The Nightingale is one of several woodland species in trouble. In the period between the two BTO Breeding Bird Atlases of 1968-72 and 1988-1991, there was a 29% decline in its distribution. Numbers of Nightingales are so low and populations so localised that the Common Bird Census can no longer document changes in their numbers and distribution.
The aim of the survey is to locate all singing Nightingales. The BTO Nightingale Appeal has funded the survey.
This survey involves visiting areas in which Nightingales were found in the national survey (1980) and/or subsequently.
The recording forms will have the site name and grid-reference on it along with the survey instructions. Three visits are required with at least two of the visits being carried out during the peak song period in May. Brief habitat information is also required.
To ensure that Nightingales not located in the Known Sites Survey are reported, please send us details of all singing Nightingales. Please do not assume that someone else will submit the record. Recording forms will be available - information required is - site name, county, Grid-reference, number of singing birds, date, time and habitat.
There are still a number of randomly chosen 1-km squares requiring fieldworkers. This annual scheme aims to monitor terrestrial breeding birds in the UK. Fieldwork requires just three visits per year. The first of the three visits is to record habitat and to mark your survey route, whilst the second and third are to record bird numbers.
I would really appreciate a call from anyone wishing to become involved with any of the above surveys.
Mick Wright Regional Representative for the BTO
e-mail: Mick Wright