Waterbird ID practice, and an introduction to the Wetland Bird Survey and BirdTrack - Rainton Meadows

Level

Beginner/Improver

Presenter

Drew Lyness

Date

Saturday, February 15, 2025 - 10:00 to 13:00

Places

Fully booked

Waterbird ID practice session and an introduction to BTO surveys.

Join BTO staff and passionate birder Drew Lyness to hone your skills of waterbird ID at the wonderful Durham Wildlife Trust reserve, Rainton Meadows. During this small group event, we’ll enjoy spending time together looking at wildfowl and waders if they are present, and any other species associated with wetland habitats.

 
As a team, we'll practise a range of skills, including key ID features for particular species, and broader transferable skills that will help with your development as a birdwatcher. This is a fantastic opportunity to increase your confidence in a supportive environment, plus meet some like-minded souls and enjoy some birds!

We will also provide an introduction to how to take part in the important Wetland Bird Survey (WeBs) scheme, and also record the waterbirds that you see via BirdTrack.

We are likely to see species such as Coot, Mallard, Wigeon, Teal and Gadwall, with a chance of Little Grebe, Snipe, Lapwing and much more. We'll talk through the ID of these species and use them to discuss and practise broader transferable skills which will help your ID of other species too. We'll then talk in more detail about the Wetland Bird Survey, including the nuances of counting /estimating numbers for different species, and we'll practise using BirdTrack for recording what you see.

Feel free to bring your own snacks and a drink, though there is an excellent coffee shop on site open from 10am. Please wear appropriate clothing for the forecast weather conditions.  

 
Please bring your own binoculars (though we will have a few spares if needed) and your favoured bird ID guide / book. We will bring a telescope to share, but please bring your own if you have one.

This session will cost £10 per person*. Booking is required and places are limited to 12 participants. Access to Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve, Visitor Centre and hides will be free for attendees of this event, however non-members of the Durham Wildlife Trust are kindly asked to make a donation for car parking.

*if you are on a lower income and the full cost of this session would be a barrier for you then please get in touch and we’d be happy to offer you a reduced rate - email drew.lyness [at] bto.org