Highland SOC Species Focus 2021

 Highland SOC are asking for your help with our Species Focus this year - a citizen science project for a "stay at Home" summer.

 Whilst out and about bird watching in Highland, we would like you to pay special attention to two resident bird species –

• Red-breasted Merganser and Crested Tit

Both species are on RBBP list and Highland holds important breeding populations but surprisingly few actual breeding records. Please submit ALL records of sightings, in particular, please make a note of any signs of breeding which you observe. This adds hugely to the value of your sightings.

Crested Tit

• Records of Crested Tit are especially welcomed from the N and W extremes of their range

Red-breasted Merganser

• When identifying Red-breasted Merganser, be careful with similar Goosander. Check out BTO Bird ID video https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=7Jo83LevWeE&feature=youtu.be
• If you see a pair in suitable habitat early in the season, please try to revisit later in the season to check breeding success.
• It would be helpful if you could estimate size of any Merganser ducklings as “tiny”, “half-grown” or “more-or-less full-grown”

Submit your records online via BirdTrack https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/birdtrack , or you can send them direct to this address [email protected] and Carol Miller will enter them for you. Please include date, location (6 figure grid ref if possible or point on a map), number of birds and signs of breeding. Check out breeding codes at https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/u36/downloads/breedingcodes.pdf 

• Be careful not to disturb birds during the breeding season – view from a safe distance and do not linger.
• If on holiday somewhere in the Highlands, check out there too and submit your records.
• Let’s see if we can make a difference and improve our Highland breeding records of these 2 species.

and finally Thank You!!!