Bearded Tit National Survey in Britain 2002

Quality Control

These data have been gathered by trained field-workers and the data are of a high quality. These data have been mapped and checked for sensitivities and typographical/geographical errors.

Method steps

1. Methods were derived from the RSPB monitoring manual. Three preliminary visits were made in mid-late March to identify areas of activity. These were conducted within 3 hours of sunrise on clear windless days. Areas identified by these surveys were then revisited in April and May, with observers spending at least one hour per week watching the survey area. Feeding flights and destinations of adults returning with food were recorded to determine the number of nesting birds.
   
   A confirmed nest site is one where either:
   (a) Adults are observed returning with food to the same specific location (about 10 m x 10 m) during three or more separate observation periods, or
   (b) An adult is seen returning with food and leaving the same small area with a faecal sac.
   
   A probable nest site is one where either:
   (a) Adults have been observed returning to the same general location during three or more separate observation periods, or
   (b) An accumulation of adult sightings, calls and observations of juveniles suggests that a pair are nesting or have nested in a particular part of the reedbed.

Complete coverage of Britain, with the caveat regarding the Tay Estuary discussed above. Records are given at the best possible resolution, generally 100m.