Bird Conservation Targeting Project (BCTP) in the UK, archived data (2001-2010) - sensitive records

Quality Control

These data were collated from many sources, and include both data gathered by trained field-workers, expert volunteers, and data submitted by the public. The data have been validated by local experts, and are of a high quality.

These data have been mapped and checked for sensitivities and typographical/geographical errors.

Method steps

1. The data were collated from a wide range of sources including local bird clubs and bird recorders, local record centres, BirdTrack, RSPB datasets, and BTO datasets, and the NBN. The data were summarised to the tetrad level, and validated by local experts to remove spurious, and non-breeding records.
   
   In order to verify records and validate the dataset, the data have been mapped and thoroughly checked.

England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales.

The data are presence-only records, and are summarised at 2 km resolution. The majority of records are shown publicly at 10km resolution. In some cases, the data are shown at better resolution than advised by the Rare Breeding Bird Panel (RBBP). The resolution used for these data has been agreed by consultation with a selection of species experts (including RSPB, BTO and RBBP staff) who believe that this is the optimal resolution at which to show the data for conservation gain.


Due to the nature of the data collation, the extent of coverage is unknown. The data reflect the availability of data, and records may be sparser in more remote areas with fewer recorders, particularly in the north of Scotland and Northern Ireland. The lack of a species record should not be interpreted as absence of the species.

This dataset is not identical to the original dataset produced by the BCTP, which is used for targeting. At full resolution, this dataset shows data as 2km grid squares. The original dataset shows the data as circular buffers with 2km diameter, centred at the centroid of the corresponding 2km square. The public resolution for this dataset is 10km, and on the NBN the data show as 10km squares. The original dataset shows the data as circular buffers with 7km diameter, centred at the centroid of the corresponding 10km square.