What kind of bird records would we like?

Migration Watch is designed to track the arrival and flow of migrants through the country. The way we gather bird sightings is primarily through lists of birds that you have seen, but of course we can cater for casual sightings too (usually the most exciting!). Ideally, we would like birdwatchers to keep a list of the birds they see during a visit to a site. Lists are a good way of recording birds because it identifies the species that you have seen, and just as importantly it highlights what you haven't seen! It is just as valuable to record the fact that Willow Warblers haven't reached your site yet, as it is to record their presence. Depending on your skill and level of birdwatching activity, there is a choice of three lists on which to record your observations: The short migrant list including just 10 species of common and easily identified summer visitors together with 11 resident species. The long migrant list including most summer visitors that are likely to be seen in Britain and Ireland (42 main species plus another 32 scarce summer visitors available via a drop down menu) together with 13 resident species.

A list of all species that are likely to be seen by birdwatchers in Britain and Ireland. This is designed for those who would like to record everything they see during their visits.

Whichever list you choose it is important to record all the species from it that you saw on your visit. All of the lists include some residents as well as the migrants. It is very important that we get the records of these species too as they will provide us with a measure of birdwatching effort against which the migrant records can be compared. You will have the choice of simply recording the presence of species or making a note of the number as well - the choice is yours! You should check off all of the species that you see on your lists and you can also record counts for some or all of them if you wish.

The most valuable records are from sites that are covered regularly, either every few days or at weekends. If you record birds from your garden then you might be lucky enough to be able to submit observations every day! However, we would also welcome lists from single or occasional visits to particular sites. Any list that you make will be a valuable contribution to Migration Watch. The more lists we get the better will be our information on spring migration. If you go birdwatching with family or friends please ensure that only one of you submits your list to Migration Watch.

To get a complete record of spring migration it is very important that we should get lists throughout our recording period of mid February-June. We need records before the migrants arrive and also of the distribution of breeding birds at the end of the migration period.

Many birdwatchers also see birds in strange places whilst they are doing other things (Hobby flies over whilst driving to work). These sightings can be recorded using the Casual Records Form.

Next - How to register as a Migration Watch Recorder