We need your bird records!

. . . and BirdTrack is our preferred method for receiving them.
It's easy to set up and entering records is quick. The reports it produces are fabulous for reviewing your own records and keeping lists up to date.

Have a look at the Record submission page to see which records are required, and other ways to send them in. There's a link to the BNHS website for an easy way to get an OS Grid Reference for your record(s).

Welcome to the Bedfordshire Bird Club

The Bedfordshire Bird Club was formed in 1992 to enhance the recording of birds in the county and bring together people with a shared interest in birds and birding.

Cuckoo at MVCP
Cuckoo © Steve Blain

Cuckoos - Can you help the Bird Club survey these familiar, but rapidly declining birds?

Field meetings − dates for your diary

  • SUNDAY 9th JUNE
    Day trip to North Norfolk for a wide variety of species.
    Meet in the car park at Titchwell RSPB Reserve, TF749436, at 9.00am.
    Leader: Kevin Sharpe

  • SUNDAY 14th JULY
    Digiscoping Workshop at Dunstable Sewage Treatment Works, off Thorn Road, near Dunstable, TL003243, starting at 9.00am, finish around 2.00pm.
    Our facilitator will be national expert Paul Hackett. All levels catered for. Please book in advance with Don Green as numbers are limited.
    Organiser: Steve Blain

  • SUNDAY 28th JULY
    Day trip to Greenham Common NR, Berkshire for heathland species plus interesting insects.
    Meet in main car park off roundabout on Bury's Bank Road, SU499652, at 9.00am.
    Leader: Kevin Sharpe

  • SUNDAY 11th AUGUST Bird Ringing Demonstration by kind agreement with Beeston Wildlife group.
    An opportunity to see a variety of birds in the hand. Hopefully includes moth ID session.
    Meet at Cos Lodge, Beeston, near Biggleswade, TL171479, at 8.00am, finish around noon.
    Weather dependent, call Don Green if in doubt.
    Leader: Derek Gruar

For full details of all 2013 summer season meetings see our Programme page

 

What to look for in Bedfordshire

May
May has proved over recent years to be a superb time for birding in Bedfordshire with the last summer visitors arriving and a fine array of scarce and rare visitors recorded. The long, warmer days and peak of bird song also ensure it is one of the most pleasurable months for spending time in the field. Birding time is split between the commitments of survey activity and the desire to continue the search for migrants, with waders and birds from the south and east being the main attractions.

To find out what's possible to see this month read our What to see guide.

June
June is a quiet month in Bedfordshire in comparison to the excitement of April and May. Spring migration comes to an end at the beginning of the month, with the first movements of the autumn migration already recorded by the end of the month. Our breeding birds settle in to bringing up their young, song is reduced and thick cover makes birds elusive but this month is the ideal opportunity to recognise confirmed breeding records for the Atlas. There's still a chance of a rarity however, with local records of excellent vagrants during this period.