Press Releases - November/December 2007
Item 1

No. 2007/11/79
November 2007

Time for Welsh birdwatchers to get counting …

November sees the start of the biggest ever bird survey to hit Wales. The British Trust for Ornithology is working with birdwatchers in Wales to undertake a new count of every Welsh bird species.

The Atlas project in Wales will be launched at this year’s joint WOS/BTO conference in Llanwrst, Conwy on Saturday, 3 November by the WOS Chairman, Derek Moore and the BTO Atlas Coordinator, Dawn Balmer. Over 250 species will be surveyed, including the 40 red-listed and 121 amber-listed Species of Conservation Concern. The results will set the agenda for bird conservation in the next two decades, helping to answer questions such as:

• Is Barn Owl conservation working?
• Have Willow Tit and Hawfinch become extinct in some Welsh counties?
• Are birds spreading further north as a result of climate warming?
• What is happening to the birds of wonderful Welsh habitats such as wooded valleys and hill tops

For the next four years, Welsh birdwatchers will be taking to the hills, tramping around fields, strolling through woodland or just reporting on the birds that visit their gardens. They will record, count and seek out as many species as they can, to see just how much has changed since the last Winter Atlas (1981-84). Next summer they will search out breeding species, comparing their observations to the last Breeding Atlas (1988-91). The BTO is keen to involve as many birdwatchers as possible, however knowledgeable they feel they are (Note 1).

Dawn Balmer, the Atlas Coordinator said:
“The aim is to cover every ten-kilometre square in the UK. We are delighted with the enthusiastic way in which Welsh birdwatchers have volunteered for action and hope that even more of them will be inspired to get involved.. There is a real sense of concern about how birds are coping with changes to our climate and their habitats.”

John Lloyd, the BTO’s Wales Officer said:
“Wales is a land of challenge and opportunity for birdwatchers, with a unique combination of wonderful birds and dramatic scenery. It is really important to update our knowledge of bird distributions and we hope that we will be able to persuade people to devote time to this stocktake of Welsh birdlife over the next four years.

Derek Moore, Chairman of the Welsh Ornithological Society said:
“We hope that the Atlas will attract a new generation of Welsh birdwatchers to get involved in survey work in Wales. People get a huge amount of pleasure from watching birds. Here is a chance to make your birdwatching count and to have a real impact on conservation.”

Please see over for Notes for Editors

Notes for Editors

1. Birdwatchers of all abilities can get involved in Bird Atlas 2007-11 in one way or another. There are three levels of participation:

• Taking a walk or going birdwatching any time, anywhere? Your records can help to fill in the squares on the Atlas maps. Seen a hovering Kestrel, the blue flash of a Kingfisher or a Barn Owl at dusk?
• Know your birds? We are also looking for keen birdwatchers who will visit 2km by 2km tetrads to identify and count all of the birds they see.
• A third of the UK’s birds are found in gardens. By becoming a member of the BTO/CJ Garden BirdWatch you will be able to register your birds on the national map.

2. For information on what is involved see http://www.bto.org/birdatlas/taking_part/index.htm

3. The Bird Atlas 2007-11 project will cost just over one million pounds of which £600,000 has already been raised

4. For more information about Bird Atlas 2007-11, visit http://www.bto.org/birdatlas/about.htm

5. Images are freely available for use in association with this press release. Please contact to request an electronic version. Please quote reference number 2007/11/79

6. The BTO has an ISDN line available for radio interviews.

For further information please contact:

Dawn Balmer (Atlas Coordinator) on 01842 750050 or e-mail: (during office hours)
or mobile 07743 994497 (anytime)

John Lloyd (Welsh Officer) on 07970 645652

Paul Stancliffe (Press Officer) on 01842 750050 or e-mail: (during office hours)
or mobile 07845 900559 (anytime)

Graham Appleton (Head of Fundraising & Publicity) on 01842 750050 or e-mail: (during office hours)