Saturday 31 January is the day!
Accurately recording our bird observations has arguably never been so important, given the pressures that our birdlife faces both nationally and locally. As increasingly impressive optical and camera equipment make identifications easier, improved recording techniques are needed to enable observers to submit records quickly and clearly.
An electronic recording spreadsheet with some exciting new features has been in development over the past few months – this will replace the previous spreadsheet used by some GOS members and Gwent birders.
The spreadsheet can be downloaded from the GOS website and used periodically, without internet access, to add records whenever it suits you. With help notes incorporated within the spreadsheet it could not be easier to use.
Click here to find the new forms on the Records page.
Included within the spreadsheet are a number of features:
• drop-down lists for species, locations and breeding codes;
• automatic insertion of BTO codes and Gwent Recording codes;
• automatic insertion of grid references;
• the county list, giving the status of all species recorded in the county to date;
• a link to the Rare species description form for those species which call for a written description – an easy way to submit required details;
• a gazetteer of Gwent sites – more can be added on request;
• a list of all subspecies which have occurred in Gwent.
I urge all those who submit bird records to log their records using this method, not least for the ease of use for both observer and Recorder, but also to allow the most accurate and appropriate way of logging your sightings.
Tom Chinnick
Gwent County Recorder |
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