Status Categories

The Density status of all birds on the BOS Systematic List has been assessed since the 1960s using the BOS records and a statistical grouping. This provides a standardised way to assign a status, allowing changes in status to be assessed over time.

The Occurrence of the species is assigned based on its breeding or passage status. For some species, a distribution term is also provided as a further clarification of its status.

Some species fall into both categories (breeding and passage), so for them an additional set of statuses is provided, with the primary status given first.

Numerical Density

The numerical density status is a broad measure of the abundance of the species within the BOS, enabling a comparative assessment between species to be assessed. The density status is assessed using two scales – one for non-breeding species and one for breeding species, as follows:

  • Non-breeding occurrence is one of: Over-wintering, Winter visitor, Passage migrant, Casual visitor, Regular visitor, Vagrant

  • Breeding occurrence is one of: Resident or Summer visitor

Non-breeding Species Density

This classification applies to species which only occur as visitors during the winter period, as passage migrants or as vagrants to the BOS area. The occurrence of a number of birds together in one locality on one day is termed a unit record. However, when the same individuals are reported on many occasions the number of localities is used as the unit record. A locality is usually defined as a 1km square or water, or exceptionally, a site such as the Mid-Cherwell Valley. The number of different localities/records in which a species was recorded during a ten-year period is then given a status term according to its place on the scale below.

Status Term Records / Localities
Rare 1-2
Very occasional 3-9
Occasional 10-29
Fairly frequent 30-99
Frequent 100-299
Very frequent 300+

 

Breeding Species Density

The breeding status of residents and summer migrants is determined by one or more of three methods:

  • Breeding density established by a survey such as the SRSS

  • Counting the number of records occurring during the breeding season

  • Counting the number of occupied 1km squares during the breeding season

Status Term

Method 1
Pairs per 100 sq. km

Method 2
Number of sightings

Method 3
Number of occupied 1km squares

Rare 0 - 0.1 0 - 4 1 – 4
Scarce 0.1 - 0.3 5 – 24 6 – 24
Not scarce 0.3 – 3.0 25 – 124 25 – 124
Fairly numerous 3.0 – 30 125 – 624 125 – 499
Numerous 30 – 300 625 – 3,124 500 – 999
Abundant 300+ 3,125+ 1,000 – 1,200

 

Occurrence Status

The occurrence status is based on it being a resident or when it is a visitor.

Occurrence Term Definition
Resident Present as a breeding species and recorded throughout the year but not necessarily as the same individuals.
Summer visitor Species which arrive in the spring, breed in the area and depart before winter.
Over-wintering Once regarded as summer visitors, some species can now be seen all year round, with wintering birds thought to be mostly visitors from central Europe rather than British breeders that have stayed on.
Winter visitor Species which visit the area during the winter period but breed elsewhere.
Passage migrant Species which visit the area only when moving to some other area, normally on passage from winter quarters to breeding grounds or vice versa.
Casual visitor Species which have occurred in less than 50% of the last 10 years and which can occur in most months of the year.
Regular visitor Species which have occurred in more than 50% of the last 10 years and can occur in most months of the year but do not breed in the area.
Vagrant Passage migrants off their normal route, wanderers or species which are present for some unknown reason.
Escape Birds which are thought to have escaped from private collections.
pre 1952 only Only recorded prior to the society's formation in 1952. These are verified sightings, as detailed in the various BOS 10 year reports.

 

Distribution Status

Distribution Term Area/Density Ratio
Extensive 10+ records per 100 sq. km
Very widespread 5 - 9 records per 100 sq. km
Widespread 1 - 4 records per 100 sq. km
Local Recorded in 5+ 10km squares
Restricted Recorded in 1-5 10km squares

This new paper, published on World Curlew Day on 21 April 2022, describes the current and historical status of the Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata in an area of 1200 square kilometres centred on Banbury.   Click here to link to the paper Read more ...

The State of Nature in the UK  -  Stephen Lovell

With the UK being the most nature-depleted nation in Europe – is it too late to reverse the tide? Read more ...

Our annual winter count, carried out by teams of observers in each of the twelve 10km square, to record the number of bird species seen between 8am and 4pm.   Read more ...

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