A call for confirmed breeding bird records for the European Breeding Birds Atlas

Over the last few years the BTO has been contributing UK breeding bird data to the second European Breeding Birds Atlas (EBBA2) - from BirdTrack and from other sources (e.g. BBS and ringing), where breeding status information is available. Fieldwork for this ambitious Europe-wide project is being undertaken between 2013 and 2017. Breeding species are being mapped at a large 50km x 50km square level.

In Pembrokeshire two 50km x 50 km squares cover our entire area for the European Atlas. One (following an east-west line) is to the south of St David's; the other is to the north of St David's. A good proportion of species recorded across Pembs already have confirmed breeding status. However, some species in the two EBBA2 Pembrokeshire squares still lack "confirmed breeding status" during 2013-2017 period; several have no recorded breeding status at all (see the two tables below).

Records are needed from just two 50km x 50km squares in Pembs

Goldcrest - no "confirmed" breeding evidence reported yet in either square

Starling - one of  several species with "no breeding evidence" recorded

With many species now fledging young across the county, this is quite a good time to try and target any of the particular species listed below, in order to improve records of their breeding status for the European atlas. Of course some species breed in very low numbers, and/or in restricted habitat, and so it could be a bit more tricky to obtain confirmed breeding evidence for these. However, by adding records of any of the listed species to BirdTrack, including important information on the highest breeding status observed, this will be a very useful contribution to the EBBA2 project anyway.

If you've already been birding in other European countries (including other parts of Britain & Ireland), or are planning to do so this summer, the breeding records you obtain might be useful for the Atlas.

For more information here is a link to the EBBA2 project.

Species lacking confirmed breeding status in the second European Breeding Birds Atlas

  South Pembs area (south of St David’s Head)  

Species	Most recently reported breeding status
Cuckoo	Probable breeding - territoriality over 1 week
Goldcrest	Probable breeding - adult with brood patch
Grasshopper Warbler	Probable breeding - territoriality over 1 week
Lesser Redpoll	Probable breeding - territoriality over 1 week
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker	Possible breeding  - seen in suitable nesting habitat
Lesser Whitethroat	Probable breeding - territoriality over 1 week
Little Egret	Probable breeding - territoriality over 1 week
Pied Flycatcher	No breeding status recorded
Red­-legged Partridge	No breeding status recorded
Redstart	Probable breeding  - agitated behaviour/anxiety calls
Siskin	Probable breeding - courtship and display
Tree Pipit	Probable breeding - territoriality over 1 week
Willow Tit	Probable breeding - territoriality over 1 week
Wood Warbler	Probable breeding - territoriality over 1 week

  North Pembs area (north of St David’s Head)

Species	Most recently reported breeding status
Black Guillemot	No breeding status recorded
Bullfinch	Probable breeding  - adult with brood patch
Cetti's Warbler	Probable breeding - adult with brood patch
Collared Dove	Probable breeding  - courtship and display
Coot	No breeding status recorded
Cuckoo	Probable breeding - territoriality over 1 week
Garden Warbler	Probable breeding - adult with brood patch
Goldcrest	Probable breeding - adult with brood patch
Goosander	Probable breeding  - pair present in suitable habitat
Grasshopper Warbler	Probable breeding - adult with brood patch
Great Crested Grebe	No breeding status recorded
Greylag Goose	No breeding status recorded
Jay	Probable breeding - adult with brood patch
Kingfisher	No breeding status recorded
Lesser Redpoll	Probable breeding - courtship and display
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker	No breeding status recorded
Lesser Whitethroat	Probable breeding - adult with brood patch
Little Grebe	No breeding status recorded
Little Owl	No breeding status recorded
Pheasant	Probable breeding  - agitated behaviour/anxiety calls
Puffin	No breeding status recorded
Red­-legged Partridge	No breeding status recorded
Reed Bunting	Probable breeding - adult with brood patch
Sand Martin	Probable breeding  - nest building/excavating
Skylark	Probable breeding - courtship and display
Sparrowhawk	Probable breeding - courtship and display
Starling	No breeding status recorded
Swift	Probable breeding  - visiting probable nest site
Tree Pipit	Probable breeding - territoriality over 1 week
Water Rail	No breeding status recorded
Wood Warbler	Possible breeding  - singing/breeding calls heard
Yellowhammer	Probable breeding - pair present in suitable habitat