Avon recording area added to BirdGuides

BirdGuides has added the Avon recording area to its sightings database, in a significant development for birders in Bristol, Gloucestershire and Somerset. 

The change will greatly enhance the BirdGuides sightings service for birders living in Bristol and surrounding areas. Currently, sightings from the Greater Bristol area are split between the regions of Gloucestershire and Somerset & Bristol.

Changes will come into effect on 1 March 2024. Subscribers will need to set up new filters and alerts for Avon to continue receiving notifications for the county – this can be done right away. You can find more information about how to set up filters and alerts here. Filters can be used in tandem with the BirdGuides app, offering push notifications with unrivalled accuracy and accurate map pinning.

The borders of Avon follow four Unitary Authority boundaries – South Gloucestershire, Bristol, Bath and North-East Somerset, and North Somerset. These largely correspond with the former ceremonial county of Avon, covering an area of more than 1,345 sq km and with a population in excess of one million.

The county list stands at 346, with an additional three species not identified to species level including Britain's only accepted Fregetta storm petrel. Avon boasts a plethora of well-known birding sites, most notably including Chew Valley and Blagdon Lakes. Both sites boast an illustrious list of rarities and are hot-spots during spring and autumn migration, with annual visitors including Black and Arctic Terns, Little Gull and Osprey. Other notable birding sites include Barrow Gurney Reservoirs, Sand Point, Portbury Wharf, Severn Beach, Clevedon and Oldbury.

Map of the Avon recording area (Avon Ornithological Group).

 

Avon, Somerset and Gloucestershire

The move will also benefit birders in the neighbouring counties of Somerset and Gloucestershire, by bringing the county borders of Avon, Somerset and Gloucestershire used on BirdGuides in line with those used by local bird groups and British Birds for the first time. The change on BirdGuides has been made in partnership with county recorders and local bird clubs in the region.

More information on the Avon recording area, including contact details for county recorders and local bird clubs, can be found on the Bristol Ornithological Club website. All sightings reported to BirdGuides are fed into the BTO's BirdTrack system and are accessible to county recorders, ensuring their value to science.

 

Unbeatable value

The BirdGuides bird news service provides accurate, up-to-date and reliable information at unbeatable value for money. Unlike alternatives, there are no hidden costs and customised notifications are part of the packages detailed below.

• Bird News Ultimate – which allows users access to the BirdGuides bird news app, website, text and email alert services, as well as including an annual paper subscription to Birdwatch magazine – offers phenomenal value at just £79.99 per year on Direct Debit, or £20.99 per quarter.
• Bird News Pro – which includes full access to the bird news app, as well as our website service – costs just £59.99 per year on Direct Debit, or £15.99 per quarter.

New customers have the opportunity to sample the app through a month-long free trial. If you are a returning customer thinking about rejoining BirdGuides, please email us at contact@birdguides.com if you would like to trial the app.