Birdtrack Spring 2005

BirdTrack was launched in August 2004 as a collaborative project between the BTO, RSPB and Birdwatch Ireland. It has superseded the BTO's successful Migration Watch project which monitored spring migration in 2002-2004. It aims to draw together lists from birdwatchers throughout

the year to record patterns of spring and autumn migration and to provide data on the status of scarce species that are not well covered by other monitoring schemes.

Observers are able to enter, store and recall their bird lists through the BirdTrack website (www.birdtrack.net). The proportion of lists recording a particular species has been found to be a simple but powerful method of documenting migration patterns when large numbers of birdwatchers combine their efforts. The BTO, who organise BirdTrack,

produce regional and national results on the website for everyone to look at, not just BirdTrack recorders. These include animated maps showing the arrival and departure of migrants and the seasonal movements of birds. Also, records of uncommon species, e.g. Water Rail, Woodcock, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Hawfinch, will be

used to build up a picture of their distribution over the year.
BirdTrack will be further developed to provide a comprehensive bird recording scheme for birdwatchers to store all their bird records. Links are being established with bird clubs and county bird recorders to ensure records submitted through BirdTrack are made available for use at local level. With the recorders permission, all of their records will automatically be forwarded to the relevant county recorder.

The success of BirdTrack depends on the submission of large numbers of birdwatching lists throughout the year from all over Britain and Ireland. As the proportion of lists with a particular species provides a good measure of frequency of occurrence and can be used for population monitoring, complete lists of all species seen or heard are preferred to

partial lists of selected species. However, incomplete lists and casual records can also be submitted as these will contribute to the information used to increase the understanding of bird populations.

By taking part in BirdTrack, you will make better use of your bird sightings and be able to view and manage your own records. Visit the Birdtrack website (www.birdtrack.net) to register as a recorder (no charge). Migration Watch recorders should use their same name and password. For new users of the website, there are a few simple steps to follow before becoming set up as a recorder.

Keith Woods NW Lancs. BTO Representative