Press Releases - May/Jun 2006 - Item 1

Issued by BTO on behalf of BTO, JNCC and RSPB
No. 2006/05/18
May 2006

Early risers enjoy a musical spectacle

On 7th May people around the globe will be getting up early and taking part in International Dawn Chorus Day to witness one of nature’s most amazing spectacles. Hundreds of birdwatchers will be doing the same, not only to enjoy the sounds but also to help to monitor the nation’s breeding birds.

How many birds can you recognise by their song alone? Blackbird? Robin? Wren? Listening to the dawn chorus is a great way to get out and learn more about the different sounds that birds make and to witness one of the UK’s foremost natural spectacles.

For birdwatchers, the dawn chorus provides the ideal opportunity to monitor the state of Britain’s breeding birds. Each year, hundreds of birdwatchers across the UK take part in the BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) and in Scotland alone there are now 300 sites monitored.

“Having information at 300 sites in Scotland gives us a good picture of how our breeding birds are doing,” says Jacqui Kaye, Development and Fieldwork Co-ordinator for BTO Scotland. “We now know that species such as the Willow Warbler, while declining in England, are actually on the increase in Scotland.”

BTO Scotland is keen to involve more people in BBS in Scotland, especially in upland areas to get an even more detailed picture of what is happening to its breeding birds.

“Our survey volunteers are doing an outstanding job helping us understand what is happening to Scotland’s breeding birds. The more people that get involved the better our understanding will be and hopefully we can then look for differences at a regional level,” Jacqui adds.

For a free copy of the latest BBS report or more information on Breeding Bird Survey, please telephone 01786 466560, e-mail or write to Breeding Bird Survey, BTO Scotland, School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Cottrell Building, Stirling, FK9 4LA.

Notes for Editors

1) The BBS is a partnership between the British Trust for Ornithology, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (on behalf of Natural England, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Countryside Council for Wales, and also on behalf of the Environment and Heritage Service in Northern Ireland) and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

2) The BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) is a national project aimed at keeping track of changes in the breeding populations of widespread bird species in the UK. The BBS involves over 2,000 participants who now survey more than 2,600 sites across the UK, enabling us to monitor the population changes of over 100 bird species. Knowing to what extent bird populations are increasing or decreasing is fundamental to bird conservation.

3) BBS volunteer observers make two visits each year (between early April to the end of June) to their survey site to count all the birds they see and hear along a two-kilometre route. Visits are timed in the early morning to record birds when singing is most active.

4) The information provided by the BBS provides a cornerstone for conservation action for birds in the UK. This survey forms an integral part of the Government’s Quality of Life indicators.

5) This important survey is carried out by volunteer birdwatchers throughout the UK, who receive no financial reward or expenses for their efforts. We are indebted to them for their tremendous support.

6) More information about International Dawn Chorus Day can be found at www.idcd.info

7) Colour photographs. Images of birds are freely available for use in association with this press release. Please contact to request an electronic version.

8) The BTO has an ISDN line available for radio interviews.

For further information please contact:

Martin Fowlie on 01842 750050 or email (during office hours)
Out of office hours, please telephone: 07704 847935 (mobile)

Jacqui Kaye on 01786 466560 (office hours)
Mike Raven on 01842 750050 (office hours)

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