Surveyors needed urgently ? Black Redstarts

The ROC is arranging a further survey of Black Redstarts in Reading Town Centre this year. We invite all members to watch for the birds on all town centre visits and submit their findings and very early morning is by far the best time to look and listen. John Lerpiniere is planning to survey the area, or part of it on 17th April and on 1st May and needs your help on those days or others.

Sundays are chosen because they are the quietest days when there is a greater chance of hearing the song. The plan is to encourage members to survey any part of the town centre, say from the prison in the east to the swimming baths in the west for as long as possible and meet around 7.30 a.m. at the top of Garrard Street car park which offers a vantage point over many town roofs to discuss findings and next actions. You may be charged for entry to the car park so use of other places may be more economical.

We urge members to help with this survey. Black redstarts are featured in the proposed Reading Borough Council?s Biodiversity Action Plan due to their tenuous hold here and we need to understand the status of the bird.

For more details of the 2004 results, the salient points about the bird and its behaviour etc. see John’s note in the Survey section of the website. John can be contacted on johnle@sagainternet.co.uk or on 0118 942 6225

Colin Wilson –