Free BBS training in Wales

In stark contrast to the usual trickle of inconsequential drivel found herein, and in a spirit of public service broadcasting, there follows an advertisement from the lovely people at the British Trust for Ornithology:


BTO offers free BBS training in Wales

Would you like to participate in the BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) in Wales but just need that extra boost to your confidence or skills? If so the BTO can help!
 
Following the success of last year’s initiative, coverage of BBS squares was increased substantially. Thanks to the generous support of the Countryside Council for Wales the BTO are again employing a small team of professional ornithologists to provide courses and one-to-one training of potential BBS volunteers on unallocated BBS squares around Wales.
 
There are a number of courses planned for March, which can be followed up by BTO trainers visiting a BBS square with you and walking you through your first visit, explaining how to record habitat data, how to record birds in different distance bands, recording mammals and how to enter your data online. These sessions are completely free and are available to BTO members and non-members alike.
 
Courses are currently planned for:
 
9th March at the Welsh Wildlife Centre, Cilgerran, Cardigan; and
16th March at Plas Dolerw, Newtown, Powys.

If you've got good identification skills for common birds and would like further details of the BBS or want to express an interest in these training sessions contact BTO Cymru on 01248 383285 or visit www.bto.org/bbs-training


Whilst I'm sure any additional surveyors in Gwent would be warmly welcomed, the BTO would be particularly interested to hear from anyone, perhaps residing up-county, that would fancy hopping over the border to Breconshire where they have a number of uncovered squares. Background information on the BBS can be found at http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/bbs