Churchill

[Common2412]

I thought I would start a new project which is to see how many species I can identify in a 10km square centred on Churchill, Oxfordshire. In so doing I hope to get to know the area much better and to possibly uncover some unexpected species. I thought one or two of you might be interested in following me in my endeavour.

Location: The area is bounded by the following coordinates SP230190, SP230290, SP330190, SP330290 and includes the town of Chipping Norton.

Strategy: I have broken the 10km square down into 25 tetrads for ease of trip management, and it is my intention to also see as many species in each tetrad as well as the square as a whole. I plan to target species for each trip starting with the more common species, but will record other species seen in each tetrad.

Time: As long as it takes or until I get bored.

Counties: 25% of this patch falls in Gloucestershire; 74.75% falls in Oxfordshire and .25% falls in Warwickshire.

Villages: The following villages are in this patch: Adlestrop; Oddington; Bledington; Idbury; Cornwell; Daylesford; Kingham; Bruern Abbey; Salford; Churchill; Sarsden; Lyneham; Over Norton;
Chadlington; Chilson.

Habitat: The area is in the Cotswolds and is therefore quite hilly. Altitude varies from 88m to 232m asl although most of the territory is between 100-200m asl. 1 River runs through the area entering about a third of my tetrads, this is the River Evenlode. Woodlands of varios sorts covers about 9% of the 10km square. Most of the land is given over to mixed farming. Although it has to be said that arable crops are predominant but there are a few herds of cows and flocks of sheep.

I am off now to see if I can see Woodpigeon in each of the Tetrads. I have worked out a route by car to visit each of the tetrads. I will post the results later for anyone who might be interested.

Bye for now

Steve

[Michael Frankis]

Interesting idea, tho' I'd have thought it would make more sense to target it tetrad by tetrad, rather than species by species - one tetrad each day, and get as many species in it each visit. A lot less driving time than visiting all 25 briefly every time!

With 3 counties involved, its going to be a problem at times remembering to send the records in to the right county recorder!

Have to confess, when I saw the thread title, I thought it was going to be about Churchill, Manitoba (Canadian arctic) :-)

Michael

[Common2412]

Hi Michael

Thanks for your response.

I will probably vary the approach over time, but to start off I wanted to see how some very common species are spread about the 10km square. I tackled Woodpigeon this evening. I new the species was common around here but the trip showed me how abundant the species is. In 24 tetrads I found the species in less than 5 mins. Mostly it was the 1st or second species seen. In the 25th tetrad it took about 20mins. I guess size, behaviour and habitat preference makes this a very easy species to locate. I wonder if this holds true for most parts of the UK?

The problem of posting sightings to 3 recorders is always there as I do much of my birding around these 3 counties. Probably in truth I don't send in as much data as I should.

Sorry to disappoint on this Churchill being in Oxfordshire not Canada. I remember reading a site guide to that Churchill in a book written by two authors one of whom was John Gooders. From the description in the book it sounded like an interesting place to visit, but I've not managed it yet.

Tomorrow I plan to see if I can make Carrion Crow into a 100 percenter for this square. Tonight I saw it in 16 of the 25 tetrads. Tomorrow I will revisit the 9 squares I failed to locate the species in and see if I can dig out a sighting.

Cheers

Steve

[Beverlybaynes]

What an fascinating project, Steve, no matter what approach you take.

It'll be interesting to read your observations. I look forward to that!

[seb_seb]

its true for my garden also.........woodpigeons are common,loud and pretty big!!

[Doug]

Just had to say I love the word 'tetrad' - I will try and use it in conversation often now. I will follow your results with interest too.

[Common2412]

I tackled the 9 tetrads where I had failed to see Carrion Crow tonight and managed to track the species down in all of them. I had difficulty in locating Carrion Crow in two of the tetrads. I think this was because both of these areas had large rookeries within them. One sighting was of a Carrion Crow being pursued by 5 Rooks in an exciting arial pursuit. The Carrion Crow gave way rapidly and disappeared away from the rookery.

I think at this time of year Rooks will not tolerate a Carrion Crow close to the nest site. This probably means that there are fairly large no-go areas for Carrion Crows and although I think they can look after themselves pretty well 5 Rooks in aggressive mode would probably make me make myself scarce.

I would be interested if anyone else has notice this rivalry between Rooks and Crows?

Anyway Carrion Crow has joined Woodpigeon as another 100%er. Woodpigeon is however much more abundant around here. But both are widespread.

Tomorrow I am going to tackle Blackbird which is so far missing from 8 of the tetrads.

Cheers

Steve

[Common2412]

Have now picked up Blackbird and Chaffinch in every tetrad. Chaffinch was pretty easy to find in all the tetrads. Usually only taking a few minutes. Blackbird however was very common in all the tetrads under 500ft above sea level but became significantly scarcer above 600ft above sea level. Sometimes taking a good 30mins to find. Also I saw very few female blackbirds. I guess they are largely nest bound now

Steve

[peter hayes]

This is a fascinating project Steve - do keep us in touch.

[lou]

great project! hard work though! just a thought, but you mentioned rooks, have you thought of marking rookery sites on your map. I'm told they are interesting birds to study. it does sound like you have your hands full already though!

[Common2412]

BeverleyBaynes

Thanks for your supportive comments

[Common2412]

Doug

Thanks for the interest

[Common2412]

Hi Peter Hayes

Thanks for the interest. Shame you couldn't make Barnes. Kevin and I had a good day. Perhaps next time hey?!

[Common2412]

Lou

You won't be surprised to know that I now have a pretty accurate idea where the rookeries are in the square I am interested in. Although I have not targeted that species yet Rooks are so big and obvious and there can be a lot of noise around there rookeries. Rookeries are fascinating to watch as there is always something going on.

Beats watching TV don't you think?

[Colin]

Steve,
When I read the thread title, I thought it was about Winston and thought maybe he was a birder?

Anyway, this sounds a really interesting project. I guess that you will have thought of it but you will have to make sure that you don't miss migrants or summer/winter only visitors if you go species by species. For example, by going throught the resident species first and depending on your available time you may not get to some of the summer breeding birds until they have gone a bit quiet in, say, July and are more difficult to locate. These may be some of the warblers for example. Just a thought but you have a fascinating project especially if you make it long term and see if there are differences next year. Good luck with it. It will keep you off the streets. ;)

Colin

[Common2412]

Hi Colin

You are right of course. Summer visitors, Winter visitors and passage migrants will have to be located in the seasons when they are present. Initially I thought that I would tackle the 30 or so more common and widespread species around here, however in the doing of it I am of course picking up summer visitors now.

Are you the Colin I saw Wheatears with at Cleeve Hill?

Cheers

Steve

[Colin]

Steve,
Yes, that was me. I was going/had been to see the Shrike and the Wheatears were around the walls of the field next to the car park.


Colin

[Common2412]

Hi Colin

Glad to know you located the Shrike and that you are a member of "birdforum"

See you

Steve

[Karl J]

Originally posted by Common2412
Beats watching TV don't you think?


Absolutely, every time mate

A very interesting project you've started here. Possibly a lot of work ahead depending on how far you want to take it.

How long term do you see this becoming ?

[Common2412]

Hi Karl

I think I should carry out the project for at least a year to properly cover the 4 seasons. Not sure beyond that, will probably depend on how much enjoyment the project has given me. Early days but so far I have found the project both interesting and challenging.

So far I have 4 100%ers ie Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Blackbird and Chaffinch and am currently working on Blue Tit which is proving a little trickier. I have come up with 2 tetrads where despite spending a good hour have so far drawn a blank. Plan to return to them later.

Cheers

Steve

[Michael Frankis]

Tits tend to be quite secretive when they're incubating eggs, which they might be by now given the warm spring we've had this year.

Try again when they have fledged young, say late June, or in winter when the leaves are off the trees - should be a lot easier then.

Michael

[Karl J]

Well I certainly admire your spirit.

I guess another question you may come across is how high winds affect the results. Probably won't make much difference to commoner species with the 100%.

But where you have sp. with, say, 35% spread - how would a high wind for a few days affect that ? Would it still have 35% but in different tetrads or would it be more widespread ? Or possibly no change at all ?

Seasonal variations as well ...... and migrants ......

I think you have many possible avenues of enquiry here ... good luck. Its interesting.

[Common2412]

Hi Michael

I think you are right. Round here they start nesting early April so will be in the thick of it right now.

Cheers

Steve

[Common2412]

Hi

I thought I would post an update of where we have got to so far.

Species seen are:

Little Grebe

[Charles Harper]

Can you enlighten me as to the difference among a 'tetrad', a 'square' and a 'quadrant'?

Good birding,

[Common2412]

Oops previous posting launched itself a little early. Species seen so far in the square are:

Little Grebe 4 Tetrads
Great Cormorant 2 "
Grey Heron 4 "
Mute Swan 5 "
Canada Goose 7 "
Mallard 12 "
Tufted Duck 1 "
Red Kite 1 "
Sparrowhawk 4 "
Buzzard 8 "
Kestrel 13 "
Hobby 1 "
R L Partridge 5 "
G Partridge 2 "
C Pheasant 6 "
R N Pheasant 22 "
Moorhen 5 "
Coot 4 "
Lapwing 4 "
Snipe 2 "
C Gull 1 "
L B B Gull 2 "
Feral Pigeon 2 "
Stock Dove 7 "
Woodpigeon 25 " 100per center
C Dove 17 "
Barn Owl 2 "
L Owl 4 "
Swift 7 "
L S Woodpecker 1 "
G S woodpecker 7 "
G Woodpecker 2 "
Skylark 7 "
Swallow

[robinm]

My understanding of tetrad in the context of bird sighting records is it is a square 2km by 2km. Hence in Common2412's post he talks about 10km sq having 25 tetrads.

[Common2412]

Continuation....

Swallow 13 Tetrads
H Martin 4 "
M Pipit 1 "
P Wagtail 10 "
Wren 8 "
Dunnock 9 "
Robin 15 "
Blackbird 25 " 100per center
Fieldfare 4 "
Redwing 1 "
S Thrush 14 "
M Thrush 7 "
Blackcap 4 "
Whitethroat 3 "
Chiffchaff 5 "
Goldcrest 4 "
S Flycatcher 3 "
L T Tit 5 "
M Tit 3 "
W Tit 1 "
C Tit 6 "
G Tit 18 "
B Tit 24 "
Nuthatch 6 "
Treecreeper 3 "
Jay 1 "
Magpie 12 "
Jackdaw 22 "
Rook 18 "
C Crow 25 " 100 per center
Raven 3 "
Starling 18 "
H Sparrow 10 "
Chaffinch 25 " !00 per center
Greenfinch 14 "
Goldfinch 8 "
Linnet 6 "
Crossbill 1 "
Bullfinch 6 "
Yellowhammer 13 "
R Bunting 1 "


71 Species so far with one or two interesting inclusions and some surprising omissions.

Cheers

Steve

[Common2412]

Carlos Gy

Sorry not to have responded to your post earlier but only just noticed it. I am sure birds are quite strongly affected by strong winds. For the most part I think they just hunker down in a sheltered spot and wait for the wind to drop. Some may be blown a bit further afield but in my experience nature abhors a vacuum so if their is good habitat for a species. If the species is around it will find the habitat.

I could have tackled this project in many different ways, and each way would have revealed different levels of information. What I should get over the year for each tetrad is what species find that tetrad attractive at some time in the year if not the whole year.

Cheers

Steve

[Charles Harper]

I'm still trying to accurately comprehend the scope of this project. A tetrad is 2 km by 2 km (though why would it be those dimensions rather than, say 1 by 1? Is is some kind of a critical size?)-- and I see that only a small percentage of your species so far occur in all 25 tetrads of your total birding area. Would all 2x2 areas include equivalent habitats, open water, forest, grassland, etc.? So you will be proving what, the relative ubiquity (is that an oxymoron?) of species? Fascinating.

Carry on and good birding,

[Common2412]

Charles Harper

You could split up the 10k square in many other ways other than 2km tetrads. I just find those convenient sized areas for a birding trip, and it gets you to cover the whole 10km square fairly thoroughly.

My reason for doing it is to get to know the area around my home much better from a birding perspective. I moved here 5 years ago and although I birdwatch in my garden regularly and have taken the odd excursion out from the house most of my trips have been further afield. Sometimes much further afield.

Benefits so far: a. 2 farmers have given me free access to their land since they have seen me about.
b. I have discovered a new lane through parkland I never knew existed:
c. I have discovered several new footpaths I never knew existed which go through some very pretty areas.
d. Have seen birds such as Raven, Crossbill, Little Owl, Barn Owl and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in what on the surface does not look a particularly interesting area.
e. Am quite surprised at the birds I haven't seen ie Willow Warbler. I'm sure I will see them but they are obviously not that common round here.
f. I'm enjoying doing it.

Cheers

Steve

[Charles Harper]

OK, I'll see if I can apply the principle around here. But if I want to go birdwatching, I normally have to drive an hour in any direction out of this urban/subruban mess before I can find two trees together. Keep at it and good birding,

[Karl J]

Steve, as I see it by far the most important benefit is f ) you enjoy it.

As for the line ... ''on the surface doesn't look a particularly interesting area'' .... I'd say you've disproved that completely, by that list of birds you have there ...... which ever way you choose to interpret your results.

Cheers

[Common2412]

Hi Charles Harper

I've never been to Japan but I have heard that the population pressure is strong. Sounds like Yokohama is a bit like that.

If you do decide to do something similar over there I would love to hear how you get on.

Cheers

Steve

[digi-birder]

I know I'm a bit late into this thread, but I thought I would mention an ex-colleague of mine who does something similar to this, although as part of a group effort. You might find it interesting to have a look at his website:

http://www.sk58.freeserve.co.uk/

There is a diagram that shows what a 10km square is and how the tetrads make up this square.

The group do various surveys within the square and have even named their group after the location - SK58, which is near Rotherham and Sheffield.

Good luck with the surveys - it will certainly be hard work on your own. Keep us posted.

[peter hayes]

Steve

I think everyone is finding your project absolutely fascinating and it has already produced results. I reckon it will certainly be worth doing a considered piece on this one day, for both BF and for a birding magazine. Do keep us in touch.

Peter

[Common2412]

Carlos GY

Thanks for the supportive words.

Its very easy to shoot off to the next hotspot such as Titchwell and Cley in your neck of the woods, but there is something very satisfying about digging out interesting birds in your own home area. I too have been pleasantly surprised by the range of species in this area. The total for the square now stands at 73.

Cheers

Steve

[Charles Harper]

That's a really interesting site (SK58), Diane, thanks--- 'Everything You Really Wanted to Know about a Tetrad'.

Steve, I'm just gonna watch you for awhile. I can't even find a street address here, much less break my surrounding area into equal blocks and patrol them. I'll let you know if I figure out how to use your system.

Good birding,

[Common2412]

Digi- Birder

Thanks for that web address. It was a very good read. Makes my efforts right now look puny.

Cheers

Steve

[pauco]

hi steve
well you really have taken the bull by the horns with this project
i can only say go for it and all the very best. cant wait to see
the results, all the best. bert

[Common2412]

Peter Hayes

Thanks for the encouraging words. Not sure My literary skills are quite up to a magazine article, but if I keep practising in BF who knows!

Cheers

Steve

[Common2412]

Charles Harper

I've never been to Japan the closest I've been to your neck of the woods is Thailand. We hired a car and took off into the back country. We did find the written language a problem as everything was written in Thai script. Even finding a hotel could be very tricky. I noted the Thai script for hotel which helped but it also had us knocking on the doors of a school and a small hospital which at first we thought might be hotels. Think I can appreciate something of the problems you are having.

Good luck

Steve

[Common2412]

Latest update.

I have added two more species to the list for the 10km square, these are Willow Warbler and Yellow Wagtail making a grand total of 76 species and 1 sub species so far. Also another species has been seen in all of the 25 tetrads and this is Blue Tit. Below I have listed The species seen, in order of how many tetrads they have so far been seen in:

Woodpigeon 25 tetrads
C. Crow 25
Blackbird 25
Chaffinch 25
B Tit 25
R N Pheasant 23
Jackdaw 22
G Tit 19
Rook 18
Starling 18
Robin 18
C Dove 17
S Thrush 16
Greenfinch 15
Yellowhammer 15
Swallow 14
Kestrel 14
Magpie 13
Mallard 12
P Wagtail 11
H Sparrow 11
Wren 11
Dunnock 10
Buzzard 9
Goldfinch 9
Swift 9
C Goose 8
S Dove 8
G S Woodpecker 8
Skylark 8
C Pheasant 8
Bullfinch 8
M Thrush 7
Linnet 7
L T Tit 7
C Tit 6
Nuthatch 6
M Swan 6
Moorhen 6
H Martin 6
Chiffchaff 5
Blackcap 5
L Grebe 5
Coot 5
R L Partridge 5
G Heron 4
Sparrowhawk 4
Lapwing 4
Fieldfare 4
Goldcrest 4
L Owl 4
Whitethroat 4
R Bunting 4
S Flycatcher 3
M Tit 3
Treecreeper 3
Raven 3
L B B Gull 2
G Woodpecker 2
G Wagtail 2
Cormorant 2
Snipe 2
B Owl 2
G Partridge 2
F Pigeon 2
T Duck 2
Hobby 1
L S Woodpecker 1
W Tit 1
Jay 1
Redwing 1
M Pipit 1
R Kite 1
C Gull 1
Crossbill 1
Will Warbler 1
Y Wagtail 1

[Common2412]

Bert

Many thanks for the encouragement.

Cheers

Steve

[Swift]

Keep it up Steve its all making an interesting read.

[Common2412]

Swift

Thanks glad you find it interesting.

I note from your profile that you have seen over 3000 species. Pretty impressive to one who's world list stands at just under 1100. I know the effort I have had to put in to get that far.
I have never really been a species twitcher more of a habitat twitcher. I love birding in remote and different habitats to see what's about and get an angle on how that habitat functions.

Love to hear about some of your trips.

Cheers

Steve

[Common2412]

Latest Update on 9/6/2003.

Jackdaw has become a100per center and 3 more species have been seen in the 10km square and these are Kingfisher, Garden Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat. This gives me a total of 79 species and 1 sub species to date. Latest figures for how many tetrads the species have been seen in are as follows:
Woodpigeon 25
C Crow 25
Blackbird 25
Chaffinch 25
B Tit 25
Jackdaw 25
R N Pheasant 24
G Tit 19
Robin 19
Rook 19
Starling 18
C Dove 17
S Thrush 17
Swallow 16
Greenfinch 15
Yellowhammer 16
Kestrel 14
Magpie 13
Mallard 13
H Sparrow 12
Skylark 12
P Wagtail 11
Wren 11
Dunnock 10
Goldfinch 10
Swift 10
S Dove 10
Buzzard 9
Linnet 9
Bullfinch 9
C Goose 8
G S Woodpecker 8
C Pheasant 8
M Thrush 8
L T Tit 8
Nuthatch 7
Moorhen 7
H Martin 7
Blackcap 7
Whitethroat 7
C Tit 6
M Swan 6
Chiffchaff 6
L Grebe 5
Coot 5
R L Partridge 5
S Flycatcher 5
G Heron 5
Sparrowhawk 4
Lapwing 4
Fieldfare 4
Goldcrest 4
L Owl 4
R Bunting 4
M Tit 4
Treecreeper 3
Raven 3
L B B Gull 2
G Woodpecker 2
G Wagtail 2
Cormorant 2
Snipe 2
B Owl 2
G Partridge 2
F Pigeon 2
T Duck 2
Hobby 1
L S Woodpecker 1
W Tit 1
Jay 1
Redwing 1
M Pipit 1
R Kite 1
C Gull 1
Crossbill 1
Willow Warbler 1
Y Wagtail 1
Kingfisher 1
Garden Warbler 1
L Whitethroat 1

[Karl J]

I see that Red Kite only seen in one terad - I thought ( from what I've read, although never been there birdwatching ) they were much more common than that around there ?

[Michael Frankis]

The one that really surprises me is Raven, and in 3 tetrads, too - Chipping Norton seems a wholly improbable area for Ravens to me. Checked in the New Breeding Atlas, and the entire 100km square is wholly blank for Raven, too. The nearest mapped Ravens are 60-70km west in the Forest of Dean. Has there been a major range expansion in the last few years?

Michael

[Common2412]

Hi Carlos GY

The Red Kite is occasionally seen round here in NE oxon. You are probably aware that they were introduced into the Chilterns on the Oxon/Bucks border about 40 miles from here. But the spread from the release site seems to me to be largely along the Chilterns particularly to the south. They are now regularly seen on the Downs on the Oxon/Berks border.

There seems to be some post breeding dispersal in this direction but I think they then mostly return to the Chilterns and infill around there.

Cheers

Steve

[Common2412]

Michael Frankis

I have a copy of the New Breeding Atlas and you are quite right they were not present round here then.

I used to live on the eastern fringes of the Forest of Dean and in the last 3-4 years that I was there I was seeing them more regularly. 5 years ago I spotted them to the east of Cheltenham on Cleeve Cloud and 3 years ago I first spotted them round here. They seem to like the private estates of which there are several around here. During last year I saw them on approximately 1 in 3 local trips.

I have also had sightings over Blenheim and near Henly on Thames sites which are both to the east of me.

Yes I think there is some form of range extension taking place. Don't know why. But I have heard that Warwickshire is also getting an increased number of sightings.

Well spotted as I also think that the Raven is the ornithological story around here.

Regards

Steve

[Michael Frankis]

Hi Steve,

Great news!

Of course Ravens used to be native throughout Britain ~300 years ago, but were exterminated by gamekeeping interests in the east. So it will be a reduction in persecution that is allowing them to recolonise. Nice that they are being allowed to do so!

Up here, there's been a small increase in population, though not (yet) in range; one suggestion that has been made, is that whereas keepers used to shoot crows, they are now getting too lazy to do that, and are using traps instead. And Ravens are too intelligent to get caught in traps. So they are less likely to be killed than before.

Michael

[Common2412]

Hi Michael

I think you might be right. Another probable benificiary of the reduction of shooting is the Carrion Crow. My records show a consistent increase year on year since the early 90s. Whereas I used to see them mostly in ones and twos I now regularly see them in small groups.

As for the Raven as far as I am concerned they are a welcome addition here. Their charismatic Kronking call and occasional arial acrobatics enlivens the scene locally.

I hope they make it your way too.

Regards

Steve

[Karl J]

hi Steve re. Red Kite .... interesting to read, as is the Raven conversation.

I knew the kite were re-introduced in that area somewhere , but admit to knowing very little of the local geography where you are.

Some interesting stuff coming up Steve.

[Common2412]

Hi Carlos

If you are ever travelling along the M40 look out for Red Kites on the edge of the Chilterns where the motorway drops down to the Oxfordshire vale, near Stokenchurch. I have seen as many as 16 spiralling around at that location at one time. Quite a spectacle.

Cheers

Steve