Suffolk Bird Recording

Introduction

Recording the birds you see, and reporting this information, is a vital part of bird-watching. Not only do scientists frequently make use of this data, but the annual Suffolk Bird Report could not be written without this data. This page explains what should be reported and to whom.

Who should I report to?

Records are requested to submitted in one of three following methods. The first is to send a spreadsheet directly to the relevant area recorders There are three recordering areas in Suffolk:

West: Chris Gregory bird-w@sns.org.uk

North-east: Richard Walden bird-ne@sns.org.uk

South-east: Gi Grieco / Steve Fryett bird-se@sns.org.uk

The map below shows the areas and gives full contact details for the recorders:

The following two methods of submitting records are through two external organisations, BTO and eBird. This data can be extracted and sent to the respective area recorders at the end of the year.

The BTO have designed a database into which they would like all bird records entered. You can do this online via the BirdTrack website or on your phone via the BirdTrack app. The website can be found here: BTO's BirdTrack.

Many birders now use eBird as they can record species from trips abroad. For 2023 we are now able to use the data from Suffolk to be used for the Suffolk Bird Report. The website can be found here: eBird.

Additional bird records

Ringed Birds

Bird ringing is a massive topic and there are a large number of ringing schemes for different species located all over the world. You can start by searching the website below for the species and types of rings in order to determine how to report:

EU Bird Ringing

Dead birds

For birds of prey, there is a national monitoring scheme which will send you a box into which you can place your dead bird of prey and you can then post the box (at no cost) back to the monitoring scheme. It might take a while, but you will eventually receive a post-mortem report on the bird. Details are here:

Predatory Bird Monitoring Scheme

Please take appropriate precautions when handling dead birds and be aware that there can be outbreaks of bird flu during which dead birds should not be touched.

Guide to species

As a reminder, the following species were moved recently from category 3 to 2: Golden Oriole and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (the latter away from the Cavenham and Brandon/Santon Downham areas).

At the beginning of 2023 there have been some further changes in categories:

Moving from 2 to 1 is Aquatic Warbler. This is where it should have been for some years – a BBRC description species.

Moving from 3 ‘down’ to 2 are Leach’s Petrel, Roseate Tern (with avian influenza in mind), Pectoral Sandpiper, Temminck’s Stint and Twite. All will now need SORC ratification.

Moving from 2 to 3 are White Stork, Bee-eater, Black-throated Diver and Grey Phalarope. For the last two of these species this reverses a recent decision, and descriptions may still be requested in some situations.

Key:

1 National Rarity – detailed description required.

2 County Rarity – notes detailing observation will always be required.

3 All records requested – supporting notes may be requested.

4 Specific records – records of breeding, large counts, earliest/latest dates, unusual inland records or migration/weather-related movements requested.

Suffolk species category 2023