Sunday 18th July 2010

These maps include all 2008 and 2009 SOS breeding records, as well as all TTV, Birdtrack and roving records from the first two Atlas breeding season periods. They do not include ANY records from the 2010 breeding season. No BTO Garden BirdWatch data are included, and whilst some WeBS data (those which are attributable to a 1-km square) and 2008 and 2009 BBS data are included, such data do not include breeding evidence. Therefore we would ask that you put in separate roving records, with breeding evidence, for any breeding species that you see whilst in your garden or during a BBS or WeBS count. These maps do not include any records from the nest record scheme or the ringing scheme (some of these records will be incorporated at a later date) and .

LINNET – First two breeding seasons provisional distribution map.

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Linnet has so far been recorded in 527 tetrads, but breeding has only been confirmed in about an eighth of these, so there is plenty of scope to upgrade breeding evidence. As these birds have up to three broods a year, there is still time to record evidence of breeding well into August.

Linnets nest semi-colonially with each pair defending a small area around the nest, and they forage in flocks up to 3 km from the nest site. As nestlings are fed on regurgitated seeds, records of adults carrying food for young are unlikely. Your best chances of confirming breeding are to record activity at nest sites, such as entering apparently occupied nests (ON). Nests are often in hedges, brambles or wild roses up against a bank, wall or fence, or in gorse on heathlands, or in young conifers. They may be located in gardens, parks or the wider countryside. Look out for very newly fledged young which are clearly still dependent on adults and which appear to be still close to a probable nest site (FL). Both codes denote confirmed breeding.

More than some, this is a species which probably requires patience if breeding evidence is to be recorded! Do check suitable nesting areas where you have regularly seen them.

RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE – First two breeding seasons provisional distribution map.

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Red-legged Partridge has so far been recorded in 199 tetrads, but breeding has been confirmed in a mere 14 of them. As with Pheasant (see Map of the Week for 20th June) the coming weeks are a good time to record juveniles still dependent on adults (FL = confirmed breeding). The young will probably have hatched in late May/June and they take about 7 to 9 weeks to grow fully, although they can fly (just) after about 10 days. They are fairly sedentary and will stay as small family groups, typically of two to five adults plus their young, into the winter.

GADWALL – First two breeding seasons provisional distribution map.

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Gadwall has so far been recorded in 42 tetrads, but breeding has only been confirmed in four of them, although probable breeding has been recorded in another 16 tetrads. A freshwater duck, this species is fairly gregarious when breeding, so if you do see a group of them look carefully for breeding evidence. Eggs will have been laid in May (or possibly early June). They will have hatched after about 25 days, i.e in June, and the young fledge after 45-50 days. Therefore look out from now into August for unfledged young still dependent on their mother (FL = confirmed breeding).

Gadwall, along with Shoveler and Pochard, is one of a number of species for which our records are sent to the Rare Breeding Birds Panel, so we are particularly keen to get as full a picture as possible of its breeding status.

Not sure of what the various breeding status codes are? Click here:
www.bto.org/birdatlas/taking_part/bevidence.htm