BTO/NTBC JOINT ATLAS SURVEY – LOCAL REGIONAL MEETING 5th APRIL 2009

A third local regional meeting for participants in this joint project took place in Seahouses on 5th April 2009 and 32 people attended. Tom Cadwallender welcomed everyone and kicked off the proceedings with a round-up of what the atlas was all about and summarised the results so far in Northumberland. As we are attempting to collect data for both the BTO at 10km level and the NTBC at a more local, tetrad level the results so far are encouraging. Certainly, it looks as if we will achieve the BTO aims but it was stressed that coverage for every single tetrad in the Northumberland area (over 1400) with two visits in winter and two in summer is a massive task and we can always welcome additional observers and support.

Tom also explained about validation work taking place on all atlas records input to the BTO database so far. Everyone was re-assured that it was not all about querying identifications! Far from it, the validation is designed to ensure ‘best’ accuracy in distribution, numbers, location and in some cases, yes, identification. It is relatively easy for anyone to mis-key an entry into the system and there have been a few made not least by a couple of the organising committee! If necessary, observers will be contacted individually about any validation queries as only the original observer can change their records on line should the need arise.

The second breeding season work commenced on 1st April and this year emphasis will be not only on covering new tetrads with timed visits but also trying to prove higher categories of breeding for species in squares already covered. This can be achieved by the use of Roving Records and everyone was encouraged to look at their own observations so far and see where there were any gaps in species thought to be present in squares but not yet recorded and also those where birds were seen this breeding season but could be classed in a higher breeding category.

It was pointed out that due to experiences gained in the first breeding season, the code T (territoriality) had been amended and should now read ‘Permanent Territory (many individuals on 1 day or 1 individual over 1+ week)’. So if you have three territorial Willow Warblers on just one visit you can use this code in the Probable Breeder category. The BTO paper instructions have been amended to give this information.

Several more specific points were made about breeding codes and observers were asked particularly to consider carefully which codes to record and use a ‘commonsense’ approach to some species like gulls where, although they appear to be in suitable habitat and may even be displaying, there is no more evidence for even possible breeding. Another example given was perhaps Swifts over open moorland,  they could be recorded as H (in suitable habitat if some old buildings are there) but there are no other grounds for breeding. In these cases it would be fair to not allocate a breeding code. However, it is vital to provide accurate breeding codes wherever possible as this will be the main basis for producing distribution maps at the end of the survey.  Observers were also asked to double-check that for breeding season TTVs (and indeed, any other records) Breeding Codes and Counts were entered as a few of the earlier entries had been missing this information.

A question was raised about the Population Estimate field and its use. This is an optional field and it was felt that if you were comfortable with providing a reasonable estimate then it could be completed. Quite a few observers though felt that they were unable to do so and it is perfectly acceptable not to complete this field.

Now that some winter data had been validated, it had been found that a number of observers had been entering breeding codes for some of their observations. This was felt to be a result of a little confusion early in the project but it was confirmed that, generally, breeding codes are not applicable during the winter months. However, a singing Mistle Thrush in late January, a fledged brood of Crossbills at Christmas and quite possibly Woodpigeons at any time could attract a breeding code!

An appeal about correct tetrad identification was made as several records had been found to be in the middle of the North Sea (not quite but several kilometres offshore!) and some with counts for species like Sanderling on inland farms. Observers were asked to double-check which tetrad they were submitting records for perhaps using the transparent overlay (still available) with a 1:50000 map. It was also requested that if possible, for roving records, a locality or feature name in the actual tetrad should be used. There are a number of tetrads in our area that will not have an obvious name available  (e.g. in extensive hill areas or moorland perhaps) and it is acceptable to use the best-fit name in the 10 km square instead.

The remainder of the meeting saw observers chatting amongst each other and asking questions of the organisers. More importantly perhaps, everyone enjoyed a light buffet and we are very grateful to our hosts the North Northumberland Bird Club for organising this splendid venue overlooking the Farne Islands. Hopefully, we can organise a fourth meeting of this type later in the year as they really are proving to be useful and informative.

Tom and Muriel Cadwallender (British Trust for Ornithology)

John Day,  Mike Hodgson & Tim Dean (Northumberland and Tyneside Bird Club)