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A method of surveying bird species richness at project sites such as Wardsend Cemetery, where the habitat is mixed.
Key attributes
Bird species richness
Protocol description
You will be provided with a site map showing the location of the survey points and a list of grid references. Prior to visiting the site, it is worth identifying a provisional survey route to cover the survey points most efficiently taking into account the terrain and paths within the sites.
If it is possible to relocate these by 10m or less, then make a note of the revised grid reference. If it can’t be relocated a short distance, then the it may be possible to choose another location that is at least 100m from any other point.
A maximum of 10 points have been allocated, it is intended that these are all covered on one morning. If you find it difficult to cover all points, or if it takes longer to get between sites due to difficult vegetation or terrain, then it is possible to reduce the number of sample points. It is also possible to split the site between multiple people, but surveyors must coordinate with each other and survey on the same morning
Skill level
Good bird ID skills required
Materials/equipment
Binoculars
Survey form
Pen/pencil/clipboard
Timer
Timing
Once a month, between 30 mins after sunrise and noon.
Method
Birds will be recorded as often as possible (at least monthly), with visits evenly spaced.
All bird surveys should be carried out between 30 mins after sunrise and noon. Counts should not be made in heavy rain or in strong or cold winds.
On arriving at the survey point, stand quiet for five minutes. During this time, you can fill in the point details on the survey form and identify distance markers to aid bird allocation to distance bands. For example, it may be useful to “pace out” 25m to allow you to accurately identify the distance band, or select a visual marker such as a tree at each distance band.
All birds that are seen or heard over a five-minute survey period are recorded, allocating each to a distance band based on its location when first detected (<25m, 25-50m and >50m). Ignore birds that are just flying over the site (e.g. flocks of geese), but include them if they are displaying over it (e.g. skylarks).
Before leaving a site ensure all metadata at the top of each form is fully completed. The weather conditions are the codes used in BTO surveys: Cloud, rain, wind should be recorded on a scale 1 to 3, 1 being good, 2 not so good and 3 worse.
Any additional species seen or heard while walking between points should be ticked as 'present' on the recording form.