Abstract from BTO Research Report No 382:

Carter, N. & Glue, D. (2004)

Westfield Farm, Cambs Plot 1572
Report on Breeding Birds 2003.
ISBN 1-904870-14-7

Executive summary

1. INTRODUCTION

This was the second annual survey of the breeding birds of Westfield Farm, Comberton, Cambridgeshire, using a territory mapping methodology (Marchant et al. 1990). This survey followed a baseline survey in 2002 before any management practices were modified to benefit birds and other wildlife (Carter & Glue 2003).

In winter 2002/03 various habitat changes were made to Westfield farm, chiefly internal hedge planting and the sowing of a pollen and nectar strip, as well as the installation of an adjacent beetle bank. In addition, a small patch of triticale and quinoa was sown in the southwest corner and the area near the stream entered the first year of a meadow recreation scheme. The one large field of winter wheat surveyed in 2002 has been converted into four fields, each with 6m margins, of winter wheat and barley, set-aside and oilseed rape.

The surrounding land is mostly arable with a disused railway line running along the southern boundary. There is a small nature reserve in the southwest corner. Bourn Brook runs along the southern edge of the area.

2. METHODS

A complete mapping census of the breeding birds was undertaken using the methodology laid down by the BTO’s Common Birds Census (CBC) scheme (Marchant et al. 1990). This involves recording, on large-scale maps, the location and activities of all birds seen or heard. Twelve complete visits were made between mid-March and the end of June, including two evening visits in early May and late June to detect crepuscular species. Coverage was excellent, with 24 hours of observations, compared with 9 visits (13 hours) in 2002. It is important that coverage is standardised from year to year.

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