M & N Book of Records provides a range of statistics for every species on the Moray and Nairn list. Typical data provided include extremes of numbers, extreme arrival and departure dates for migrants and, for scarce species, the total number of records. Where a species has been recorded on fewer than five occasions, all records are given in full.
Data are often provided for two periods – pre 1985 and 1985 onwards. This cut-off marks the start of the publication of the annual Moray & Nairn Bird Report following which, more detailed information for many species has become available.
The term ‘records’ as used here requires some definition. When one or more birds remain in one locality for a period of time this constitutes one record. For example, a King Eider in Burghead Bay over one winter period from October to March is one record, and 25 Whimbrel dropping onto the Spey estuary for 10 minutes before moving on also represents one record. If a King Eider reappears in Burghead Bay in the following winter, this is treated here as a different record despite the possibility (or even likelihood) that this is the same bird returning.
Information to the end of 2011 is currently included, and will be updated annually following the publication of the most recent Bird Report. The first section of data relates to wildfowl, and other groups will be added as time permits.
M & N Book of Records – Swans, geese and ducks
