Kent Ornithological Society 
A national survey of heathland birds (Nightjar, Woodlark and Dartford Warbler) is taking place this year, in partnership with the RSPB. The previous population estimates made for these species are now almost 20 years old, based on data from surveys undertaken at a time when all three species had undergone a substantial increase in both population size and range. Both Woodlark and Dartford Warbler were at their most northerly recorded UK breeding range extents, while Nightjar was regaining ground in northern England and even into Scotland.
Nightjar - BTO Library
- In 2004, the Nightjar population was 4,600 territories (churring males).
- In 2006, Dartford Warblers numbered 3,214 territories and the Woodlark population was 3,064 territories.
We urgently need updated population estimates to assess how breeding numbers and range for each of these species have changed throughout the UK and Channel Islands. The survey is not limited to heathland and the aim is to record all birds of each species in whatever habitat they are in. The Heathland Birds Survey has been designed to cover the current known distribution of Woodlark, Nightjars and Dartford Warblers, but also to pick up recent range expansion or contraction. The data collected will be used to calculate up-to-date population figures.
Woodlark and Dartford Warbler do not really feature in Kent, mainly due to our lack of heathland, which is generally the preferred habitat (although some areas do exist around Pembury, Hothfield and on the Blean) so there are only a few squares (1km) to be surveyed. However, Kent does have a population of Nightjars, mostly in woodland habitats, which have been the subject of BTO surveys at intervals in the past (1981, 1992 and 2004), and so, after an interval of 20 years, it will be great to survey Nightjar again and get an update on its status in Kent. In terms of the other species, the occasional pair of Woodlark and Dartford Warbler do sometimes breed, but they are RBBP (Rare Breeding Bird Panel) species and survey effort will be mostly directed to a few local observers for the known breeding sites. For Woodlark, however, there is some evidence that the species may be moving into farmland along the North Downs and greensand ridge, and the Weald towards the Sussex border. Hence some squares are up for survey in these areas to test for this possible range expansion.
Volunteers should make between two and four visits for each of the species during the species’ survey periods:
Woodlark (15 February – 31 May) – two early morning visits between sunrise and 11 a.m.
Dartford Warbler (1 April – 30 June) – two early morning visits between sunrise and 11 a.m.
Nightjar (25 May – 15 July) – two evening visits covering the two-hour period after sunset, or the two hours prior to sunrise.
The main emphasis in Kent will be to survey Nightjars. The species favours areas of clear-felled and freshly replanted conifers and areas of Sweet Chestnut coppice up to about 3 years of age. It is recommended that anyone volunteering to survey Nightjars should make a daytime recce visit before the survey is undertaken in order to establish if suitable habitat is present, and if so where. This will save time wandering around at dusk during the survey to locate suitable areas.
Sign up
Have a MyBTO account already?
Don't have a BTO account?
- Create a MyBTO account and then sign up to the survey.
Once logged in, you will find the survey sign up for the survey in the 'Sign Up for Projects' section.
Request a site
Once signed up, you can request a square via the survey portal.
- Log in to the survey portal using your MyBTO account details.
Further details of the Nightjar survey can be found on the BTO website for the survey Heathland Birds Survey | BTO - British Trust for Ornithology