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Winter Atlas Survey: 2007/8 to 2010/11
Fieldworkers in Co Waterford are
contributing to this national survey (throughout Ireland and Britain) to map the distribution and relative abundance of wintering
birds throughout these islands. Although results of the national atlas will be presented at 10-km scale (10-km x 10-km
squares), much of the fieldwork will be done at a finer scale - collecting records within 2-km x 2-km tetrads. To take part, click Bird Atlas 2007-2011 (www.birdatlas.net) - see also the BirdWatch Ireland website for details of Irish coverage. See also a list of frequently-asked questions. Preliminary coverage & species maps are given
below. Latest update 2
March 2010.
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| NB: results from winter 2009/2010 not added yet |
Unlike
the Waterford Breeding Bird Atlas (full details here), winter atlas coverage in Waterford will probably not be complete, i.e. only a sample of 2-km tetrads will be surveyed fully.
(The basic requirement is 8 or more tetrads per 10-km square, or fewer in some coastal squares.) Full coverage
of a tetrads involves the Timed Tetrad Visit (TTV) method, i.e. two 1-hour counts, one during November-December
and one January-February. However, less-intensive coverage of other tetrads, using the Roving Records (RR)
method, will provide further information. If the coverage achieved by a combination of these methods is good
enough, it may be possible to produce detailed maps of winter bird distribution for Waterford.
Two full
seasons of winter coverage has been completed so far (1 Nov 2007 to 29 Feb 2008 & 2009), and the maps here
show coverage to date and provisional numbers of species recorded, excluding records yet to be submitted or compiled.
If you can help fill the gaps this winter or next, either by doing Timed Tetrad Visits (especially
for more experienced observers) or collecting Roving Records, or both, please get in touch - either
via the Bird Atlas 2007-2011 website or email the Waterford organiser, Paul Walsh.
August 2009 Britain & Ireland newsletter (added 12/08/2009 2.8 mB)
October 2008 national newsletter (0.9 mB)
March 2008 Atlas Newsletter (added 29/03/2008)
Winter coverage update: tetrads already allocated or covered
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| Update @ 12/02/2010 |
The map above shows the tetrads for which volunteer counters have already
'signed up' for (or completed) Timed Tetrad Visits. We need to cover at least 8 tetrads in each main square, or
all the eligible tetrads in any coastal squares that have fewer than 8 tetrads. 'Eligible' tetrads are those that have their midpoint either on dry land or
above Low Water Mark. So far, 186 specific tetrads (34% of county total) have been allocated for TTV coverage,
and at least 156 tetrads (29% of county total) have had 1 or 2 hour's winter coverage since November 2007.
As well
as Timed Tetrad Visits, volunteers are also needed to collect Roving Records - either in specific tetrads (e.g. near home)
or from any tetrads throughout the county. This will help build up fuller species lists for each tetrad and 10-km square.
See Bird Atlas 2007-2011, or email, to sign up.
Sample species maps
Maps below are based on data for the first two winters of atlas coverage (2007/08 & 2008/09).
Updated 16 December 2009.
Winter coverage update: preliminary species totals
Downloadable instructions
and forms for National Atlas
Click below for pdfs
(Time Tetrad Visit forms are not available unless you've been allocated a specific tetrad).
Introduction and how to help
Roving Records form
Timed Tetrad Visit instructions
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