MOD Bird Survey

MOD Bird Count on Track

The evolution of the MOD Bird Count from an annual single day’s survey in May to a simple yet scientific survey that contributes to the national monitoring of birds in Britain, is almost complete. We have reached a stage where every site of MOD real estate, whether a large training area, firing range or built-up barracks can electronically submit bird counts to Defence Estates. This is done via the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) through BirdTrack – an online bird recording scheme. Not only are bird surveyors helping Defence Estates to monitor distribution and densities of wild birds on the estate, but our data contributes on a national scale in partnership between BTO, RSPB and BirdWatch Ireland. This is no exclusive scheme for the hard-line birder! It suits all levels of birdwatcher – just a little ID skill required! Over the last 10 years I’ve seen almost as many changes to the Bird Count – what’s BTO’s BirdTrack going to do for us the MOD Bird Count surveyors and am I ever going to see a return on my hard won bird lists?.

BirdTrack is a year round recording scheme that will use the data from our Bird Count records to support conservation at local, national and international scales.

Aswell as being able to record birds on the defence estate, BirdTrack will be able to show us how that data contributes to the national picture including the mapping, migration and movement of birds across the country. Better still, once registered, BirdTrack will hold all our data whether submitted as individual sightings or as comprehensive lists, and we will be able to add data as frequently as often as necessary.

The partnership with BTO and the use of BirdTrack is a massive step forward. However, as always, it is totally reliant on the volunteer who goes out onto the training area or walks around the barracks and carefully records the birdlife on our estate. As a Conservation Group or as an individual ‘MOD Bird Counter ‘ please encourage as many people as possible to support the project by putting their bird records on BirdTrack.

For more information please contact Clare Backman on 94381 2877 or 01985 222877, your local Conservation Group or any of the Service bird watching societies.

Roger Dickey