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BTO Northern Ireland 2015 Programme of Events
BTO in Northern Ireland will be running a series of events this year, as detailed below. Getting involved in
a BTO survey helps with conservation planning in Northern Ireland and increases the satisfaction that can
be gained from your birding. It is also much easier than you might think. Even if you have been on a
course before, you would still be welcome on another, even the same course again! So, book the date in
you diary and let Shane Wolsey know! You may also be interested in one of our conferences or networking
events – these are also detailed below. Again, put the date in your dairy, and let me know!
Training Courses
BBS Methodology
The BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) is a national volunteer project aimed at
keeping track of changes in the breeding populations of widespread bird species in the UK. The
survey is designed to be a simple and enjoyable birdwatching exercise. Volunteers make just
three visits to randomly-located 1-km squares, the first to record habitat and to set up a
suitable survey route, and the second and third to record birds that are seen or heard while
walking along the route. BBS volunteers record mammals seen during their surveys
This course will be run on five occasions this year in order to deliver it right across Northern
Ireland. You only need to come on one of these dates. The course will cover BBS rationale,
field methodology and data submission. www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/bbs
Garden BirdWatch
A ‘How and Why’ workshop on taking part in this easy and rewarding survey where you don’t
need to leave the comfort of your own home. With only the most common birds to identify
this survey can be done by almost anyone! A one-day course which we are delivering on five
occasions. www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/gbw
WeBS Methodology
How to take part in the Wetland Bird Survey so that you can contribute to this on-going
monitoring survey. www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/webs
Birdtrack recording
Keeping a record of the birds we see is one of the most useful aspects of our birdwatching.
Although you may not think your own personal records are very significant, when you combine
them with records from other birdwatchers in the same area they provide a valuable historical
record. Over time, records can be compared and will give between-year changes in the
patterns of occurrence of common species as well as details of breeding, distribution and
movements. Learn how to record the birds you see every day. www.bto.org/volunteersurveys/birdtrack
These courses start at 9.30am and finish by 2.30pm. If you are interested in any of these training events please let Shane
Wolsey know ([email protected] or [email protected] ). He will book you a place, confirm your place, and
then nearer the date, send you instructions for attending. Places tend to get booked up quite quickly, so don’t delay!
Conferences and networking
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The BTO Birdwatchers Conference will return to Oxford Island again on Saturday 7 November
BTO Birdwatchers
2015. As always we will endeavour to have a really good list of speakers, along with our
Conference
additional features such as the book shop and optics display. The day will, of course, it will be a
great opportunity to meet with other birders from throughout the north and south.
Seabird Network meeting
Members of the NI Seabird Network are invited to the launch of the NI Seabird Report 2014 and
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a (highly subsidised) dinner on the evening of Thursday 19 March 2015, as part of the MAMBO
2 conference, at the Marine Court Hotel, Bangor. This will be a great opportunity to network
with other seabird enthusiasts as well as delegates of the MAMBO 2 conference, all of whom
are interested in marine issues. A drinks reception will be sponsored by Ecologists Ireland, and
the main dinner is sponsored by Fair Head Tidal. To book your ticket you need to contact Kerry
Leonard, NI Seabird Coordinator, [email protected]
MAMBO II
Following on from our successful Measuring and Monitoring Biodiversity Offshore (MAMBO)
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conference in Sept 2013 we plan to hold a follow-up conference on 19 & 20 March 2015. This
is targeted at NGOs, Government, academia and commercial participants. Event is in
partnership with Ulster Wildlife www.ulsterwildlife.org . A programme and booking form are
available from [email protected]
Separate booking details will be distributed for each of the conferences and networking events, but if you are interested in
attending them you should reserve the dates in your dairy now!
BTO NI 2015 Calendar of Events
Date
Wed 28th Jan
Event
Garden BirdWatch Introduction
Venue
Mountstewart
Cost
Free
Sat 31st Jan
Garden BirdWatch Introduction
Bangor Museum
Free
Thu 5th Feb
Garden BirdWatch Introduction
Free
Sat 7th Feb
Garden BirdWatch Introduction
Redburn,
Holywood
Oxford Island
Sat 7th Feb
Garden BirdWatch Introduction
Castle Espie
Free
Thu 12th Mar
BBS Methodology training day
RSPB Portmore
Free
Fri 13th Mar
BBS Methodology training day
Castle Archdale
Free
Sat 14th Mar
BBS Methodology training day
Peatlands Park
Free
Thu 19th Mar
Seabird Network meeting
(launch of 2014 report plus dinner)
MAMBO 2 Conference
£10
(Measuring and Monitoring Biodiversity Offshore)
Marine Court
Hotel, Bangor
Marine Court
Hotel, Bangor
Fri 27th Mar
BBS Methodology training day
Limavady
Free
Sat 28th Mar
BBS Methodology training day
Castle Espie
Free
Sat 12th Sep
WeBS Methodology training day
Castle Espie
Free
Sat 19th Sep
BirdTrack Introduction
Castle Espie
Free
Sat 7th Nov
BTO NI Birdwatchers Conference
Oxford Island
tbc
19th & 20th
Mar
Free
£80+vat
concessions
available