Breeding evidence

Breeding evidence

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.


Examples of breeding codes

Non-breeding

CodeDescription
FFlying over
MSpecies observed but suspected to be still on Migration
USpecies observed but suspected to be a sUmmering non-breeder

Possible breeder

CodeDescriptionExample 
HSpecies observed in breeding season in suitable nesting HabitatHouse Sparrow in suitable breeding habitat.House Sparrow by John Harding

 

SSinging male present (or breeding calls heard) in breeding season in suitable breeding habitat
Robin singing in suitable breeding habitat.
Robin by John Harding

Probable breeding

 

CodeDescriptionExample 
P
Pair observed in suitable nesting habitat in breeding season
Pair of House Sparrows in suitable nesting habitatHouse Sparrow by John Harding
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.Robin by John Harding
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.Great Crested Grebes by Jill Pakenham
N
Visiting probable Nest site
House Sparrow visiting probable nest site.
House Sparrow by John Harding
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.
Reed Warbler by Dawn Balmer
B
Nest Building or excavating nest-hole
Song Thrush collecting nesting material is another sign of probable breeding.
Song Thrush by Tommy Holden

 

Confirmed breeding

CodeDescriptionExample 
DD
Distraction-Display or injury feigning
Little Ringed Plover feigning a wing injury as part of a distraction display.Little Ringed Plover by Adrian Drummond-Hill
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.
Robins by John Harding
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.
Coot by Geoge Higginbotham
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.
Willow Warbler by Glenn Bishton
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.
Song Thrush nest by Simon Thurgood
NY
Nest with Young seen or heard
Spotted Flycatcher nest with young.
Spotted Flycatcher by John Harding