The Breeding Birds of Cumbria: A tetrad atlas 1997 - 2001

M. Stott; J. Callion; I. Kinley; C. Raven; Roberts
�30.00

This is a splendid work for the serious ornithologist and local historian. The Cumbria Bird Club publication is a labour of love of 230 dedicated recorders of bird movements.
It is the first detailed work on birds of the county since Stokoe's 'Birds of the Lake Counties' in 1962. Every serious birder should have this book, whether resident or visitor to Cumbria. A thorough and academic work, but also accessible to the layman.

Published by :	Cumbria Bird Club
Published Date :	2002
Pages :	391
Format :	Large hardback.
Illustrations :	Colour maps. Line illustrations.
ISBN :	954324900

The Breeding Birds of Cumbria: A tetrad atlas 1997 - 2001

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Review

Cumbria, as well as being one of England’s largest counties, is also one of its most scenically varied. It ranges from the atmospheric wetlands of the Solway to the windswept heights of Skiddaw. Across its length and breadth a large variety of birds are to be found. There are over 152 species breeding in the county.
Some species are found everywhere. That bird of dark omen, the carrion crow, is the most widespread. It is found in over 90% of the county’s area. But some more friendly birds such as the wren, robin, chaffinch and willow warbler, swallow, blackbird and wood pigeon are to be seen almost everywhere. There are 360,000 pairs of chaffinches in the county, 240,000 pairs of willow warblers, 205,000 of meadow pipits and 170,000 of blackbirds.
All this information is the result of a painstaking survey undertaken by Cumbria Bird Club in the past four years. 230 dedicated recorders were involved. The county was divided into 1542 two kilometre squares or tetrads. Each square was visited at least twice and the observer stayed there for two hours. Some squares required visits at dusk or particular times of day to see certain species. The watchers were looking for signs of the birds breeding. It was assumed that there were probably breeding birds in the area if the male was heard singing or there was courtship behaviour or nest building activity. Breeding was confirmed if the adult birds were agitated by the watcher’s presence or if a nest or the young were sighted.
All this work was not done out of idle curiosity. It serves a vital purpose. Even a county as rural as Cumbria is changing rapidly. The landscape is under constant threat. The six million sheep that so quietly munch the grass on the fellsides are a threat to bird habitats.
And the closely managed landscape of the lowlands with their manicured hedges results in the loss of a variety of species. Birds such as the corn bunting, yellow wagtail, corncrake, nightjar, lesser spotted woodpecker and short-eared owl are disappearing. Their numbers have reduced considerably since the last extensive survey was undertaken.
However, other birds, are on the increase. The ospreys that bred this year by Buttermere were the first in the county for 170 years and the Mediterranean gull, and the common rose finch have bred in the county for the first time.
The book is beautifully presented. Each species receives a double-page spread with a detailed account of the bird and its presence in the county alongside maps and tables showing where it is to be found
The Breeding Birds of Cumbria is a vitally important book. Its detailed information is a barometer of the threat that man, even in his most benign activities, poses to other species.
One observation is sadly significant. The book reports that, “There was a starkly telling irony in the springtime of 2001: having lost their stock to foot and mouth culling farmers reported how silent their farms had become". - Steve Matthews, Bookcase.

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