Surveying Birds

One good thing about surveying birds is that whatever the time of year there will be something to see. It is simply a matter of:

• Selecting the survey that is most relevant to your needs and experience levels.
• Choosing a survey that can be comfortably completed in the time you have available.

Surveying can cover a defined area containing a mix of habitats such as a woodland or a wetland. Or maybe even target a single species of conservation concern.

It is more fun if it becomes an inclusive activity so, if you feel you do not have sufficient expertise, then surveying with a more experienced person, or as part of a group with mixed ability may be a solution. You can always contact Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s Wildlife Information Service (01603 598333) for recommendations of an expert who, for a small fee, would be willing to run a workshop to get things started.

Equipment

A good pair of binoculars is useful for any form of bird recording, but there is no need to break the bank. Binoculars will always be rated as something like 10x50 or 8x40.

Understanding this code is easy:

• The first figure relates to the magnification.
• The second shows the diameter of the objective lens (the lens pointing at the subject) in millimetres, with the larger sizes generally having greater light gathering capability.

For the purposes of bird surveying, it is best to choose a pair with an objective lens of at least 40mm and magnification power of 7x or 8x. This normally provides the optimum balance between size, weight and clarity of image.

However, people vary and before purchasing any equipment it would be wise to test a range of optics to select the model most suited to your taste and pocket.

A telescope is not normally required for surveying in woodland and other confined habitats, but when undertaking such things as counting wader flocks, gulls at roost or birds using farmland it can be an indispensable tool.

Need some inspiration?

Discover just some of the bird surveys people have been carrying out in Norfolk.

         

Would like to tell us about your bird survey? Click here.



 

Download bird survey forms here.

Watch the birdie…

A digital camera can be quite useful during surveying either to record habitats, or to take images of bird flocks whose numbers can then be counted at a later date on a computer screen, or even to take a photograph of a bird that needs to be identified.

Need help identifying that mystery bird?

Need to brush up on your bird song

Take part in a national survey

For all your bird surveying needs…

A surprising number of birds use gardens for feeding, breeding and roosting. Keeping a list of the species seen or heard when you are surveying birds is a simple way to find out about the diversity in a given area.

No special expertise is involved and the survey can be extended to cover parks and other open spaces.

Remember when making a wildlife record to make a note of the ‘Four W's’:

What – identify the bird.
Where – note where you saw it (ideally including a gridreference).
When – record the date you saw it.
Who – include your contact details.

 

Use Survey Form C.

One valuable and very simple method for surveying birds is to map out a local route that can be visited at regular intervals throughout the year. Every bird species seen or heard along these routes can be recorded and a picture will soon build up of the birds inhabiting the area.

The survey route can be selected using OS maps and should make as much use as possible of public footpaths and bridleways. There will be notable changes as the seasons progress and over the course of a year it is surprising how many species can be recorded, even from a suburban area. The more habitats the route contains, the more diverse the species list will be.

Use sample bird Survey Form C.

Important note…

If you plan to regularly carry out surveys it is important to standardise your activity as far as possible by walking the same route, at the same time of day, for the same length of time and at the same time of year. This way it will be far easier to make a meaningful comparison of your results.

Obtaining information on the diversity and density of breeding birds in a given area is a very good way of monitoring the health of the local environment. Many birds have special requirements before they will breed, and finding out what is breeding and where will help pinpoint areas of special conservation importance.

• Create a map of the area in which you are surveying birds and mark out your survey route. This survey can be undertaken within a defined area such as a parish, a woodland or maybe a 2km x 2km square on the Ordnance Survey map. These squares are known as ‘tetrads’ because they cover an area of 4 square km, and are a popular choice among bird watchers when choosing a survey area.
• Make a note of the habitat types present, e.g. woodland, scrub, urban etc.
• Make at least two visits during the course of the breeding season (early April to end of June) to target both the early nesting resident species and later, the summer migrants.
• Plot every bird seen or heard on the map using the specific identification codes given on the survey form.
• Record the breeding status of the bird by applying one of the following breeding codes:

1.  S = Male Singing repeatedly in suitable breeding habitat.
2. B = Bird seen nest Building, carrying nesting material to likely breeding site or excavating nesting holes etc.
3. N = Occupied Nest – bird seen incubating, nest with eggs or bird seen feeding young/carrying food or faecal sac.
4. CD = Courtship Display.
5. A = Agitated behaviour or anxiety calls from adults.
6. D = Distraction – display or feigning injury.
7. Y = Recently fledged Young seen.
8. UN = Used Nest or eggshells found from this season. 

A sample survey form can be found here (survey form C).

When surveying birds, you may want to make a record of birds using a specific site (wetland, woodland or heath, for example). The reasons for this will vary but could include potential development where it will be necessary to minimise impact on wildlife, setting up a conservation zone when the most species-rich areas would be favoured, or simple curiosity!

Click here to see habitat explorer profiles.

Whatever the reason, the principles of surveying will be much the same as the surveying from breeding birds; however, the survey will need to be carried out over a protracted period - not just the breeding season - to take account of such things as winter bird roosts and important feeding areas.

Use Survey Form C.