the 2007-11 Bird Atlas Project

The 2007-11 Bird Atlas, covering the whole of Britain and Ireland, got underway on 1st November 2007. SOC are partners alongside BTO and Birdwatch Ireland, and are leading the organisation in Scotland. This is a four year project, mapping the distribution and relative abundance of all birds, both in the breeding season and in winter. Fieldwork in the winter runs from November through to February, and will be repeated each winter until 2010-11. Fieldwork in the breeding season runs from April to July, and will also last four years, running until summer 2011.

Regional organisers throughout Scotland have been appointed, and are looking for volunteers to take up the challenge of recording birds throughout the country. There will be two types of fieldwork. Roving Recorders compile species lists for one or more 10km squares. Timed Tetrad Visits will be used to work out relative abundance. TTVs involve counting birds in selected tetrads (2x2km squares) during an hour's walk within a tetrad. Everyone can take part as all records during the survey months will count towards building the 10km square species lists.

In order to get involved - and really every birder in Scotland should get involved! - the first stage is to sign up as an atlas worker online, by visiting the Bird Atlas Home Page. You will be asked for a user name and password. This will enable you log on and sign up for some tetrads, or contact your local regional organiser.

The Bird Atlas site also gives details of fieldwork methods (under 'taking part'), allows you to download survey forms, and will eventually let you input your Roving Records or Timed Tetrad Visits on line.

If you have problems contacting a regional organiser or have any other queries or concerns with regard to the project, contact Bob Swann the Scottish organiser or Dawn Balmer the national organiser.

At least one area of Scotland is running a local atlas in parallel with this national atlas. South-east Scotland (Lothian and Borders) are repeating their 1988-94 breeding season survey, and are doing the first systematic winter atlas in the area. Other areas are considering similar projects, although the Northeast Scotland Atlas has just finished fieldwork and Clackmannanshire are drawing to a close.

Watch this space for further updates during the year.