Upland bird recording and monitoring (1-day, Dalmellington, Ayr)

Level

Improver

Presenter

Ben Darvill

Date

Sunday, March 8, 2020 - 09:30 to 16:30

Places

Fully booked

Hone your upland bird identification skills, learn about BTO-led recording schemes, and practice methods ahead of the breeding season

Brush up on your upland bird identification by songs and calls. Learn more about opportunities for participation, and practice techniques for BirdTrack and the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS). Find out about the BBS ‘Upland Rovers’ scheme and how to get involved. The day will combine indoor and outdoor sessions (weather permitting) and will have a focus on improving confidence and skills to encourage participation.

Participants must be able to identify the majority of upland birds by sight, given reasonable views, as the identification component will primarily focus on how to recognise upland birds by their songs and calls.

This course aims to provide you with the following:

• Identification tips for a range of the more common upland and upland woodland bird species, by sound.
• Suggestions of learning resources and approaches to help your ongoing development as a birdwatcher.
• An introduction to BirdTrack, the Breeding Bird Survey, BBS Upland Rovers and other opportunities for participation.
• Guidance on matching your current birdwatching level with an appropriate BTO scheme.

Optional, for those with suitable ID skills:

• An overview of the BBS recording methods.
• Opportunity to practice the BBS methods in upland habitats.

This 1-day course costs £10. It is specifically targeted to increase participation in under-sampled upland habitats, hence we are able to offer it at a heavily subsidised rate.

Refreshments are provided; please bring a packed lunch.

Online booking is available for this event but if you have any queries about booking a place, please email Anne.Cotton [at] bto.org or ring 01786 458021.