As in September, the walk will be led by ornithologist and Lothian Bird Recorder Stephen Welch.
Stephen writes:
”The focus of this walk will be a training in recording of breeding evidence using BTO Codes (if not previously encountered it would be useful to be aware with the essential definitions on BTO website: https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/birdatlas/methods/breeding-evidence ); these codes are the bedrock of breeding bird recording, but the practicalities vary enormously between species, depending on patterns of song (advertising calls), nature of calls of juveniles and the form and visibility of nest structures. For example, most juvenile passerines are fairly vocal, though based on calls alone it may be difficult to distinguish between them, e.g. begging Blue and Great Tits, but adults will of course always be feeding them, while nests of crows and pigeons are often easy to see and often provide certain confirmation of prior breeding, even when young have already fledged. So we will be recording a full species list and trying to maximise the numbers of confirmed, probable and possible breeders, in that order.”
Binoculars will be useful, though not essential. We may be using the Merlin app and it might be worth installing it in your phone if you are coming.
All are welcome. Non-members will be asked to make a small donation — or better still become members! Please write to <chair@friendsofcaltonhill.org> to reserve a place.