Categories of breeding status

Categories of breeding status for the Waterford Breeding Bird Atlas

Broad category and detailed code	Definition

Birds not actually ‘using’ a tetrad
→	Bird directly flying over tetrad (or flying past off coast within tetrad) without foraging/circling and without being seen to alight on or take off from land or sea within tetrad*

Suspected non-breeding
M	suspected on Migration [include late winterers]
U	suspected sUmmering non-breeder

Possible breeding
H	seen/heard in suitable Habitat
S	Singing male(s) in suitable habitat, 1 date

Probable breeding
P	Pair(s) in suitable nesting habitat
T	Territory presumed (e.g. singing same place a week apart)**
D	Display & courtship nr nesting habitat
N	visiting probable Nest site
A	Anxiety call/agitated behaviour
I	brood patch suggesting Incubation
B	Building nest or excavating nest hole

*Confirmed breeding*
DD	Distraction Display or feigning injur
UN	Used nest or eggshells (same year)
FL	recently FLedged young or mobile downy young
ON	Occupied Nest visited or incubated
FF	adult carrying Food or Faecal sac
NE	Nest with Eggs
NY	Nest with Young

Definition of species “using” a tetrad:

This means any species making use of the tetrad for any purpose other than simply flying over. For example, gulls flying over are not considered to be using it, but Swallows taking insects in the air and Kestrels hovering are. *Use an arrow [→] for any species flying directly over a tetrad, or past along coast (but within tetrad area).

**Note on defining a “Territory”:

Use code “T” if you note, for example, a singing male in the same place on more than one visit separated by a least a week; two or more singing birds audible at the same time; or two males indulging in territorial squabbling.