfinch
Yellowhammer
Corn Bunting

And these have no breeding evidence at all:

Mandarin Duck
Mallard (domestic)
Little Grebe
Great Crested Grebe
Dunlin
Snipe
Common Sandpiper
Black-headed Gull
Common Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Herring Gull
Kingfisher
Wheatear
Willow Tit
Siskin

Atlas in SE66

SE66 is the 10km square that includes Sheriff Hutton and Strensall.

These species have been recorded but have not had breeding confirmed, some of these should be breeding here. I have highlighted a few that would be worth looking for:

Mute Swan
Shelduck
Mallard
Tufted Duck
Grey Partridge
Quail
Grey Heron
Sparrowhawk
Kestrel
Water Rail
Snipe
Curlew
Black-headed Gull
Feral Pigeon
Collared Dove
Turtle Dove
Cuckoo
Little Owl
Tawny Owl
Long-eared Owl
Swift
Green Woodpecker
Woodlark
Meadow Pipit
Grey Wagtail
Mistle Thrush
Sedge Warbler
Reed Warbler
Blackcap
Garden Warbler
Lesser Whitethroat
Chiffchaff
Willow Warbler
Goldcrest
Magpie
Jackdaw
Linnet
Bullfinch
Yellowhammer
Corn Bunting

Atlas in SE56

SE56 is the 10km square that includes Huby and Tollerton.

These species have been recorded but have not had breeding confirmed, some of these should be breeding here. I have highlighted a few that would be worth looking for:

Red-legged Partridge
Quail
Kestrel
Curlew
Feral Pigeon
Stock Dove
Collared Dove
Barn Owl
Little Owl
Meadow Pipit
Yellow Wagtail
Pied Wagtail (yarrellii)
Mistle Thrush
Sedge Warbler
Blackcap
Garden Warbler
Lesser Whitethroat
Chiffchaff
Willow Warbler
Goldcrest
Long-tailed Tit
Coal Tit
Jay
Siskin
Corn Bunting

And these have no breeding evidence at all:

Greylag Goose
Canada Goose
Grey Heron
Whimbrel
Black-headed Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Herring Gull
Green Woodpecker
Stonechat
Fieldfare
Reed Bunting

Atlas in SE75

SE75 is the 10km square that includes Stamford Bridge.

These species have been recorded but have not had breeding confirmed, some of these should be breeding here. I have highlighted a few that would be worth looking for:

Canada Goose
Red-legged Partridge
Grey Partridge
Pheasant
Grey Heron
Sparrowhawk
Oystercatcher
Snipe
Curlew
Redshank
Feral Pigeon
Stock Dove
Collared Dove
Cuckoo
Little Owl
Tawny Owl
Sand Martin
Yellow Wagtail
Sedge Warbler
Garden Warbler
Lesser Whitethroat
Chiffchaff
Goldcrest
Spotted Flycatcher
Willow Tit
Treecreeper
Jay
Magpie
Bullfinch
Reed Bunting

And these have no breeding evidence at all:

Mute Swan
Shelduck
Wigeon
Teal
Goosander
Quail
Hobby
Black-headed Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Herring Gull
Siskin
Lesser Redpoll

Atlas in SE65

SE65 is the 10km square that includes Haxby and the University of York. We're doing pretty well in this square.

These species have been recorded but have not had breeding confirmed, some of these should be breeding here. I have highlighted a few that would be worth looking for:

Shelduck
Gadwall
Teal
Shoveler
Tufted Duck
Red-legged Partridge
Little Grebe
Buzzard
Kestrel
Oystercatcher
Little Ringed Plover
Snipe
Curlew
Herring Gull
Common Tern
Cuckoo
Kingfisher
Green Woodpecker
Woodlark
Tree Pipit
Meadow Pipit
Wheatear
Sedge Warbler
Reed Warbler
Blackcap
Garden Warbler
Lesser Whitethroat
Willow Warbler
Goldcrest
Spotted Flycatcher
Nuthatch
Siskin
Linnet
Bullfinch
Reed Bunting
Corn Bunting

Please make sure that any wildfowl recorded at the university are full winged and free flying rather.

Atlas in SE55

SE55 is the 10km square that includes Clifton Ings. We're doing pretty well in this square.

These species have been recorded but have not had breeding confirmed, some of these should be breeding here. I have highlighted a few that would be worth looking for:

Canada Goose
Shelduck
Teal
Tufted Duck
Goosander
Red-legged Partridge
Grey Partridge
Pheasant
Cormorant
Grey Heron
Hobby
Curlew
Black-headed Gull
Feral Pigeon
Cuckoo
Kingfisher
Green Woodpecker
Skylark
Meadow Pipit
Yellow Wagtail
Reed Warbler
Garden Warbler
Lesser Whitethroat
Goldcrest
Spotted Flycatcher
Nuthatch
Jay
Lesser Redpoll
Bullfinch
Corn Bunting

Atlas in SE74

SE74 is the 10km square that includes Wheldrake Ings and Allerthorpe Common. We're doing pretty well in this square.

These species have been recorded but have not had breeding confirmed, some of these should be breeding here. I have highlighted a few that would be worth looking for:

Wigeon
Teal
Pintail
Red-legged Partridge
Grey Partridge
Quail
Grey Heron
Snipe
Woodcock
Curlew
Redshank
Black-headed Gull
Feral Pigeon
Stock Dove
Collared Dove
Turtle Dove
Cuckoo
Woodlark
Tree Pipit
Yellow Wagtail (flavissima)
Cetti's Warbler
Grasshopper Warbler
Lesser Whitethroat
Jay
Lesser Redpoll
Corn Bunting
Indian Peafowl

And these have no breeding evidence at all:

Egyptian Goose
Goosander
Little Egret
Hobby
Peregrine
Corncrake
Greenshank
Great Black-backed Gull
Common Crossbill

Atlas in SE64

SE64 is the 10km square that includes Wheldrake Wood and Bank Island.

These species have been recorded but have not had breeding confirmed, some of these should be breeding here. I have highlighted a few that would be worth looking for:

Canada Goose
Shelduck
Wigeon
Gadwall
Teal
Shoveler
Tufted Duck
Red-legged Partridge
Grey Partridge
Quail
Sparrowhawk
Buzzard
Kestrel
Coot
Oystercatcher
Snipe
Black-headed Gull
Stock Dove
Collared Dove
Cuckoo
Little Owl
Swift
Kingfisher
Green Woodpecker
Tree Pipit
Yellow Wagtail (flavissima)
Pied Wagtail (yarrellii)
Whinchat
Stonechat
Grasshopper Warbler
Garden Warbler
Lesser Whitethroat
Goldcrest
Willow Tit
Coal Tit
Treecreeper
Siskin
Lesser Redpoll
Bullfinch

And these have no breeding evidence at all:

Mallard (domestic)
Garganey
Little Ringed Plover
Common Sandpiper
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Fieldfare
Reed Warbler
Black Swan

Atlas in SE54

SE54 is the 10km square that includes Askham Bog and Acaster Malbis.

These species have been recorded but have not had breeding confirmed, some of these should be breeding here. I have highlighted a few that would be worth looking for:

Gadwall
Tufted Duck
Goosander
Red-legged Partridge
Grey Partridge
Pheasant
Little Grebe
Grey Heron
Buzzard
Kestrel
Snipe
Feral Pigeon
Collared Dove
Turtle Dove
Cuckoo
Little Owl
Long-eared Owl
Kingfisher
Green Woodpecker
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Skylark
Meadow Pipit
Yellow Wagtail
Blackcap
Garden Warbler
Lesser Whitethroat
Whitethroat
Goldcrest
Marsh Tit
Willow Tit
Nuthatch
Jay
Goldfinch
Siskin
Linnet
Yellowhammer
Reed Bunting
Corn Bunting

And these have no breeding evidence at all:

Cormorant
Merlin
Hobby
Black-headed Gull
Common Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Common Tern
Wheatear

Atlas in SE73

SE73 is the 10km square that includes Bubwith Ings, village and the area to the east.

These species have been recorded but have not had breeding confirmed, some of these should be breeding here. I have highlighted a few that would be worth looking for:

Canada Goose
Tufted Duck
Red-legged Partridge
Quail
Grey Heron
Buzzard
Kestrel
Lapwing
Black-headed Gull
Feral Pigeon
Collared Dove
Turtle Dove
Cuckoo
Little Owl
Swift
Kingfisher
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Yellow Wagtail (flavissima)
Wren
Sedge Warbler
Reed Warbler
Blackcap
Lesser Whitethroat
Willow Warbler
Goldcrest
Willow Tit
Treecreeper
Magpie
Greenfinch
Goldfinch
Linnet
Bullfinch
Yellowhammer
Reed Bunting
Corn Bunting

And these have no breeding evidence at all:

Pochard
Little Egret
Hobby
Snipe
Redshank
Great Black-backed Gull
Tawny Owl
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Grey Wagtail
Jay

Atlas in SE63

SE63 is the 10km square that includes Skipwith Common and North Duffield Carrs. We're doing pretty well in this square.

These species have been recorded but have not had breeding confirmed, some of these should be breeding here. I have highlighted a few that would be worth looking for:

Pintail
Pochard
Ruddy Duck
Red-legged Partridge
Quail
Great Crested Grebe
Grey Heron
Sparrowhawk
Hobby
Water Rail
Spotted Crake
Corncrake
Oystercatcher
Black-headed Gull
Turtle Dove
Cuckoo
Long-eared Owl
Nightjar
Tree Pipit
Pied Wagtail (yarrellii)
Fieldfare
Grasshopper Warbler
Lesser Whitethroat
Chiffchaff
Goldcrest
Lesser Redpoll
Bullfinch
Yellowhammer
Black Swan

And these have no breeding evidence at all:

Green-winged Teal
Red-breasted Merganser
Cormorant
Little Egret
Peregrine
Avocet
Little Ringed Plover
Dunlin
Common Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Common Tern
Short-eared Owl
Kingfisher
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Redstart
Marsh Tit
Siskin
Common Crossbill

Atlas in SE53

SE53 is the 10km square that includes Bishop Wood.

These species have been recorded but have not had breeding confirmed, some of these should be breeding here. I have highlighted a few that would be worth looking for:

Mute Swan
Greylag Goose
Canada Goose
Tufted Duck
Red-legged Partridge
Grey Partridge
Pheasant
Sparrowhawk
Buzzard
Kestrel
Oystercatcher
Lapwing
Woodcock
Curlew
Collared Dove
Cuckoo
Little Owl
Swift
Green Woodpecker
Skylark
Grey Wagtail
Sedge Warbler
Reed Warbler
Garden Warbler
Lesser Whitethroat
Treecreeper
Magpie
Jackdaw
Greenfinch
Bullfinch
Reed Bunting
Corn Bunting

And these have no breeding evidence at all:

Cormorant
Black-headed Gull
Feral Pigeon
Kingfisher
Nuthatch
Siskin
Lesser Redpoll
Common Crossbill

More postings to come for the other 10km squares.

Atlas news - Turtle Dove range contraction

In today's Independent, there is an item on the range contraction of the Turtle Dove that is showing up from the analysis of the data in the Bird Atlas. This item is also published on that paper's website at http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/why-an-ancient-symbol-of-love-is-heading-for-an-unhappy-ending-2276850.html. Seeing some of the media pay attention to what BTO surveys are showing demonstrates to me the value of the work we do.

As a slight aside, I usually get an email prompt about BTO press releases but didn't recall this one and I haven't found it on the web site. However, I thought it may be of interest for supporters to know that press releases are published on the new website at http://www.bto.org/news-events/press-releases. It's interesting to see some of them taken up by the national media; for instance, I have heard about several of these on The Today Programme on Radio 4.

Atlas gaps - Final Breeding Season

There's a new map that can be seen on the Bird Atlas website at: http://blx1.bto.org/atlas-results/rich_gaps_map_b.html

This shows that SE53 and SE73 need Roving Records visits to boost the species lists as well as the number of confirmed breeding records.

The Atlas restarts April 1st.

Atlas Breeding Season - the 10km square view

Current view of the 10km squares: square - number of species so far - percentage of these not yet confirmed breeding.

SE53 - 81 - 49.4%
SE54 - 96 - 49.0%
SE55 - 94 - 43.6%
SE56 - 79 - 45.6%
SE57 - 93 - 54.8%
SE63 - 130 - 36.2%
SE64 - 112 - 44.6%
SE65 - 115 - 35.7%
SE66 - 93 - 49.5%
SE67 - 87 - 46.0%
SE73 - 95 - 47.4%
SE74 - 127 - 32.3%
SE75 - 91 - 48.4%
SE76 - 100 - 54.0%
SE77 - 108 - 53.7%

You will be able to see the latest figures as we go through the season on the 'My Local Gaps' tool on the website. Look for those confirmed breeding evidences such as recently fledged young, nest with eggs or chicks, faecal sac or food carrying. But care is need for the recently fledged code (FL) - see the note on the Atlas website:

Careful consideration should be given to the likely provenance of any fledged juvenile capable of significant geographical movement. Evidence of dependency on adults (e.g. feeding) is helpful. Be cautious, even if the record comes from suitable habitat.

Atlas Breeding Season starts on Friday

In the York region we are well covered for tetrad visits already although one focus for the atlas is to complete those that are still outstanding.

However, the key focus is to capture breeding evidence for most species across the region; it is especially important to get the confirmed breeding evidence. It is easier to say what has been covered rather than where the gaps are.

The following species have confirmed breeding in all of the 10km squares in the region: Moorhen, Woodpigeon, Swallow, House Martin, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow.

And here's a list of species that are almost complete across the region: Mallard - needs evidence in SE53, SE66; Lapwing - SE53, SE73; Barn Owl - SE56, SE57; Wren - SE73; Coal Tit - SE56, SE64; Jackdaw - SE53, SE66; Chaffinch - SE77.

All other species need breeding evidence in at least three 10km squares.

There are some tools on the website that will also help you to target the species which are missing from the squares or need a higher level of evidence: see previous posting about 'My Local Gaps' and 'Priority Squares'. 'Any square summary' is also a useful resource.

Bird Atlas final breeding season

The focus for the final breeding season is to get confirmed breeding evidence for many species across the region. There are some useful tools on the Atlas website:

• My Local Gaps will show you species that have been recorded but have not had breeding confirmed for each 10 km square.
• Priority squares will show species that have been recorded in neighbouring 10 km squares but not the square in question.

Both will open on the square in which you live, but you can move around to other squares to check them out.

A quick check shows that squares in the north need work on a greater proportion of species than some others.

In addition to this, there are some TTVs that need their breeding season visits.

Have great fun atlasing, let's get those breeding records.

YOC - The Sparrowhawk

The talk at the York Ornithological Club's March meeting is being given by Professor Ian Newton on The Sparrowhawk. Professor Newton is a world expert on birds of prey and migration. He is also Chairman of Council of the BTO and a past Chairman of the RSPB Council.

The meeting is on Tuesday 1st March at 7.30 p.m. at the Friends' Meeting House on Friargate, York.

Winter Bird Atlas final push

There are only a few days left now before the end of the last winter season for the Bird Atlas.

There's still time to put some more dots on the maps over this weekend. Please have a look at what's missing using the 'priority squares' and see what's already recorded in your patch with the 'any square summary' features on the website. Perhaps you have already got records in your notebooks that fill the gaps?

It's easy to submit records through BirdTrack or the Atlas website's Roving Records forms.

A big thank you to everyone who has been involved already.

Hands across countries...wings across the world.

The new reserve office and base at Bank Island has been opened today, as part of World Wetlands Day, by the Lord Mayor of York. There's an article in the The Press today here - http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/8827011.York_bird_watching_facility_set_to_open/?ref=mr.

A message was sent around the world to the 26 countries where birds have been known to move to and from the Lower Derwent Valley from ringing.

There is a free family fun weekend on Saturday and Sunday, 5th and 6th February from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm.

When you visit, why not look out for some of those missing species from SE64 for the Bird Atlas?

One month to go for winter atlas records

There's just February now to go for us to get some of those last dots on the maps. Here's a summary of some of the species that might be possible but haven't yet been recorded by 10 km square. It doesn't include long shots, so record anything that's more unusual as well.



SE53 - Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Great Black-backed Gull, Great Crested Grebe, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Marsh Tit, Oystercatcher, Tawny Owl;
SE54 - Green Woodpecker, Oystercatcher, Teal;
SE55 - Willow Tit;
SE56 - Coot, Chiffchaff, Great Black-backed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Meadow Pipit, Willow Tit;
SE57 - Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Corn Bunting, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull;

SE63 - Great Crested Grebe, Nuthatch;
SE64 - Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Corn Bunting, Little Grebe, Nuthatch, Pochard, Ruff;
SE65 - Little Grebe;
SE66 - Chiffchaff, Great Black-backed Gull, Great Crested Grebe, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Oystercatcher;
SE67 - Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Coot, Corn Bunting, Great Crested Grebe, Kingfisher, Meadow Pipit, Oystercatcher;

SE73 - Blackcap, Brambling, Canada Goose!, Chiffchaff, Goosander, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Marsh Tit, Oystercatcher, Siskin;
SE74 - Great Crested Grebe, Nuthatch;
SE75 - Blackcap, Great Crested Grebe, Green Woodpecker;
SE76 - Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Great Black-backed Gull, Great Crested Grebe, Oystercatcher;
SE77 - Brambling, Chiffchaff, Corn Bunting, Great Black-backed Gull;

Please hunt these out or, if you have the records to fill the gaps, submit your roving records.