Background
Introduced in 1994, as a long term widespread annual survey across the United Kingdom, the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), is organised and funded by a partnership of the BTO, the RSPB and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee. It was developed from previous surveys carried out in the UK over a period of 35 years, and includes methods and practices derived from both European and American surveying experiences.

The main purpose of the BBS is to monitor the changes in bird population levels due to increasing pressures from human and industrial developments: e.g. housing developments and changing farming practices. This it does by using volunteers to gather data from 1 x 1 km squares, selected at random from 83 sampling regions in the UK. The initial target set in 1994 was for 1000 squares to be covered, progressing to 3000 squares as more volunteers became available.

Local involvement

The survey square including part of Tophill Low Nature Reserve area is TA-07-49. (See Map).

As identified in the Map the area covers the north end of the Tophill Low site, spreading west to include the Standingholme Farm
fields, and the eastern boundary of Decoy Wood.

Procedure
The area is visited three times each year, the first visit recording the various habitats by using a coding system defining each. For example: `D` Reservoir = G-4-1-2. This code informs the survey that `D` Reservoir is:

(G) water body
(4) lined reservoir
(1) undisturbed
(2) clear water

The second and third visit are concerned with gathering bird and mammal data, and are programmed for early April until late June, with a minimum of four weeks between visits. Every attempt is made each year to make the visits coincide as much as possible with the previous year`s dates.

The route (transect), taken for the survey, was defined in the first year, as close as possible to the ideal transects of the 1 x 1 km square identified on the map, but obviously taking into account any natural barriers or obstacles which might restrict access. Each of the defined transects was divided into 200m sections and numbered.

Recording
The recording process requires very slow walking of the route, simultaneously marking on a field record sheet all birds seen and/or heard, and the distance from the transect line. Any mammals seen are also noted on the record sheet, as is evidence of their presence (footprints etc) in a section.

On completion of visits 1 and 2, the information gathered on the field record sheets is transferred to summary sheets which require the recording of:

• each species
  
• in which section seen
  
• number seen in each section
  
• distance from transect line

A separate and less detailed sheet is completed for mammals observed, and this is forwarded by the BTO to relevant interested parties. These summary sheets are sent to the BTO organiser, who uses the data they contain for the production of an annual report.

Comment
Each year it is necessary to gain permission fro access to their sites from both JSR Farming (who farm the land to the west of the reserve) and Tophill Low management. Thanks to them for their continued support.

We also feel it important to identify the following:

• with regard to the Tophill Low part of the square, it is encouraging to note that the thinning out of areas of woodland, and the additional dense ground cover provided, have resulted in an increase in bird numbers recorded;

• it is gratifying to identify through conversation with the manager at JSR, who is responsible for environmental conservation, how the group is taking on board farming techniques intended to improve the lot of wildlife. For example: they have stopped ploughing right up to the field edges. They have also modified the times when hedgerows are cut, and the manner in which cutting is carried out. During the period of our involvement with the survey, we have also seen the planting of 4000 metres of new hedgerow in our square alone.

Results
A glance at the summary sheets for the last few years shows between 39 - 52 species being recorded. Each year the `regulars` in each section put in an appearance, resulting in comments such as: `there`s the yellow wag`; `ah good, the swifts are back`; `wheres the Dunnock?- it`s usually in section10`.

Martin Slingsby