BTO codes

John Clarkson · **Posted:** Wed Mar 04, 2015 2:33 pm

In order to save space in my notebooks I use the BTO codes to note my sightings. One day in Feb around Louth I realised that I'd recorded twelve of the species with single letter codes all of which are listed here:

B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. J. K. L. M. N. P. Q. R. S. T. W. Y.

I idly wondered whether it would be possible to record all (except I. obviously!) in a single day in Lincs. If so where would you have to go and when in the year could it be done? Has anyone ever tried? What's the closest to the max possible score of 20 that's been achieved?

John

Andy Sims · **Posted:** Wed Mar 04, 2015 4:14 pm

Hi John,

I too use BTO codes in my notebook.

I have recorded 16 single letter code species on my patch, all except E. F. I. & N.

The most I have had on one day is 14 with B. C. D. G. H. J. K. L. M. P. R. S. T. & Y.

You would obviously need to be on the coast to get E. & F. and I would have thought an autumn day would give you your best chance, I very much doubt anyone will manage 19 and if anyone gets I. please let me know where it is.

All have been recorded in Lincs with I. at Bardney in 1963.

We really must get a life!!

Andrew Henderson · **Joined:** Wed Jan 19, 2005 11:31 am **Posts:** 118

Likewise - and I too have recorded the same 16 species here (most every year) so it must be quite easy and nine or possibly ten of them have bred (most every year).

If anyone is mystified by what these codes are, you can find them all at http://www.bto.org/about-birds/birdfacts/british-list
where you will discover that I. is a rare joke amongst the more usual acronyms and similar.

Ringers and nest recorders also use a set of five-letter codes (also included on the link above) but these, including TRESP and WILTI, get too close to real words for my taste. I will lead you a merry dance, almost.

Andrew

Stuart Britton · **Posted:** Wed Mar 04, 2015 6:51 pm

The five letter (EURING) codes contain one or two crackers such as GARGA, PIFGO, WOOSA and WOOSH. Much more fun than single letter codes!

John Clarkson · **Posted:** Wed Mar 04, 2015 7:59 pm

Yes it's good to know that the BTO has a sense of humour! Best bet would be spring when S. is still singing but then E. and F. would be difficult

John

Andy Sims · **Posted:** Fri Mar 06, 2015 2:17 pm

Following on with this theme. In 4 hours on my patch this morning I saw 55 species. In order of recording these were:-
SG HS MG GR B.GD LR GO M. CD D. BT C. GT WP CT RB H. R. ST CH Y. WR BH S. CM HG FF GJ T. MA LT GC MH SD KF ET CA CO MS TU GA SU PO CG SH BZ LB K. P. JD G. MP J. LI

John T Goy · **Joined:** Tue Dec 28, 2004 11:30 pm **Posts:** 2385

Just read this thread mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

All sounds very technical to me I have enough to worry about without worrying about codes for birds, saying that I did use the BTO codes when doing the surveys and possibly when doing the BBS.

I'll stick to writing the name of the bird in my log book.

Kind regards

JTG

Benjamin Ward · **Posted:** Mon Mar 09, 2015 10:20 pm

11 single letter code species recorded on local patch today, recording order- B. R. S. P. M. K. J. Y. D. L. T., I am hoping for 13, with G. and H. notably absent today.

Regards,

Ben.

Benjamin Ward · **Posted:** Mon Mar 09, 2015 10:26 pm

My mistake, in actual fact 12 species recorded today, I missed out C. from the list. So I should be hoping for 14!

Regards,

Ben.

Anthony Bentley · **Posted:** Wed Mar 11, 2015 11:50 am

I'll post this on here aswell. Which bird belongs to the BTO code I.?

I've just heard about the BTO codes single letter challenge. on 6th February this year I Managed 15 at RSPB Frampton Marsh and RSPB Freiston Shore.

B. - Blackbird
C. - Carrion Crow
D. - Dunnock
E. - Eider
F. - Fulmar
G. - Grey Partridge
H. - Grey Heron
J. - Jay
K. - Kestrel
L. - Lapwing
M. - Mistle Thrush
R. - Robin
S. - Skylark
T. - Teal
Y. - Yellowhammer

Missed out on G. but I did have one this morning I would hazard a guess at there being 18 of the 20 Recorded at RSPB Frampton Marsh and RSPB Freiston Shore. Missing 2 being N. and I. whatever that may be :lol:

Andy Sims · **Posted:** Wed Mar 11, 2015 1:16 pm

Hi Anthony,

I. is Solitary Sandpiper, 1 Lincs record at Bardney pits in 1963.

Anthony Bentley · **Posted:** Thu Mar 12, 2015 8:07 pm

Oh don't think I saw that one :wink:

Benjamin Ward · **Posted:** Thu Mar 19, 2015 1:07 am

Almost escaped my attention, (almost!), I recorded 13 single letter code sp. today on my patch, a pb, recording- R. B. D. P. S. K. J. M. C. Y. G. L. T.. Very happy with this, though admittedly I did lurk around the Witham area for some time hoping for H. with no success!

Regards,

Ben.

The Lincolnshire Bird Club

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