From its earliest days, British Birds has always encouraged birdwatchers to become involved in their own or co-operative studies of birds. Before the existence of organisations such as the BTO, British Birds was organising nest censuses of Grey Herons Ardea cinerea, counts of Great Crested Grebes Podiceps cristatus, a national bird-ringing scheme, and similar ambitious projects. Nowadays, these are usually the responsibility of the British Trust for Ornithology (in Great Britain) and of the Irish Wildbird Conservancy (in Ireland). We consider that birdwatchers who take part in such fieldwork are contributing not only to the advance of pure scientific knowledge about birds, but also to the vital fact-finding necessary to highlight conservation requirements; in addition, most participants find that such fieldwork is highly satisfying, as well as being a great deal of fun. For these reasons, we strongly encourage BB readers to take part in co-operative (as well as individual) field-studies. This new, short news spot in BB will publicise the work being planned by the BTO and the IWC in which BB subscribers can participate, especially their forthcoming surveys and censuses, and also meetings and conferences at which such fieldwork is discussed. EDS
BTO/IWC newsThe Birds of Estuaries Enquiry. The BoEE monitors the numbers and distribution of coastal birds at all estuarine (and 60 or so non-estuarine) sites. Birdwatchers, co-ordinated by local organisers, visit selected roost sites on a specific date in each month and count the numbers of birds present.
