By the time you read this our birdsong monitoring project will have been running for a year. Despite missing the early migration period last year, a staggering 97 species have been recorded and there have been so many wonderful surprises. Although living in an agricultural area it has become clear that we are on an important flight path, especially migrants, as we moved into spring. The presence of mature native trees and hedges and, even more importantly, water are doubtless major factors. What came as a huge surprise was the number of over-wintering bird species and whilst the males were not singing to mark out their territories they were all subvocalising which, of course, gave away their presence.
I want to extend a very warm welcome to Andrew at Mousehole Farm and Joe in Markers Park who have joined the birdsong monitoring fraternity and both are already making some remarkable records, chief amongst which are many birds in the migration season. Interestingly, our three devices are nearly in a straight line spanning a distance of almost a kilometre, which is giving superlative coverage to our understanding what bird species visit the parish and as coverage goes within the UK we possibly
have a greater concentration than anywhere else and, yes, the three devices are picking up different species.
Over the decades we have been involved in many wildlife monitoring projects but this has been the most satisfying. Recording in an area which is largely undisturbed leaves me wondering just how under-recorded many birds are. Whilst the technology is still largely in its infancy, I am convinced that it will improve even more and will form an ever increasing aspect of wildlife monitoring. This is such a beacon of hope for the future.
Don’t forget to check out what is being seen by visiting the Birdweather website. Click on live map, navigate to Payhembury and then click the + button several times to separate the three locations and don’t forget to take a look at what is being seen over near Escot, which is quite incredible.
Paul Lister (paullister175@gmail.com or 841696)
