How To Record Nests

Recording information in a standard format means that data collected by different observers can be easily compared. There are two ways that nests can be recorded: on paper nest record cards or electronically using the home computer program ‘IPMR’ (Integrated Population Monitoring Reporter).

(A) Nest Record Cards

Blackbird nest record card on which details of the geographical location of the nest, timing of breeding and the nest contents have been recorded.	10 day old Blackbird nestlings

Nest location and contents

Each nest record card is used to record the observations for a single nesting attempt (subsequent broods should be entered on separate cards). The top of the card is used to record the basic information about the nest, such as species, county, year, observer code (who you are), place and altitude. The bottom half of the card is used to record the dates on which the nest was visited, and the contents of the nest at that time, with each visit recorded on a separate row.

The nest record card (above) shows the details for a Blackbird nest. The nest was visited four times (15th, 22nd and 30th April and 4th May). The number of live and dead eggs and chicks at each visit is recorded in the columns provided and simple ‘Status Codes’ are used to describe the stage of the nesting attempt and the age of the nest contents (eg ‘FN’ = female on the nest, ‘HA’ = hatching, 'EY' = eyes open - a full list of Status Codes is given on the blue Coding Card supplied in the ‘NRS Starter Pack’). From five eggs, three young hatched successfully, and at least one young was reared, as indicated by the status code 'NN' on the fourth visit, which tells us that there were 'fledged young seen near the nest'.

Participants are encouraged to make at least two visits to the nest during the breeding cycle, recording the date of each visit and the nest contents. Visiting the nest on more than a single occasion allows important information about the survival rates of eggs and young to be obtained.

Habitat Codes

The reverse side of the card is used to record specific information about the nest site and its habitat.

H1 Column A Column B Column C
In the example opposite, the use of ‘E’ for the main Habitat Code (H1) indicates that the nest was located in farmland. The subsequent numbers provide more detail about the type of farmland. The ‘5’ in ‘Column A’ shows that the nest site is actually an orchard. The ‘1’ and ‘6’ in ‘Column B’ record the presence of a hedgerow with trees and an active farmyard respectively. Finally, the ‘3’ in ‘Column C’ indicates that sheep were also present. In this way a detailed picture of the nesting habitat can be constructed.

A separate nest record card should be used for each nesting attempt, even if it takes place in the same nest or nest site. Second or third broods should be recorded on separate cards and clipped to the back of the first. Full instructions on filling in the cards are contained in the ‘NRS Handbook’.

(B) IPMR (Integrated Population Monitoring Reporter)

The computer program IPMR has been developed by Mark Cubitt, a volunteer programmer. IPMR is available free of charge and provides an excellent way for nest recorders and ringers to enter their records on their home computers and to submit them to the BTO electronically. The program has become an increasingly popular means of recording nests amongst observers, with nearly 50% of records currently submitted annually using IPMR.

IPMR has a great many advantages over cards, both for the individual nest recorder and for the staff at BTO HQ:

(a) The data stored within IPMR are in a format that makes it easy for nest recorders to extract and produce summaries and reports;

(b) Location and habitat details can be set as defaults, so that they do not need to be repeatedly entered for every nest being monitored at a particular site;

(c) Records submitted by IPMR can be loaded straight into the database at the BTO. This increases the speed with which your records can be processed, allowing faster analysis and feedback of results. It also frees up staff time that can be allocated to more detailed analysis of the data and to providing better support to nest recorders.

We recommend that nest recorders with access to a PC use IPMR if at all possible.

Details of the species, year, location and nesting habitat are recorded on the ‘Nest Record Card’ form in IPMR. Visit details are recorded on the ‘Nest Visits’ form in exactly the same way as they would be recorded on paper. The example (right) shows exactly the same visit details as the card record at the top of this page.

Observers are asked to send their IPMR submission file to the BTO at the end of the season, either as an email attachment or on a floppy disk.

To obtain a copy of the IPMR software, please click here.

Full details about using IPMR are contained in the excellent ‘IPMR for Nest Recording’ guide written by Ian Spence (see 'How can I become a nest recorder?'). To obtain a copy, click here.

Next - How can I become a nest recorder?