{"id":90,"date":"2013-04-17T19:06:45","date_gmt":"2013-04-17T19:06:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ntbc.org.uk\/?page_id=90"},"modified":"2025-12-31T09:23:24","modified_gmt":"2025-12-31T09:23:24","slug":"surveys","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.ntbc.org.uk\/?page_id=90","title":{"rendered":"Surveys"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

 <\/p>\n

Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS)<\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

Monthly WeBS counts
\nof waterbirds.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Inland WeBS Tables
\n<\/strong>January-December 2025<\/a>
\nJanuary-December 2024<\/a>
\nJanuary-December 2023<\/a>
\nJanuary-December 2022<\/a>
\nJanuary-December 2021<\/a>
\nJan-Mar, May-Dec 2020<\/a>
\nJanuary-December 2019<\/a>
\nJanuary-December 2018<\/a>
\nJanuary-December 2017<\/a>
\nJanuary-December 2016<\/a>
\nJanuary-December 2015<\/a>
\nJanuary-December 2014<\/a>
\nJanuary-December 2013<\/a><\/p>\n

Coastal WeBS Tables<\/strong>
\nJanuary-December 2025<\/a>
\nJanuary-December 2024<\/a>
\nJanuary-December 2023<\/a>
\nJanuary-December 2022<\/a>
\nJanuary-December 2021<\/a>
\nJanuary-December 2020<\/a>
\nJanuary-December 2019<\/a>
\nJanuary-December 2018<\/a>
\nJanuary-December 2017<\/a>
\nJanuary-December 2016<\/a>
\nJanuary-December 2015<\/a>
\n<\/a>January-December 2014<\/a>
\n<\/a>January-December 2013<\/a><\/p>\n

International Swan Census
\n<\/strong>\u00bb International Swan Census 2015<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

WeBS Counts in Northumberland<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) is the scheme which monitors non-breeding waterbirds in the UK. The principal aims of WeBS are to identify population sizes, determine trends in numbers and distribution and to identify important sites for waterbirds. Continuing a tradition begun in 1947, around 3,000 volunteer counters participate in synchronised monthly counts at wetlands of all habitat types, mainly during the winter period.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Monthly counts by volunteers are made on almost all the important wetlands in the UK, with most counts in the winter and the majority on specific dates. In Northumberland monthly counts are undertaken at the following \u2018waterbodies\u2019:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    \r\n
  1. up to 47 inland waters<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
  2. Lindisfarne NNR<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
  3. around 85km of open coastline, and<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
  4. at the county\u2019s 5 major estuaries (Aln, Blyth, Coquet, Tweed and the Tyne)<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    The monthly counts in Northumberland involve up to 60 regular volunteer counters each month. At the moment all our sites have been \u2018taken\u2019 but if you would like to get involved at a future date please don\u2019t hesitate to contact one of our two Local Organisers:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    Inland Waters:<\/strong>\u00a0 Tim Daley \u00a0\u00a0Email:<\/strong>\u00a0 tim.birdman (at) gmail.com
    Coastal and estuarine:<\/strong>\u00a0 Kathy Evans \u00a0\u00a0Email:\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0kathyevans121 (at) gmail.com<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    WeBS is a partnership between the British Trust for Ornithology, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (the latter on behalf of the Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside, Natural Resources Wales, Natural England and Scottish Natural Heritage) in association with the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) and Waterways Breeding Bird Survey (WBBS)
    \u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    The BTO\/JNCC\/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey is the main scheme for monitoring the changing
    fortunes of the UK\u2019s common breeding birds, generating population trends used to set
    conservation priorities. In BBS, 1km squares are chosen randomly and cover all available
    habitats, reflecting the percentage of land use in the area. WBBS routes follow waterways using similar recording methods to BBS.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

    \r\n
    \"\"<\/a><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n

    After an initial reconnaissance visit in March to set up the transect routes, two early morning recording visits are required: \u2018Early\u2019 in April\/May; \u2018Late\u2019 in late May\/June, at least four weeks apart. All birds seen and heard should be recorded, as well as habitat details. There is also an optional mammal section to this. The object is to visit the site at the same time each year, or as close as possible, to enable comparisons to be made.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    To find out more about both these surveys visit the British Trust\u00a0for Ornithology\u2019s BBS website at\u00a0<\/em>\u00bb www.bto.org\/bbs<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) \u2013 2024<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    Although up to 100 squares have been surveyed at some time during the past 30 years a few sites have now become available due to retirements. Along with these, another 40 squares have also been assigned to Northumberland recently, leaving a long list of sites available.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    There are 30 available squares in a range of habitats. To find out more go to www.bto.org\/bbs<\/a>
    OR<\/strong> contact Muriel Cadwallender \u2013     tomandmurielcadwallender@hotmail.com<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    For a list of available squares\u00a0 \u00a0\u00bb Click Here<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    BTO Winter Gull Survey (WinGS)<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    We need your help in Northumberland.
    The Winter Gull Survey collects information about our wintering gull populations, through the coordinated effort of volunteer surveyors across the UK.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    The 2023\u20132025\u00a0WinGS will involve one core count in January 2024 or 2025, at known major \u2013 \u2018key\u2019 \u2013 roost sites, most of which will have been covered by previous surveys. Key roost sites will include large estuaries, lakes and reservoirs.\u00a0
    Gulls will be counted as they arrive to roost at dusk, and volunteers (often working as part of a team) will record the five commonest gull species in the UK (Black- headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull and Great Black-backed Gull) as well as less numerous gull species.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    To request sites, you will need to log in to the WinGS portal.\u00a0
    1. You will need a MyBTO account to log in to the WinGS portal. If you don\u2019t already have one, you can\u00a0create a     MyBTO<\/a> account now.
    2. Visit the\u00a0     WinGS Vacant Site Map<\/a> \u00a0to view and request sites in your area.
    3. The Key\u00a0Date for 2024 surveys is\u00a0January 21st.
    4. Counts can be conducted\u00a0a week before and after, as close to this key date as possible.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    In winter, gulls flock together to roost communally on lakes, reservoirs and estuaries, in groups that can reach the thousands.
    The Winter Gull Survey (WinGS) will run over the winters of 2023\/24 and 2024\/25 to collect\u00a0updated information on the numbers and distributions of these wintering gulls in the UK, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    Thanks for any help you can give.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    Tom Cadwallender and Kathy Evans
    (WinGS Coordinators for Northumberland)<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

    International Swan Census<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n

    The next ISC is scheduled for 17th-18th January 2026 and is a coordinated nationwide survey every 5\/6 years across the UK, Ireland and Iceland. This weekend coincides with the monthly Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) and the annual International Waterbird Census (IWC).<\/p>\r\n

    The BTO are the organising body for ISC and would like birders in Northumberland to look out for winter swans across the county, namely whoopers. If you register interest for a site through WeBS or GSMP (Goose and Swan Monitoring Programme), you can enter these data through BTO online. In addition to total count, it is requested to record the swan activity (feeding\/roosting), the habitat used and the number of immatures present, noting if possible, family groups.<\/p>\r\n

    If you would prefer, records can be sent directly to me at tim.birdman@gmail.com, adding the date, time and location details to the above, and I will enter these observations on your behalf.<\/p>\r\n

    As we know, whoopers are not restricted to water bodies in winter and are as likely to be seen in arable fields as anywhere. During December and early January, it may become apparent to birders in our region where this year\u2019s flocks are hanging out, so I would be grateful if our community could share these sightings via the whatsapp groups or to me by e-mail. Previous haunts popular with Whoopers have included the Tweed, Lindisfarne, Newton, Warkworth and Druridge Bay.<\/p>\r\n

    Latest updates suggest a good breeding season in Iceland this year although on the negative side, outbreaks of avian influenza have been confirmed in English flocks around the Ouse\/Nene Washes.<\/p>\r\n

    Tim Daley (coordinator Northumberland) Email: timbirdman@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

     <\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    WeBS Counts in Northumberland Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) is the scheme which monitors non-breeding waterbirds in the UK. The principal aims of WeBS are to identify population sizes, determine trends in numbers and distribution and to identify important sites for waterbirds. Continuing a tradition begun in 1947, around 3,000 volunteer counters participate in synchronised monthly […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":13,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-90","page","type-page","status-publish"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ntbc.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/90","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ntbc.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ntbc.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ntbc.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ntbc.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=90"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.ntbc.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/90\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14498,"href":"https:\/\/www.ntbc.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/90\/revisions\/14498"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ntbc.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ntbc.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=90"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}