Bird Atlas 2007-11 is a huge and exciting project that will map the abundance and distribution of birds in Britain and Ireland during the breeding season and winter. Fieldwork runs from 1 November 2007 to 31 July 2011, with short breaks between the seasons. Fieldwork will cover four winters and four breeding seasons. The winter seasons will run from November 1st to February 29th and the breeding season from April 1st to July 31st. The BTO hopes to submit for publication in 2013.

There are two complementary methods. They have equal priority for volunteer participation.

Roving Records - Aim is to compile a comprehensive species list of the birds in a 10-km square in the winter and breeding season. Record at the 10-km level (optionally at tetrad level). Making note of any evidence of breeding (using standard codes). These records will be the main source of information for the distribution maps. The level of breeding evidence recorded will determine the size dot on the distribution map eg 'confirmed breeding' will have a big dot whereas 'possible breeding' will have a small dot. Over the course of four years, a volunteer could gather records from many 10-km squares. All records are welcome during the two seasons and breeding evidence can also be gathered outwith the 4-month breeding season.

Timed Tetrad Visits - These are timed counts in tetrads (2x2 km squares) in 10-km squares. The aim is to cover a minimum of eight tetrads in every 10-km square (there are 25 tetrads in a 10-km square) and the priority is to cover those tetrads covered in the 1988-91 Atlas (details with the Regional Organiser). There will be two counts in the winter (early and late visit) and two in the breeding season (early and late visit) and each visit should be for a minimum of one hour (second hour is optional), when you walk around the main habitats in the tetrad. The aim is to record all the species you encounter , make an estimate of numbers and record the breeding status. This will give us information on relative abundance of each species at the 10-km square level and also contribute to the dot distribution maps.

The counting of colonial species will be optional. The minimum requirement is a tick to say that a colony is present in the tetrad. If the colony can be counted, then the appropriate estimate for each species (individuals or Apparently Occupied Nests) should be filled in on the Colony Sheet on the Timed Tetrad Visit form. If no count is given, then arrangements will be made for the colony to be counted at another time or a count sought from professional seabird workers.

Fieldwork for the Timed Tetrad Visits is organised locally by Atlas Regional Organisers (see below). There is an online facility to allow ROs to manage tetrad allocation and for prospective volunteers to look at coverage and contact their RO by email through the website. The Atlas Coordinator or the Atlas Organiser for Scotland will cover BTO Regions without a Regional Organiser. Roving Records forms will be available from ROs, BTO, SOC, BirdWatch Ireland and available for download from www.birdatlas.net. All records from Roving Records and Timed Tetrad Visits can be submitted online. The RO will have access to all the data and can validate the records online.

The minimum level of mapping in the Atlas will be at the 10-km. BTO have drawn up a policy on mapping rare and scarce birds which has been agreed by the Rare Breeding Birds Panel. It clearly states at what level species can be mapped (10-km, 100-km, not at all). All records submitted to Bird Atlas 2007-11 will be treated in confidence.

The Regional Organiser (RO) for Fife and Kinross is:

Norman Elkins

18 Scotstarvit View

CUPAR

Fife KY15 5DX

Tel: 01334 654348

Email: jandnelkins@btinternet.com