Breeding Bird Surveys
What are breeding bird surveys for?
As with most protected/notable species Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ need for species-specific surveys is typically informed by Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ presence of suitable habitat, it’s unlikely that you are going to identify a breeding population of nightjar during a PEA, however Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ knowledge of Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ speciesâ€� habitat requirements and distribution will allow you to make an informed decision regarding Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ potential for Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ species to be present.
Typically, a general bird survey should be recommended wherever development has Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ potential to impact upon important assemblages of breeding birds.
Breeding habitat is highly dependent on species (see Table 1).
Protected / Notable Bird Species
| Species | Habitat | Protection |
|---|---|---|
|
Skylark Alauda arvensis |
Arable land / rough grassland (away from trees) |
S41 NERC |
|
Corn bunting Emberiza calandra |
Arable/farmland |
S41 NERC |
|
Yellowhammer E. citrinella |
Arable/farmland |
S41 NERC |
|
Grey partridge Perdix perdix |
Arable/farmland |
S41 NERC |
|
Yellow wagtail Motacilla flava |
Farmland |
S41 NERC |
|
Barn owl Tyto alba |
Farm buildings & trees, hunts in rough grassland |
Sch1 |
|
Reed bunting E. schoeniclus |
Wetland | Arable |
S41 NERC |
|
NorÅ·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨rn lapwing Vanellus vanellus |
Wetland | Farmland |
S41 NERC |
|
Bewick’s swan Cygnus columbianus |
Wetland (floodplain) | Arable |
S41 NERC |
|
Curlew Numenius arquata |
Wetland | Farmland |
S41 |
|
Cetti’s warbler Cettia cetti |
Wetland |
Sch1 |
|
Kingfisher Alcedo atthis |
Wetland |
Sch1 |
|
Herring gull Larus argentatus |
Coastal/wetland | Arable | Urban (flat roofs) |
S41 NERC |
|
Linnet Linaria cannabina |
Arable | Heathland |
S41 NERC |
|
Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus |
Heathland |
S41 NERC |
|
Woodlark Lullula arborea |
Heathland |
Sch1 + S41 NERC |
|
Dartford warbler Sylvia undata |
Heathland |
Sch1 |
|
Lesser redpoll Carduelis cabaret |
Woodland | Heathland | S41 NERC |
|
Tree pipit Anthus trivialis |
Woodland | Heathland |
S41 NERC |
|
Red kite Milvus milvus |
Woodland/Parkland |
Sch1 |
|
Lesser spotted woodpecker Dendrocopus minor |
Woodland |
Sch1 + S41 NERC |
|
Spotted flycatcher Muscicapa striata |
Woodland |
S41 NERC |
|
Marsh tit Poecile palustris |
Woodland |
S41 NERC |
|
Woodcock Scolopax rusticola |
Woodland |
Red List only |
|
Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos |
Scrubland |
Red List only |
|
Firecrest regulus ignicapillus |
Woodland (coniferous) |
Sch1 |
|
Hobby Falco subbuteo |
Woodland | Wetland |
Sch1 |
|
Cuckoo Cuculus canorus |
Wetland | Woodland |
S41 NERC |
|
Dunnock Prunella modularis |
Generalist |
S41 NERC |
|
Song thrush Turdus philomelos |
Generalist |
S41 NERC |
|
Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula |
Generalist |
S41 NERC |
|
Starling Sturnus vulgaris |
Generalist |
S41 NERC |
|
House sparrow Passer domesticus |
Generalist |
S41 NERC |
|
Black redstart Phoenicurus ochruros |
Urban (London, Reading, Liverpool) |
Sch1 |
|
Peregrine Falco peregrinus |
Urban (buildings/quarries) |
Sch1 |
What happens during a breeding bird survey?
Methods used in breeding bird surveys can include distance sampling, vantage point surveys and oÅ·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨r methods but typically involve an experienced ecologist walking a set transect across a site and recording all bird registrations (both observations and sing/calling birds).
Breeding bird survey schedule
The Bird Survey Guidelines state:
“As standard it is recommended that six bird surveys visits be undertaken as part of a survey for breeding birds�
Surveys should be spread evenly between late March and early July
Surveys should be conducted approximately between half an hour before sunrise and mid- morning (10-11am)
At least one of Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ six surveys should be conducted at dusk to detect nocturnal or late-singing species
Recent updates to Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ guidelines include Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ consideration of supplementary survey techniques involving Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ use of Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨rmal technology to detect large aggregations of birds at night and passive audio recording to record bird vocalisations over extend periods of time.
View our full survey calendar below:
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