BTO House Martin Survey 2016
This
survey will involve volunteers making regular observations at individual nests
to collect information about nesting activity.
The 2016 nest study has
different aims from 2015 count survey and so is NOT restricted to 'random'
pre-selected survey squares. Instead, you can select your own study site
anywhere where House Martins are nesting.
The study will be
therefore ideal for observers who have nests on their home or place of work -
including those who contributed to the 2009-13 survey.
How
can I help?
We need
volunteers who are able to observe one or more nests regularly through the
whole breeding season, i.e. from April to September, or exceptionally into
early October. You do not need to be able to climb ladders to look inside the
nests. Your observations made from ground level (or from a window) will
enable us to compare factors such as egg laying dates and breeding success at
different sites across the UK
How often will I need to monitor?
Ideally, you need to
be able to observe the nests for just a few minutes at least once a week to
record any activity seen. If you are able to watch the nest more
frequently, this will provide us with even more powerful information as we
will be able to make more accurate estimates of the egg laying dates and the
length of time before the young birds fledge.
