THE NEW BIRD ATLAS PROJECT IN LONDON 2007-2011

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Update - May 2009


2009 Breeding Season Already Underway…
a long way to go yet…


The midpoint of the LNHS/BTO London Bird Atlas Project is fast approaching, with survey work for the second breeding season having begun on 1st April. Although a respectable 31% of timed counts were completed during the 2008 breeding season, take up for the remaining tetrads has been relatively poor this summer (2009), and there are significant gaps in many areas. In particular parts of the Essex and Kent sectors have been poorly covered. Signing up for a timed count only requires a commitment to two counts of two hours – please visit the Atlas website at www.bto.org/birdatlas to see if there is a square near you where you can help.


2008 Breeding Season Distribution maps


Even though we only have one year’s data so far, and gaps still exist, we are in process of producing first draft distribution maps for a number of species. The picture will become clearer as the survey progresses. The results do not yet include data sent direct to LNHS recorders rather than to the BTO.
Note that all records are unverified and will need to be validated by the BTO reps and LNHS recorders before being included in the final Atlas results (or in London Bird Reports). The maps may also include some records of migrant birds.

The first draft distribution maps can be viewed HERE.

 

2008 Breeding Season Results


We already have sufficient data to be able to confirm range increases for a few species. None of these will come as a surprise to London birders and they include potential pest species such as Ring-necked parakeet, (recorded in 244 tetrads in the 2008 breeding season; 103 in the 1988-94 survey), and Egyptian goose (49; 7). Both will undoubtedly be recorded in more tetrads over the next three years.On the negative side, the first set of breeding season data seems to confirm the bleak picture that the first set of winter results painted for several resident species. Again, the list of species will be familiar to most. Willow tit is the most noteworthy (zero tetrads in 2008; 181 in 1988-94). Others include Grey partridge (5, 198), Lesser spotted woodpecker (34; 341), Marsh tit (30; 162) and Spotted flycatcher (37; 548). Some summer visitors have fared equally badly such as Turtle dove (12: 329) and Yellow wagtail (20; 231).For the vast majority of species, it remains too early to try to come to any conclusions about distribution changes. With three more years to go, there is plenty of time to find more sites for the species listed above, and to confirm whether range increases have occurred for others (Jackdaw?, Goldfinch?).


What Atlas work can I do this Summer (2009)?


If you completed both timed counts for a tetrad last summer, there is no need to do any further timed counts for the same tetrad. Only one set of two breeding season timed counts is required for each tetrad during the atlas. This leaves you with the following options (or a combination of all of them!):
  1. Undertake timed counts in a tetrad that has not yet been covered (visit www.bto.org/birdatlas to find out which tetrads still need timed counts and request one or more of these).
  2. Concentrate on doing ‘roving recording’ to increase the list of species by seeking out some of the harder to find birds that are using your tetrad (e.g. Lesser spotted woodpecker).
  3. Try to confirm breeding for as many species as possible in your tetrad(s). In many tetrads we still need proof of breeding for many of the common species as well as the scarcer ones (more details are given below).

Please get involved and report all breeding records so we can provide a comprehensive picture of the distribution of all London’s birds.


IMPORTANT: Remember to record breeding evidence for all species


A key part of the breeding season survey is the need to obtain proof of breeding for as many species as possible in each tetrad. There are four possible breeding levels: Confirmed breeding, Probable Breeding, Possible Breeding and Non-breeding (e.g. migrants). This is another area where we need your help – many observers did not input any information about breeding evidence in 2008 and therefore proof of breeding is missing in many tetrads even for the common species.There are a number of codes of breeding evidence that you can record, each of which fits into one of the four breeding levels given above. Follow this link to view the full list of breeding evidence codes.


The National Atlas


Background

November 1st 2007 saw the start of an exciting new project nationwide, with the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) beginning a new Atlas project to monitor the distribution of the UK’s birds in both winter and the breeding season. The project will see birdwatchers across the country out in remote areas of the countryside, densely populated urban areas and everything in between, recording which species they can find in each 10km square. This will enable comparisons to be made with the previous breeding Atlases (1968-72 & 1988-91) and with the previous wintering atlas (1981-84). We can expect to see changes for many species, with Buzzard for example having moved into new areas in the east of the country including many sites around the outskirts of London.



The London Atlas

The LNHS and the two BTO Regional Representatives for the London area have decided to take the opportunity to undertake a new London atlas at the same time as the National Atlas. This means that instead of recording lists of species for 10km squares in London (as we would need to for the national atlas), we will be recording lists of species for each tetrad (2km square). There are 25 tetrads in each 10km square and a total of 856 tetrads in the LNHS area so there is a considerable amount of recording and analysis to be done. We therefore need all keen birdwatchers in the LNHS area to help if we are to have chance of completing the task. We would be especially glad to hear from local bird watching groups who would like to ensure that their area is well represented in the atlas.

 

Why do a local atlas?

We have completed two previous Atlases in London – both in the breeding season at the same time as the previous national Atlases (1968-72 & 1988-94). The findings of the last Atlas were written up in ‘The Breeding Birds of the London Area’ (LNHS, 2000 edited by Jan Hewlett) This is normally obtainable for £10 – see our PUBLICATIONS page - but surveyors for the Atlas project will get a FREE COPY - see 'special offer' below.

This book includes the distribution of our London species approximately 20 years ago, represented by the 1988-94 distribution maps. By just flicking through a few pages, many birdwatchers will easily notice that the distribution of some species has changed markedly since that time, for example the Tree Sparrow. SEE DISTRIBUTION MAP

 

SPECIAL OFFER FOR SURVEYORS -
'THE BREEDING BIRDS OF THE LONDON AREA' NOW £5
Any birders undertaking Atlas fieldwork for the current atlas project in the LNHS area can get a copy of this book, which contains the 1988-1994 Atlas results, for just the Postage & Packing costs of £5 - the book is free. This will enable you to see what was found in your tetrad(s) during the last atlas and therefore find out what is new (and also which species have been lost), and see how your tetrad compared to the rest of the London area.
To take advantage of this offer please send a cheque for £5 (payable to ‘London Natural History Society’), along with your name and address, and details of the tetrad(s) you are covering to:
Ian Woodward, 245 Larkshall Road, LONDON, E4 9HY.
Please note that applications will be checked and forwarded to the LNHS Sales Officer on an approximately fortnightly basis, so it may take around 3-4 weeks before you receive your copy.

 

How are London's Birds Doing?

It is not all doom and gloom. Some species have increased their range in recent years, such as peregrine and little egret. In some cases, such as Ring-necked parakeet, opinion will be divided as to whether this is a good or bad thing!

By achieving complete coverage during this Atlas, we can compare these with results from last time to see how the picture has changed – this may highlight unexpected changes in other species as well as those like tree sparrow and peregrine of which we are already aware. The results of the Atlas could potentially affect conservation efforts in the LNHS area in the future.

Furthermore, we will for the first time be able to map the distribution of birds in London during the winter at the 2km square scale. This will allow us to produce the first ever winter Atlas for birds in London. Amongst other things, this will enable us to make a comparison between winter and breeding distribution for resident species in London and provide a valuable baseline against which to assess future change.


How will we achieve complete coverage?

There are two different methods that will be used in the Atlas to map the distribution of birds in London. First, we need people to undertake ‘Timed Tetrad Visits’ – making four visits of two hours to a selected tetrad (two visits in winter and two visits during the breeding season), and counting all birds seen. We are hoping that this will enable us to make some comparison of population differences across the LNHS area. However, this method will not provide us with a full species list for each tetrad and so we also need ‘Roving Recorders’ – they can visit a tetrad as often as they like for as little or as long as they like to try to find all the birds present in the square. Everybody can be a roving recorder!
– Whether you just record interesting sightings when out on a weekend family trip to the local park (or shopping centre!), or whether you are a dedicated local patch worker who visits a site without fail every day.


How to take part


- sign up to do a Timed Tetrad Visit

If at all possible, we would like you to do a Timed Tetrad Visit. The first thing to do is to check the BTO website to find a 2km square that is not already being covered. Go to the BTO's Bird Atlas home page and then either log in or register. Once logged in you will be able to click on the ‘Request TTVs’ link, taking you to a map of the UK. Here you can zoom in to find out which tetrads are still available in your area. Note that the LNHS area is spread across three BTO regions (London, East Anglia and South-east) and several BTO counties. These are based on 10km squares and not county boundaries so if you don’t find the location you are looking for, please try selecting another area. Once you have found a tetrad that you would like to survey, follow the online instructions to contact the relevant BTO Regional Atlas Organiser. After a few days, you can check that the tetrad has been allocated to you by logging in again and clicking on the ‘View My TTVs’ link. Your RO should send you the recording form for Timed Tetrad Visits shortly thereafter. Following your survey, data from Timed Tetrad Visits can be submitted using the paper form or preferably using the online system.

For more detailed instructions on Timed tetrad Visits, please download this file:
TTV Instructions ( 200 KB PDF)

 

- submit ‘Roving Recorder’ records

If you already submit records to the LNHS or to the BTO via its Birdtrack website, then you may not need to do anything else! Provided they include basic information, such as date and precise location, these records will be feeding into the Atlas. If your records are from a small site that falls entirely within a tetrad, then we will be able to use your records exactly as they are. However, if your records are from a larger site or one that crosses over a tetrad boundary, then we will only be able to use the records for the London Atlas if you provide more details as to where they were on the site (such as a location name, a grid reference or preferably a list for each of the tetrads that fall wholly or partially within the site). Please contact us if you need more information about what is required.

If you do not already submit records to the LNHS or BTO, then the Atlas is a good opportunity to begin. You can use any of the methods given above, or you can use the ‘Roving Recorder’ online or paper entry forms. Whichever method is used, please ensure that enough information is provided so that the tetrad can be identified. The following links can be followed to submit records:

Roving Recorder online entry (you will need to register):
BTO's Bird Atlas Website

Birdtrack (you will need to register):
www.bto.org/birdtrack/

Roving Recorder paper form to print out:
ROVING RECORDS FORM (150 KB PDF)

LNHS Recording form:
DOWNLOAD (Excel Spreadsheet, 9Kb)


Where to find more information


The best place to look for more information is the BTO's Bird Atlas Website. This contains information about the survey and how to identify tetrads, as well as the Recording forms.

If you need further information, please contact your BTO rep:

NORTH LONDON:
SOUTH LONDON:


This page last updated 11/05/09


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