The newsletter of the Nest Record Scheme

Issue 28 march 2012 Inside this edition

04 NRS LATEST RESULTS 05 DAVID GLUE’S REPORT ON 2 011 06 SPOTLIGHT: HAWFINCH 08 NRS ANNUAL TOTALS 10 2011 TOP NESTERS 11 a MATCH MADE IN RIPON: EAST DALES RINGING GROUP 12 WOOD WARBLERS WANTED: A STUDY ON A LOCAL POPULATION 14 a TALE OF TWO COUNTIES: BARN OWL MONITORING 16 SPOT THE NEST plus TRIBUTE TO MARK FARMER, NEW PARTICIPANTS IN Thanks to Ben MacDonald for this excellent photo of a Hawfinch nest with chicks. 2011, SPOTTED FLYCATCHERS For more on Hawfinch nest monitoring, see page 6. AT THE DENTIST. A New Nesting Generation In the early 2000s, we were reporting worrying trends in NRS participation. Now, thanks to you, the Scheme is on the up again.

nyone who has been involved submissions currently stand at 243, up with the Nest Record Scheme for from a low of 97 in 2006. As well as A more than a couple of years won’t monitoring more nests, experienced have been able to avoid our incessant recorders have helped tremendously appeals for more records and more by writing articles on nest finding, recorders. In 2005, nest record totals mentoring new recorders, helping to were down 25% on the 1990s, and, run courses and promoting the NRS in even more worringly, annual totals for Club reports and newsletters. Just common species such as Whitethroat as impressive have been the efforts of the were dwindling, as were recorders who 300 recorders who have joined us since could monitor them. Seven years on and 2008. Over 7,000 of the 37,252 records totals are on their way back up, especially submitted for 2011 have been sent in by More Whitethroat nests are being for those species we’ve highlighted. these new recorders, including 35 of the monitored thanks to the targeted So far, 255 Whitethroat nest records 255 Whitethroat records mentioned. It’s efforts of recorders. See pages 8–9 have been sent in for 2011, up from great to start the 2012 season with such for 2011 NRS totals. 70 in 2005 (and helped by a bumper upbeat news. As ever, a huge thanks to breeding season!). For Chiffchaff, 2011 all NRS supporters for their efforts! 2 NRSnews Spring 2012 From the editor

nrs News

Welcome... Nest Record News is the annual newsletter for supporters of the ...to the 28th edition of Nest Record News. I hope you like the re- Nest Record Scheme (NRS). design! A question I often hear this time of year is, ‘what species are The views expressed by the contributors to this newsletter are you going for this season?’ I usually think of those annoying nests that not necessarily those of the Editor, got away last year; the elusive pair of Bullfinches or the Lapwings in the Council of the BTO or its Committees. the field next to the hedgerow, but it’s actually a very relevant question about focus. The BTO/JNCC partnership has identified a need for Nest Record News is written by you, so please send your ‘demographic targeting’, focussing ringing and nest recording efforts on ideas and contributions to: priority species to fill gaps in our knowledge. In this edition of NRN, Carl Barimore, there are some great examples of this happening. On page 11, we read NRS Organiser, Nest Record Scheme, BTO, The Nunnery, about East Dales Ringing Group doing a wonderful job of combining Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2PU ringing and nest recording. As a nest recorder who has joined a local Tel: (01842) 750050 Fax: (01842) 750030 ringing group at Wicken Fen, it’s an example I find inspiring. On Email: [email protected] page 12, Tony Davis describes his exciting project monitoring a locally Desk-top publishing: declining population of Wood Warblers, and on page 6, the Hawfinch Carl Barimore and Working Group’s article will appeal to anyone wanting to get in at the Debbie Nicholls. deep (or is that high?) end when it comes to targeting species. I hope the Printers: Swallowtail Print, various volunteer efforts covered in this issue will inspire both new and Norwich. old recorders to ask the question, ‘What will I go for this season?’ Thanks to the proof readers for all their efforts!

The Nest Record Scheme is funded by a partnership of the Carl Barimore Editor & NRS Organiser British Trust for Ornithology and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (on behalf of Natural England, Scottish Natural Heritage, new nest recorders the Countryside Council for Wales, and the Northern Ireland Eighty new participants join us in 2011 Environment Agency). The British Trust for Ornithology is New participants are, of course, the Hewitt • Martin Hughes • Denise a charity dedicated to researching future of the scheme, and last season Jackson • Paddy Jenks • Lee Johnson found in the UK. For 1,990 nest records were collected • Anna Jolliffe • Helen Jones • Mark Membership details please contact by 81 first-time recorders, so, a big Joy • Ian Lewis • Alan Lyne • Ben Chris Morley at [email protected] thanks and a warm welcome to: Macdonald • Tim Marlow • Michael Cover photos: Hawfinch by Ben Marsh • Jim Marshall • Tony Martin MacDonald, Whitethroat by Tessa Anning • Maurice Aungier • • Hannah McDiarmid • Gullam Michael Kehoe. Steve Baines • John Baker • Daniel McIvor • Paul Morrison • Hannah Bardsley • Daniel Bennett • Marcus Morton • Graham Moysey • John Betteridge • Amanda Biggins • Paul Newnham • Carl Noon • Gary Pitt Blackburn • Keith Bowden • Mark • Michael Polling • Michael Price • Breaks • Christopher Charlton • Ian Pritchard • Mike Reed • Huw Alister Clunas • Michael Colquhoun Roberts • Derek Robertson • John British Trust for Ornithology • Paul Cremins • Richard Curtis • Roy • David Scott • Michael Smart • The Nunnery, Mark Dadds • Gillian Dinsmore • David Smith • Martin Spriggs • Keith Thetford, Norfolk. IP24 2PU Richard du Feu • William Edmond Stedman • Anneliese Stephenson Tel: (01842) 750050 • Jess Ellington-Goldfinch • Clive • Jack Street • Edward Stubbings Fax: (01842) 750030 Elliott • Lee Folger • Stephen • Patrick Styles • Mike Swindells • Email: [email protected] Freeman • Bee Choo Gallivan • Trevor Taylor • Robert Thorne • Jane Web site: www.bto.org Vivien Green • Adrian George • Waite • Colin Wearn • John Wells • Registered Charity Andrew Glover • Elizabeth Gorsuch Sarah West • John Whittaker • Steve No 216652 (England & Wales) • James Grant • Peter Grice • Steven Wilson • Ian Wood No SC039193 (Scotland) Harris • Suzanne Haselton • Colin Spring 2012 NRSnews 3 In the news... events NRS-aplenty at BTO Conference

A major theme of the 2011 BTO Conference, held at Swanwick in December, was how important integrated monitoring is to studying population change. Nevertheless, we were secretly rather pleased to see our favourite survey stealing pole position in the conference title, ‘Nests, Rings and Conservation’. In fact, nest recording dominated the whole first night of the conference. Richard Castell was first up with an inspiring talk entitled ‘Putting the nest back into ornithology’. No doubt thanks to Richard’s rousing appeal, the annual NRS meeting that immediately followed enjoyed its highest ever turnout—over 100 people! At the meeting, Tony Davis gave an excellent presentation on his Wood Warbler project, which you can read about on page 12. Overall, it was a fantastic start to a weekend of fascinating talks on studying bird populations, combined, of course, Attendees chatting by the NRS display at the 2011 BTO Annual with as many conversations in the bar! Conference

resources Field guide selling well

As we’ve been only too bolstered by positive reviews pleased to mention at every in British Birds, Ibis and opportunity, the new BTO Limosa, it has also sold well publication A Field Guide further afield. Overall 1,857 to Monitoring Nests went copies have shifted in only on sale last April, the first 10 months! If you haven’t

. . wit h p e r m ission comprehensive guide to got yourself a copy yet, visit nest recording for almost www.bto.org/volunteer- 40 years. The book has surveys/nrs/field-guide for r e print d been an immediate hit with an overview of this essential recorders and ringers and, field guide. training appeal 2012 NRS training courses Skylark nest finders wanted Our first nest finding course 11 May–13 May was held in 2007 with the Thetford, Norfolk. Imperial College London and Nottinghamshire Wetland Trust at Pannel 18 May–20 May and the Game and and we are looking for Valley Nature Reserve. Since Pulford, Cheshire. Wildlife Conservation local help with Skylark then, we’ve run 11 courses 25 May–27 May Trust are running a project nest-finding. Hints and for 109 budding nest finders. Hindhead, Surrey. investigating the impacts of tips would be welcome, As ever, huge thanks are 01 June–03 June biomass crops on farmland or perhaps you might due to our volunteer tutors, Cupar, Fife birds. The main aim of the even be able to spend Richard Castell, Tony Davis project is to determine a few hours with us in and David Oliver, and to Please go to www.bto. the breeding success of the field. If you think you our venue hosts, Elmwood org/nrs/training-courses ground-nesting birds in can help or would like College, the Wetland Trust, to download course different farmland types. more information on the and Chapel House Farm, for programmes and booking This season, the research project, please contact making the courses possible. forms, or phone us on team will be monitoring me, Henrietta Pringle, at We are taking bookings for 01842 750 050 to request Skylark nests at selected henrietta.pringle09@ four more courses this May: information by post. sites across Lincolnshire imperial.ac.uk 4 NRSnews Spring 2012 NRS Latest results Tits and targets

When it comes to nesting, some species may be 1.4 sexier than others, but none is too common to be 1.2 recorded, as Dave Leech explains. 1.0

0.8

Dave Leech Head of NRS, CES and RAS 0.6

0.4

hile it would be difficult 0.2 Fledglings per breeding attemptFledglings per

to argue that flushing a 0.0 WCollared Dove off a clutch 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 is as exciting as following the croak of Year a Nightingale back to her chicks, no species is ‘too common’ to nest record. We need to know what’s happening to our abundant birds in the same way that we need to know what’s happening to those on the Amber and Red Lists. The large datasets collected when studying widespread species also allow more detailed analysis of environmental pressures such as climate change, competition and urbanisation, which may affect rarer & e lsp t h row taxa in the same way. ch ris Conservation policy is increasingly A Wood Pigeon nest with an unusual clutch size of three. INSET: Figure 1. Fledglings per reflecting this view, with the emphasis breeding attempt for Wood Pigeon 1966–2010 moving from a species-based approach to one that monitors habitat quality by changes in observer effort or the evidence that brood sizes are falling using suites of indicator species. shift towards urban area? There are lots and nestling failure rates are rising, Accordingly, the combined efforts of of interesting studies of seasonal trends which could reflect reduced food nest recorders and volunteer inputters and habitat comparisons that could be availability. have allowed us to further extend the undertaken and, for once, sample sizes So, while projects on declining coverage of the latest BirdTrends Report shouldn’t be too much of an issue! species are obviously a vital part of (www.bto.org/birdtrends) to include Coal Tits are relatively poorly the conservation effort, those of us two abundant species, Wood Pigeon studied compared to their Blue and who don’t have the opportunity to and Coal Tit. Great brethren, their reluctance to monitor Whinchats or Wood Warblers Some may find it hard to get utilise nest boxes (or their exclusion need not despair; we just need to enthused by Wood Pigeons (beyond from them by other species?) a major focus on a common species instead. them presenting a handy way to factor. I’ve recently spoken to several The totals on pages 8–9 show that boost NRS totals at the end of the recorders who are trying out new many could do with more attention; season), but as a potential agricultural designs aimed specifically at attracting fewer than 150 Greenfinch nests are pest that has also proven very adept this species and I look forward to monitored each year, and a larger at colonising urban areas, they pose hearing about box uptake during dataset would provide the perfect some really interesting questions. The the 2012 season. While the impact opportunity to investigate the impacts NRS data suggest that productivity of climate change on tits breeding of the trichomonosis outbreak on has increased over time (Fig 1), largely in deciduous woods, where they productivity. When it comes to finding due to a fall in failure rates at the egg may struggle to match advances in out how broader environmental stage. Interestingly, laying dates appear caterpillar peaks, is well documented, pressures affect breeding success, and to be 20 days later than in the 1960s, it will be interesting to see whether how this influences abundance, every the opposite trend to that displayed by those in coniferous woods face the nest counts. the majority of birds (although similar same challenges. The number of to that identified for Collared Dove). fledglings produced has remained See the latest NRS results at www.bto. Has this relationship been influenced constant over time but there is some org/volunteer-surveys/nrs/results Spring 2012 NRSnews 5 Breeding birds and the weather in 2011 BTO Research Ecologist David Glue summarises the breeding season, drawing on comments and findings from nest recorders, ringers and reserve wardens.

David Glue BTO Research Ecologist

anuary kicked off with frozen temperatures 3.9°C above average. temperatures down across the UK. water bodies, rock-hard soils and Early egg-laying was reported for Repeat westerly-tracking rainbelts— Jsnow-topped hillsides as the UK thrushes, Robin and other June rainfall was above the norm in was hit by the coldest December in with modest-sized broods fledging. all regions—helped reinvigorate jaded 120 years. Night-time temperatures The continuing drought conditions gardens, farm, heath and moor, and at fell as low as -22°C and Kestrel, Barn (driest April since 2007) sparked off just the right time for second-brooding Owl and Wren territories, among widespread lowland heath and hillside Robin, thrushes, and Starling. others, were worryingly vacant. moor fires from Dorset, Berkshire and Torrential downpours in the south Atlantic westerlies brought about a Derby to Cumbria and Sutherland, on 12 June led to swollen water slow thaw in January, with lashing destroying many nests and breeding courses and wetlands. Recorders noted rain and temperatures above 1°C. territories. flooded nests of Mute Swan, grebes, Collared Dove and were Kingfisher and Sand Martin. reported nesting in suburban areas Glorious Spanish heat in May June closed with a brief taste of and Grey Heron, Magpie and other The dry, sunny theme to spring high summer, the mercury clipping species were seen nest-building. By continued in May. High pressure 33.3°C in London, boosting numbers February, with temperatures topping anchored long-term in the south of airborne insects—good for foraging 15°C in Central London, egg-laying of the UK and hot air from Iberia warblers, flycatchers and hirundines. had been reported for 10 different took temperatures up to 25.4°C in species, including Tawny Owl in places, though ‘lows’ did reach damp More showers in July and August Yorkshire and Wiltshire, Blackbird northwestern parts. A cool, showery regime returned in in Devon, Moorhen in Birmingham Regular spring migrants were July, with see-sawing temperatures and a Robin in a garden centre in quickly back on station, but song and fitful sunshine, uncomfortable for Berkshire. Overall, although not as periods were short and pairs swift UK holidaymakers but good for many severe as 2009/10, it was another to egg-lay, according to frustrated nesting birds. Premature ‘autumnal’ hard winter. nest recorders. Short-haul species, gales and lashing rain during 14–17 notably Chiffchaff and Blackcap, July dislodged ‘branching’ young and Spring drought were back in strength and performed broods from nests of Grey Heron, A northerly wind chill in March well, as did Whitethroat. However, Hobby and Long-eared Owl. delayed changeover of winter visitors concern for depleted populations The fluctuating temperatures and and spring migrants; lingering of Cuckoo, Nightingale and Turtle showery pattern to summer spilled Waxwing, Redwing and Fieldfare were Dove—thought to winter in savannah over into August, initially favourable all reported in full song. An ongoing woodland further south in — for second broods. Nest box-using rainfall deficit—March was the driest seemed further justified in 2011, with Robin, Stock Dove and Tree Sparrow since 1990—seemed to leave foraging some traditional haunts seemingly churned out extra families. Large, Rook, Blackbird and other species empty and only modest breeding mobile flocks of Crossbill, composed of hard-pressed. Flimsy Long-tailed success noted. mixed families, hinted at a productive Tit, Dunnock, dove and thrush nests Repeated blasts of hot southeasterly season. Violent thundery cloudbursts were all reported spilling contents, winds helped to sweep extra Black on 18 August caused local flash- mirroring events in 2010. Redstart, Grasshopper Warbler and flooding, affecting wetland waterfowl, April Fools’ Day heralded spring Quail to the UK, the latter singing waders, Acrocephalus warblers and proper and warm sub-tropical Atlantic widely from grasslands and cereals. Reed Bunting. A cooler final week of air was followed by a spate of egg- August with frequent showers, though laying by Grey Heron, Little Egret, Summer rains replenish flora affecting some late broods, failed to dabbling duck, coastal gulls and June marked the return to classical take the gloss off a fairly productive waders. High pressure from 6 April British Atlantic maritime weather: breeding season for many UK species. gave rise to a sunny, dry April, with cool, changeable, cyclonic, with 6 NRSnews Spring 2012 NRS SPECIES Spotlight High-bough nesting In 2011, the Hawfinch Working Group met to discuss what could be done to understand better the large-scale decline of this woodland specialist. Working group members and nest recorders Steve Roberts and Jerry Lewis report.

Steve Roberts & Jerry Lewis

ven nest recorders who like heights don’t often come across EHawfinch nests. Fewer than 10 records are submitted to the Nest Record Scheme per year and only 226 Hawfinch nests have ever been recorded. These records, dating back to 1940, are nevertheless interesting to compare. Virtually all the nest records since 1980 are from nests in woodland, whereas earlier records are from a more diverse spread of habitats, including orchards, hedgerows and gardens. The most commonly recorded vegetation for nest sites post-1980 is and oak, whereas for older records it is Hawthorn, Silver Birch and fruit trees. The cards hint at changes in R ob e rts st e v productivity: average first egg dates A Hawfinch nest with tell-tale fine twigs protruding. Hawfinches usually have one brood are a week earlier (5 May ) post-1980 in a season, laying 3–7 eggs. and the failure rate is higher. The Hawfinch Working Group would like predated (Jays and squirrels likely, in evergreens, eg Yew and Hemlock. to see more Hawfinch nest records though unproven suspects), so perhaps The preferred tree species may vary collected to give us an opportunity to the species’ reputation has been between areas; Holly for instance is study their productivity in more detail. built on early-stage predations being often favoured in the New Forest. Nest So, we offer here some tips on finding misinterpreted as desertions. height is also extremely variable. Hawfinch nests. Hawfinch in our study area favour Although when it is high up, seeing mixed broadleaved woodland with a Locating territories into a Hawfinch nest may be the well-defined canopy, understory and Essential to finding Hawfinch nests is preserve of a trained and equipped tall shrub layer. There is a marked familiarity with their subtly different tree climber, nevertheless a recorder preference for nesting in slender, calls and timing of visits to coincide on the ground can observe adult ivy-covered trees, particularly young with peak activity. To begin with, activity, count larger chicks and record Ash, Beech and Silver Birch, though potential breeding sites should be nest outcome. Remember to follow this is not exclusive. In these trees, located. This can be done on fine the Code of Conduct in the NRS nests are often positioned against the mornings in late March and April, Handbook at all times. trunk, towards the top, where the ivy when birds may be detected by their Hawfinches are considered to is beginning to thin. They may appear weak song and ‘typical’ explosive ticking be very sensitive to disturbance at see-through from below and, if the calls. These calls carry up to100 m, so can the nest but work in our study area female is sitting, the tail and shining be heard from forest paths, although and by others does not support this bill are sometimes visible. Nests have picking them out from a background assessment. Although usually secretive, also been found within hanging of general bird song takes practice. Hawfinches are quite confiding and clumps of Honeysuckle, in leaders of Pairs often form loose colonies that are return to eggs and chicks readily, trees, on epicormic growths, in small made obvious in the leafless canopy by even when observers are still in the forks with no ivy cover at all and the noisy and aggressive interactions vicinity and they tolerate hides without sometimes well out towards the tips of between males, but isolated pairs are problems. However, many nests are branches. Nests have also been found more difficult to locate. Spring 2012 NRSnews 7

The timing of follow-up visits to find the actual nests is crucial. Nests should A trip to the dentist be located as early as possible, before leaf cover becomes too extensive, but also when the birds are likely to be incubating eggs. In the Wye Valley, Steve Low, a postman in Suffolk, found himself Wales and Gloucestershire this is going to the dentist a lot more often last year traditionally in the first week of May, — an unusual side effect of getting involved in but it may be earlier in other areas. the Nest Record Scheme Towards the end of incubation, and by the chick stage, leaf cover becomes so dense that nest locations are almost Jo Jones Wicken Fen Ringing Group impossible to see. Some nests on our study sites have not been visible at all from the ground on follow-up visits. Steve’s introduction to nest comings and goings from This is also a good reason for marking recording was by chance. the surgery. nest locations well once you have He happened to be in a Steve took on the job found them! hide at Wicken Fen Nature of recorder, visiting every Reserve, Cambridgeshire, few days at the end of his Homing in on the nest when I arrived to check on delivery rounds. During incubation, males feed the a Swallow’s nest above the Ten days later the chicks females at or very near the nest at hide door. While inspecting were ready to fledge, intervals of about 45 minutes. Feeding the nest, I explained to him flapping vigorously on the is accompanied by protracted bursts of what nest recording is all edge of the nest. Steve calling, similar to the above-mentioned about. This encounter was visited the next day and ticking call, but more rapid and a piece of luck, as Steve is a the nest was empty, but excitable. friendly postman and people the adults were still nearby When a burst of calling is heard, on his rounds know about his and acting agitated. Then immediately hasten towards it to get interest in nature. Steve heard cheeping from close to the nest site; reaching this ‘hot Later that week, a villager low down. Following the spot’ is more important than a stealthy mentioned to him that noise, he found that a chick approach. Calls will probably cease Spotted Flycatchers were had fallen through a grating near the site but with luck birds may nesting by the entrance next to a cellar window. be seen. Once in the general vicinity of to a dentist’s surgery Steve and two receptionists the nest, wait quietly for the next bout in Newmarket. Steve dashed down to the cellar, of feeding, when it will be easier to immediately got in touch with forced open the window pinpoint the birds. Watch closely any me and together we went to and managed to catch the birds that are not in the canopy and see the nest. chick, leaving it safely under try to see where they go; birds lower The surgery receptionists bushes outside. Later, it down will invariably be going to or told us that a pair had been was heard calling from the from a nest. Do not use binoculars at coming to nest in the trellis by bushes and the parents this point, as the restricted field of view their front entrance for years. were calling back. will be a handicap. The nest itself will When we checked, we found Four chicks fledged, be difficult to see, but look out for tell- a Spotted Flycatcher nest one chick rescued, one tale fine twigs protruding from ivy. If with four chicks. The parents completed nest record card, the nest isn’t spotted immediately, wait were feeding busily, taking one new nest recorder—my for the next bout of calls and spend the no notice of the constant sort of trip to the dentist! time slowly looking over nearby trees with binoculars. Thoroughly check all parts of suspected nesting trees. When a nest is found, do not discount further calling in the vicinity, as nests can be as little as 20 m apart.

Hawfinch is one of the species featured in the new BTO publication ‘A Field Guide To Monitoring Nests’. See www. bto.org/volunteer-surveys/nrs/field- ow

guide for more information. L S t e v 8 NRSnews Spring 2012 Nest Record Scheme totals A summary of the number of records per species submitted to the Nest Record Scheme in 2010, 2011 and from 1939–2011 (as of February 2012).

Species preceded with a bullet-point are incorporated in Species Code 2010 2011 total the BTO’s Integrated Population Monitoring Programme. We Manx Shearwater MANSH 4 0 633 would be particularly pleased to receive records for those Storm Petrel STOPE 0 0 92 species marked with * (fewer than 150 records per year on Leach's Petrel LEAPE 0 0 75 average over the last 10 years). Schedule 1 species are in Gannet GANNE 0 0 33 italics (please note that this list relates to GB classification Cormorant CORMO 79 7 2,540 and varies for Eire, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man). Shag SHAG. 400 283 16,170 Bittern BITTE 0 0 39 Species Code 2010 2011 total Little Egret LITEG 44 29 205 • Mute Swan MUTSW 142 117 7,343 • Grey Heron GREHE 220 78 8,889 Whooper Swan WHOSW 0 2 28 Honey Buzzard HONBU 20 17 198 Bar-headed Goose BAHGO 0 0 9 Red Kite REDKI 321 310 1,477 Greylag Goose GREGO 52 63 1,177 White-tailed Eagle WHTEA 5 1 16 Snow Goose SNOGO 0 0 8 Marsh Harrier MARHA 23 20 179 Canada Goose CANGO 163 143 5,217 • Hen Harrier HENHA 33 5 2,045 Barnacle Goose BARGO 1 1 75 Montagu's Harrier MONHA 2 0 47 Egyptian Goose EGYGO 16 18 175 Goshawk GOSHA 104 86 1,626 Ruddy Shelduck RUDSH 1 1 5 • Sparrowhawk* SPARR 77 83 5,937 Shelduck SHELD 6 5 383 • Buzzard BUZZA 248 263 7,943 Wood Duck WOODU 2 0 3 Golden Eagle GOLEA 20 19 713 Mandarin MANDA 43 28 840 Osprey OSPRE 14 13 143 Wigeon WIGEO 0 0 187 • Kestrel KESTR 417 398 10,690 Gadwall GADWA 15 20 273 • Merlin* MERLI 54 56 4,143 Teal TEAL. 1 2 243 • Hobby* HOBBY 63 89 1,368 Mallard MALLA 207 134 10,127 • Peregrine* PEREG 128 127 3,789 Pintail PINTA 0 0 23 Water Rail WATRA 1 3 114 Garganey GARGA 0 0 11 Corncrake CORNC 0 0 32 Shoveler SHOVE 5 0 235 • Moorhen MOORH 387 233 25,519 Red-crested Pochard RECPO 8 6 32 Coot COOT. 978 778 23,325 Pochard POCHA 17 3 286 • Oystercatcher OYSTE 309 350 19,143 Tufted Duck TUFDU 33 36 1,479 Black-winged Stilt BLWST 0 0 4 Eider EIDER 317 339 11,016 Avocet AVOCE 12 32 1,013 Common Scoter COMSC 0 0 43 Stone Curlew STOCU 0 0 425 Goldeneye GOLDE 12 15 290 Little Ringed Plover LIRPL 59 72 2,953 Red-breasted Merganser REBME 2 1 294 • Ringed Plover RINPL 202 165 11,456 Goosander GOOSA 11 12 433 Kentish Plover KENPL 0 0 19 Ruddy Duck RUDDU 0 0 185 Dotterel DOTTE 1 0 264 Red Grouse REDGR 3 10 873 • Golden Plover GOLPL 6 6 947 Ptarmigan PTARM 0 1 133 • Lapwing LAPWI 308 314 28,644 Black Grouse BLAGR 1 3 85 Dunlin DUNLI 1 2 579 Capercaillie CAPER 1 0 92 Ruff RUFF. 0 0 4 Red-legged Partridge RELPA 7 6 509 • Snipe* SNIPE 8 5 1,863 Grey Partridge GREPA 3 2 874 Woodcock WOODC 0 4 692 Quail QUAIL 0 0 16 Black-tailed Godwit BLTGO 1 0 43 Pheasant PHEAS 30 44 2,417 Whimbrel WHIMB 36 32 128 Golden Pheasant GOLPH 0 0 6 • Curlew* CURLE 35 22 3,188 • Red-throated Diver* RETDI 20 18 2,505 • Common Sandpiper* COMSA 42 32 1,749 Black-throated Diver BLTDI 5 4 250 Greenshank GRESH 3 8 209 Little Grebe LITGR 50 37 2,870 • Redshank* REDSH 24 36 3,526 Great Crested Grebe GRCGR 155 127 4,621 Red-necked Phalarope RENPH 0 0 163 Slavonian Grebe SLAGR 2 16 216 Arctic Skua ARCSK 1 1 377 Black-necked Grebe BLNGR 0 0 31 Great Skua GRESK 1 11 451 Fulmar FULMA 16 7 7,638 Kittiwake KITTI 535 665 19,676 Spring 2012 NRSnews 9

Species Code 2010 2011 total Species Code 2010 2011 total Black-headed Gull BLHGU 47 194 10,352 Redwing REDWI 0 0 127 Mediterranean Gull MEDGU 1 0 50 • Mistle Thrush* MISTH 82 75 8,688 Common Gull COMGU 123 58 6,146 Cetti's Warbler CETWA 2 3 45 Lesser Black-backed Gull LBBGU 24 10 4,776 Grasshopper Warbler* GRAWA 17 29 479 Herring Gull HERGU 56 63 7,850 Savi's Warbler SAVWA 0 0 4 Great Black-backed Gull GBBGU 3 9 3,503 • Sedge Warbler* SEDWA 48 86 5,296 Little Tern LITTE 54 92 7,219 Marsh Warbler MARWA 0 0 170 Sandwich Tern SANTE 0 0 1,814 • Reed Warbler REEWA 639 988 20,537 Common Tern COMTE 188 108 8,936 • Blackcap* BLACA 142 212 4,627 Roseate Tern ROSTE 80 1 1,514 • Garden Warbler* GARWA 58 78 2,516 Arctic Tern ARCTE 537 5 13,399 Lesser Whitethroat* LESWH 15 12 1,028 Guillemot GUILL 96 0 1,674 • Whitethroat* WHITE 163 255 7,245 Razorbill RAZOR 30 89 1,738 Dartford Warbler DARWA 12 25 600 Black Guillemot BLAGU 44 32 1,873 • Wood Warbler* WOOWA 76 171 3,101 Puffin PUFFI 20 0 1,205 • Chiffchaff* CHIFF 197 243 4,638 ROCDO 55 51 945 • * WILWA 190 311 14,687 Feral Pigeon FERPI 23 9 2,516 Goldcrest* GOLDC 14 7 969 • Stock Dove STODO 1,048 715 15,445 Firecrest FIREC 0 0 9 • Wood Pigeon WOODP 821 855 33,291 • Spotted Flycatcher SPOFL 130 159 12,602 • Collared Dove* COLDO 192 136 6,454 • Pied Flycatcher PIEFL 896 933 49,366 • Turtle Dove* TURDO 15 11 2,100 Bearded Tit BEATI 13 4 386 Ring-necked Parakeet RINPA 56 4 112 • Long-tailed Tit* LOTTI 323 206 7,653 Cuckoo CUCKO 15 31 2,303 • Blue Tit BLUTI 5,641 5,947 142,622 • Barn Owl BAROW 1,705 1,823 20,065 • Great Tit GRETI 4,759 4,144 101,252 • Little Owl* LITOW 153 143 3,160 Crested Tit CRETI 3 2 468 • Tawny Owl TAWOW 472 476 14,126 • Coal Tit* COATI 90 75 6,222 Long-eared Owl* LOEOW 16 17 884 Willow Tit* WILTI 29 26 644 Short-eared Owl* SHEOW 5 6 434 • Marsh Tit* MARTI 65 51 1,943 • Nightjar NIJAR 75 106 2,316 • Nuthatch NUTHA 187 214 5,284 Swift SWIFT 143 47 3,430 • Treecreeper* TREEC 69 53 2,956 Kingfisher KINGF 19 21 841 Golden Oriole GOLOR 0 0 42 Wryneck WRYNE 0 0 23 Red-backed Shrike REBSH 0 0 258 Green Woodpecker* GREWO 21 9 563 • Jay* JAY.. 15 9 1,683 • Great Spotted Woodpecker* GRSWO 153 60 2,964 • Magpie* MAGPI 65 75 8,633 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker* LESWO 6 3 283 Chough CHOUG 26 25 1,086 • Woodlark* WOODL 102 140 2,292 • Jackdaw JACKD 498 372 10,841 • Skylark* SKYLA 47 50 8,862 • Rook* ROOK. 132 88 15,898 • Sand Martin* SANMA 330 378 4,954 Hooded Crow HOOCR 11 77 1,257 • Swallow SWALL 3,183 2,953 80,844 • Carrion Crow* CROW. 164 100 8,811 House Martin HOUMA 283 149 11,551 • Raven RAVEN 110 91 5,293 • Tree Pipit* TREPI 36 76 2,230 • Starling STARL 315 233 18,825 • Meadow Pipit MEAPI 150 209 10,642 • House Sparrow HOUSP 345 391 17,021 Rock Pipit* ROCPI 14 5 921 • Tree Sparrow TRESP 2,137 1,601 35,977 • Yellow Wagtail* YELWA 14 17 1,128 • Chaffinch CHAFF 364 316 25,828 • Grey Wagtail* GREWA 86 82 7,012 • Greenfinch GREFI 139 84 15,834 • Pied Wagtail PIEWA 180 201 11,762 • Goldfinch* GOLDF 128 100 4,077 • Dipper DIPPE 365 409 12,392 Siskin SISKI 8 4 106 • Wren WREN. 229 146 18,001 • Linnet LINNE 283 297 30,149 • Dunnock DUNNO 331 277 33,071 Twite* TWITE 3 1 1,241 • Robin ROBIN 445 365 24,775 • Redpoll* LESRE 9 11 1,395 Nightingale NIGAL 12 14 519 Crossbill CROSS 12 5 186 Black Redstart BLARE 1 1 184 • Bullfinch* BULLF 77 90 6,382 • Redstart* REDST 138 186 7,723 Hawfinch HAWFI 4 9 240 • Whinchat* WHINC 45 55 2,657 Snow Bunting SNOBU 0 0 202 • Stonechat* STOCH 135 142 4,964 • Yellowhammer* YELHA 85 118 8,629 • Wheatear* WHEAT 60 38 4,299 Cirl Bunting CIRBU 64 74 673 • Ring Ouzel* RINOU 28 36 1,953 • Reed Bunting* REEBU 93 88 8,688 • Blackbird BLABI 1,464 1,188 142,889 • Corn Bunting* CORBU 75 130 1,256 Fieldfare FIELD 0 0 7 • Song Thrush SONTH 501 377 78,774 OVERALL total 40,070 37,252 1,574,437 10 NRSnews Spring 2012 2011 Top nesters

Bumper Whitethroat year Whitethroat nest: a substantial By way of encouragement, this section highlights cup woven into the fieldwork feats of some of our busiest nest vegetation recorders. However, it is important to note that most nest records are collected by people who monitor only a few nests each year, so a big thanks is due to all participants, not just those that make these lists. Last season was a bumper year for Whitethroat nest records, no doubt partly because of good numbers of birds but also because of recorders’ fantastic response to our requests for more warbler records. The annual total has trebled from 70 Whitethroat nest records in 2005 to 235 this year! o m s e T Mik e

Top 10 Whitethroat recorders in 2011 Recorders or groups who collected over 100 records in 2011

Recorder Total Farne Islands National Trust 1,354 • Merseyside RG 717 • John Brook Ron Louch 50 507 • Newbury RG 473 • South Manchester RG 452 • Alan Ball & Bob Adrian Scott 20 Sheppard 452 • Keith Seaton 448 • David Warden 445 • Ron Louch & Mark Lawrence and Mark Penney 18 Dave Thompson 444 • David Myers 435 • Arden RG 417 • Birklands RG John Secker 12 407 • Tom Dewdney 401 • Kevin Briggs 380 • Peter Roe 374 • Thetford Jeremy Gates 11 Forest RG 357 • Mid-Lincolnshire RG 341 • Keith Bowden 337 • East Rye Meads Ringing Group 9 Dales RG 324 • Lancaster & District Birdwatching Society 316 • Colin Colin Davison 8 Davison 315 • Stephen Carter 315 • Kane Brides 300 • Rye Meads RG Mark Dadds 7 296 • Bob Danson 291 • Michael Mac 279 • Nunnery RG 271 • Geoff John Walshe 6 Myers 269 • Stanford RG 267 • Mark Lawrence & Mark Penney 265 • Chris Benson 5 Dave Hazard 263 • Frank Mawby 258 • David Coker 256 • David Oliver Bristol Naturalists Society 5 255 • Wicken Fen RG 255 • Ted Cowley 248 • Jonathan Lingard 246 • Graham Button and Richard Tomlinson 5 Roger Short, Helen Williams & David Scott 244 • Paul Slater 243 • John Richard Castell 5Lawton-Roberts 242 • Sarah & Philip Bone 234 • Sorby Breck RG 227 Thetford Forest Ringing Group 5 • Allan Hale 226 • Paul Robinson 221 • John Walshe 219 • Rye Bay RG 216 • North West Norfolk RG 212 • Ian Spence 211 • Dartford RG 211 • Nigel Lewis 210 • Jerry Lewis 209 • Derek Holman & Karl Ivens Top 6 Oystercatcher recorders in 2011 204 • Dave Short 197 • George Candelin 193 • Noel Fenwick & Julie Recorder Total Brigden 192 • Jan Pritchard 191 • Dave Francis 190 • Neil Lawton 190 Neil Lawton 69 • John Allenby 187 • Anne Goodall 183 • Robert Stevens 182 • Mike Kevin Briggs 68 Netherwood & Mick Cook 172 • Sean Morris 168 • Mike Russell 168 Lancaster & District Birdwatching Soc 41 • Derek Keates & Melvyn Preston 165 • Peter Robinson 162 • Suffolk David Myers 24 Community Barn Owl Project 162 • Garth Lowe 159 • Paul Holness Alistair Duncan 22 154 • Philip Harris 153 • BIAZA Nest Recording Project 152 • Manx Colin Moody 19 RG 151 • Simon Cox 151 • Ronald Clevely 149 • Dave Garner & Phillip Miller 148 • Cwm Clydach RSPB Reserve 148 • Jeremy Gates 146 • John Hyde 146 • Bob & Rob Swann 144 • Peter Rose 143 • Spurn Top 10 nest recorders in Scotland 2011 Point Bird Observatory 142 • Graham Uney 138 • Graham Button & Recorder Total Richard Tomlinson 135 • Paul Cammack 132 • John High 127 • Tim Ball Colin Davison 315 127 • Vincent Lea & Louise Bacon 125 • John Lloyd 124 • Northumbria David Oliver 255 RG 124 • Robin Husbands 123 • Gerald Murphy 123 • Dawn Pickett Ted Cowley 248 121 • Mike Rogers 120 • Rosemary Setchfield 118 • Moor Piece NR Sean Morris 168 Nestbox Scheme 118 • Waveney RG 112 • Paul Fenwick 111 • Michael Bob and Rob Swann 144 Thomas 111 • Kevan Brett 110 • Nigel Goodgame 109 • Roger Peart Tay Ringing Group 101 108 • South West Lancashire RG 107 • Mervyn Greening 107 • Felicity Grampian Ringing Group 91 Burge 107 • Steph Tyler 106 • Bristol Naturalists Society 105 • Anthony Historic Scotland Ranger Service 79 Williams & Paul Tabor 104 • Alan Lowe 102 • Tay RG 101 • Brian Rickett Geoff Shaw 77 101 • Reginald Lanaway 100 • Scott Jarvis 100 Guillam McIvor 76 Spring 2012 NRSnews 11 A match made in Ripon The increased integration of the Ringing Scheme and the Nest Record Scheme over the past few years has greatly increased the value of the data collected by both surveys. East Dales RG has helped pioneer this approach.

Jill Warwick East Dales Ringing Group

est recording has always been recognised that several of its existing

a part of our ringing group activities already “ticked all the boxes” Wa rwi c k Nsince its formation in 1996. and could be adapted for RAS with The number of nesting attempts little extra effort, making them of even : jill Ph otos monitored and ringed annually has greater value to conservation. These grown nearly every year and in 2010 were two long-running Pied Flycatcher it reached 503, all now submitted studies, two sites where artificial House via IPMR. This has happened Martin nests were being monitored, somewhat organically as the group a Sand Martin colony and, more itself has grown in membership; older unusually, an almost unique colour- studies have expanded, new studies ringing study of Little Ringed Plover have begun and in some cases new (see Nest Record News No. 23). members have brought sites and projects into the group with them. Waders The group has always approached its The group is in the fortunate various activities with the same ethos position to have access to arable of adding as much value to our efforts farmland and rough grazing pastures as possible—if we are ringing chicks, that border moorland which still why not record the nests? If we are hold reasonable numbers of breeding recording nests, why not ring the waders. For many years the group chicks? has been monitoring the breeding ABOVE: One of the many ringing demos populations there. held by the group each year. BELOW: Nest box studies Quite often, for species like Pied Flycatcher chicks in a nest box at One of EDRG’s earliest activities Lapwing, Curlew, Oystercatcher and one of EDRG’s study sites. was monitoring Pied Flycatcher nest Redshank, the precise location of the boxes. Ringing chicks and catching nest scrape is not actually found, but and ringing adults had already been from experience gained by ringing breeding birds, which helps to inform undertaken at two study sites for some the young ( at ‘DO’ or ‘IP’ stages), site management plans. time and the group incorporated nest we can age the brood quite accurately. recording into the monitoring work. Core areas are usually revisited every The future It was a very small task to include two weeks and we are often able to EDRG has always looked for new counting eggs and chicks to the re-locate and monitor the progress of opportunities via access to sites, protocol for box visits, for transferring individual broods to fledging. collaborations and enthusiastic new to cards later. members—now we also look to new The group also monitors nest boxes Working with others technology. The group has long had occupied by a Tree Sparrow ­population The ringing group has been able to ringing permission at a Sand Martin along the edge of a private woodland ‘run’ several monitoring studies by colony over a large riverine shingle nature reserve. As well as monitoring working with staff/volunteers at local bank. Accessing the colony is easy, nesting attempts in the boxes and nature reserves. One of these studies is but inspecting the nest chambers is ringing any chicks, the group carries a nest box scheme at the magnificent more of a challenge, hence no nest out ringing at two feeding stations World Heritage Site of Fountains recording. Now in 2012, the group during the winter months. Abbey (and adjacent Studley Park), will have its own endoscope... owned by the National Trust. EDRG New (or old?) RAS sites advises staff /volunteers on nest box When the Retrapping Adults for siting and monitoring and they pass For more information about East Dales Survival (RAS) project was launched data back to us. The National Trust, Ringing Group, visit their website: www. in 1998, the group immediately in return, gain demographic data on eastdalesringinggroup.org.uk 12 NRSnews Spring 2012 Wood Warblers on the wane? When it came to his MSc dissertation project, Tony Davis turned to his first love—Wood Warblers.Fifty one nests found and a lot of data crunching later, Tony writes about his study on a local population.

Tony Davis Nest recorder and NRS course tutor

n the 1990s, I spent a number of years studying a declining local Ipopulation of Wood Warblers until it finally disappeared. At the time, I was fairly certain of the reasons for this decline but I hadn’t collected data that vis could be used for a scientific analysis. d a

Then, last year, I had to come up with tony a project for my MSc dissertation. I settled on a study of Wood Warbler : Ph otos productivity—a chance to do what I didn’t do last time! Of course, I had to find a new Wood Warbler population to study. I knew there was still a relatively large population in the New Forest, so I chose an area of mixed woodland to the west of Lyndhurst that, according to Hampshire Ornithological Society records, supported a particularly good population of Wood Warblers. The project was to involve finding and monitoring Wood Warbler nests LEFT: A female Wood Warbler peeps out from its domed nest. INSET: Success! A Wood over the 2011 season in order to Warbler just after fledging. measure breeding performance and to see whether predation had a major effect on overall productivity. I also observed two cases of adults stage failure rates and the overall Before embarking on any nest- feeding the young of other pairs after summary statistic ‘fledglings per finding, I thoroughly surveyed the their own nesting attempts had failed. breeding attempt’. I discovered that study area for Wood Warblers and having multi-visit nest records was plotted the locations of sightings on a ‘As someone who has always essential for calculating these figures. 1:25000 map, using a GIS program. wondered why the NRS makes As someone who has always wondered This early-season territory mapping such a fuss about multiple why the NRS makes such a fuss about proved invaluable later in the season nest visits, I am now a convert multiple nest visits, I am now a convert when I had to relocate territories and to the cause!’ to the cause! the birds were much quieter. The mean clutch size of the nests I found 51 nests during the season, Having collected data for a single monitored at the study site was just with first egg dates ranging from 28 season at the study site, I wanted to under 5.5, similar to the overall mean April to 15 June. I found no instances compare the productivity of ‘my’ of the NRS dataset. The egg-stage of double-brooding and I only saw Wood Warblers with the ‘national failure rate was also similar to the two replacement nests, though I may average’. To do this, I made use of the national dataset and was very low; have missed some where the first NRS Wood Warbler dataset—2,602 the only definite case I recorded was attempts failed before the adults were records going back to 1966. As well when a tree fell on a nest during colour ringed. Interestingly, with as comparing egg and brood sizes, I high winds! However, there was no both replacement nests, the males had wanted to compare failure rates, so similarity when it came to chick-stage moved territory and changed partners. I came up with egg-stage and chick- failure rate, which was much higher Spring 2012 NRSnews 13

Fig 1. Outcomes of 255 Wood Warbler size was known. About 30% of eggs eggs in nests of known clutch size resulted in a fledged bird, whereas over half were lost to predation. Other causes of failure accounted for only Fledged (29.0%) a small number of eggs. It is clear Egg infertile (5.1%) then, that predation had a big effect Egg fertile, did not hatch (1.6%) on Wood Warbler productivity in the Egg failure, wind (1.6%) New Forest in 2011. Egg or chick predation (14.4%) This study will continue in 2012, Chick predation (43.1%) and we are planning to use nest Chick accidental eviction (0.4%) cameras to look at what predators are Chick trampled (2.0%) visiting the nests. Given the current Chick dead/deserted (2.8%) conservation status of Wood Warbler in the UK and the Continent, it is hoped that this and other studies by Wood Warbler enthusiasts around at the study site than in almost any published figures for Wood Warbler the country will begin to provide the year for the national dataset. This in the UK, so I ‘adopted’ figures for biological facts needed to turn around relatively high failure rate at the chick a close ecological relative, the Willow the fortunes of this beautiful bird. stage meant that the mean number of Warbler. I calculated that Wood fledglings per breeding attempt for my Warbler pairs would each need to study population was only 1.3, again produce 5.3–6.5 young per year for poor compared to most years for the the population to remain the same Tony Davis would like to thank the national dataset. size. Even allowing for shortcomings Forestry Commission for permission To assess what this low productivity with this method, it suggests that the to carry out the study on Crown Lands might mean for the Wood Warbler productivity of the Wood Warbler in the New Forest; the BTO for access study population, I wanted to calculate study population in 2011 was too low. to the NRS dataset on Wood Warblers, the level of productivity required to So what were the reasons for the and Dave Leech, Carl Barimore and maintain a stable population of Wood poor productivity at the study site Mike Toms of the BTO and Liz Charman Warblers. To do this, I also needed in 2011? Figure 1 shows the fate of and John Mallord of the RSPB for their survival rates, but there were no every egg laid in nests where the clutch enthusiastic help and advice.

Mark Farmer 1950-2011 A great team player, submitted many records to Mark made significant the Nest Record Scheme. Peter Castell gives a short account of his friend and contributions to the He will be remembered, fellow nest finder Birdguides DVD-Rom with great affection, by his Breeding Birds of the widow Barbara, daughter Western Palearctic and to Sarah, stepson Alex and The death of Mark Farmer Hong Kong, Cyprus and The the breeding accounts in by his many friends and in August 2011 is a great Falkland Islands. After leaving The Birds of Turkey He also fellow nesters. loss to his fellow nesting the army he worked as a friends, especially those blacksmith in a forge attached who shared international to his cottage in rural Mark boating out to a Black Tern’s nest in Poland nesting trips with him. He Gloucestershire. He retired had a wonderful ability from work in March 2011 and to make friends wherever then moved to Somerset, he went, in every country, where he planned to study even in the most remote nesting birds on Exmoor. villages, and irrespective of He was a very experienced any language barrier. nester, taking part in trips He grew up in Cornwall, to Arctic Russia, Mongolia, where he was inspired Kazakhstan, Turkey, the to look for nests by his Canary Islands and most grandfather. At the age of parts of , including 15 he joined the Armed Iceland and Lapland. He Forces and served for 25 enjoyed wading in marshes years, based in several and found nests of Great countries, including Bittern and Savi’s Warbler in Germany, Northern Ireland, Poland. 14 NRSnews Spring 2012 A tale of two counties The Barn Owl is now the third highest species for nest record submissions, thanks to the efforts of dozens of local Barn Owl groups. Here we look at the formation of two of the newest and Schedule 1 largest groups: Suffolk Community Barn Owl Project and the You must have a Aylesbury Vale District Council Barn Owl Scheme. licence to monitor Barn Owls. Please see page 16 for more info. Alec Hillier SCBOP Recorder and Dave Short AVDC Barn Owl Conservation Officer

n 2005, after finding Barn Owls local groups was to prove vital to the This approach was very successful and present but no obvious nest sites, project in many ways, but especially has proven to be a sustainable source I two local ornithologists persuaded when it came to having a steady supply of funding. the Benacre Estate in Suffolk to buy of owl boxes. After an initial round More publicity via local radio, and install six Barn Owl nest boxes of publicity that prompted a huge TV, press, local shows and the web, in barns. Later, when two nearby demand for nest boxes, we approached brought about further demand for farmers wanted to erect owl boxes in a charity in South Lowestoft called boxes from landowners and wildlife trees, Suffolk Ornithologists Group Special Objectives for the Local groups, but it also led to contact with (SOG) provided them with funding Disabled (SOLD), which provides other local owl box projects, many of for materials and an A-frame design. employment for local disabled people. which were brought on-board. Meanwhile, over at Mutford, the By 2010, SOLD had manufactured By 2007, administering the Barn Lowestoft Bird Club put up three 500 boxes and made many Owl Project had become too big a task boxes on a member’s farm. improvements to the A-frame design. for the existing group of volunteers, so These separate but kindred efforts Currently, all our boxes are made by Suffolk Wildlife Trust agreed to take it sparked interest and led to various prisoners at HMP Hollesley, where on, with SOG assuming an advisory Barn Owl enthusiasts from across the possible, using spare wood provided by role; subsequently, it became the county coming together to form the local timber merchants, boat builders Suffolk Community Barn Owl Project. SOG Barn Owl Project. and packaging firms. The project’s network of nest The Suffolk population of Barn Manufacturing so many boxes boxes continues to expand through Owls has been mostly confined to the required funds, of course, as did landowner involvement. Project eastern half of the county, between putting them up. We decided to ask ‘advisors’ visit potential sites on request Waveney and Blyth Valleys. A landowners and volunteers to pay for to assess their suitability and advise principal aim of the new project was to their own boxes to encourage them to on habitat improvement. Landowners extend the birds’ breeding range west ‘take ownership’ and look after them. can then buy boxes or make their own of its stronghold by providing nest We helped with this, advising on how and are given help to erect them. Over boxes and roosting sites. to raise money for boxes by applying the past five years, over 650 new owl Establishing relationships with other for small grants and pots of money. boxes have been put up across Suffolk, contributing to a total of 1,300 boxes Occupied (•) and unoccupied (•) SCBOP boxes currently being maintained and in Suffolk in 2011. There are still relatively few monitored by the project. boxes in the west of the county. With a large network of boxes established, a big chunk of the project’s current work is monitoring what goes on in them, both to keep track of the Suffolk Barn Owl population and to contribute to the BTO’s ringing and Nest Record Schemes. Monitoring so many boxes, together with helping landowners put up new ones, requires many volunteers and lots of organisation. SWT Project Coordinator Oka Last oversees a network of 11 area coordinators, who in turn organise volunteers in their areas. The Project currently has 115 trained monitoring volunteers on Spring 2012 NRSnews 15 its Schedule 1 licence, including 20 ringers. Having so many volunteers reduces the reliance on any one person and keeps the project ‘local’—no driving across the county to monitor or ring a brood of chicks! In 2011, Barn Owls occupied 300 of the 1,300 boxes; the number of pairs was the highest ever recorded in Suffolk. From these, 193 nesting attempts were recorded and 395 chicks ringed—both very significant contributions to the BTO’s national monitoring schemes.

ABOVE: Dave Short rings a Kestrel chick with a group he Aylesbury Vale District of Air Cadets. LEFT: One of the AVDC Barn Owl project Council Barn Owl Scheme was boxes outside HMP Springhill. BELOW: Dave Short Tofficially launched in December preparing to put up a Barn Owl pole box. 2010 after the award of grant aid from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Waste Recycling Environmental Ltd and the Community Chest. It really began some eight years earlier, however, o u nC IL c when the Council’s Biodiversity Team t began erecting Barn Owl boxes around e distri c a l e v Aylesbury Vale. Early on, HMP Springhill was approached for help with nest box building and the prison’s wonderful John Winters workshop team now supplies all of the Scheme’s e sb u ry : Ayl p h otos boxes, having manufactured over 800 since 2003. Furthermore, 10 prisoners encouraged to help with monitoring largest Barn Owl conservation efforts have provided over 200 days of by reporting any casual sightings of in the country, with a network of over volunteer time outside the prison via owls near boxes. 600 boxes. In the summer of 2010, the Employment Links Team, which grant aid of almost £90,000 was provides community work experience ‘More than 500 children secured and the Scheme was given an for prisoners coming to the end of have experienced the joy of official launch at an event attended their sentences. This link up has been dissecting an owl pellet.’ by landowners, volunteers, school hugely rewarding for the prisoners children and dignitaries. The secured and could provide a template for other Publicity has also been very funding has enabled the Scheme to organizations to follow. important both for raising the profile recruit a part-time Project Officer and From 2007, volunteers coordinated of the Scheme and recruiting new established some firm goals and time their monitoring with the BTO’s volunteers. The popularity and lines to achieve them. These include Nest Record Scheme. Later on the charisma of the Barn Owl has no promoting Barn Owl conservation, kind involvement of Henry Meyer- doubt helped with this. The Scheme safeguarding habitat, erecting boxes Gross enabled members of the group has so far appeared on television and encouraging recording and to train to ring the birds, which has shows ‘Countryfile’ and ‘The One monitoring. Alongside these, there significantly improved the Scheme’s Show’, as well as various local radio is the important task to ensure monitoring capabilities. The Scheme stations. Community involvement the Scheme is set up to continue now has an ‘A’ permit holder who has also been an important focus and sustainably after the funding period oversees ringing operations and many groups have been invited out on has ended. another ‘C’ permit holder. There days erecting and maintaining boxes, are also a further 10 volunteers with including Duke of Edinburgh award More information on both these Barn accredited agent status on the Scheme’s students, Air Cadets and even the local Owl projects can be found at www. Schedule 1 licence who inspect constabulary. Over 150 talks have suffolkwildlifetrust.org/species-and- boxes and monitor nesting attempts. been given in the local community habitats/barn-owl-project/ and www. Landowner relationships have been and more than 500 children have aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/environment/ pivotal to the Scheme’s expansion, of experienced the joy of dissecting a biodiversity-wildlife-and- course, but as the network of boxes Barn Owl pellet! conservation/species-conservation/ has grown, landowners have been The Scheme is now one of the barn-owl-project/ 16 NRSnews Spring 2012 spot the nest schedule 1 licensing information

Greenfinch guesstimate Species specially protected Many thanks to Keith Johnson from Hampshire for by wildlife legislation this excellent photo of the remains of three consecutive Greenfinch nesting attempts in the same season, in the same The species listed in application form. A first- clump of ivy. But which of them is the most recent nesting italics on pages 8–9 are time licence application attempt? Email answers to [email protected] by 1 December. First specially protected under must be accompanied correct answer out of a hat wins a mirror on a stick. Hint: Schedule 1 of the Wildlife by two references from none of them are in the open-fronted nest box. and Countryside Act ‘respected’ ornithologists 1981, as amended by the (e.g. County Recorder, BTO A B C D Environmental Protection Regional Rep, Bird Club Act 1990, and the Wildlife Chairman, BTO Ringer, (NI) order of 1985. It is an other Schedule 1 licence offence to intentionally holder). 1 disturb these birds while Licences are issued they are building a nest, annually and must be or are in, on or near a nest renewed each season containing eggs or young; by submitting a renewal or to disturb dependent application and a report of 2 young even if not in the monitoring activities the nest. previous season. Please You must obtain a note that applications Schedule 1 licence to visit received after February 3 the nest of a Schedule 1 may take longer to process species. Any nests found owing to the volume of by accident should not applications received at be visited a second time that time. without a licence. To obtain a Schedule 4 To obtain a Schedule 1 1 licence to approach licence for nest recording nests for purposes other and/or bird ringing on than BTO surveys, please behalf of the BTO, please contact the relevant contact the BTO Licensing Government body (e.g. 5 Officer, Jez Blackburn (jez. Natural England, Scottish [email protected]), for an Natural Heritage).

The NRS team & contacts

Carl Barimore Debbie Nicholls NRS Organiser NRS Secretary The main point of contact for nest Provides secretarial support to the recorders. Scheme, including processing records and sending out materials. David Glue Research Ecologist Useful online addresses Provides advice based on a long NRS webpage: www.bto.org/nrs involvement with the Scheme. IPMR webpage: www.bto.org/ British Trust for Ornithology software/ipmr The Nunnery, Thetford, Dr Dave Leech Latest trends: www.bto.org/birdtrends Norfolk. IP24 2PU Head of NRS, CES and RAS Online forum: http://groups.yahoo. Tel: (01842) 750050 Oversees the running of the Nest com/group/nrsforum Fax: (01842) 750030 Record Scheme and undertakes General NRS enquiries: [email protected] Email: [email protected] research using the data collected. IPMR submissions: [email protected] Web site: www.bto.org