Survey updates - local coverage

House Martin survey

Forty three squares were surveyed this year in the region for the random square component of the survey, out of 45 that were allocated. This is great coverage by volunteer surveyors. There was a total of 62 colonies counted across the region, though many squares had none. Next year there will be a follow up survey which will focus on observations of individual nests to collect information about nesting activity.

BBS and WBBS

So far, data have been returned from 37 BBS squares (out of 43) and 3 WBBS sites (of 4). There is still a possibility of hitting the 40 square target, which would be a record, as at least two other squares have been covered for BBS.

Thank you to all who took part in these surveys.

Woodcock & preliminary Peregrine results published

Visit the BTO's website to read about the decline by 29% since 2003 of Woodcock as revealed by the results of the recent survey - http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/woodcock-survey.

Also published there are preliminary results from last year's Peregrine survey, showing a general increase, though with significant country and regional differences. This includes shedding more light on what's sadly happening in our uplands. Visit http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/peregrine-survey/results.

Simple Goldfinch Survey this winter

What are Goldfinches feeding on in your garden?

 

The BTO has launched a simple survey today to try to find out.

 

While Garden BirdWatchers are telling us that Goldfinches are becoming increasingly common in gardens, we don't fully understand the reasons for this. How important is the food we put out or the plants we grow? Do they truly prefer nyger seed or is sunflower seed their choice treat? 

 

It only takes a couple of minutes for observations and data submission is online.

 

Go to http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/gbw/about/background/projects/goldfinch-feeding-survey to find out how to take part.