All codes for Possible, Probable and Confirmed Breeding had to relate to individuals in potentially suitable nesting habitat.

Code F (Flying over) should have only be used on Roving Records forms and not on Timed Tetrad Visits.

• Download a version of the Breeding Evidence Codes.

Examples of breeding codes

Non-breeding

Possible breeder

Code	Description	Example
H	Species observed in breeding season in suitable nesting Habitat	House Sparrow in suitable breeding habitat.
S	Singing male present (or breeding calls heard) in breeding season in suitable breeding habitat	Robin singing in suitable breeding habitat.

Probable breeding

Code	Description	Example
P	Pair observed in suitable nesting habitat in breeding season	Pair of House Sparrows in suitable nesting habitat
T	Permanent Territory presumed through registration of territorial behaviour (song etc) on at least two different days a week or more apart at the same place or many individuals on one day	If there are a number of Robins singing at the same time in the same area then Permanent Territory can be used, or territorial behaviour (song etc) on at least two different days a week or more at the same place.
D	Courtship and Display (judged to be in or near potential breeding habitat; be cautious with wildfowl)	Great Crested Grebes displaying is a good sign of probable breeding.
N	Visiting probable Nest site	House Sparrow visiting probable nest site.
A	Agitated behaviour or anxiety calls from adults, suggesting probable presence of nest or young nearby
I	Brood patch on adult examined in the hand, suggesting Incubation	Bird ringers can record the presence of brood patches on birds when trapped for ringing. This is a Reed Warbler.
B	Nest Building or excavating nest-hole	Song Thrush collecting nesting material is another sign of probable breeding.

Confirmed breeding

Code	Description	Example
DD	Distraction-Display or injury feigning	Little Ringed Plover feigning a wing injury as part of a distraction display.
UN	Used Nest or eggshells found (occupied or laid within period of survey)
FL	Recently FLedged young (nidicolous species) or downy young (nidifugous species). Careful consideration should be given to the likely provenance of any fledged juvenile capable of significant geographical movement. Evidence of dependency on adults (e.g. feeding) is helpful. Be cautious, even if the record comes from suitable habitat.	Recently fledged Robins still showing dependency on an adult.
ON	Adults entering or leaving nest-site in circumstances indicating Occupied Nest (including high nests or nest holes, the contents of which can not be seen) or adults seen incubating	Coot on a nest.
FF	Adult carrying Faecal sac or Food for young	Willow Warbler carrying food for young. This code also includes carrying faecal sac away from the nest.
NE	Nest containing Eggs	Song Thrush nest with eggs. You have to be lucky to find a nest. For species such as Mute Swan and Canada Goose the nests are more obvious.
NY	Nest with Young seen or heard	Spotted Flycatcher nest with young.