Ashdown Forest Bird Group Website - A resource for recording birds on Ashdown Forest

Recording on the Ashdown Forest

Introduction

The SOS and BTO require us to utilitise the following codes. There are two types of code that we are required to use when recording bird species on the Ashdown Forest. The first is "Behaviour" codes and the second is "Record Type" codes. A description for each group, including the codes, are supplied below.

Behaviour Codes

These codes mainly deal with behaviour and whether the bird is breeding or not. It is important to use these codes so a better picture can be drawn up of what the bird is doing at that particular moment in time.

C - Confirmed (unspecified) PR - PRobably breeding (unspecified) PS - PoSsibly breeding (unspecified) X - unknown

DD - Distraction-Display or injury feigning
UN - Used Nest or recent broken eggshell
FL - recently Fledged young
ON - Occupied Nest
FF - Faecal sac or Food carrying to nest
NE - nest with eggs
NY - Nest with Young P - Pair in suitable habitat
T - Territory holding 1+ week apart
D - Display observed in habitat
N - visiting probable Nest site
A - Agitated behaviour pos. of nesting
I - Incubation patch (mainly for ringers)
B - nest Building or hole excavation H - observation in suitable habitat
S - Singing male or breeding calls
W - Winter record M - migrant record
U - nonbreeding sUmmer record

Breeding Status codes are broken down into 4 groups; Confirmed, Probable, Possibly and Unknown (or non-breeding). You can still use C, PR, PS and X if needed.

Record Type Codes

Although not a new idea for recording, the record type code allows a recorder to specify the duration of the records submitted. The codes are as follows:

Record Type Codes
A	Actual Count (If NO count put P for present)
MX	Month Max
MT	Monthly Total
PT	Period Total
QT	Quarter Total
SP	Spring Total
AP	Autumn Total
YT	Year Total

This code is NOT COMPULSORY, if the record type code is omitted then A is assumed!

You can use these codes at any time. We would suggest, however, that you still record each species as and when you find them (with a 6-figure grid reference) and only use these codes to give expanded counts.

However, if you have limited time or mobility and still want to do some recording then please use these codes giving a count for each species, but without the 6-figure grid reference. You do need to make sure that you put in, and stick to, the location name at the top of the recording form as we can generate a 4-figure grid reference for your records.

Thank you for reading this, I hope it comes in useful! -- Peter Johnson

LAST UPDATED: 14/01/2008