With the Big Garden Birdwatch weekend now behind us and the results piling in, many of you maybe be thinking, whats next? Maybe you would be interested in doing some more surveys? There are a numer of projects that you can get involved with to step up for nature, both with the RSPB and other conservation groups across the UK. Here are a few to consider.
Birdtrack - This is a joint project between the BTO, RSPB, SOC and Birdwatch Ireland that allows users of the site to enter details about bird sightings as and when you make them. You can create your own sites and submit lists or casual sightings. These records are held for your own reference as well as contributing to national monitoring schemes. It is free to use so please sign up and get recording!
Make Your Nature Count - This RSPB survey is the summer equivalent to the Big Garden Birdwatch but with added fur, we are asking for other garden visitors to be recorded, not just birds. The survey period is 2-10 June in 2012, so you have plenty of time to get your garden in perfect shape for birds and other wildife before then!
Natures Calendar - Help the woodland trust keep an eye on the changing seasons with this interesting survey asking you to look out for various natural signs.
Swift survey - Keep an eye out for swift nesting sites and screaming parties this summer with the RSPB swift survey, expect the first arrivals in May.
Breeding Bird Survey - BTO along with JNCC and the RSPB organise this annual survey of breeding birds across the UK. Volunteers have to make a small number of visits to an allocated site during the breeding season and record the birds on a specified transect through the patch. If you are interested follow the link and contact your local regional contact to find a survey square.
BTO Garden Birdwatch - If you wish to monitor the birds in your garden on a more regular basis then this survey could be for you.
These are just a few of the surveys out there, please feel free to add others you know about if you wish!
Enjoy!
Warden Intern at Otmoor.
As a newbie yes I am interested..... I was very surprised by reading last years results that I couldn't find anything listed from Berkshire, me thinks I was the only one lol...
I'm Birdtracking! Another reporting list going in after today's visit to Rye Meads.
I used to Garden Birdwatch too, but I haven't got much of a garden :(
My Blog!
My Flickr!
I do garden bird watch and birdtrack. Helps with monitoring and also gives me a complete list of what birds I've seen in logged areas.
www.saltwells.blogspot.com
www.flickr.com/photos/saltwells
I too got the bird watching bug, I joined the BTO Garden Birdwatch. It cost £15 but I received a lovely book 'Garden Birds and Wildlife' and magazine, well worth the money. I now have a good excuse to sit for an hour every weekend...Yipee
Hey I was thinking about joining it also. Do you get asked to do research? Sent for a free sample magazine.
It is similar to the BGBW, you can count the birds you see in your garden and then submit the results online. It is up to you how often you submit them. I applied online last Saturday and received the welcome pack Wednesday. This included a quarterly magazine, some information leaflets, instructions on how to submit your sightings and the very informative book full of birds, plants and other wildlife that may come into your garden. Definetly worth it.
Well thats me joined! thanx ;) ;)
I've submitted my second load today, it was a lovely excuse to sit and watch the birds all weekend!!
I use birdtrack both for lists and casual records, its great for keeping track of what you've seen, what other folk have seen in any given site, and comparing your 'performance' each year. I also recently joined the GBW- the book you get in the starter pack is excellent. I go on the logic that if I'm keeping note of what I see- either at home or out and about- then I may as well share my sightings and see what benefit they can be.
I even love magpies