Press Releases - Nov/Dec 2005 - Item 10

No. 2005/12/45
December 2005
- issued by BTO, on behalf of BTO, JNCC and RSPB

Year of the Volunteer

It’s the European Union’s ‘Year of the Volunteer’ and birders around the UK have been doing their bit. The BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey has had a record year in 2005 with the largest number of participants in its history, with many regions breaking records.

Since its inception in 1994 the BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) has been getting bigger and better and this year has seen a record number of contributors, meaning the coverage and information will be better than ever. Over 2,000 volunteers surveyed more than 2,600 sites across the UK, from the Isles of Scilly in the south to Shetland in the North. Scotland, Northern Ireland and England have all had the best years on record in terms of volunteer involvement.

“This has been a great year for the BBS and a big thank you to all who took part. Devon and Berkshire had really good coverage but we still need more volunteers in Cornwall, Essex and Northamptonshire. If we can get more people in these areas we are hoping that 2006 will be even better,” says Mike Raven, co-ordinator of the Breeding Bird Survey.

The British Trust for Ornithology administers the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) from its headquarters in Thetford, Norfolk. Across the UK, voluntary Regional Organisers play a vital role in co-ordinating the efforts of local birdwatchers. Volunteer birdwatchers are assigned 1-km squares that they visit three times in the season. Having got up very early in the morning, each volunteer spends about two hours counting all the birds they see and hear along their chosen 2-km route.

“The survey is designed to be a quick, simple and, most importantly, an enjoyable birdwatching exercise. It’s a great way to get out and about and hone your birding skills,” Mike adds.

People interested in taking part should visit the BBS website at www.bto.org/bbs for more details and information.

Notes for Editors

1) The BBS is a partnership between the British Trust for Ornithology, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (on behalf of English Nature, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Countryside Council for Wales, and also on behalf of the Environment and Heritage Service in Northern Ireland) and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

2) The BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) is a national project aimed at keeping track of changes in the breeding populations of widespread bird species in the UK. The BBS involves over 2,000 participants who now survey more than 2,600 sites across the UK, enabling us to monitor the population changes of over 100 bird species. Knowing to what extent bird populations are increasing or decreasing is fundamental to bird conservation.

3) The information provided by the BBS provides a cornerstone for conservation action for birds in the UK. This survey forms an integral part of the Government’s Quality of Life indicators.

4) This important survey is carried out by volunteer birdwatchers throughout the UK, who receive no financial reward or expenses for their efforts. We are indebted to them for their tremendous support.

5) Volunteers are needed in all areas but especially Scotland, Ireland, Cornwall, Essex, Herefordshire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire and Wiltshire.

For further information please contact:

Martin Fowlie on 01842 750050, or e-mail:
Mike Raven on 01842 750050

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