- You don't need to live in the parish
- Submit as few or as many sightings as you wish
- Submit sightings just for a one or many months
- Record sightings in your garden, out walking, at work or any other occasion
- We need records of rare and common birds
Get involved
Brent
Bird
Survey
Please feel free to send your comments, questions or feedback via the form below
Contact us:
Photos by Steve Hopper
You can contact us through the form at the bottom of this page.
Take part in:
The Garden Birds of South Brent Parish
from October 2019 until the end of April 2020
During 2014–16, Brent Birders recorded the species seen and heard in all 52 1-km squares of the parish every month for three years and summarised the findings in The Birds of South Brent Parish published in 2018. The survey has continued since then, but only in January and May to represent winter and the breeding season. In addition, the Brent Birders garden Bird Survey (BBGBS) was launched in 2018 to encourage bird recording in gardens from October to April. The results from the first winter were circulated to participants and can also be downloaded from this website - see below and in the box to the lower left of this page.
Although only 25 people participated, the BBGBS provided very useful information on the number of gardens in which each species occurred, the numbers in which they occurred and monthly changes during the 2018–19 winter. Such a survey can also be used, alongside the January and March surveys, to monitor changes from year to year, and so we'd like to continue the survey in the 20019/20 winter and hopefully beyond.
The recording form and guidelines for the Garden Bird Survey can be downloaded here:
Recording Sheet (Excel) - for use if you want to email your results
Recording Sheet (pdf) - for use if you want to return your form by post/artworks
Participation. The survey is open to all. It is aimed at gardens in South Brent Parish, but this can be extended to include any within 1-km of the parish boundary.
Choosing a garden area. For our purposes a garden is an enclosed area of land adjacent to or surrounding a dwelling. Most people will want to record just from their own garden, but if you want to include the gardens of one or more neighbours that you can see from yours, that is acceptable, as also is just choosing part of your garden. Whatever area you choose, however, try to record from the same area each month.
Which birds to record. The list on the form includes almost all of those you're likely to see or hear. Any other can be added at the bottom. Only include birds that you consider are using your house or garden for perching, resting, bathing, feeding, nesting etc. Thus high soaring Buzzards, or Herring Gulls flying over, would normally be excluded, but hunting Sparrowhawks or murmurating Starlings would be included. If you have problems identifying a bird, please try to get a photo and/or provide a short description and get in touch (see below)
Filling in the form. Fill in your contact details and information about your garden in the top box on the form. Against each species indicate a P (for Present) if it occurred in that month OR give the maximum number seen at any one time during the month. Add any comments in the final column, or separately.
Returning your form. At the end of December, and again at the end of April please return your forms to either of the email addresses below, or if you'd prefer to send your data using paper forms please contact us to arrange a handover!
Further information. If you have and questions or need help or clarification please contact us at or fill in the contact form at the end of this page.
Books from Brent Birders
'The Birds of South Brent Parish' has now been joined by 'The Butterflies of South Brent Parish' and
'The Moths of South Brent Parish'
The Birds of South Brent Parish: The 244-page full-colour book presents results of the 3-year Brent Bird Survey as well as some historical records and recollections of South Brent birdlife going back to the earlier part of the 20th century. £17.50 from artworks or contact us using the form at the bottom of this page.
The Butterflies of South Brent Parish is based on data gathered during the bird survey lists and has distribution maps of 28 species. Peter Reay and Monica Hazell have contributed articles and the book is richly illustrated with photographs. £3.50 from artworks or contact us using the form at the bottom of this page.
The Moths of South Brent Parish lists nearly 600 species recorded in the parish together with distibution and flight period tables. Background articles and photographs provide a comprehensive view of the moths found in our parish. £5.00 from artworks or contact us using the form at the bottom of this page.
A crib sheet for breeding codes, grid references and square numbers
This Crib Sheet may be useful to all observers out there. It converts between Ordnance Grid References and the square numbering used by the Brent Bird Survey. It shows the geographic layout of the squares. It also shows the codes to be used in the breeding part of the survey.
I print it out in A6 size as this fits neatly inside the back cover of my field notebook but you can resize it to whatever page size you wish. If you're not sure how to do this let me (Phil) know. You can reach me either directly or via the "Contact Us" form at the bottom of this web page.
You can download the Crib Sheet here.
Meetings
Meetings are open to all. A small voluntary contribution is asked for to help pay for hire of the room and speakers fees/costs. Mid-talk refreshments are free.
Thursday 23rd January 2020 : "Wildlife Surveys and Developers: Where do birds fit in ?"
A talk by George Bemment who is an Ecological Surveyor and bat specialist. She will talk about the need for wildlife surveys before developments take place and how birds can be impacted and helped during works. See the poster on the right - or even click on it for a download! Time & place: 7.30 pm in the Old School Community Centre.
Thursday 27th February 2020: Richard Archer will talk on RSPB’s work on "Breeding Curlew Conservation on the Somerset Levels". Time & place: 7.30 pm in the Old School Community Centre.
