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Atlas 2007-2011 - an overview
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Winter atlas Nov 2007 – Feb 2011,
–
Breeding atlas April 2008 – July 2011
The last
Atlas Survey in Hampshire was undertaken during the period 1986-91.
The aim of that survey was to map the distribution of all
Hampshire’s breeding birds on a tetrad basis (2 x 2km grid), and to
update the information provided by the 1968-72 national Atlas of
Breeding Birds (10 x 10km basis). The survey was intentionally
carried out alongside the national New Breeding Atlas survey
of 1988-91, and no attempt was made to map relative abundance, or to
survey distributions outside the breeding season. Results of the
survey were incorporated in the Birds of Hampshire book
published by HOS in 1993. At that time, we had in mind that a
Hampshire survey of breeding bird distribution should probably be
repeated every 20 years or so, and this has fitted in nicely with
the current national Bird Atlas 2007-2011.
Here is a
very brief summary of the main points for the HOS project:
·
HOS is running a Hampshire tetrad distribution survey during exactly
the same period as the national atlas survey and using the same
methods, instructions, and forms.
·
We are doing both winter and breeding surveys, each running for four
years.
·
The winter survey runs for the four winters 2007/08 through to
2010/11, and the breeding survey for the fours seasons 2008 to 2011.
·
In Hampshire, we aim to cover ALL tetrads for ALL species in both
winter and breeding surveys. (The national survey is 10-km based,
and only involves a sample of at least eight tetrads in each 10-km
square.)
·
This time, in common with the national survey, we want to be able to
map relative abundance, and we’re therefore undertaking timed counts
in addition to simple presence/absence.
·
In Hampshire, the absolute minimum coverage for each tetrad is 2 x
2-hour counts in the breeding season, and 2 x 2-hour counts in
winter, in just one year for any particular tetrad.
·
The aim is to publish the final results as a revised county avifauna
book (and quite likely on other media) in say 2013 at the earliest.
We have a HOS
Atlas Steering Group that is looking at all of the options, issues
and logistics, and is responsible for the overall organisation and
planning. As well as being concerned with all the nuts and bolts of
survey organisation and methods, the Group is also be considering
how the data is going to be collated and processed, and how and when
results are to be published. Publicity and fund-raising are also
going to be necessary.
All of these
things require considerable effort by a number of very enthusiastic
individuals, so if you think you can help with the planning
(especially with any parts of the continuing management of the
project, or with planning for publication), we’d very much like to
hear from you.
Glynne Evans
Chairman, HOS Scientific Committee & Atlas
Steering Group
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