Cumbria Bird Club

• Wetland Bird Survey (BTO, RSPB, JNCC, WWT)
• CBC Cumbria Rookeries survey April 2013
• BTO National Heronries Census - March and April 2013
• Breeding Bird Survey (BTO)
• Waterbird Breeding Bird Survey (BTO)

Wetland Bird Survey

The Wetland Bird Survey monitors the status of waterbirds in the UK. It is run by the BTO, RSPB, JNCC and WWT and is administered by the BTO. Waterbodies are counted once monthly on or near an appointed date. In Cumbria we have good coverage of sites with most coastal sections and major inland waters counted. However there are vacancies some of which are of higher priority than others. These are listed in the links below.

The ability to identify waterfowl and a telescope are all that is needed for the survey. Counting on the coast requires more experience as larger numbers of species, more birds and observations at greater distances are involved.

If you think you can help contact Dave Shackleton on 01931 713693.  He will put you in touch with the appropriate local organiser.

• Coastal locations
• Inland locations

CBC Cumbria Rookeries survey April 2013

In April 2013 the Cumbria Bird Club is organising a complete survey of the county’s rookeries. This is primarily to determine what has happened to the county’s Rooks since the 1996 survey, but also to ensure that the proposed new county avifauna contains information about the Rook that is as up to date as possible.

The intention is to carry out a survey of all the county’s rookeries between Saturday 6th April 2013 and Sunday 21st April 2013. Surveyors will be asked to volunteer to take on a designated area (usually a 10 km square, or one or more 5 km squares). You will be armed with a list of rookeries found during the 1996 survey and will be requested to check all places likely to hold rookeries, as well as many other places as possible. As a rough guide it can take up to two full days of fieldwork to survey a 10 km square properly.

Locating rookeries and counting nests is fairly straightforward and we hope that anyone who has never been involved in survey work will give it a go (but ‘old hands’ are also very welcome!). There are a lot of rookeries in Cumbria, and the success of this project is very dependent on getting sufficient people out in the field. Please do not be backward in coming forward!

If you are interested in being involved in any way contact one of the organisers, Mike Carrier or Robin Sellers.

BTO National Heronries Census

Volunteers are needed to help with the BTO National Heronries Census. There are a lot sites that need a surveying so I can find a site for just about anybody in Cumbria. All that is required is two visits, March to count the nests (if any) before leaves grow and then in April to check how successful the birds were. Also a simple habitat survey, plant ID skills required are minimal. Reporting is by card supplied by myself.  The card is then returned to me or directly to the BTO on completion of the census. The census has not been digitized so if folks want to do it online the only way is to email the details they have recorded on the card to me then I will complete another card and send it in, which I am happy to do. The census records all Heron species (e.g. Little Egret) and Cormorants where present at a Heronry site. Nil Returns are very important.

Contact details: 01229 889976, Mob 07789 483601, email biarmicus@live.co.uk