Bird Survey Techniques

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate ability and competency in carrying out a range of bird surveys and their associated techniques.
• Evaluate a range of survey methods for birds.

Who Should Attend? – Natural history enthusiasts, students, rangers, ecologists, and environmental professionals. Anyone with an interest in bird surveys as an amateur or professional worker.

Prior Knowledge– A good knowledge of bird identification will be useful– although we will cover some of this on the course

Knowledge Level – Intermediate. Level descriptors can be found on the following web-page:  Framework and Course Level Descriptors

Accommodation and meal options

For some course runs at Field Studies Council Centres, there may be the option to book accommodation with your course. If accommodation is available, there will be two booking options:

• Non-Resident
• Resident (Sole Occupancy)

If you choose a Non-Resident booking, this only includes course tuition and refreshments (tea and coffee). Please bring your own packed lunch.

If you choose a Resident (Sole Occupancy) booking, this includes accommodation with your own bedroom for one night and meals throughout the course. This includes accommodation and an evening meal on the Tuesday night, with breakfast and a packed lunch on the Wednesday.

If your booking has more than one person and you would like a shared room, please email [email protected] to inquire.

Please be aware that you are visiting a Field Centre that caters in the main for school parties; the accommodation is basic and dormitory style, but warm and comfortable. Please also note that bathrooms may be shared.

Please note: Refreshments (tea and coffee) will be available. If we are unable to reach viable numbers for this course, we will inform you of the course cancellation 4-5 weeks prior to the course run. We would recommend when purchasing accommodation and/or travel you should take out your own insurance.

Bookings will close if course capacity is reached. 

Please email [email protected] if you have any questions.

Carl Chapman

Carl Chapman is a qualified ornithologist and has run his company Wildlife Tours and Education since 2008. He is also the County Sea Mammal Recorder (Cetaceans and Pinnipeds) as well as the Regional Coordinator for Sea Watch Foundation.

This course will involve both classroom learning and field excursions to cover all of the learning objectives.

If you are not purchasing accommodation, lunch is not included so please bring your own food. Refreshments (tea and coffee) will be provided for all.

Timetable

(Please note that this timetable may change)

Day 1 - Starts 10am
Introductions
Discussion around identification
Why Survey Birds
Definitions
Types of Survey
Aims of a bird survey
Tea Break
Methods
Errors and Bias
Additional Survey Methods
Lunch 
Territory Mapping
Distance Sampling
Single Species and Ringing
Finish 5pm

Day 2 - Starts 10am
Survey of an area
Lunch 
Results of Survey
Identification issues

Finish 5pm

• 
  Expert Tuition

The course has been carefully created by expert tutors and educators to help you build your knowledge and apply it within the field surrounded by like-minded individuals.

The course includes:

• Classroom learning covering the theory of the species
• Field excursions to apply new knowledge
• Expert tuition for which the Field Studies Council is renowned
• Clear objectives and progression
• Refreshments (tea/coffee)

You can rest assured that the absolute best content from an expert in environmental education will be provided. In choosing a Field Studies Council course, you will be joining thousands of people who learn with us each year.

Student Discount

This course is eligible for a student discount. If you are a current student, please use discount code BioStudent20 at checkout for 20% off all Biodiversity courses.

Natural History Bursaries

There are a number of natural history bursaries available to help with the cost of your course. To find out if you and your chosen course are eligible, read more here.

There will be a member of staff with first aid training and access to a first aid kit on site. If you have special medical or access requirements, please let us know as soon as possible so we can make any necessary adjustments.

What to Bring

• Binoculars are essential, preferably between 8x30 and 10x50 – 8x40 are ideal
• You may wish to bring a telescope if you have one
• Your preferred Field Guide
• Notebook and pen/pencil
• Warm waterproof clothing and walking boots or similar sturdy footwear.
• A sandwich box, flask and/or water bottle and a rucksack or similar to carry your kit.

Recommended Reading

• Bibby et al (2000). “Bird Census Techniques”. 2nd edition Academic Press.
• Gilbert et al (1998). “Bird Monitoring Methods”. RSPB.
• Sutherland W J (2006). “Ecological Census Techniques”. Cambridge University Press.
• Svensson, Mullarney and Zetterstrom (2022) “Collins Bird Guide” 3rd edition. Collins. The first and second editions are perfectly useable but have older taxonomic organisation.