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fJ,cstrcord,, 

News 

A newsletter for supporters of the NEST RECORD 

SCHEME, forning part of the BTO's Tntegrdred 

Monitoring Programnme carried out under contract 

to the Nature Conservancy Council. 

No. 5 APRIL 1989 

THE GOLDEN EGGI - 50 YEARS OF THE NEST RECORD SCHEME 

nvpr rha n^si- 50 voerq. fhtr FTO NFsl pa.nrd S^hcap hes o-nwn r- become the 

Iargest of jts kind in che wor1d. In the next 50 years, we shaII try Lo 

develop the Scheme's usefulness to the utmosi, in order to be worthy of the 

very great efforts that you aIl put into the Scheme. we shall not:nIy carr, 

rnwoeninî-ind irfprAstind aqnc.fc ^f fhp hraadind hi^lnnv Df Br.LtrSn 

birds, but we shaII begin monitoring their fitness in the face of major 

environmental changes throughout the country. To this end, a new fuII rirne 

organiser for the scheme, Dr Humphrey Crick, has been employed by Lhe BT. 

under contract to the Nature Conservancy Council. News of our excitrnq plans 

are given inside. 

To celebrate 50 years of the Nest Record Scheme, we are running a series o[ 

articles in each issue of BTO News thls year. we are also givrng 

'Breeding 

of 

in Birds' to the BTO's AnnuaL Conference to be held 

the theme 

in Swanwick 

fron the lst-3rd December. We wiII have a good Line-up of lecr-ures, 

includrng a session in wh-ich amateurs wiII talk about their anal.yses ot nes' 

record cards. l.ie hope it will be a great gathering of Nest Recorders, so why 

not book it down in your diary now? BTO members wi.lI receive a boolino forn 

ii d:e course, but non-nembers who fancy coming Lo Lh:s i.ni;r-mai, =r.l roL.:, 

interesting and inexpensive weekend, please write to our l'4"mbershrp 

Sp.rpl-^rv. Mrs lrrdrFw CauSef. 

l 

I 

l 

l 

:0 0co: 

I 

l 

l 

c:tD - 

l 

ltsl -ffe-Q!_c__LQIALS 

,r96q 

raa 

lrgltr a 

iG 

139 r,,i l 

wwl ] 

r\- 

1!69 rtl 

I .1, 

tj*:'- 

./, 

i! )9 

1950 

9a( 

MANY MORE MILESTONES PASSED 

ANOTHER 

. i Yes - You've done it again I 

I More cards than ever ilefore 

were recelved at Beech Crcve 

,._,/ by 1 5th Marcit. 

cards covering 

A huge 32, 452 

1'18 

spe:res. 

l,te l1 done I 

THE TRUST EXTENDS A VEPY LARCq 

THANK YOU TO ALL THE NEST 

Reffin 

- 

VALUABLY TO TIIIS SCTIL'4E 

'988 was an exciting year, in that iL brought three'firsts' for L5p Screm-. 

These were Red-necked Grebe, Brambling and Whooper Swan. The 500th Dunlin 

card was received fron A.Henthorn, West Yorkshire; Lhe 1,000th Merljn fron 

M.Natrass, Co.Durham; and Red-throated Diver passed the 1,500 mark with a 

card sent in by G.Christer, Orkne-v. M.R.Lawn compl.eted the 10,000th iirlLovr 

Warbler nesL hisLor)'ror a pair which enloyed a success{uL .eas-r or. l 

Surrey heath; while t-he 30,000th Swallow card was received from R.Da1soi, 

Lancashi re, thrs oa i r nastinq in a ddir), farm barn.

1 988 - FLY]NG START LEADS TO BUMPER 

-2- 

1988 prcved to be a highly productj-'/e breeding season for a refreshingly wide 

range of birds, though there were some notable exceptions. It al] began with 

an unseasonally nild spell of weather in January which t-riggered off a 

scatterj.ng of unusually early nesting attempts by birds such as Great Crested 

Grebe. Barn Owl. Rcbj.n and Blue Tit. Fine weather continued throuqh spring 

until late June, in most parts of the countryf before rains arrived. 

ThankfrrlJ.y, there was a lack of those prolonged cool danp spells which have 

upset breeding birds tn so man'/ recent years. Many species, fron Kestrel, 

Buzzard and Osprey to Blackbird, Stonechat and Willow WarbLer, consistently 

raised large broods, Countrywide, most general comments from nest recorders 

'fantastic 

were Iavou:abIe, including 

seasonr (Inverness), 

'very 

good' (Mid 

wales), 

'firre 

early on' (Surrey), 'upsurge 

in residents' (Herts), 'our 

best 

ever' (llants). 

EARI,Y OWLS AND RAPTORS FLOURISH 

A danp sunmer, ihen a mild 1987-88 winter, resulted in high populations of 

smaII rodenLs and, consequently, for most earLy nesting owls and diurnal 

raptors a very productive year. There were many reports of high occupancy by 

Tawny Owls, with generally large, healthy broods, while Barn OwIs regularly 

reare.i sp.ond sets ^f I'oun.l up to October. Kestre)S enjoyed 3n exccpt:onaIIy 

early and rewarding season, with fj.rst eggs laid from late March, It was 

en.^r!ri.ri 11d t^ h^fa porodri na an^ M6rl i n irLi n^ froch - --occuPyln9 ' 

traditicnal haunts despite local disturbance and e99 stealing. Further good 

news cane from those scarce raptors making a come-back. Marsh Harriers 

ccn:inueC '-o expand wlth some fiftl'nests occupied, while Osprey reared over 

fifLy young, Lhe highest since recolonisation. Golden Eagle fared weIl, 

notably in west Scotland, while the reintroduced Sea Eagles reared another 

set of eaglets and the non-breeding popul-ation continued to swelI. 

TIT}iICE SUCCEED AS PIED T'LYS SUFFER 

Resldent 

breakrng 

titmice 

year of 

populations were at high fevels followino the 

'1987 

and good over-wintering survival, Nestbox 

record- 

scherne 

operators, rn both gardens and woodlands, reported a wi-de range of clrrt.ch and 

brood sizes, but most fanilies were reared successfully before the rains of 

Jrrne and Jul-y. It was an early and compact layj.ng season for BIue, CoaI and 

Great Tit, with -Zittle evidence of repeaL Layinqs and second broods. Migrant 

Pied Flycatcher and Redstart also showed a generally high level of nestbox 

occupanuy, wiLh fresh sites taken in parts of the north and west. Again, 

mdny early cLutches were laid, but the summer rains impaired breeding 

performdnce fn some pl-aces, limiting brood sizes and repeat attempts. 

PROTR.^.CTED SEASON FOR MANY 

Lr orrl rr rot,,rn h-y manv spring miqrants, including Willow l{arhlor. 

whitethroat, Whinchat and Yellow Wagtail, resulted in clutches started from 

eight or more days earlier than the average for Lhe 1980s. An unusually h:gh 

proportion of second clutches were underway by the third week of May, 

ra.-Fl1inf, "q60s .nnditi^nq hv nld h:n.ie Fnr come hir.is rf nr.ved to be a 

nr'rtracted season with regul,ar repea: layings: for instance, casei of. 

conIi rmed triple-brooding were recorded for Swallow, Stonechat and Pied 

wagtai I . 

Overalf, then, 1 988 wj-II be recalled by most nest recorders as a very 

successful field season, Now, with a second successive mild wrnt-er in 

qrre ' aPPa!cL,r!] v 

, !qrL'5 ruinc ha!'in^ /Ff'rrhAi r. r",pruvL imnrnvp ihF L,'L habitat ,' 

fOr 

nany of our birds winterrng in Africa, aIl should be set fair for an excrting 

hroadind 

recordrnq ! 

1^^.r -^r^L^c 

PdLurtcr. 

Fnl^r,.ht6 L'LJvlq!!L nacts ,rLJL ! iinAina rriulJY and

1 988 CARD INTAKE _ SAMPLE HIGHLIGHTS 

-3- 

The central strength of the Nest Record Scheme comes each year from those 

birdwatchers who fill in a handful of detailed cards for nests found on their 

Iocal patch. OLhers are able to spend more time, someti.mes concentratrng on 

particular birds. Those nest finders who completed one hundred or more cards 

are listed below to give some idea of the spread of nest finders, to show 

whj.ch specles are receiving specialist attention and just what can be 

achieved by an lndividual or group. Those birdwatchers operatj-ng throuqh a 

IocaI bird club, ringing 9roup, or natural history society have the 

advantages of being able to exchange ideas, help wj.th co-operative projects, 

and reduce the Trustrs time with admi-nistration. This year the Trust 

received cards from 494 individuals and from 51 groups. THANK YOU ALLI 

G.Alexander (Hants) 14'1 cards inc. 44 SwaIIow, 22 Blackbird; w.D.A1l-en 

(Shropsl 228 !nc.41 House Martin, 22 BIue Tit; G.E1 & c.K. eustin (Shiops) 

349 inc. 11 Ring Ouzel, 21 wood Harbler, 112 Pred--Flt;;Tcher; p.naier 

(Cumbria) 366 inc. 67 Cormorant, 49 Lapwing, 104 Swal,low; J.BaLdwj-n & 

P.Maynard (Hants) 192 cards 

'10 

including 18 Nightjar, 

woodlark, 15 

Nightingale; Mr & Mrs J.Barrett (Co. Durham) 173 inc. 88 Btue Tlt, 29 creat 

Tit; G.C. & I.M.Bates and N.R.Foster (SutherLand) 110 inc. 4 colden EagIe, 9 

Hooded Crow; L.c.Baxter (Clwyd) 782 inc.54 Oystercatcher, 39 Conmon GuIl, 2 

Hawfinch; G. Bottomley (Cumbria) 116 inc. 54 Pi.ed Flycatcher, 34 Bfue Tit; 

H.Bradlev (Co.Down) 104 inc, 10 Sedge Warbler, 77 Hooded Crow; J.E.A.Brook & 

R.Cooke (warks) 548 inc,152 

R.H,Bucknall (Norlhumberland) 

woodpj.geon,43 House Martin, 96 

130 inc, 5 Wigeon, 1 BIack crouse, 

Blackbird; 

2 Siskrn; 

P.J.K.Burton, T.Holder, P.Johnson & M.Hunt (Herts) 194 inc. 139 Kestrel, 35 

Tawny Owl; OwI; R.!'.E.Butl.er R.F.E.Butl.er (Worcs) 

J.Clark (Gwynedd) 180 inc. 9 Little 

i8i inc. 30 Canada coose, 21 Maliard; 

Grebe, 23 Tufted Duck, 60 Common Tern; 

(Sussex) 275 inc.80 creat Tit, 13 Nuthatch; 

D,Cox & B.Hawes (Bucks) 680 inc. 39 pied Waqtail, 159 Blackbird, 38 

Chaffinch; A.V,Cross (Dyfed) 110 inc. 11 peregrine, 8l Raven; Captain 

A,J,Crease (Hants) 101 inc. 11 Stone Curlew, 25 House Martin; R.E.Danson 

(Lancs) 321 i.nc.48 SwaIlow, ST Tree Sparrow; P.c. & S.G.Davis (Surrey) tAZ 

inc. 18 woodlark, 19 Willow warbler; C.N.Davj-son & J. pollard (Sandwich Bav 

Birdobservatory,Kent)383inc.@ark,14YelIow 

Wagtail; M.Davi.son (Northunbria Ringing croup) 509 inc. 5 Goosanrier, i5 

MerIin,78 Pied Flycatcher; S.J.Dennv (Suffolk) 279 inc.63 

Avocet; J,Driver (cwynedd) 140 inc.28 pied Flycatcher, 

D.EIliott (Powys) 175 inc. 100 Pi€d Flycatcher, 39 Bl.ue 

'130 

{Surrey) 265 inc, StarIing. 58 Tree Sparrow; J.E.Flvnn 

Sandwich Tern, 13 

38 Carrion Crow; 

Tj-t; M.R.Fletcher 

(GIoucs) l5B inc. 

10 Grey Wagtail, 60 BLue Tit; D,M.Franci,s (Northants) 139 \nc.22 Coal Tit, 

46 Blue Tit; !J.carner (Cambs] 206 ircl 9 Lonq-eared Long-eared owl, Owl, 3 Kinqfisherr Kingfisher; Dr. Dn 

G.R.creen (Ll 

in9 Group, Surrey) 1 102 02 inc. 40 Pied Flvcatcher FIycaLcher, . 27 

Rlrro Tif . BIue Tit; Maior M: J.J.Gordon RAOC (Outer Hebrides) 21 4 inc. 1 3 Red-throated 

Diver, 51 Common Gul1; R.craham (Dumfries) 107 inc.9 Sparrowhawk, 9 

Buzzard; K.J.Green (Lancs) '104 

1nc. 26 Swallow, 29 glue Til-; J. croves 

(Surrey) 171 inc, 5 Lit.tl.e crebe, i9 Wren; H,R,Hammacol-t - 

(tsrrst,n 

Naturalists' Society) 234 inc- 36 Blackbird, a!--TiT-IZw---wa=rbler, I 3 

Yellowhammer; W.HartIey & Mrs S.Thomson (N. yorks) 117 inc, 24 Blackbird, 13 

Chaffinch; P.Hawkey (The Natj.onal Trust, NorthumberlandJ j,022 inc. 228 Shag, 

135 Eider,266 Kittiwake; L.S.Hiqqins (W. yorks) 155 inc,107 SwalJ.ow, 9 

Song Thrush; L, P. & D.HiLdred (Lincs) 1?2 inc. l8 Wren, 12 House Sparrow; 

P, & D.Hi1] (Gtr Manchester) 108 inc. 9 Great Crested Grebe, 4 creat Spotter: 

Woodpecker; T,14,Hil1 (Merseyside) 168 inc. 17 Dunnock, 42 Rlackbjrd; 

R.Hoqarth {South clamorgan) 120 inc. 97 Lesser B}ack-backed cu}I, 5 Herrjng 

Gul1; D.Holman & M.coodman (Northants) 111 inc. 27 Sparrowhawk, 5 Hobby; 

p.R.HoInEEE-lGi?ToIk-J-l 

nc. 21 1 SwaItow, 2 Eqvprian coose; S.J.HuddIeston 

lfmst qSq rnc. 59 Sand Martin, 3t ttorse fra.tin, Z:r nooX; A.B.U:lf!e9 

{S\rrrey) 103 inc. 23 Pied WagtaiI, 15 Blue Tit; p.Jenks & D.Okj.nes (aardsey 

vvsc-vdLUr), uwynedd) 151 inc. 53 Oystercatcher, 2' Wheatear; C. 

5+czanow 

(Devon) 128 inc. 4 Hobby,6 whinchat,22 Raven; J.Kieser (Hants) 

338 inc. 64 Swallow, 11 Jay, 36 Yellowhammer, @ 

( Gwent ) 229 rnc. 52 Dipper, 6 Ring Ouze1, 2 Siskin; Ijivinqstone 

(StraLhclyde) 1 52 SwaIlow; J.V.Llovd (Dyfed) 104 j.nc. 46 Blue Tit; D.J.carner (Cambs 

G.R.Green (Llanc:Ilo Ringing G 

21 Pied Fl-ycatcher, 4 

Marsh Tit; R.J.Louch & D.Tompson (Oxon) 449 inc.8 Grasshopper warbler, 26

9lhltethroat, 88 chiffchaff; D. Luckhurst (co, Durham) 147 in..34 Lapwing, 

10 Jackdaw; B.Madden (Dublin) 157 inc.101 SwalIow, 16 Jackdaw; C.F.MapIetofl 

(Birklands Ringing croup, Notts) 710 lnc. 5O wren, 149 Blackbird, 12 Lonqtailed 

Tit;. F,J:4awbv (Cunbria) 1 02 inc. 44 Lapwing, 7 Redshank; I.McAlpine 

(Merseyside) 198 inc. 3 Ptarmigan, 1 Capercaille, 3 Twite; M.O.Meadoffi 

(Essex) 354 inc. 21 Magpier 45 Rook, 39 House Sparrow; uiA-f,incs ninqinq 

g!o]_p 274 inc. 17 Grey Heron, 37 BIue Tit, 104 Rookt R.Morton lstrattrclyOel 

126 inc, 14 Common cuLL, 27'tree Sparrow; c. & O.t'toss-lGwyneddl 123 inc. 12 

Barn OwI, 59 Pied Flycatcher; M.MulIiqan (Warks) 109 inc. 10 House Martin, 5 

Jay; Dr P,I.Munroe (Co. Antrim) 1'77 inc. 135 Swallow, ? pied Wagtail; 

(Hereford) 

9+:l1I9I9 

137 inc. 26 Blue Tj.t, 23 Starling; Ncc Moorland Bird 

Studv (Cambs) 145 inc. 32 Red Grouse, 14 colden plover, 37 Meado; Flpit; 

D.Norman & M.Smith (Cheshire) 229 inc. 6 Yellow WagtaiI, 1 8 Reed tsuntingi 

4.B,OId 

(Cumbria) 128 inc, 71 Pied Flycatcherf 28 BIue Tj,ti Orknev Rinqinq 

Group (per. E.R. Meek) 536 inc. 78 Red-throated Dive:, 66 Snaq, aC Hen 

Harrier, 71 Black Gui.llemot; p.paqe & A.Robinson (Devon) 1 46 inc. ?7 pied 

Flycatcher, 46 Blue Tit; R.H.peart (OorEeii222 inc. 45 Biackbird, 46 Biue 

Tltt S.Petly (Argy1I) 175 inc.101 Blue Titf 57 Creat Tit; p.F.J.p]avford 

(Gwent) 1'15 inc. 75 Pied Ftycatcher, 26 Blue Tit.; W.proctor (Warks) 559 rnc. 

140 House Martin,269 Rook,34 House Sparrow;.:,nictrarOson (Co, DuEham) 906 

j.nc. 6i Herring cull/ 102 Blackbird, 8O Song Thrusr.* !. Ieb! (Stirling) 204 

inc. 45 Redstart, 71 Pied Flycatcher; J,A.L.Roberts (Clwyd) 169 inc. 4 

Peregrine, 72 Pied Flycatcher; R.S.p,B. NaqsheE lcloucs) 307 inc. 90 pied 

llycatcher. 67 Great Tit; aw & A,DowelL (Wigtownshire) 201 .inc. 66 Barn 

Owl,, 16 Tawny OwI; S.P.Sir q {w. Yorks) 106 j-nc. 6 Wood Warbler, 53 Bl-ue 

th West Notts 431 inc, 15 Little crebe, 9 Cuckoo, 94 

Reed Warbler; I.M,Spence (Ctwy 

inc. 44 SwaI).ow,27 Pied Flycatcher; 

P.Spencer (Staffs) 124 inc. 7 Tufted Duck, 7 Little Ringed Plc'/er; H.J 

S!evens (Notts) 167 inc, 51 Coot, 9 Nightjar; R.L,Swann (Glenurquhart Bird 

Club, Highland) 232 tnc,2 Goosander, 31 Tawny Owt, t9 nedstart; Tav Rj.nqinq 

Group 

'10 

379 inc. Peregrine, 74 Common GulI, 7 Short-eared Owt; O.t"t.tuct 

(Surrey) (burrey) 104 ru4 inc. anc. 1B tB Moorhen, 7 Lonq-tailed Long-tailed I^nd-t.i1ad Tit; Tir. Tit; S.J,Tv1er, cS.J,Ty1er, 

S.J.O;M;ile 

S.J.Ormerod & 

p.Hudson (Powys) 352 1nc, 1'11 crey Wagtail, 206 Oipper; g!1q_4ep!er_S,Lgry 

Gloup Group (T.J. Dix and w.MclouqhIin, W.McloughIin, Western IsLes) 230 inc. 86 BIack-headed 

Gul.1, cul-t, 26 Arctic Tern, Tern/ 4 Short-eared Owl: Owl; G.A-Varrohan c.A.Vauqhan {Devon (Devon) 120 inc. 75 pied 

Flycatcher, I0 Nuthatch; L,L.J.Vick (Lothiil) '1 

'1'1 

--fl3--iiil 

123 inc. ? Whinchat, 

wheatear; D.t.larden (avont 

24 Coot, 53 Ree,l t{arhler: Warhler; E.H.welrt) 

E.H.webt) 

(SuffoIk) 10? i.nc. l8 Blue Tit, 19 creat Tit; Mrs p.Webb (Derby) 42S inc, t2 

Stock Dove, 161 Pied Flycatcher, 89 Blue Tit; A.D.D.Wilson (Rye Meads Ringing 

6roup, Herts) 34'1 inc. 43 Conrnon Tern/ 36 Sedge warbler,2T Reed Bunting; llli 

R.A. i.linnaLl (worcs) 107 inc. 7 creat Spotted Woodpecker, 23 Blackbird; 

I.Wol-fenden (Merseyside) 1 95 inc, 52 Skylark, 40 Meadow pipit; E. wood 

(Cleveland) 

'129 

inc,59 LittIe Tern.34 Swallow; M.wriqht (Landguud fird 

uaservdLory, 

\ 

bullorK, 

1

SPECIES 

-5- 

TOTALS FOR NEST RECORD SCHEME FROM PRE 198? to 1998 

Red-throated Diver + r 

Black-throated Diver f 

Little Grebe 

Creat Crest,r{l Grebe 

Red necked Grebe + 

Slavon.ia^ Grebe + 

Black-necked crebe + 

FuImar 

Manx Shearrater 

Storm Petrel 

Leach 's Petre I + 

Gannet 

Cormoran t 

Shag 

Bittern + 

LittIe Bitlern + 

Grey Heron * 

Mute Swan i 

tihooper Swan + 

Creylag Goose + 

Canada Goose 

Egyptian Goose 

Shelduck 

Manda r i n 

Wi geon 

cadwal I 

l-ea1 

Mallard 

Pintail + 

Garganey + 

shove 1e r 

Pochard 

Tufted Duck 

Scaup + 

Eider 

Comon Scoter + 

coldeneye + 

Red-breasted Merganser 

G oosander 

Ruddy Duck 

Red Ki.te + 

Marsh Harrier + 

Hen Harrier + * 

Montagurs Harrier + 

cosha{k + 

Sparrowhawk 

Buzzard * 

Golden Eagle + 

Osprey + 

Kestrel r 

Merlin + r 

Hobby + * 

Peregrine + * 

Red Crouse 

r 

Pre-87 

1/310 

137 

1 ,341 

1 ,7BB 

129 

12 

2,035 

51 

30 

2 

1a 

924 

2,2A9 

11 

1 

2,644 

331 

1,041 

2 

191 

141 

101 

159 

'7 

7 

90 

147 

6'7 4 

1 

1 ,324 

29 

14 

204 

124 

1'l 

B 

14 

5 

502 

45 

10 

2,521 

2,603 

302 

25 

3,518 

839 

315 

940 

449 

19a'] 

112 

6 

59 

"l 

6 

168 

- 

94 

,uo_ 

190 

75 

153 

10 

15 

9 

3 ,] 

219 

4 

5; 

'7 

230 

l 

4 

4 

16 

1 

2 

'74 

1 

23 

221 

169 

30 

1 

244 

127 

18 

126 

1 988 

122 

B 

16 

60 

1 

t5; 

3 

l 

'7 

rr] 

121 

107 

1 

122 

: 

11 

'7 

4 

9 

265 

3 

5; 

(, 

151 

1 

4 

3 

11 

: 

2 

124 

21 

23'] 

140 

365 

194 

2'7 

103 

40 

TOTAL 

1 ,544 

1 t 4'l6 

r,961 

1 

139 

12 

54 

31 

2 

22 

1,025 

1'7 

1 

2 ,423 

2,911 

1 

424 

1 1316 

5 

201 

161 

111 

50 

169 

t4 

1 

103 

107 

783 

3l 

1 

22 

211 

151 

27 

I 

9 

?00 

46 

114 

2,912 

348 

4,131 

1,160 

360 

1t169 

s33

Pta rml gan 

Black crouse 

Capercaillie 

Pâ-ladda4 D.rfriido 

Grey Partridge 

Quail + 

Pheasant 

Lady Anherst's Pheasant 

water Rail 

corncrake + 

Moorhen * 

Coot 

Oystercatcher 

Avocet + 

Stone Curlew f 

Little Ringed Plover + 

Ringed Plover * 

Kentish Plover a 

Dotterei + 

GoLden Plover 

Lapwing * 

Teminck's Stint + 

P,,rhla qrndniâY + 

Ruff + 

Snrpe 

Woodcoc k 

Black-tailed codwlt + 

whinbrel + 

curlew 

Red sha n k 

Greenshank + 

wood sandpiper + 

Comon Sandpiper 

aAd-na^Lad Dh:l:r^ô + 

Arctrc Skua 

Creat Skua 

Little GulL + 

Black-headed Gul1 

Mediterranean Gu11 + 

Comon cull 

Lesser Black-backed cul1 

Herring cull 

Great Black-backed cull 

K itt iwake 

Sandwich Tern 

Roseate Tern i 

Comon Tern 

Arctic Tern 

Little Tern + 

Gui Ilenot 

Razorb i I I 

Black Guillenot 

Puff.in 

Rock Dove 

Feraf Pigeon 

Stock Dove * 

woodpigeon 

Colfared Dove * 

Turtle Dove 

Pre-97 

-6- 

a4 

61 

10 

1,64'7 

1 

61 

25 

15,518 

4,223 

'7 

t7'75 

3 

369 

1,013 

4,AA2 

19 

121 

610 

1 4 ,355 

1 

3 

454 

1,136 

444 

6 

1,A'72 

1,669 

125 

2 

954 

32 

209 

275 

1,213 

2 

1 ,151 

694 

1 ,4'7 2 

'164 

1 t740 

244 

116 

2,5.7A 

1 ,356 

6A'7 

J'7 5 

600 

165 

136 

3,107 

16,142 

1,914 

1,620 

1 987 

: 

11 

1'7 

14 

; 1 

436 

366 

444 

92 

1 

51 

551 

5 

40 

45 

1 

6l 

17 

5 

101 

52 

9 

53 

; 

t1 

3 

415 

100 

103 

285 

226 

14 

182 

313 

130 

56 

159 

45 

180 

523 

1'79 

31 

1 9e3 

6 93 

I bz 

B 390 

'/ 

131 

44 1 ,125 

-l 

264 

_26 

342 16 ,336 

369 8,958 

522 a ,'l41 

56 151 

14 384 

53 1,11'7 

300 5,'733 

- 19 

5 131 

52 702 

552 

-l 

-3 

15,5'7 4 

'13 

-1 

512 

41 1 t23A 

11 512 

6 12 

- 4'7 

83 2,056 

53 1t7'74 

3 

-2 

137 

35 1 ,042 

-32 

a 229 

6 292 

-3 

493 4,121 

-2 

1 48 2 ,066 

121 9'15 

f58 3,'t09 

91 964 

346 2 t]'t 1 

63 573 

_ 130 

304 3,464 

213 2,901 

212 3 ,304 

73 890 

37 464 

88 447 

- tb) 

4 116 

43 919 

1 45 4 ,032 

544 1'7,209 

20 

TOTAL 

2 t245 

1 ,6't 1

Ring-necked 

Cuckoo 

Barn OwI + * 

Snowy oul + 

Little Owl * 

Tawny Owl * 

parakeet 

Long-eared Oul * 

Short-eareC Owl i 

Niqhtjar 

Swift 

Kingfisher + 

Hoopoe + 

Wryneck + 

Craon w^^dna^Lar 

Great Spotted Woodpecker 

Lesser Spotted I'oodpecker 

woodlark + 

skylark * 

Sand Martin 

swallow * 

House Martin 

Tree Prpit 

Meadow Pipit 

ROCK Ptptt 

Yelfow wagtail. 

Grey Wagtail * 

Pied wagtail 

Dipper 

Wren' 

Dunnock 

Robin * 

Nightingale 

Bluethroat + 

Black Redslart + 

Redstart r 

Whinchat 

Stonecha t 

wheatear * 

Ring ouzel 

Blackbird 

Fieldfare + 

Sohg Thrush 

Redwj.ng + 

Mistle Thrush * 

Cetti's Warbler + 

crasshopper warbler r 

Savi's Warbler + 

Sedge ttarbler * 

Marsh warbLer + 

Reed warbler * 

Dartford warbler + 

Lesser Whitethroat. * 

Whitet-hroat * 

Garden warbler * 

Blackcap * 

wood walbler r 

Chiffchaff * 

Willow Warbler . 

coldcresL 

Pirecrest + 

* 

* 

* 

-'1 - 

l 

1 ,450 

1 ,055 

1 

'1 

,069 

3,642 

410 

18fi 

542 

804 

369 

1 

11 

224 

114 

371 

5,390 

b84 

2A ,414 

1t123 

6 ,690 

450 

780 

3,146 

5,030 

10,273 

25 ,11'7 

14 ,661 

342 

1 

119 

2 ,296 

1 ,2Ba 

2 ,2'] 0 

1 t A'79 

104 t4a'7 

3 

62,'711 

88 

5,602 

1'7 

258 

2 

3,183 

106 

7,A51 

32'7 

4,526 

1,161 

2,092 

1 ,410 

9 ,409 

602 

I 

1987 

l 

52 

142 

55 

121 

22 

25 

a1 

2B 

1'7 

1 

1 

6 

2a 

240 

87 

1,4'76 

43 

352 

19 

13 

244 

28',1 

549 

319 

5A2 

3'15 

1 

2 

199 

4B 

38 

221 

40 

2 t41a 

2 

946 

1 

15 

191 

40; 

6 

90 

139 

148 

93 

336 

8 

,] 

1 988 

-2 

.TO'I A L 

52 1,554 

236 1,434 

-l 

48 1,112 

351 4,364 

31 463 

29 244 

50 611) 

36 868 

34 420 

-1 

1 13 

13 244 

52 149 

5 125 

31 435 

141 5 ,7't 1 

lt n)u 

2 , 1'7 1 32 ,0A5 

616 4,101 

48 1,214 

312 1 ,354 

24 493 

2A a21 

211 3,101 

255 6,4aA 

494 6,0'/3 

t91 10,983 

453 26,072 

464 r 5,506 

22 3't 1 

-1 

5 126 

226 2,'721 

118 1,454 

46 1,810 

1 55 2,646 

60 1 ,179 

2,1aa 108,993 

961 64,630 

3 91 

15 2aa 

-2 

111 3,491 

- 106 

333 8.585 

18 351 

25 670 

98 4,1 14 

16 1,301 

105 2,336 

1 10 1,635 

125 1 /688 

338 10,0S3 

9 619 

-9

Spotted Fl./catcher 

Pred Flycatcher 

BearCed Ttt + 

Long-taiLed Tit 

Marsh Tit 

Crested Trt + 

aoal Tit 

BLue T1t 

Great Trt 

Nuthatch r 

Treecreeper 

Ch^rf -tsôi Traa-roo^6r + 

Golden orioLe + 

Red-backed Shrlke + 

Jay 

Magpie * 

Chough + 

.lack'law 

Rook 

Carrion Crow 

Hooded Crow 

Starlj.ng 

House Spa!row 

Chaffinch r 

Branbfing + 

serin + 

Greenfinch 

GoLdfrnch 

Siski-n 

Linnet 

Redpol I 

r 

Coftnor) Crossbill + 

i 

ParroL CrossbiIL + 

Scarlet Rosefi,nch + 

Bullfi-nch 

Hawfinch 

Snow Bunting + 

Yellowhamer * 

Cirl Bunting + 

Reeal Buntrng i 

Corn Buntlng * 

Pre-37 

i ,614 

13,945 

-8- 

TOTALS Pre-87 

1987 19BB 

53 

67u 

328 

145 

3,411 

3A ,566 

24 ,486 

'r,130 

1/559 

1 

1 

251 

1,109 

4 ,29-l 

348 

j ,5'7 3 

3 ,46n 

4,049 

1A1 

1 ,416 

10,106 

9,615 

15,800 

1 

1 1 ,214 

45 

21,525 

154 

r/168 

BB 

4 

l 

4,551 

111 

t0 

57 

6 ,266 

435 

699,258 

19a7 

1 ,566 

103 

32 

15 

20 

148 

2 ,606 

1 1486 

88 

85 

5 

3; 

209 

27 

204 

380 

224 

125 

129 

368 

2BC 

601 

1 

262 

49 

4 

427 

l4 

2B 

: 

106 

3 

166 

,i, 

12 

1 988 

306 

1,861 

102 

31 

19 

14 

154 

),994 

1,?16 

12'7 

'7 1 

JZ,a4O JZ,qJZ 

9 

a, 

201 

1l 

216 

915 

200 

'10 

151 

475 

163 

281 

429 

1 

211 

'l 

356 

9 

19 

: 

12 

142 

1 

164 

14 

TO AL 

s,254 

1'7 

| 3'l2 

3 ,364 

941 

362 

119 

3,719 

44 ,166 

28,108 

1 ,546 

1t715 

1 

15 

251 

1,176 

4 t'107 

386 

4,115 

4 ,43'7 

902 

2,096 

10,949 

12 

,7 46 

16,830 

2 

2 

11,583 

2 ,452 

,56 

22 ,40A 

7 7'7 

1,215 

96 

4 

1 

1,'123 

126 

10 

5,647 

6,5A'7 

461 

GRAND TOTAL 

: 

Bird species protected under the 1981 Wildlife and Countrys.ide Act 

TARGET sPEcrEs - deserving sp."iuffi 

envilomental change within the BTO,s Inlegrated Honitoring program. 

The totals for Pre-1987 and 1987 have changed since those printed in 

Nest Recoral News No.4 due to the addition of cards received at the BTO 

'1989. 

after March

-9- 

REVIEWING THE NEST RECORD SCHEME - EXCITING THINGS TO COME 

Question: Is the Nest Record Scheme doing a good job or can i.t be 

improved ? 

Answer: Yes, on both counts! 

So says the Final Report .of the group of experts who looked at aII aspects of 

the Nest Record Scheme over a period of two years. Raymond O'Connor, the 

BTO's previous Director, realised Lhe huge potential of the Nest Record 

Scheme and made full use of 1t in hls numerous publications, especial-Iy 

Farminq and Birds. He was afso keenly aware that more could be done with the 

data than invest.igating basic breedj.ng biology, although he saw that there 

were some drawbacks in t-he data which needed further investigation. So 1n 

1985, he persuaded Ian Newton (of Sparrowhawk and Finches fame) to chair a 

group that would look inbo the Scheme's workings and objectives. The members 

of the group were Kevin Briggs, David HiII, Chris Mason and Mj-ke Pienkowski/ 

wlth major contributions from Raymond O'Connor, Davj.d GIue and Sara Cross. 

stc edi and Monrtori 

I.]hen the Nest Record Scheme was originally set up, the aim was to provide 

information on basic breeding biology of British Blrds. The Review croup 

considered that this was stiII a very worthwhile aim and that analyses of 

breeding biology were to be thoroughly encouraged. 

Thp orral ifv af Rritain's .nrlnfrvqidp ^nd urban envifonment needs to be 

monitored more and more as radical changes bccur in farm nanagemenl tno 

pollutron contrcl and with new developments such as water privatisatlrn. 

hhic ic f^ h6: hri^r function of the Nest Record Scheme fron now on becausc 

the breeding performance of birds is an ideaf tool for gauging such chanqes. 

The BTO stores so much histori-cal data and receives so nuch valuable new 

informa'-ion each year, that we can monitor the countrywide breed iao 

performance of a wide range of species in different regions and habita's. 

Every contribution of cards, no maLLer how small, is a valuable brush strok. 

in a picture that can only be produced by the combined efforis of many 

nc.nlF We will slarf tn nr^d.r.e:nnral qrarArjas. mrr.h lira6 ftrnse for C3. 

and wBS, tc let you know horr' the breeding bi:Cs of 9ri+-ain l:c farrn!. 

The Trust sees the need for some more feedback to you, our Nest Recorders, .fs 

essentral in showj-ng how useful are everybody's efforts. 

we shall be combining the findings from Nest Record Cards with other BTO daLa 

(errnh :q fr^m aRa rnrl 'inîn-\ f^ fihi th^ inflrrpnce nf :qnp..s I ike ClUtCh 

size and fledging success on movements, mortality and populaLron sizes o: 

birds, This Inteqrated Monitorinq Scheme is goinq to be a very important anrl 

very exciting development within Lhe BTO over the next few years and Nesr 

Recording wiII be at its hub. 

rov:n the Schene: A New Nest Record Cari 

Tf minht h^rd i^ h6l i6r'a hrrt 

Card needs to be modified after aIl 

and our lives easier. 

fhp frithrrrl fl-pen \eSt Reccrl 

fhdc6 t., meL- h^fl -.,- 

Jqolrr 

!uL| yuur 

j ( a ) Habrtat dr-c, .,rrrcrtl.. fhorp re 1 lirfla Hl:aL cnaCe ! , ! , r e r v 

On fhc 

- . 

Record Card for writing in details of habitat. This is unsatisfactory 

:1, s: 

fcr a 

number of reasons. (1 ) The nest. recorder has littIe guidance as Lo the sort 

of information or deLarL that is required: one recorder n-iqht wr.te loqr, 

"wood" whereas another nay give great detall about tree species, 

undergrowth. proximity to water, etc. l2l Nest recorders that have a lot of 

cards 

again, 

to complete nay get tired of frlling rn the same informaLion agarn ?nl 

or of writing down much detai I, so thaL they refine j' to the baresi 

mj,nimum or even to nothing at alll (3) we, at the BTo, have to rnterpretl 

what is wriLten ar)d assrgn special codes for habitat whi-h ara nl: oatr :1computer. 

I- is possrb)e Lhat we sonetimes mrsjnLerpret whaL tds rriL-Pn, 

Tho nr-.acc , c :1

-r0- 

The sofutj.on seems simple. We need a habitat coding systen which allows 

standardj.sation throughout the country. Time wiII be saved because recorders 

wrll just cross numbers off the back of the card, that correspond to a 

habitat. For instance: 1 ,2,4,3 would refer to "Woodland" + "Coniferous" + 

"Mature planiation" + "Sparse Shrubs". To help you remember these codes we 

aiII provj.de a plasticised codj-ng card, for easy reference. AE the BTO, life 

will be much easier because we will let the computer "read" the information 

autonatically. We will then be able to process a lot nore information and 

produce more results each year. Good Newst 

Of course, for species names of plants and for those habitats that do not fit 

into the slandardised svstem, we will still Drovide a space for extra 

descriptions. 

(b) Nesi Site, Staqe and Activity Codes: A similar train of thought has led 

the BTO to design a tick-box system for nest siter with the twin benefits of 

enFo.r fnr wnr. :nd drri.k .^mnrrfpr irnrrf f^r ile Fin:l lw it qaemq 

senSible to 

introduce some easily remembered codes to describe the stage of the nest or 

young and the activity of the parents. For exanple: CO for cold eggs, wA for 

warm eggs, NA for naked young , DO for downy young etc, These codes will 

also be on the handy plasticised card, 

A PROTOTYPE NEW NEST RECORD CARD IS BEIn{G FIELD-TESTED THIS YEAR, IN THE MEAN. 

TIME THE GOOD OLD GREEN NEST RECORD CARD WILL CONTINUE TO BE OUF'--TAiUAEIE 

WORKHORSE. 

Food for Thouqht 

The Review Group also discussed various other interesting questions, for 

cyanole' (a) Whaf is Fho pffa.t.f the d-^n-.ff in ra.6r.iina effarl late in 

the season? This is a subject which Peter c. Davi-s of Surrey thinks should 

hA f:-Llod rrrdahflv Ha hi< a\tiAa^.a fr^m hie

-II- 

having completed a very lnteresting analysis of Lapwings (which has been 

submitted to a Journal for publication). Now he is looking at the possible 

effects of mercuric seed dressings on Kestrels, in addition to having an 

interest in their types of nest sites. our own caroLine Stockley has begun a 

general study of the Hobby cards. John Cayford of the RSPB is using Nest 

Record Cards in hls study of breeding success by Barn Owls in Suffolk. Two 

doctoral students from Glasgo\.{ Universi!y, Graham Austin and chris Thomas, 

are looklng at the Buzzard and Raven data sets respectively. They will look 

at these carrion feeding species to investigate what are the effects of 

changing landuse in the uplands, particularly with respect to afforestation 

and changes in sheep farming. 

waterbj.rds and ganeblrds are being investigated in some detail. Graham 

EIIiott and Philip Bayel of the RSPB have looked at the Black-necked Grebe 

and Bittern cards respectively. They need all the information they can get 

for conserving these specj-es. Tony Fox of the wildfowl Trust intends to 

examine the breeding ecology of Bri,tish ducks and has begun with TeaI and 

Shoveler. PauI Johnson found a shelduck using a cylindrical straw bale as a 

nesting site, and was so intrigued thaL he decided to look at the nest sites 

recorded by other contributors to the Scheme. Finally, Peter Robertson at 

The Game Conservancy is carryj.ng on David Hill's studies of the Pheasant and 

is widening his interests to include Grey and Red-legged Partridges. 

What about vou? 

Analysing Nest Record Cards is interestinq, challenging and rewarding. If 

you would like to get to know a particular species better and fancy analysing 

a set of Nest Record Cards, please don't hesitate to contact Hunphrey Crick 

or David GIue. we will be pleased to give you advice and help in planning, 

analysis and writing up your study. 

RECORDING OWLS: NoT JUST A HoOT! 

The BTo is currently carrying out a project on the population dynamj-cs of 

Barn and Tawny owl-s, integrating data on the birds' breeding performance from 

Nest Records with those on survivaL and dispersal frorn the Ringing scheme. 

The project has two main aims: firstly to investigate the factors thal affecL 

owl numbers and secondly to establj-sh a baseline for thelr future monitoring. 

It involves an analysis of all the BTo's historic owl data gathered over the 

last 40 years (many thanks to aII contributors - carry on the good work), 

together with the collection of new detailed data to allow a closer 

exanination of breedj-ng performance. Further i-nformation on this detaj-led 

nest recording and the study in general is available from Steve Percival at 

the BTo. Anvone wishinq to take part, even with only a few owl nesLs' would 

be most welcome and could make a valuable contribution to the proiect. 

SENDING IN YOUR CARDS 

PLease send all 

soon as our fieldwork 

if you want them to be inc rn next year s 

, Early batches of cards and comments throughout 

prov 

useful material for arti-cles prepared for BTO News. Cards can be handed 

qrrecLry Lo sLdLr, rr you are passing Beech Crove, Grove, or 1f i you plan to attend 

one of ihe BTO's conferences, 

PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOUR CARDS ARRIVE IN ONE PIECE BY BINDING THEM WITH RUBBER 

BANDS OR STRING, BEFORE PLACING THEM IN A POLYTHENE BAG AND PAPER WRAPPING 

WITH A BOLDLY MARKED ADDRESS LABEL. Many thanks. It is always tragic when 

cards go rnissing in the post due to flimsy packaging. Ordinary envelopes are 

not strong enough to take more than 20 cards; padded envelopes are much more 

sui.table. Please don't let vour hard-won data be Iost Like this,

SUCCESSIYE N.E.5'TN6 ATTEMPTS 

Pfease make sure 

bj-rds are clearly 

CUCKOO CARDS 

Dl 6rea ^^m6l oio : 

can be filed under 

-12- 

that all successj.ve nesting attempts by a known pair of 

marked as such and that the cards are clipped together. 

nr u,,F^hr6,, ^ D n-r-u (Head of Unit) 

David E, Glue (Research Officer) 

David N. Pearman (Research Asslstant) 

Caroline Stockley (Research Assistant 

duplicate card for every Cuckoo nest found, so that cards 

Cuckoo as well as the species of the foster parent. 

Humphrey was appointed in August, under the NCC contract, to develop the use 

of Nest Record data as part of the fntegrated ManiLoring Programme of the 

BTO, He began bird watching and ringj.ng with Dr Jeffery Harrison at the 

Sevenoaks Reserve, and has been lucky enough to undertake ecoLogical research 

on bee-eaters, CoaI Tits and the side-effects of pesticides in Scotland and 

Zimbabwe. Sara Cross left the Unit to take up a post in Emplc!'nent Training 

Manaqement, We are very gratefuL to Sara for a]I her efforts in running the 

Scheme and wish her weII in her new job. David Glue wiil be continuing a 

programme of analysis of the basic breeding biology of species ol 

conservation interest and maintaining his excellent llnks with our 

contributors. Currently he is working on woodpeckers, owls, Woodlark and 

Nightjar. A paper on his analysis of the crasshopper Warbler cards will be 

appearj-ng soon in British Birds. 

David Pealnan and Carol-ine Stockley have continued their valuable work of 

edn i n i s.F-r nn l-ha d^v-f.-dav r,.nn i nd .f fhe SCheme. The contributions ot 

these unsung heros are huge, because they process aII the cards that come in, 

code them up for computerisation, as well as helping to train our VDU 

operators. Tn addition, the BTO has been fortunate in having a Manpower 

Sorwi.eq C^m-icqi^n :nF 1:ffdrlt. FFhl^.'Fdr* Trînird team +^ COmDUt-erists 

the Nest Record Cards. Working hard for us this year have been Frank Duling, 

Alan MiIls, John Preece and Terry Seaward; and for shorter perj-ods Amjad 

Mahmood, Rusty Rizvi, Roy Massey, Janes Simeon and Sharon Carden. More cards 

than ever were computerised this year.. 29,701. The Trust would like to thank 

the team for their excell-ent work. 

1989 

The fresh year started with a bangl Such a mj ld winter set birds breedinu 

earlier than for several seasons - which is very appropriate in our 

anniversary year, 

WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL ENJOY A REWARDING SEASON. 

THE TRUST IS ENORMOUSLY GRATEFUL FOR YOUR VERY KIND HELP. 

GOOD LUCK! 

Britlsh Trust for ornithology 

Beech Grove, Statlon Road, Tring, Herts., HP23 5NR 

Te1: Trinq 044282\ 3461 

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