With the increasing availability of information and with increasing personal confidence, many observers are recording birds to subspecies level. As the return wader migration gets into full swing, and with passerines soon to follow, it is timely to remind observers of the associated pitfalls. The mix of age and moult plumages of the birds that we experience in the autumn does not render them so readily to precise subspecific identification as in the spring (and even spring plumages have their problems!). Records claiming ID to subspecies level are subject to scrutiny by the Recorder and the Berkshire Records Committee. Records should be accompanied by supporting evidence. Short notes may suffice but a description and/or good quality photographs are preferred.

Good birding!

Richard Burness

Berkshire Recorder

09/08/2017

Each autumn County and Regional Recorders are asked to provide breeding records from the previous year to the Rare Breeding Birds Panel (RBBP). The panel has been established to collate and archive records, and to report on the definitive status of the species that meet the criteria of rare breeders within the UK.

What is a “rare breeding bird”? All regularly breeding species with sustained populations estimated at fewer than 2,000 in a typical year qualify for inclusion. Within this numerical limit there are other factors (a species in decline, a population in need of monitoring, a species of further international importance etc.) that support inclusion. It is, of course, the rare and exotic that attract most attention and interest – during this current year there are at least six pairs of Black-winged Stilts nesting in southeast England and Cattle Egrets are now established in two counties.

However, a close look at the criteria will reveal that several “common” species also qualify; Pochard, Dartford Warbler and Hobby to name but three. The term “breeding” is also subject to a number of qualifiers – confirmed breeding, probable breeding, possible breeding, single singers etc. So that lone Shoveler you saw during June or that Water Rail “sharming” during July may well both qualify.

The Recorder has to submit the return for 2016 by November of this year and his main sources of information are the records that you provide annually to the BOC database. If you have not yet submitted your annual spreadsheet he would be grateful for it as soon as possible, providing as much evidence of breeding activity as you can (records@berksoc.org.uk) . If you submit your records via Birdtrack you will find a guide to submitting breeding records by that route and the Panel’s species list on the RBBP web site.

All records of rare or unusual breeding species are important, though some will not be made public: see the BOC confidentiality policy for sensitive species

Following many objections to it,West Berkshire Council have refused the planning application to build over 200 houses on the edge of Theale Main Lake (also known as Burghfield Lake). We welcome the Council’s decision. The BOC had lodged objections to the proposed development, which would have had a major impact on Berkshire’s core Nightingale population. Should the decision go to appeal, we will continue to fight for the protection of this valuable Local Wildlife Site.

For more detail, download the BOC’s submission and the Council’s reasons for refusal.

Sadly I have to inform you of the recent death of Ken Gilbert. Ken was a long standing member of the Club, having joined back in 1988 and only recently ceased his membership. Some of you may remember that he used to sell bird food at our indoor meetings for many years – I seem to recollect that he finally gave up the job when he found that the local rodents were becoming too troublesome! Ken was also a great supporter of the Theale Group (TABCG), attending many work parties over the years until he was no longer able, and continued to audit their accounts until this year.

His funeral is delayed as his daughter and her family are in Canada and will be held at Reading Crematorium on Tuesday 4th July at 1.30pm.

Ted Rogers

A message from the County Recorder

We are now entering the second quarter of 2017. Time, perhaps, for a gentle reminder to those who submit records to myself or the database manager via an annual spreadsheet (or by hard copy) that now would be a good time to send in your 2016 records. The data you provide are used for several purposes, not just the Annual Review, and timeliness of submission enables me to achieve deadlines for other reports and outcomes. There is, of course, no need to wait until the end of each year as the records can be imported into the database at any time. Try monthly or quarterly. I should also remind you that the more information you can provide the better. The more we can put into the database the more we, and others, can get out of it. So please use the remarks column to note any activity – were the birds singing, calling, showing nesting activity, flying (if so, in which direction)? The importance of submitting negative records should also be highlighted. Only by noting absences will we be able to identify the next species to follow the Tree Sparrow, the Willow Tit, and the Lesser-spotted Woodpecker into decline.

For more information go to our submitting records page.

Richard Burness

County Recorder for Berkshire

email to: records@berksoc.org.uk

post to: Richard Burness, 20 Burlsdon Way, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 2PH.

Despite Mute Swans being a familiar presence in our countryside, some aspects of their biology are poorly understood. One of these is its productivity: how many young does each pair raise in a year? Professor Chris Perrins, University of Oxford, is carrying out a survey of swan productivity this year. He asks people who live close to a breeding pair to keep a diary of that pair’s breeding attempt. Download the survey form for more information.

Please note that an extra coach trip is available on 9th April with Wokingham and Bracknell RSPB. Early booking is advisable. If there is sufficient demand Ian Payne will organise a 7 a.m. pick up at Whiteknights main gate before continuing to the official start at Fichampstead.

Also there is a change of date due to unexpected commitments by the leader. The trip to Bentley Wood, will now be on the Thursday 24th May, which may well be better for the rare butterflies found there.