Herts Bird Club has a wide ranging programme of birding activities, check out what is on offer below and get involved.
Hertfordshire Bird Atlas 2007-2011 – mapping the distribution of Hertfordshire’s birds
The Herts Bird Club is collecting data to produce a new county bird atlas, surveying all 491 tetrads (2km x 2km squares) that include part of the county. This project is running alongside, and uses the same methods as the British Trust for Ornithology’s Bird Atlas 2007-11.
We have already published two breeding season atlases covering the periods 1967-1982 and 1988-1992. The primary aim of this project is to document the distribution of Hertfordshire's breeding bird species and highlight changes that have occurred over the past twenty years. This information is vital to identify declining species, as well as those that are doing well, to help formulate plans to ensure the continued health of our natural environment.
Fieldwork for the third winter season of this four-year project started on 1 November 2009. We are building on the excellent achievements in the 2008 season when 182 paired Timed Tetrad Visits were completed and supplemental Roving Records were collected from a further 259 tetrads.
Birds in winter – between 1981-1984 winter bird distribution data was collected as part of a national Winter Atlas project, but we have never tried to map the winter distribution of our birds at a fine scale. Since November 2007 and running for four years, we are collecting data to address this gap in our knowledge of the birds of Hertfordshire.
Get involved – volunteer for timed tetrad visits and submit roving records. For full details check the Herts Atlas website or contact the organiser, .
British Trust for Ornithology, Bird Atlas 2007-2011
We are undertaking the survey work in Hertfordshire for this project. Chris Dee is the County organiser; check the BTO website for further details of how to take part.
Breeding Bird Survey
The BBS is the main source of population trend information about the UK’s widespread breeding birds – an important indicator of the health of the countryside. The survey is organised nationally by the BTO in conjunction with RSPB and JNCC. Hertfordshire is well represented with over 70 volunteers participating covering 74 plots in 2006. The Hertfordshire results are published every year in the Herts Bird Report.
Taking part is easy – just visit a local square twice during the breeding season, and record all birds you see or hear using standard methods. If you would like to find out more or take on a BBS square check the BBS website or contact .
Because of the high level of coverage in Hertfordshire, we are already able to monitor 30 species locally. With extra coverage we could do more.
Wetlands Bird Survey (WeBS)
If you are interested in wildfowl, this one is for you. Organised nationally by the BTO, in conjunction with the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, RSPB and JNCC, Herts birders have been participating for many years building up a clear picture of population changes over time. Wildfowl are counted at the major wetland sites once a month throughout the year. Results are published in the Herts Bird Report every year. Check the WeBS website for more information and contact (Lee Valley sites) or if you would like to take part.
Herts Bird Club surveys
The Bird Club supports all national surveys but in addition run some of our own. Results are published in the yearly Herts Bird Report.
Recent surveys include:
2009 Hobby survey
2007 Little Ringed and Ringed Plover and other gravel pit breeding waders in Hertfordshire
2006/7 Wintering Green Sandpipers
2006 Breeding Sand Martin survey
2005 Tawny Owl survey
2005 Grey Partridge survey
2004 Swallow feeding survey
We hope to upload more details later as resources permit.
Nest Record Scheme
The Nest Record Scheme is one of the longest running monitoring programmes of the BTO. Hertfordshire birders take part and we want to encourage more of you to submit nest records. First started in 1939, the scheme has collected well over 1.25 million records during its 70 years of existence. Although often receiving a lower profile than other national monitoring schemes, nest record data have been vital in diagnosing the causes of declines of some species and it was nest record data that were first used to demonstrate the shift to earlier nesting by many species linked to the recent warm springs. Nest recording is one of the simplest BTO projects to take part in, so it is accessible to everyone. It provides an ideal opportunity for you to participate in the conservation of Britain’s birds. So, whether you can monitor a single garden nestbox or are carrying out a larger study, please submit your records to BTO. The 2007 Herts Bird Report will for the first time have a summary of nest records in Herts.
Bird ringing
Nationally the ringing scheme is overseen by the BTO. There are five active ringing groups operating in Hertfordshire, the Aylesbury Vale, Ivel, Maple Cross, Rye Meads and Tring Ringing Groups; plus 16 other registered ringers. In 2006 over 14000 birds were ringed in the county. Details are published yearly in the Hertfordshire Bird Report. If you would like to take part or train as a ringer, please contact the BTO.
Projects on Biodiversity Action Plan species
Herts Bird Club leads the action on two BAP species, Black-necked Grebes and Tree Sparrows to protect their breeding sites in the county.
The last remaining Tree Sparrow breeding colony nests in boxes at Tyttenhanger. The nest boxes are monitored closely by Herts Bird Club members (see photo) and supplementary feeding is provided in winter. The latest report from the Tree Sparrow Project Team is available here and gives details of the breeding success and winter feeding programme
Long term study of Great Spotted Woodpeckers in four Hertfordshire woodlands
More details to be provided in due course.
Heartwood Forest – monitoring the changes in bird populations
The Woodland Trust will start planting trees to form the new Heartwood Forest at Sandridge in November 2009, see www.woodlandtrust.co.uk/heartwood. Ken Smith carried out a breeding bird survey of the whole area in spring 2009, including both the existing woodland and arable farmland. The survey will be repeated in future years to record the changes in bird life as the woodland develops. Follow the link to see his report 'A breeding bird survey of land at Sandridgebury'
The Herts Bird Club is collecting data to produce a new county bird atlas, surveying all 491 tetrads (2km x 2km squares) that include part of the county. This project is running alongside, and uses the same methods as the British Trust for Ornithology’s Bird Atlas 2007-11.
British Trust for Ornithology, Bird Atlas 2007-2011.jpg)
The BBS is the main source of population trend information about the UK’s widespread breeding birds – an important indicator of the health of the countryside. The survey is organised nationally by the BTO in conjunction with RSPB and JNCC. Hertfordshire is well represented with over 70 volunteers participating covering 74 plots in 2006. The Hertfordshire results are published every year in the Herts Bird Report.
If you are interested in wildfowl, this one is for you. Organised nationally by the BTO, in conjunction with the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, RSPB and JNCC, Herts birders have been participating for many years building up a clear picture of population changes over time. Wildfowl are counted at the major wetland sites once a month throughout the year. Results are published in the Herts Bird Report every year. 
2009 Hobby survey
The Nest Record Scheme is one of the longest running monitoring programmes of the BTO. Hertfordshire birders take part and we want to encourage more of you to submit nest records. First started in 1939, the scheme has collected well over 1.25 million records during its 70 years of existence. Although often receiving a lower profile than other national monitoring schemes, nest record data have been vital in diagnosing the causes of declines of some species and it was nest record data that were first used to demonstrate the shift to earlier nesting by many species linked to the recent warm springs. Nest recording is one of the simplest BTO projects to take part in, so it is accessible to everyone. It provides an ideal opportunity for you to participate in the conservation of Britain’s birds. So, whether you can monitor a single garden nestbox or are carrying out a larger study, please 
Nationally the ringing scheme is overseen by the BTO. There are five active ringing groups operating in Hertfordshire, the Aylesbury Vale, Ivel, Maple Cross, Rye Meads and Tring Ringing Groups; plus 16 other registered ringers. In 2006 over 14000 birds were ringed in the county. Details are published yearly in the Hertfordshire Bird Report. If you would like to take part or train as a ringer, please 
Herts Bird Club leads the action on two BAP species, Black-necked Grebes and Tree Sparrows to protect their breeding sites in the county..jpg)
Long term study of Great Spotted Woodpeckers in four Hertfordshire woodlands