County
records
We are very keen that sightings of birds should be recorded so as to keep the county records up to date. Formerly the club operated on a "card index" system where members sent in written records on pre-printed cards. These were then distributed to a team of people who collated the records for the annual bird report. In late 2003 we changed to an electronic system where the preferred method of records submission is by way of spreadsheets. These are then loaded into a database which is used to distribute the records to the bird report writing team in whatever order is required. You can find out how to submit records electronically and download an example spreadsheet but going to our electronic recording page
Those who cannot submit records electronically can still send in records on cards or by letter. These are then transcribed into spreadsheets in order to load them into the database. A supply of bird report cards can be obtained from the County recorder, Steve Blain, at the address below. Records can be sent by email to . Alternatively you can use the webform at the bottom of this page.
What do we require?
A copy of The Bedfordshire List is available on this website and the codes against the species in this list will give a guide of what records are needed. Any bird new to the county such as the recent Laughing Gull and Whiskered Tern requires a full description. Please keep submitting your descriptions, forms and cards are available from Steve Blain or Peter Smith by post or at indoor meetings. Descriptions by email are also most welcome. Confidentially of your records is important to us, especially when we pass them on to the local biological records centre, a link to the Bird Club policy can be found here.
The contact details for the County Recorder
are:-
Steve Blain,
34 Southill Road,
Broom,
SG19 9NN
Tel: 07979 606300
or
County rarities
A copy of the Rarity Report Form is on this website and can be printed out, filled in and posted to Peter Smith or alternatively a copy in Microsoft word DOC format which is very easy to fill in can be downloaded from HERE and then emailed in.
Contact for rarities
reports:
Peter Smith – Secretary, Bedfordshire Rarities Committee
The Old Rectory,
Hills End,
Eversholt,
Milton Keynes
MK17 9DR
Email:
Tel: 01525 280001
County bird sightings may be
submitted to the website by using the form below.
Please note that some species require a full description or brief notes of the
bird. Please see The Bedfordshire List page for the
status of species in the county. Those categorised E need brief notes which
can be submitted on this form but F & G require a full description. See the
details of how to do this further up on this page.