A Breeding Pair Record refers to an apparent, or known, wader breeding pair. You may collect breeding pair records during unstructured fieldwork or a structured bird survey. 

For each breeding pair monitored, we will ask for the information below: 

1. A unique pair reference

Please create a unique reference code for this wader breeding pair. You can decide what this is, but ensure multiple wader breeding records from the same year do not have the same reference.

For example, if you monitor three Curlew pairs this season, their unique pair references could be Cu1, Cu2 and Cu3.   

2. Wader species

The species of wader that this breeding pair record relates to.  

3. Location (10-digit grid reference)  

A 10-digit grid reference for the central point of observations of the breeding pair’s territory: 

• The location of a nest, for a pair with a single nesting attempt
• The central point between nests, for a pair with multiple nesting attempts in the same season

Visit Grid Reference Finder for help generating your grid references.

4. A unique site reference

Please create a unique reference code for the monitoring site relevant to the breeding pair. You may decide what this is, but ensure multiple monitoring sites do not have the same reference.

Monitoring sites can be as large or small as you wish, whichever size is most helpful for you to summarise pairs across. For example, if you have one contiguous area you monitor breeding waders, the name of this area (e.g., a farm name, or Ordnance Survey map feature) may act as your unique site reference, or you could simply use Site1, Site2, etc.

5. Method used to identify the breeding pair

The method you used to locate and record this wader breeding pair this year - please choose an option from this list:  

• Unstructured breeding pair or nest searches or watches  
• Structured wader census (O’Brien and Smith)
• Structured wader census (Brown and Shepherd)
• Structured Breeding Wader Transect  
• Structured Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) style transect  
• Other   

If you conducted both structured and unstructured methods, report the structured method. If you used multiple structured methods, please report the most appropriate.

6. Strongest evidence of breeding

The strongest evidence of breeding you recorded. We use standard BTO Breeding Status Codes to assess how likely it is that a wader pair attempted to breed. These are divided into three categories: Confirmed, Probable and Possible. 

• View the full list of relevant Breeding Status Codes in the Recording resources section.

Where you have evidence from multiple categories (Confirmed, Probable and Possible) for a single breeding pair, please submit the strongest evidence category to the scheme. For example, if you observed one status in the ‘Confirmed breeding’ category and three in the ‘Probable breeding’ category, record this as ‘Confirmed’ for WaMS. 

7. Primary habitat

Please choose the habitat which best describes the 100 m radius around the Location (10-digit grid reference) for each breeding pair: 

• Water
• Tarmac (sealed)
• Gravel
• Bare earth
• Arable
• Lowland dry heath
• Lowland dry grassland
• Lowland wet grassland
• Rough pasture
• Semi-improved / Improved pasture
• Haylage
• Hay
• Silage
• Saturated wetland
• Shrubs
• Trees

If there are multiple habitats present in the 100 m radius, please choose the most dominant. 

If you found and monitored any nesting attempts from the breeding pair, we will ask for the information below. These data are the least required for nest survival analyses. 

• We understand it is not always possible to collect all these data. If you cannot provide all the data we request, please still return the nest records with the information you do have.

The Wader Breeding Record Form accepts nest data for up to three nesting attempts for each breeding pair each year. Fourth or fifth nesting attempts per pair can be submitted via the WaMS data entry spreadsheet. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this, please contact waders@bto.org.

1. Nest location

A 10-digit grid reference for the nest location (12 characters in total e.g. TL8732482413). 

Visit Grid Reference Finder for help generating your grid references.

2. Nest cup habitat

The habitat the nest cup itself is in, which may be different from the primary habitat of the breeding pair. Please choose from: 

• Water
• Tarmac (sealed)
• Gravel
• Bare earth
• Arable
• Lowland dry heath
• Lowland dry grassland
• Lowland wet grassland
• Rough pasture
• Semi-improved / Improved pasture
• Haylage
• Hay
• Silage
• Saturated wetland
• Shrubs
• Trees

3. Vegetation structure around the nest

Choose the description that most closely matches the vegetation structure in a 100 m radius around the nest:

• Entirely tall (>40cm)
• Mostly tall with short or bare patches
• Roughly equally tall and short/bare
• Mostly short or bare with tall patches
• Entirely short (<40cm) or bare (no vegetation)

This does not need to be precise and can be done approximately by eye in the field, satellite imagery, or from memory. 

4. Date of first nest visit

The date of the earliest visit you made to the nest. If you find the nest before the first egg is laid, i.e. during nest-building and courtship, please do not include dates before the first egg is laid. Only include visits to the nest cup itself (i.e. not observations from distance of birds apparently incubating eggs).

5. Number of eggs on first visit

The number of eggs in the nest on your first nest visit after the first egg is laid. Please only include apparently live eggs (not clearly damaged). 

6. Maximum egg count

The maximum number of eggs you recorded in this nest on any visit. Please only include apparently live eggs (not clearly damaged).

7. Earliest date of maximum egg count

The earliest date on which you recorded the maximum egg count for this nest. 

8. Nest outcome

Choose a nest outcome that best matches your observations: 

• Success - If any chick hatched from the nest (even if it died shortly after hatching)
• Failure - If you know that no chicks hatched from the nest
• Unknown - If you cannot say (within reason) whether at least one chick hatched from the nest

9. Number of eggs hatched

The number of eggs that hatched from this nesting attempt. Report ‘Unknown’ if you do not know how many eggs hatched.

10. Is the number of eggs hatched the minimum or exact? 

Sometimes, you may know a minimum number of chicks hatched but cannot say for sure what the outcome of the other eggs were - for example, through nest visits around hatching, observation from distance after hatching, nest camera footage, or other means. 

Please indicate if this is the case by reporting “Minimum (I know that this number of eggs hatched as a minimum, but I can’t say for sure whether more did or not)”, or if you know exactly how many eggs hatched, report “Known (I know exactly how many eggs hatched)”.

11. Latest date you know the nest was active

The latest date you have clear evidence the nest was still active. Evidence could be, e.g., a nest visit, observation from distance (of incubating adult), nest camera media, or temperature logger data.

12. Earliest date you know the nest was inactive

The earliest date you have clear evidence the nest was inactive. This will be the same as the ‘Latest date you know the nest was active’ if you know the outcome date. Evidence could be, e.g., a nest visit, nest camera media, or temperature logger data.

13. Strongest evidence for reported nest outcome

The strongest evidence you recorded to support your reported nest outcome. Choose from the list below, submitting the strongest ‘level’ of evidence you have for this nest: 

Strongest evidence

1. Nest visit at, or shortly after, hatching, observing chicks in nest cup
2. Nest camera footage
3. Temperature logger data
4. Nest remains
5. None

Weakest evidence

You can also report other evidence, if you collected some that is not listed here.

14. Media (e.g. images or videos) supporting the nest outcome

You can provide up to 5 images or short videos supporting your reported nest outcome, e.g. photos taken during nest visits, nest camera images or videos, or others.

If the nest was predated, please include media showing any nest predators observed predating the nest, if you have it.

15. Reason for failure

Choose the description that best matches your observations of the reason for nest failure: 

• Not applicable (nest outcome Success or Unknown)
• Unknown
• Desertion / abandonment
• Farm operations
• Predation (eggs eaten by any species, including livestock)
• Trampling by livestock
• Trampling by a wild animal
• Other

16. Time of predation

The time of day/night that the nest was predated, if applicable, and if known from e.g. temperature logger, nest camera, or other information.

17. Predator species

The key (first) predator, if any eggs were predated, if known. Do not include any species observed scavenging eggs after nests are abandoned by nesting adults.

18. Nest monitoring equipment

The equipment (or none) that you used to monitor the nest: 

• Nest camera
• Temperature logger
• Nest camera and temperature logger
• Neither nest camera or temperature logger

If you used equipment not listed here, please include it in the ‘Notes’ section of this form.

19. Earliest date the field was cut while the nest was active

The earliest known date of any cutting/mowing for the harvesting of grass (for winter fodder) or arable crops conducted whilst the nest was active, if applicable. An approximate date is fine if the exact cutting date is unknown.

20. Livestock present while nest was active

Choose the description that best matches the livestock which were present in the nesting field at any point while the nest was active: 

• Sheep
• Cattle
• Sheep and cattle
• Other
• None
• Unknown

21. Alterations to farm operations due to the presence of a nest

Choose the description that best matches your observations or knowledge about farm operations that were not carried out in either the whole field or in an area immediately around the nest, while the nest was active. Only include operations that were not conducted because land managers were aware of the nest (through land managers’ direct involvement in nest-finding, fieldworkers marking the nest in some way, or other communication to land managers):

• Unknown
• None
• Cutting/mowing (silage, hay, or other crop that would have been cut while the brood was active)
• Other farm operations
• Livestock (excluded from the field or area while the brood was active, that otherwise would not have been)
• Cutting/mowing and other farm operations
• Cutting/mowing and livestock
• Other farm operations and livestock
• All - cutting/mowing, other farm operations, and livestock

22. Type of nest protection fencing

Choose the type of nest-fencing that best matches your observations and knowledge. Please do not include any permanent livestock-proof fences used for farming purposes (i.e. not specifically deployed as a wader conservation intervention). 

• None
• Permanent field-level predator-proof fence
• Temporary electrified predator- and livestock-proof fence
• Temporary electrified predator-proof fence
• Temporary electrified livestock-proof fence (deployed specifically as an intervention to protect the nest - not general livestock fencing)
• Temporary non-electrified livestock-proof fence (deployed specifically as an intervention to protect the nest - not general livestock fencing)
• Other

23. Date of nest fence deployment

The date the nest fence was deployed, if applicable. 

24. Date of nest fence deactivation

The date the nest fence was removed or switched off, if applicable. If the fence is temporary, please submit the date of whichever deactivation occurred first (e.g. if the fence was switched off a week prior to removal, record the date that it was switched off).

A brood record refers to a breeding pair you monitored that made a chick-rearing attempt. This does not require you to have found a nest. You may collect brood records during unstructured fieldwork or structured bird survey visits.

We will ask for the information below: 

1. Date of earliest chick observation

The date you first observed a chick in the brood, if applicable. This can be the hatch date if you monitored the nesting attempt that produced the brood.

2. Date of earliest observation indicative of chick-rearing behaviour from adults

The date you first observed an adult from this breeding pair in key behaviours which indicate they are chick-rearing (where relevant to the wader species, e.g. Curlew, Lapwing, Redshank, Oystercatcher). Leave this section blank if you never observed adult(s) from this breeding pair in these behaviours.

Behaviour indicative of chick-rearing

• Vociferous alarm-calling and reluctance to leave the area. Many species have specific calls primarily used when chick rearing, e.g. the Curlew "yak-ak-ak" call.
• Intensive ‘mobbing’ of predators or fieldworkers. Mobbing is a defensive behaviour where smaller birds work together to harass or attack a potential predator. It can also be conducted by only one bird.

For more information on key wader breeding behaviours, see the BTO Wader Survey Behaviour Guide on the BTO Wader Hub.

3. Highest chick count from any visit

The highest count of chicks observed on any brood-monitoring visit, if applicable.

4. Date of latest chick observation

The latest date you observed a chick in the brood, if applicable.

5. Date of latest observation indicative of chick-rearing behaviour from adults

The date you first observed an adult from this breeding pair in key behaviours which indicate they are chick-rearing (where relevant to the wader species, e.g. Curlew, Lapwing, Redshank, Oystercatcher). Leave this section blank if you never observed adult(s) from this breeding pair in these behaviours.

Behaviour indicative of chick-rearing

• Vociferous alarm-calling and reluctance to leave the area. Many species have specific calls primarily used when chick rearing, e.g. the Curlew “yak-ak-ak” call.
• Intensive ‘mobbing’ of predators or fieldworkers. Mobbing is a defensive behaviour where smaller birds work together to harass or attack a potential predator. It can also be conducted by only one bird.

For more information on key wader breeding behaviours, see the BTO Wader Survey Behaviour Guide on the BTO Wader Hub.

6. Earliest date you suspect the brood was inactive

The first date on which you did not record the presence of apparently chick-rearing adult(s) or chicks. Please do not record a date if you observed apparently chick-rearing adults(s) or chicks on a subsequent visit; the date should be the visit after your final observations of chick-rearing adults or chicks of this brood in the season, indicating either successful fledging or brood failure.

7. Brood outcome

The brood outcome. Choose between:

• Fledged (at least one chick) - if your observations indicate the brood fledged at least one chick
• Failed (no chicks fledged) - if your observations indicate the brood failed
• Unknown - if you feel you cannot say either way.

The Wader Monitoring Scheme pilot considers chicks as ‘fledged’ if they are observed:

• In powered flight
• Well-feathered (see images of commoner wader species’ well-feathered chicks in project guidance)
• At ‘fledging age’ or above, if chick age is known. See Wader chick ‘fledging age’ in the Recording resources section for species details.

8. Strongest evidence of brood outcome

The strongest evidence you recorded to support your reported brood outcome:

Strongest evidence

1. Chick(s) observed in flight
2. Chick(s) of known age observed above the minimum fledging age. See Wader chick ‘fledging age’ in the Recording Resources section for species details
3. Chick(s) observed fully-feathered
4. Adults repeatedly alarm-calling, or observed with chicks, for the minimum species brood-rearing period. See Minimum brood-rearing periods in the Recording resources section for species details.
5. None

Weakest evidence

If you observed ‘Other’ evidence that supports the brood outcome that is not listed here, please include it in the ‘Notes’ column at the end of the section. 

9. Suspected cause(s) of chick failure

Choose the description that most closely matches the suspected reason for chick failure, if applicable. Include known causes, though these will be rare.

• Not applicable (all hatched chicks fledged)
• Unknown
• Farm operations
• Predation
• Trampling by livestock
• Trampling by wild animal
• Starvation
• Other

If you suspect multiple causes of chick failure, report secondary causes in the ‘Notes’ column of this section. You can also use this column to provide further detail about ‘Other’ causes. 

10. Number of probable ‘fledged’ chicks

The highest single count of probable ‘fledged’ chicks that you observed on any monitoring visit. 

The Wader Monitoring Scheme pilot considers chicks as ‘fledged’ if they are observed:

• In powered flight
• Well-feathered (see images of commoner wader species’ well-feathered chicks in project guidance)
• At ‘fledging age’ or above, if chick age is known

11. First date that a probable "fledged" chick was observed 

The first date you observed a chick in this brood in powered flight, well-feathered, or above ‘fledging age’ (i.e., was a probable ‘fledged’ chick).

12. Method used to monitor the brood

The method used to monitor the brood. If you conducted both structured and unstructured methods, include the structured method below.

13. Number of brood monitoring visits conducted

The approximate number of brood monitoring visits carried out over the course of the breeding season.

14. Vegetation structure in the area primarily used by brood

Choose the description that most closely matches the vegetation structure in the area primarily used by the brood:

• Entirely tall (>40cm)
• Mostly tall with short or bare patches
• Roughly equally tall and short/bare
• Mostly short or bare with tall patches
• Entirely short (<40cm) or bare (no vegetation)

This does not need to be precise and can be done approximately by eye in the field, satellite imagery, or from memory. 

15. Livestock present while the brood was active

Choose the description that best matches the livestock which were present in the area used by the brood at any point while the brood was active:

• Sheep
• Cattle
• Sheep and cattle
• Other
• None
• Unknown

16. Alterations to farm operations due to the presence of a nest

Choose the description that best matches your observations or knowledge about farm operations that were not carried out while the brood was active. Only include operations that were not conducted because land managers were aware of the brood (through land managers’ direct involvement in nest- or brood-finding, fieldworkers marking the brood-rearing area in some way, or other communication to land managers):

• Unknown
• None
• Cutting/mowing (silage, hay, or other crop that would have been cut while the brood was active)
• Other farm operations
• Livestock (excluded from the field or area while the brood was active, that otherwise would not have been)
• Cutting/mowing and other farm operations
• Cutting/mowing and livestock
• Other farm operations and livestock
• All - cutting/mowing, other farm operations, and livestock

17. Length of time the brood occupied a predator-proof area

Choose the description that best matches your observations or knowledge about whether the brood occupied an area enclosed by predator-proof fencing, and for how long: 

• Yes - for less than 2 weeks
• Yes - for 2-4 weeks
• Yes - for more than 4 weeks
• Yes - length of time unknown
• No - brood never occupied an area enclosed by predator-proof fencing
• Unknown

Use this table to determine whether chicks of known age (in days) are considered ‘fledging age’ by the Wader Monitoring Scheme (relevant to Brood Information, Qs 7, 8 and 10). 

Wader chick ‘fledging age’ for breeding wader species

Please note: the number of chicks of ‘fledging age’ does not always equate to true fledged numbers. It is a standardised metric based on known earliest fledging ages for each species to help ensure ‘fledged’ chick numbers across projects, habitats, and intervention types are consistently recorded. This ensures some level of inclusivity for wader projects, regardless of their monitoring resource and experience.

Use this table to determine whether adults have been observed repeatedly alarm-calling, or observed with chicks, for the minimum brood-rearing period (relevant to Brood Information, Q8).

Minimum brood-rearing periods for breeding waders

Please use the Breeding Status Codes listed below to provide the strongest evidence for breeding (relevant to Breeding Pair Records, Q5). 

We will ask for both the category of evidence (Confirmed, Probable and Possible) and the code corresponding to the evidence you observed. For example, if you observed a nest containing eggs, you would choose "Confirmed" and status code "NE". 

Confirmed (strongest evidence of breeding)

• DD - a Distraction Display, or feigning injury
• UN - a Used Nest or eggshells found (occupied or laid within the period of the survey)
• FL - Downy young. Careful consideration should be given to any FLedged juvenile capable of significant geographical movement. Evidence of dependency on adult birds (e.g. adults in close attendance) is helpful. Be cautious, even if the record comes from suitable habitat.
• ON - Adults entering or leaving nest-site in circumstances indicating an Occupied Nest, or adults seen incubating
• FF - Adult birds seen carrying Food for young (for Oystercatcher, Woodcock and Snipe only)
• NE - Nest containing Eggs
• NY - Nest with Young seen or heard

Probable

• P - Pair observed in a suitable nesting habitat during the breeding season
• T - Permanent Territory presumed through observation of territorial behaviour (e.g. breeding calls) at the same place on at least two different days, a week or more apart, or in a single day if many individuals are observed. 
• D - Courtship and Display (judged to be in or near potential breeding habitat)
• N - Adult birds visiting probable Nest site
• A - Agitated behaviour or anxiety calls from adults, suggesting nest or young are nearby
• B - Nest Building (e.g. nest scraping)

Possible (weakest evidence of breeding)

• H - Single or unpaired adult wader observed in the breeding season in suitable Habitat
• S - Breeding calls (Song) heard during the breeding season in suitable habitat

Census surveys, including: 

• O’Brien & Smith (1992): Lowland wader census
• Brown & Shepherd (1993): Upland wader census

Transect surveys, including: 

• BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey (BBS)
• Breeding Wader Transects (BWT)