Fill-in form of the atlas project (.rtf, 243k; .zip, 9k)

Estonian Ornitological Society has initiated the compiling of a new Estonian Breeding Bird Atlas to update the data collected for the previous breeding bird atlas considering the necessity for revealing the current distribution and numbers of breeding birds. Field work of the atlas will be carried out within the period 2004-2007.

Collection of the data for the atlas is based on international UTM-grid squares. The territory of Estonia is divided into atlas squares according to these UTM-grid squares. The main objective of the work is to identify all species of breeding birds within the squares as well as provide estimates of the numbers of less abundant species within squares and record the observation data on the maps of the squares. 

Squares and selection of squares

The territory of Estonia has been divided into 5x5km grid squares. Each square is identified by a code of six letters and figures (eg FK3595).  A volunteer is expected to select one or several squares for the data collection according to his/her posibilities.

The squares can be selected on the Internet homepage of the atlas. If it is not possible for a volunteer to use the Internet we would like the volunteer to inform us of the selected observation area [eg: Tartu mk, Kambja, area between Vana-Kuuste and Uhti villages; or: Viljandimaa, Veisjärv (Tarvastu vald) and Rubina soo (Helme vald)]. After you have picked out the area we will send you a map of the region provided with squares and codes. You will select the relevant squares and notify us of the codes of the squares. You can also select squares by phoning us. You are expected to send  information about the codes of the squares and your contact numbers to the Estonian Ornithologist Society by e-mail, phone or post, contacts of the EOS are provided at the end of the guide. 

We will send each co-worker two maps of the scale of 1 : 20 000 (1 cm = 200 m) and two forms to fill in. You will send one completed form and one completed map to the EOS after the end of the fieldwork, by October of the current year at the latest. The other copy of the map and form will be used for your daily data recording. 

Field work

After having received all necessary materials it is possible to start with the observation , i.e field work. 

Field trips to each selected square have to be made throughout the breeding period of the birds (March –July). The most suitable time of the day is morning hours when birds are more active and can be encountered with less effort. In the earlier observation period (March – middle May) it is easier to detect several forest species (falconiformes, galliformes, piciformes, corvidae etc). Field trips in the later observation period can be more successful in terms of finding the nests of birds (e.g during field trips in the named period nests with nestlings in water bodies can be detected more easily). In order to encounter species active at night it is necessary to carry out observations late in the evening or at night. For the detection of owls field trips have to made at night in early spring (March-April). 

Each habitat identified in the square has to be covered by observations. Forest species and the species of cultural landscape are mostly dispersed in larger areas whereas the waterfowl is concentrated in habitats suitable for their needs. Therefore, it is necessary to visit all lakes and small marine islets, large reedbeds, large open (better preserved) coastal meadows, flooded areas and mires. Other scattered habitats to be paid attention to are parks, graveyards and other habitats of the cultural landscape. Also, settlements and complexes of buildings have to be visited as certain species (swallows, swifts, sparrows, the Black Redstart etc) prefer to breed in the named habitats. 

It is necessary to cover as much of the territory of the square  as possible to detect all breeding bird species. If the observer manages to study the main square thoroughly in a single year, it is not absolutely necessary to carry out observations in the same square the following year (however, it is recommended as some of the species might not occur every year, also, as a result of the fluctuations in population numbers detection of certain species in one year is easier than in another).

Species and identification of species

In order to contribute to the compiling of bird atlas it is not necessary to know all Estonian breeding bird species! However, it is very important to register the right bird species on the field form and the map. If you are uncertain on how to estimate some species or you do not know the species, do not register them.

It is especially imortant to be careful about the identification of such species as the Montagu's Harrier and Hen Harrier, Lesser Spotted Eagle and Greater Spotted Eagle, Ringed Plover Little and Ringed Plover, Arctic Tern and Common Tern, Grey-headed Woodpecker and Green Woodpecker, Blyth's Reed Warbler and Marsh Warbler, Mistle Thrush and Fieldfare, Marsh Tit and Willow Tit, Parrot Crossbill and Crossbill. It is necessary to be equally attentive in identifying the Whooper Swan, female anatidae, Merlin, Great Snipe, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Stock Dove, Eagle Owl, Tawny Pipit, Savi's Warbler, Reed Warbler, Barred Warbler and Serin.

In case of encountering significant species (rare species as well as coastal species in inland etc) in the square the observer should write down the identification characteristics of the species to enable the species to be identified later, if the need be.

Observation data recorded during the breeding of the species marked with an asterisk in the field form have to be confirmed by the Estonian Rarities Committee, also, an additional relevant form has to be filled in (available in the office of the EOS and on the EOS homepage). 

Provision of breeding evidence

All regular breeding bird species have been listed on the field form of the atlas. If you detect a possible breeding bird which is not listed, add the spieces in the blank row at the end of the list. 

The observer has to record breeding evidence for the detected species in the relevant row. The observer must report on the results of observation using the letter codes for the categories defined below in the table and listed on the field forms. In the course of observation try to find evidence for the higher criteria whereas the best finding is a nest with eggs or nestlings. NB! It is prohibited to visit the nests of eagles and the Black Stork. In the field form to be sent to the EOS you have to provide the highest categories of findings with relevant letter codes. It is recommended to take the table of breeding evidence with you every time you go to a field trip and register the observation data immediately, the data registrated later might not be objective. 

Breeding evidence categories, letter codes and definitions for bird species (ascending):
0 - The species observed in or near the square during the species' breeding season 
Possible breeding
v - The species observed in or near suitable habitat during the species' breeding season
l - Singing bird or territorial call encountered during the species' breeding season 
Probable breeding
P - Pair observed in suitable habitat during breeding season 
T - Territorial call or other territorial behavior registered at the same site on two or more field trips at least one week apart. 
M - Courtship behavior or breeding displays observed
K - Adult bird visiting probable nest site 
R - Agitated behavior or anxiety calls near probable nest or juveniles 
H - Hatching mark detected on caught adult bird 
E - Nest building or establisment of nesting holes during breeding season 
Confirmed breeding
HR - Adult bird attacking, distraction display by injury-feigning or otherwise 
KP - Nest used in the summer of observation or eggshells found 
LP - Fledgling(s) still incapable of sustained flight (altricial) or downy chick(s) still following their parents (precocial). NB! Fledglings capable of sustained flight might come from other squares!
VP - Occupied nest inaccessible to the observer indicated by an adult visiting the nest or hatching in the nest
VT - Adult carrying fecal sac or adult feeding young 
MP - Nest with eggs
PP - Nest with nestlings

The following important aspects have to be kept in mind with respect to the provision of breeding evidence:

The period of migration of passage migrants is long and those birds (Black-throated Diver,  Wigeon, Red-breasted Merganser, Corncrake, Spotted Crake, Whimbrel, Ruff, Jack Snipe, Woodcock, Wood Sandpiper, Great Grey Shrike, Dipper,  Brambling, Bluethroat, Waxwing, certain Warbler species, Bullfinch and others) can stage in Estonia for quite a long time without breeding in the area. Control field trips have to be made at the end of May and in the first half of June in the places of occurrence of the named species. At the same time, in addition to breeding birds, individuals of the Wigeon, Common Goldeneye, Numenius, Wood Sandpiper, Jack Snipe etc having completed breeding or lost their nests, can be encountered from the middle of June and should not be recorded as breeders.

Several species (Black-throated Diver, Falconiformes, Grey Heron, Gulls, Terns, Swifts, Swallows, Crows and Allies)  go to faraway places in search of food. Therefore, the breeding sites of the foraging individuals or the individuals looking for food may be located outside the square. In case of such individuals, the code “VT” can only be used when an adult bird carrying food is observed when flying right onto the nest or repeatedly heading to a certain locality within the square (observed from different points). 

Certain species (the Grey Heron, swans, falconiformes, the Common Crane) are characterized by the occurrence of numerous non-breeding individuals during the breeding season.

NB! In case of such observation the letter code “0” must be registered in the field form. 

Estimates of species population and mapping of observation data

With respect to the species listed in bold font (as well as in case of species registered in blank rows at the end of the field form), the number of encountered pairs, males observed during breeding display (in case of species not forming permanent pairs, eg Capercaillie, Black Grouse, Great Snipe), or the number of detected territories must be recorded. At the same time, try to estimate the actual number of breeding pairs of the named species in the square taking into account the status of surveys, possible counting errors etc. Register your estimate in the relevant box of the field form. Population estimates can be provided with respect to all other species as well.
 
Observations of the species listed in bold font must be registered in the map of the square as follows: 
only breeding colonies and single nests outside colonies must be registered with respect to the Cormorant, Grey Heron,  gulls, terns, the Black Tern, Sand Martin, Rook and Jackdaw; 
only nests must be registered with respect to the White Stork, Buzzard and Raven; 
observations of possible, probable and confirmed breeding with respect to all the remaining species. 
Each observation site, location of a nest or colony must be registered on the map as precisely as possible. Mapping should be carried out as follows: you have to mark the location with a circled number (the number indicates the sequence of observation) and write a detailed description of the observation on the back side of the map (number- species, date, number of birds, gender and activity; with respect to the latter it is recommended to take the criteria for the breeding evidence as the basis. For example: (8) - the Teal, 22.06.2004, one pair with five fledgings) still incapable of sustained flight, at the edge of reedbed, LP).

In case of breeding colonies, breeding display, (eg the Capercaillie, Black Grouse and others) as well as in case of small lakes and marine islets indicate the observation of the species in a certain location with the same number (eg (4) - Black-headed Gull 10.06.2004, a colony, 50 pairs, MP). If a species was encountered in the same place for the second time, the same sequence number as used for the registration of the first observation data can be used when recording the data of the second observation on the back side of the map). If you run low on observation maps, do not hesitate to ask for additional copies from the office of the EOS.

NB! Observation data of one (current) year must be recorded on one field form and map!

Status of the survey of the square 

In addition to the number of observation hours  the survey status of the square must be indicated on the field form (taking into account the probability of detecting new species in the square) using the following criteria for describing the status:
1. Low – incidental observations have been carried out in the square. A number of species have evidently not been detected.
2. Moderate – at least half of the square has been covered, all the most important habitats and bird sites have been visited; a number of bird species have not been detected.
3. Good – the whole square has been covered, all the most important bird sites have been visited repeatedly; probability for detecting new bird species is insignificant.

NB! Low status of the study does not indicate bad quality of your work but shows the amount of time you have spent on studying the square. The survey status is important for the identification of the need for additional surveys. 

If any part of the square has not been visited, please designate the borders of this area on the map to be sent to the EOS. 

Additional data

In addition to the observations carried out in your squares, additional data from other sources can be of great help, for example: 
incidental observations of the breeding birds of any area;
species lists of the breeding birds of any area;
nesting cards.

When subitting additional data we would like you to take into consideration the following aspects:
record the code and exact observation point of the studied square, if possible. If the code of the square is unknown, give a detailed description of the observation point (start with the name of the county or municipality or any other larger distribution unit to enable us to make difference between the places with the same name). We recommend you to compile the lists of species according to as small areas as possible to be able to record them within one square (in case of longer field trips you can divide the route into sectors); 
with respect to the list of species and incidental observations it is also important to record the breeding evidence using the same letter codes as with respect to the field forms of squares.

All data can be sent to the EOS by e-mail or post, also, information on single observations may be communicated over the phone.

In order to facilitate the field work and provision of population estimates we recommend you to read additional methodological guides available in the office of the EOS. List of breeding birds and some additional material is accessible on the atlas homepage www.eoy.ee/atlas

NB! We are looking forward to comments and proposals on the amendments to the methodology, guide and field form of atlas work. 

We wish you beautiful bird experiences!
Estonian Ornithological Society

Contacts:
Postal adress: Atlas, pk.227, Tartu 50002
Visiting address: Veski 4, Tartu
Phone: +3727 422195
Fax: +3727 422180
E-mail: atlas@eoy.ee