A number of threads have mentioned the scarcity of some once common birds. I saw an article for the creation of the latest Bird Atlas in a magazine and thought that some of you might also be interested.

The Bird Atlas 2007-11 is a programme aimed at discovering how bird populations have altered over the past 15 years in Britain and Ireland, since the last mapping programme (1988-91).

The programme is asking for people (from 1 Nov) to make a note of every species seen when out and about, including the 10km square it was seen in. At the same time they are running a new winter atlas.

If anyone wants to sign-up or requires further details, refer to: http://www.birdatlas.net

A very useful tool, the Atlases.

We have a Breeding Bird Atlas project here. So much easier to work on them now with the advent of the internet.

Kingfisher

Yes it makes it much easier to record your sightings, and they must get more data because of that.

Thanks for the link.

It will be fascinating to see what results they get over the next few years, I will definitely be recording my sightings whenever possible.

It certainly is more convenient for people to record their sightings online, but it might be a worry that the easier it is the more likely false results will be recorded by people.

As people have to sign up before they can record their sightings there is some sort of deterant. Also you would hope the data sample is large enough that any false/wrong entries don't matter too much overall.

Thanks, TimberWolf...I've signed up - I plan to do the 'roving reporting'. Might as well put the sightings I make to good use.

Im signed up for three squares. Good excuse for two hours in the field and a very worthy cause.

Let us know how it goes!

Thanks for the link, TimberWolf

I've signed up for one tetrad and I'll see how it goes - you never know, I may have time to do some more.

Managed one hour on my tetrad just after christmas. The wind was howling a westerly and the few birds that were out were mostly sheltering from the wind. Highlight was a Purple Sandpiper, found by my Wife!

That sounds like a very good idea! I don't get many un common birds in my garden! Just sparows, starlings, magpies, the occasional chaffinch and great tit, blue tits, rarely greenfinches, and that is about all really!

Its not really about garden birds jamie, but you might be interested in the Garden Bird Survey. Have a look HERE.

I left it really late for my Tetrads, ended up doing my last Boxing day. Walked four miles to the site, which is high open moor. When i got there the fog came down, and i only counted 7 birds of 3 species, i was gutted.


Chris.

Will do. Thanks