Black Swan request

Have you seen a Black Swan?

For the Bird Atlas we are interested in gathering records of all non-native species such as Black Swan, Bar-headed Goose, Swan Goose. It's important that we know about the distribution of these species in the breeding season and the winter. Non-native species such as Black Swan are potentially threatening to our native wildlife so it is vital that we have a clear picture of their distribution.

Black Swan by Toni Cross (see www.tonicross.co.uk)

To report a sighting

Go to the Atlas homepage www.birdatlas.net

Register for the Bird Atlas by clicking on the Red button at the bottom of the page. If you already have a BTO Online username and password then click on the Green button.

In Data Home, click on 'Add Roving Record'. Use the Google Map facility to find the grid reference of your sighting. The 10-km square is shown at the bottom-right of the map. Enter the place name, date, number seen and any breeding evidence you saw such as a bird in suitable breeding habitat (code H) or a pair (P.) There is more information on breeding codes here

Why Black Swan?

This appeal for sightings of Black Swans and other non-native species is run in conjunction with the International Day for Biological Diversity on 22 May.

The theme for the International Day on Biological Diversity (IDB) in 2009 is invasive alien species (IAS) - one of the greatest threats to biodiversity, and to the ecological and economic well-being of society and the planet. You can find out more here.

There is more information about the importance of gathering records of non-native species on the Non-native Species Secretariat website where you will also find fact sheets for Ring-necked Parakeet (note 2.33MB PDF) and Canada Goose (note 3.39MB PDF) as well as information on non-native plants and animals.

The map to the left shows the records of Black Swan already reported to the Bird Atlas in the breeding season (April-July) in 2008 and so far in 2009. They are thinly, but widely distributed.


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