TURNHOUT C VAN & AARTS B (2007) A new monitoring scheme for breeding birds in urban habitats. LIMOSA 80 (1): 40-43.

Monitoring of breeding birds in urban areas has never been popular in The Netherlands.Methods used so far in fieldwork (i.e. territory mapping) are expected to meet with difficulties in villages and cities, e.g. limited accessibility ofmany sites. Hence, knowledge on trends in builtup areas is scant, although meanwhile 16% of the Netherlands is urbanised.Moreover, several species typical of urban areas, like Crested Lark and House Sparrow, have suffered major declines in recent decades and are now on the Dutch Red List. Therefore, BirdLife the Netherlands and SOVON Dutch Centre for Field Ornithology have designed a new monitoring project: 'Monitoring Urban Species' (MUS). Fieldwork and processing of data for MUS is less time-consuming than in traditional breeding bird surveys, and also suits less experienced birdwatchers. Observers can choose a census area in their neighbourhood (selected by postal code) and are requested to make point counts of 5 minutes each at 8-12 randomly pre-selected points within the census area. During these 5 minutes, all birds observed are recorded, regardless of their activity (but except those clearly passing by) and distance fromthe observer. A small-scale research project will address some of the methodological aspects. First calls for participation proved successful; nearly 500 birdwatchers responded positively within a month after the project started. More information is available through www sovon nl.

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