Abstract from BTO Research Report No 352:

Joys, A.C. & Crick, H.Q.P (Apr 04)

Breeding periods for selected bird species in England.
ISBN 1-904870-07-4

Executive summary

INTRODUCTION

With the designation of large areas of bird breeding habitat as SSSI and, latterly, as SPA/Ramsar site, English Nature is increasingly called upon to assess the implications of proposed activities that may potentially affect breeding birds. Where such assessments are part of a formal request for consent, either from English Nature or a local planning authority, then reasonable justification for refusal will often be required. Additionally, under the Part 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (WCA), all birds’ nests are protected and it is an offence to take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built. Furthermore, for certain rare and vulnerable species (listed on WCA Schedule 1) it is an offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb birds while nest building or at or near a nest with eggs or young. Clearly, when advising on the implications of activities under SSSI/SPA legislation or under Part 1 of the WCA, it is important to have reliable information on bird breeding periods.

At present, assessments of activities affecting breeding birds are made with reference to the available published information on bird breeding periods (for example Birds of the Western Palaearctic). However, this approach has several limitations: firstly, as the breeding period is generally defined as the period between earliest egg-laying and latest fledging, there is no information on the core period which holds the greatest proportion of breeding attempts; secondly, the period of breeding is likely to vary greatly depending on region, with birds in northern England breeding perhaps weeks later than those in the south; and finally, with climatic changes as a result of global warming, it is possible that breeding periods for many species are now earlier than they were at the time when standard reference texts were produced. For these reasons, this report carries out a review of current breeding periods for a selection of breeding bird species across a range of habitats throughout England.

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