The Future of the Arran Bird Report
A note from the Arran Natural History Society:
We need help….
As a person living on Arran or visiting regularly with an interest in birds or natural history you are likely to be familiar with the Arran Bird Report. You may not know this but bird recording on Arran is much more than the production of this popular publication by the Arran Natural History Society.
Reports of bird sightings provided by residents, visitors, the local bird ringing team and the National Trust for Scotland rangers help to populate a spreadsheet. This collated information forms the basis of the annual Bird Report. Sightings from this spreadsheet which are not already on Birdtrack (a free purpose made phone app developed through partnership RSPB, BTO, SOC and others) are added to this national database thus creating a wider picture of bird migration and distribution. On a local basis bird sightings are also used to produce monthly articles for the Arran Banner and to alert people on the Arran Birding website of interesting recent bird sightings.
A victim of his success!
The incumbent bird recorder Jim Cassels has through some impressively hard work been incredibly successful in this role. Reported bird sightings have increased exponentially and it has become apparent that collating, compiling reports, uploading data and writing articles is now not a job for just one person!
Where do you fit in?
You don’t have to be an expert in birds but if you do have an interest then you may be able to help by becoming part of a team helping to support the functions of bird recording on Arran.
Do you have skills or knowledge in integrating information and data from various sources into a readily accessible spreadsheet or database?
Could you help maintain and regularly update the popular Arran Birding website?
Are you able to upload information to a database?
Do you have a willingness to write articles for the local Arran Banner or help with the production of the annual bird report?
If you could see yourself assisting in the function of bird recording and can offer a degree of commitment, have a reasonable sense of humour and an appreciation of quality biscuit consumption then please contact us. Even if you are unsure of your potential role but are enthusiastic to become involved, do get in touch.
How to get in touch:
Email: arrannaturalhistorysociety@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arrannaturalhistorysociety
