Wintering Bird Surveys
What are wintering bird surveys for?
Wintering bird surveys are often required where proposals have Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ potential to impact upon internationally designated populations of overwintering birds and/or Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ habitats Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨y rely upon. In souÅ·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨rn England this is often related to coastal habitat, floodplain grassland or large waterbodies, and Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ir associated usages by wildfowl and waders. However, wintering bird surveys of agricultural land can also be necessary: particularly where arable field margins or stubble crop may function as an important food resource for notable passerine species in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ winter months.
What happens during a wintering bird survey?
The current guidelines recommended a minimum of monthly surveys by an experienced surveyor between November and February (Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ core months) with consideration also given to October and March should a site have potential for notable species on passage. If your site is particularly sensitive (i.e. located in close proximity to an SPA or RAMSAR site) designated for wildfowl it may be necessary to increase Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ survey effort accordingly.
The survey visits will involve Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ surveyor walking a pre-determined transect route and counting all of Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ birds encountered and mapping Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ir distribution within Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ site and Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ immediate surroundings. For sites located near to (but not immediately on) Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ coast, surveys may be timed to coincide with high tide to maximise Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ likelihood of encountering birds that would oÅ·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨rwise be feeding on mudflats or along Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ stand line.
Wintering bird survey schedule
November - February*
*If a site has potential for notable species on passage, surveys may also take place in October and March.
View our full survey calendar below:
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