6/12/2023 0 Comments The shepherd method![]() ![]() All in all, it is often a near-spiritual experience.” Dramatic changes in weather often occur, when it can suddenly turn from crystal clear to rolling storm clouds or dense fog in a matter of minutes. I love the peace and tranquillity as well as the challenges imposed by the terrain and weather. I love being outdoors and love being high up in the uplands. “I simply love every single day of surveying. So it’s fitting that Kevin has been a surveyor in all three of the surveys. ![]() The last three breeding bird surveys that have taken place across vast areas of the Peak District (in 1990, 2004, and 2018) have all used the ‘Brown and Shepherd’ technique. Furthermore surveys can be repeated over time to find out how well the birds are doing.” Most importantly, particularly good areas and habitats holding lots of birds can be readily identified and distinguished from relatively poor areas holding fewer birds. “Fortunately wading birds are relatively conspicuous, so you can detect what is detectable. The method was therefore standardised and repeatable to enable direct comparison of results across all areas. Following extensive trials, it was decided that one surveyor, should spend only 20-25 minutes within each half-kilometre square (500m x 500m), walking to within 125m of all points. In order to cover vast areas, the technique had to be rapid but it also needed to be accurate. So Kevin and Dr Andy Brown set out to solve the conundrum with their cutting edge survey technique. Sampling and then using the samples to estimate the wider numbers, was initially considered, but understandably it proved difficult to get government protection for given areas without concrete proof of what was actually there. ![]() There were lots of them spread over truly vast areas - so how could we possibly find out what was there and which areas were particularly important so we could protect them?” “Many years ago we realised that the uplands of Britain held internationally important bird populations, notably wading birds. Kevin has been one of the surveyors of our 2018 Breeding Bird Survey, so we had a chat with him to find out what makes him tick. He’s one half of the duo that devised the ‘Brown and Shepherd’ Upland Bird Survey technique back in the 1990s as a way to find out what birds lived on the moors. If you’re a frequent visitor to the world of birds, you may have heard of Kevin Shepherd before. ![]()
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