fnh journal vol 24 - Forth Naturalist and Historian - University of Stirling

26 C.J. Henty
Thanks are due to S.J. Harrison for a copy of the Annual Climatological
Bulletin (2000), to J. Mitchell for a copy of the L.Lomond report, to P. Stirling-
Aird for data from the Raptor Study Group, and to D.M. Bryant for the results
of the estuary WEBS data.
It is with great sadness that I am unable to add the name of Bill
Brackenridge to those that have assisted in compiling this report. Most readers
will know that he was killed in a traffic accident in November (2000), whilst
returning from the SOC annual conference. For many years he produced a
wealth of field observations and helped, as Assistant Recorder, with assessing
records and proof reading the draft reports, more recently he wrote a section
of the species accounts. His exceptionally wide knowledge of natural history
showed both in his work in conservation planning and in his consistent efforts
in giving talks, leading field trips, and always being ready to help people with
their queries. A full obituary appeared in the June issue of Scottish Birds (Vol
22, No 1).
RESULTS OF THE BBS SURVEYS FOR CENTRAL REGION
(Based on a comprehensive summary by NB)
This year the bird report continues to make extensive use in the species
accounts of results from the Breeding Birds Survey, these are in terms of the
frequency of occurence of a species along linear transects in several habitat
types. In 2000, 29 1x1 kilometre squares were surveyed, one less than 1999.
Each square is usually visited twice in spring/summer, a total of 2 km on a set
route is walked per visit and all birds noted in 200 m sections; a standardised
habitat survey is done on another visit. In the main report I have presented
selected results, calculated as birds per 10 km of habitat, for the major habitats
where it is likely that the birds are breeding locally. For species that are scarce
– say, one or less per 10 km – results may vary erratically from year to year.
Each square (sometimes half squares) and the birds noted in it have been
attributed to one of four major habitats – Mountain and moorland (=moor),
Conifers (woodland + wood/moorland edge), Farmland, Urban/suburban.
Broadleaved woodland occurs mainly as copses in farmland whilst conifer
woodland includes both young plantations and mature woods, thus “Conifers”
figures may include species of scrub and moorland edge which are not found
in mature plantations. Also, some urban squares may include bushy areas on
the fringe of towns.
An average of 25 species were recorded per square (excluding four squares
that were visited only once and one with numbers of non-breeding gulls and
waders), but with great variation from five on high moorland to 35 on mixed
farmland, numbers of individuals also varied widely from 59 to 620, average
318. The commonest species per habitat were: Moor – Meadow Pipit, Conifer –
Chaffinch, Farmland – Starling, Urban – Starling. Species showing marked
increases (40 % or greater) included Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Skylark,
Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Starling and Goldfinch. Whinchat, Jay, Bullfinch
and Siskin are now well below their long term means.