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The First Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland: 1968-1972.

Dataset homepage

Citation

National Biodiversity Data Centre. The First Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland: 1968-1972… Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/obo8nz accessed via GBIF.org on 2019-12-09.

Description

A dataset of the distribution of the breeding birds of Britain & Ireland from 1968 to 1972, generated using a list of the species observed within each 10km square over the survey period.

Purpose

To compile as complete a breeding species list as possible for every 10-km square in Britain and Ireland, to enable distributional patterns across the region to be detected.

Sampling Description

Quality Control

All the data was checked and validated as part of the atlas project. The list and number of species recorded in each 10-km square are as complete as they can be. Clearly those squares visited for less time (especially the more remote areas) are likely to have fewer species recorded and it is the rarer and more elusive species (eg nocturnal) ones which will not be recorded in these circumstances. However the maps as published are considered a true representation of the distribution of the species at a national level, while accepting that there will be some gaps in individual squares.

Method steps

  1. Specific fieldwork was conducted by mainly volunteer observers although professional help was used in some remoter areas. Observers were asked to visit each 10-km square and record the presence of as many species as they could find and to note whether they were Possibly breeding (column 1) e.g. seen in the correct habitat, Probably breeding (column 2) e.g. holding territory, visiting probable nestsite, or Confirmed breeding (column 3) e.g. seen carrying food, recent fledglings, nest with eggs or young found. The stated objective was to get as many species into column 3 as possible. The dataset records the maximum category of breeding evidence obtained for each species in each 10-km square. To make the dataset directly comparable to the second BTO/SOC/IWC Breeding Atlas 1988-91 these were converted into S – Seen (for Possibly Breeding) or B – Breeding (for Probably and Confirmed Breeding).

Additional info

Full details of the methods used in the field, how fieldwork was organised and the interpretation of the maps is provided in the published atlas Sharrock, J.T.R. (ed.) (1976) The Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland. T. & A.D. Poyser, Calton or from the British Trust for Ornithology website at www.bto.org/birdatlas/previous/old_methods.htm. Specific queries as they relate to the Republic of Ireland should be made to BirdWatch Ireland www.birdwatchireland.ie

Taxonomic Coverages

Geographic Coverages

This datasets contains data only for the island of Ireland, but is part of the larger Britain and Ireland master dataset held by the British Trust for Ornithology at Thetford, U.K. All 10-km squares within the island of Ireland with more than a very small amount of land were visited.

Bibliographic Citations

Contacts

Olivia Crowe
originator
BirdWatch Ireland
Unit 20, Block D, Bullford Business Campus, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow, Ireland
IE
Telephone: 353 (0)1 2819878
email: ocrowe@birdwatchireland.ie
homepage: http://www.birdwatchireland.ie/
metadata author
National Biodiversity Data Centre, Ireland
Beechfield house, Carriganore WIT West Campus
Waterford
County Waterford
IE
Telephone: +353 (0)51 306 240
email: info@biodiversityireland.ie
homepage: http://www.biodiversityireland.ie/
Barry O'Neill
administrative point of contact
National Biodiversity Data Centre, Ireland
Beechfield house, Carriganore WIT West Campus
Waterford
County Waterford
IE
Telephone: +353 (0)51 306 240
email: boneill@biodiversityireland.ie
homepage: http://www.biodiversityireland.ie/
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