British Trust for Ornithology's Breeding Bird Survey

I have received the following from Mike Smart, if you would like to help please contact him, details at the bottom.

“I know that everyone is very busy taking part in the fieldwork for the Atlas in the coming spring and summer, but could I appeal for help with the BTO's Breeding Bird Survey.  This carries on alongside the Atlas work and is the principal long-term instrument for measuring increases and decreases in British breeding birds.  Over the last couple of years, about 50 squares have been covered in Gloucestershire, and it would be good to maintain or even increase this level of coverage during the years of Atlas fieldwork.  The results are featured in the Gloucestershire Bird Reports.  

All that is required is two field visits to a one km square, one in mid-April/ May, one in late May/June.  You cover a one km transect and count all birds recorded.  

The squares are randomly selected by the BTO computer (so as to avoid people covering just the best areas!).  At present, just under 50 squares in Gloucestershire are covered in 2008 , and the following squares are still available (those marked with an asterisk are a priority as they have been covered in previous years):    

* SO 7628 Upleadon

   SO 7926 Ashleworth                         

* SO 8319 Urban Gloucester           

   SO 8718 Hucclecote                          

* SO 9026 Elmstone Hardwicke    

* SO 9123 Cheltenham

* SO 9607 Duntisbourne Abbots                

   SO 9716 Seven Springs 

* SO 9802 Cirencester Park

* SO 9809 Woodmancote, Cirencester              

* SP 0239 Sedgeberrow                     

* SP 0306 North Cerney                    

   SP 0328 Winchcombe                       

   SP 0507 Cirencester Ampney Downs 

   SP 0637 Broadway                            

   SP 1009 Coln Rogers                         

   SP 1114 Northleach                           

   SP 1136 Sezincote                              

   SP 1331 Condicote                            

   SP 1409 Aldsworth                             

   SP 1414 Farmington                          

   SP 1804 Southrop  

If anyone is willing to help, please contact Mike Smart on smartmike@btinternet.com (or on 01452-421131) who will be delighted to forward the forms.                              

Best wishes

Mike