Sunday 7th June 2009

These maps include all 2008 SOS records, as well as 2008 TTV, Birdtrack and roving records. The maps do not include ANY records from Garden Birdwatch, the BBS, the nest record scheme or the ringing scheme. These records will be incorporated at a later date.

STOCK DOVE – First breeding season (Apr – Jul 2008) provisional distribution map.

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Stock Doves usually nest in tree holes, but also nest in holes in cliffs, quarries and uninhabited buildings, and in nest boxes. Breeding activity peaks this month, but occurs from February to September, so breeding evidence can be obtained over a long period. So far this species has been recorded in 28% of the county’s tetrads, but breeding has only been confirmed in 4% of tetrads, with probable and possible breeding recorded in a further 9% of tetrads each.

TURTLE DOVE – First breeding season (Apr – Jul 2008) provisional distribution map.

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Listen out for the purring song of Turtle Dove (Singing = possible breeding) and if you hear its song in the same place a week or more later upgrade your record to T (Territory = probable breeding). So far we have records of Turtle Dove in 12.5% (130) of the county’s tetrads, but only have records of confirmed breeding in two tetrads and of probable breeding in another 37 tetrads. First clutches of eggs were probably laid in early May so nestlings should have hatched by now, but breeding can continue into August, so do look out for all kinds of breeding evidence over the next two months.

STARLING – First breeding season (Apr – Jul 2008) provisional distribution map.

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Starlings have been recorded in 45% of the county’s tetrads, with breeding confirmed in 21% of them. Now is a good time to record Starlings collecting food for youngsters still in the nest (FF) or to see family parties feeding with young birds still dependent on adults (FL) – both codes denote confirmed breeding.

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