The
Lower Windrush Valley Project bird hides at Rushy Common and Standlake Common
Nature Reserves contain record books where visitors are encouraged to write
down their wildlife sightings. The records are then transcribed to Excel and
submitted to the Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre (TVERC).
LWVP
volunteer, John Cobb, recently carried out analysis of bird species records
from the hides at Standlake Common (Langley’s Lane) and Rushy Common. The records
show some interesting trends in bird populations.
The
most significant conclusions from the records are:
- A combined total of 164 species has been observed at the two sites.
- A significant decrease in the number of records of Grey Herons at both sites, but
- A large increase in the number of records of Great White Egrets at both sites.
- An apparent decrease in the number of records of Little Grebes at Rushy Common.
- A significant (–30%) decrease in the numbers of waders recorded at Langley’s Lane, but
- An increase (+50%) in the number of waders recorded at Rushy Common.
- Wintering duck populations fluctuate but remain healthy.
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| Great White Egret at Standlake Common |
Next
steps:
- Use conclusions to inform future management of nature reserves
- Complete similar analysis over a longer time period
- Ensure records from all three hides are transcribed as quickly as possible so our data is current and…
- Streamline the recording process to enable us to keep on top of data entry!
The
full report can be viewed here: http://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/sites/default/files/file/countryside/LWVP-Bird-Report-Feb-2020-John%20Cobb.pdf
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| Rushy Common Bird Hide |
The
Lower Windrush Valley Project bird hides are operated with a key holder scheme.
If you would like to purchase a key, see our website here: https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/environment-and-planning/countryside/lower-windrush-valley-project/buying-bird-hide-key
