Water Rails are secretive birds whose breeding status in Berkshire has been difficult to establish. In the Atlas surveys of 2008-2011, Water Rails were confirmed to have bred in only five tetrads, with probable breeding in a further three. All but one of these sites were in the Kennet valley between Hungerford and Padworth.

Following a successful pilot breeding survey in 2016, in 2017 a team of surveyors monitored suitable habitat in twenty tetrads along the Kennet, the Loddon and part of the Thames.   A total of twenty five Water Rail territories were found in ten of the tetrads.  Clearly, Water Rails are more abundant than we thought.

The map below shows the areas surveyed in 2016 and 2017 in purple, territories as red dots and downy young as black dots. It is planned to extend the survey to suitable areas along the Blackwater, Pang and Lambourn in 2018.

All breeding season records, from anywhere in Berkshire, will add to the dataset – please submit via berksbirds.co.uk  or send them to records@berksoc.org.uk with a six figure grid reference and a note of the habitat.

On Wednesday we had a terrific talk from photographer Graham Lenton, who over several years has made multiple visits to Finland in winter and early spring in search of the spectacular birds in this arctic landscape. Top of the list of his stunning photographs were the owls, including Hawk, Ural, Great Grey and Tengmalms, along with gamebirds such as Capercaille, Black Grouse and Hazel grouse. Perhaps some of us will follow in Graham’s footsteps and explore this fantastic landscape.

Please note that the visit scheduled for Sunday 22nd April has now been postponed to Sunday 29th April.

The British Trust for Ornithology’s biennial regional conference will be held at Benson on Saturday 3rd March. A great line-up of speakers, including Mike Toms and BTO Chief Executive, Andy Clements, a great place to meet some of our leading ornithologists and a very social occasion. This conference is now fully booked.

The talk by Professor Alex Kacelnik on Bird Intelligence, which was scheduled for 21st February, has now been postponed until the following Wednesday, 28th February, at the same time and venue.

Ray Reedman

The Berkshire Records Committee (BRC) is tasked with the review and adjudication of descriptions submitted to support records of rare or scarce species reported in the county. As of January 2018, the committee members are:
Derek Barker
Adrian Hickman
Andy Horscroft
Ken Moore
Hugh Netley
– all of whom should be familiar names and faces to anyone who goes birding in Berkshire. Richard Burness (County Recorder) remains non-voting committee convenor and is currently acting secretary.
As a consequence of restructuring Peter Standley, Robin Dryden and Chris Heard will no longer be members of the BRC. They are thanked sincerely for their valuable contribution to the recording process. It is hoped that they will now make themselves available in an advisory capacity, taking on investigative reviews outside the remit of the BRC.

All of the above freely give, or have given, their time and expertise to support birding and the recording process in Berkshire. However, the process is not just the Recorder, the Database Manager and the BRC. All the birders who submit their records play their part. So, we ask that you to help us by ensuring that records of rare or scarce species are accompanied by the appropriate level of supporting evidence. A list of species, and a rare record report form, can be found on the Recording page of the BOC web site. Records should be sent to records@berksoc.org.uk or through your usual medium. Unsupported records make the task of validation difficult for the Recorder and the BRC.

You are now able to follow the progress of your records subject to BRC review on the berksbirds web site. Simply go to http://www.berksbirds.co.uk/recordsworkinprogress.asp. You will find a list of rare or scarce species that have been reported during the past few years. The table shows the date, the species and a code indicating the current status of the record. The status of records is continually updated by either the Recorder or the Database Manager.

Richard Burness, County Recorder

27 December 2017

Target species

It has become clear after analysis of the county database that there is a downward trend of records received for some species. Whilst the number of records received annually does not necessarily reflect the population status of a particular species, it is s good indicator. It is easy to make assumptions about the variation in the number of records received – changes to the nature of habitats, the fall-off after a census year and changes to observer interests are just a few. However, it needs to be ascertained if the decline in received records reflects a real decrease in bird populations.

Other than those who report a complete list through Birdtrack there is a variation in the species which are reported by individual observers. We all have our favourites! It is hoped that the concept of “Target Species” will overcome this variation and provide a more complete picture of the abundance of certain species within the county. From next year (2018) birders will be asked to submit either every sighting or the breeding records of three selected species that will be notified before the beginning of the year. This is not an organised survey or census. Just a request to ensure that you report all your sightings or breeding evidence of the nominated species. Species under scrutiny in subsequent years will be notified well before the start of the year in question.

Analysis has shown some interesting trends. Whilst the norm is that a decrease in records received reflects a decrease in abundance that follows the national trend, that is not true of all species. Some appear to be increasing in Berkshire against the national trend and vice versa. Whether these are true population trends or a consequence of the many variables that impact on the recording process is unclear. A more structured approach by recording annually nominated species may help to resolve some of these anomalies.

From a list of species in apparent decline, three species have been selected as being in urgent need of population assessment. The target species for 2018 are:- Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe and Little Owl. We would like you to record and submit all breeding evidence of Little Grebe and Great Crested Grebe.  We would also like all sightings of Little Owl to be submitted. There are no census forms to complete. Just submit your records through your usual chosen medium.

Thank you for your help.

Richard Burness

County Recorder

The Berkshire Bird Record Database is the core information source used for research and reports on birds in Berkshire. Records come from a wide range of sources, including berksbirds, Birdtrack, some BTO schemes, the NDOC and other clubs and individuals. We have made the database accessible online to publish records more quickly and completely than is possible in annual reports, to make searching easier and to encourage research. Now online: 1996 – 2016. Go to our Bird Records Archive for more information.

Bookings are now open for the coach trip to Dungeness. Please book as soon as possible.

Contact Ray Reedman 01189864338 or email meander2@hotmail.com

On Wednesday 18th October, CRoW (Conservation in Reading on Wednesdays) will be working on the wetland habitat at Fobney Island: controlling the spread of Willow and Reedmace, opening paths etc. There is a lot to do and help from BOC members and others would be welcome. Tools will be provided by CRoW. Wellington boots advised.  Meet at 10:00 at the car park at Fobney Lock, just off Island Road.