Capercaillie71
Well-known member
Yesterday I picked up my pre-ordered copies of 'The Breeding Birds of North East Scotland', edited by Ian Francis and Martin Cook. This is the long-awaited outcome of the NE Scotland Breeding Bird Atlas Project 2002-06. However, given the almost entirely voluntary effort that has gone into producing this book, the time it has taken to publish is understandable and I think the wait has been worthwhile as this book is crammed with information, attractively presented and lavishly illustrated.
The atlas covers the local authority areas of Moray, Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City, including about half of the Cairngorms National Park, and is believed to be the largest 'tetrad' atlas ever undertaken with 2340 tetrads having been surveyed over five years by 350 volunteers.
The style and presentation of the book is similar to 2007's 'The Birds of Scotland' (unsurprisingly perhaps as both were designed by Harry Scott). The bulk of the book is taken up by the species accounts, which include a number of species that are not known to breed but have been recorded during the breeding season and could potentially breed, such as Crane, Spoonbill and Bluethroat.
Most species have a tetrad (2x2km) distribution map, although a few (but not all) Schedule 1 species are mapped at 10km resolution. Surprisingly few species (e.g. Honey-Buzzard) are not mapped at all. The species text (written by about 60 local birdwatchers, including myself and several other birdforum members) describes the habitat, distribution, changes and trends and includes an estimate of the regional population. Smaller maps show range changes from previous atlases (both national ones and the 1980s NE Scotland atlas which covered a smaller area). Almost all species accounts have one or more photographs of the birds engaging in breeding activity. More than 70% of these photos were taken in NE Scotland, with the remainder taken elsewhere in Scotland, England and Scandinavia.
Inevitably, given the 5 year time period since fieldwork was completed, some changes in distribution have occurred by the time of publication. For example I doubt that Stonechat is now as widely distributed inland following the cold winters of 2009/10 and 2010/11, while the Tree Sparrow has expanded its range (including into my garden) since fieldwork ended. In the case of Red Kite, which has been reintroduced to NE Scotland since 2006, the authors have been able to include a small map showing more recent breeding records at a 10km resolution.
In addition to the species accounts, single pages with a photo and brief text highlighting notable bird sites in the region are interspersed throughout the book. At the start and end of the book are detailed chapters and annexes highlighting the methodology of the atlas, describing habitats and conservation issues in NE Scotland and summarising the results of the atlas.
All in all this is a great example of a regional atlas and essential reading for anyone interested in this part of Scotland (and a bargain at £25!).
The atlas covers the local authority areas of Moray, Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City, including about half of the Cairngorms National Park, and is believed to be the largest 'tetrad' atlas ever undertaken with 2340 tetrads having been surveyed over five years by 350 volunteers.
The style and presentation of the book is similar to 2007's 'The Birds of Scotland' (unsurprisingly perhaps as both were designed by Harry Scott). The bulk of the book is taken up by the species accounts, which include a number of species that are not known to breed but have been recorded during the breeding season and could potentially breed, such as Crane, Spoonbill and Bluethroat.
Most species have a tetrad (2x2km) distribution map, although a few (but not all) Schedule 1 species are mapped at 10km resolution. Surprisingly few species (e.g. Honey-Buzzard) are not mapped at all. The species text (written by about 60 local birdwatchers, including myself and several other birdforum members) describes the habitat, distribution, changes and trends and includes an estimate of the regional population. Smaller maps show range changes from previous atlases (both national ones and the 1980s NE Scotland atlas which covered a smaller area). Almost all species accounts have one or more photographs of the birds engaging in breeding activity. More than 70% of these photos were taken in NE Scotland, with the remainder taken elsewhere in Scotland, England and Scandinavia.
Inevitably, given the 5 year time period since fieldwork was completed, some changes in distribution have occurred by the time of publication. For example I doubt that Stonechat is now as widely distributed inland following the cold winters of 2009/10 and 2010/11, while the Tree Sparrow has expanded its range (including into my garden) since fieldwork ended. In the case of Red Kite, which has been reintroduced to NE Scotland since 2006, the authors have been able to include a small map showing more recent breeding records at a 10km resolution.
In addition to the species accounts, single pages with a photo and brief text highlighting notable bird sites in the region are interspersed throughout the book. At the start and end of the book are detailed chapters and annexes highlighting the methodology of the atlas, describing habitats and conservation issues in NE Scotland and summarising the results of the atlas.
All in all this is a great example of a regional atlas and essential reading for anyone interested in this part of Scotland (and a bargain at £25!).
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