WBC - Nest Records
Calling all WBC members, we need your help with nest recording
Over the past 3 years, Waveney Bird Club has taken part in the BTO Nest Record Scheme. The principle of the scheme is to monitor the breeding performance of any bird found to be nesting. The increase or decrease of bird populations can be attributed to many factors and it is reported that some birds are declining due to poor breeding performance. Examples include: laying fewer eggs, early egg laying (perhaps due to global warming), increased predation of eggs or young and overall lower fledging success.
In 2011, our nest recording efforts recorded the outcome (success or failure) of 112 broods, ranging from Owls to Moorhens, Blackbirds and Tits. WBC featured 108th in BTO’s UK list of high contributors and submitted the 5th highest number of nests records in Suffolk by a single group. With your help, we can do better and imagine how many nest records WBC would produce if all our members took part?
How?
If you find an active nest of any species please record the following information and email to nest@waveneybirdclub.com
And that is it, we will do the rest and we may contact you to see whether you wish the nestlings to be ringed.
Your records will be held at BTO as part of the Nest Record Scheme and used to produce annual reports such as breeding birds in the wider countryside that can be viewed at www.bto.org/birdtrends, information of great conservation importance.
A general rule is that disturbance is kept to a minimum when visiting bird’s nests and the vegetation around the nest left un-trampled. Nests that can be damaged by an inspection, such as those of Wren, Long tailed Tit and House Martin, should not be recorded.
You are responsible for your own health and safety, so beware of hazards such wasp nests and be particularly careful when if using ladders. WBC does carry insurance, but our insurers will not settle injury claims unless negligence by the club is proved.
At the end of the year, a report of how many nests WBC members recorded will be displayed on the Website.
Very best of luck,
Ian Archer WBC
Nest Records Officer
How?
If you find an active nest of any species please record the following information and email to nest@waveneybirdclub.com
- Your name, address and contact details
- Species
- Location of nest (e.g. name of village or town)
- Six-figure Grid Ref: (use Ordinance Survey map or visit www.merseysidebiobank.org.uk/BrownHare/GridRef.aspx e.g. Bungay church is Grid ref TM338897)
- Date and number of eggs or young at first visit
- Date and number of eggs or young at second visit (two visits are preferable) and subsequent visits
- If the nest failed do you know why (e.g. predation by Magpie)
- Nest site (e.g. bramble, holly tree, pond, nestbox )
- Height above the ground (metres)
- Do you consider the nest as: exposed, part hidden or well hidden
And that is it, we will do the rest and we may contact you to see whether you wish the nestlings to be ringed.
Your records will be held at BTO as part of the Nest Record Scheme and used to produce annual reports such as breeding birds in the wider countryside that can be viewed at www.bto.org/birdtrends, information of great conservation importance.
A general rule is that disturbance is kept to a minimum when visiting bird’s nests and the vegetation around the nest left un-trampled. Nests that can be damaged by an inspection, such as those of Wren, Long tailed Tit and House Martin, should not be recorded.
You are responsible for your own health and safety, so beware of hazards such wasp nests and be particularly careful when if using ladders. WBC does carry insurance, but our insurers will not settle injury claims unless negligence by the club is proved.
At the end of the year, a report of how many nests WBC members recorded will be displayed on the Website.
Very best of luck,
Ian Archer WBC
Nest Records Officer