Certification of nesting birds, nests and breeding areas

DREVO Breeding Bird Passport— a digital census system for nesting birds, permanent pairs, nests, colonies and breeding areas within the framework of the projectDREVO Living Mountains.

The main task of the system is to establish:

what species breed in the area;

where their nesting sites are located;

What birds return annually?

how many chicks successfully leave the nest;

what nests have been used for decades;

what areas require constant protection;

How the restoration of forests, rivers and wetlands affects bird reproduction.

Not only the bird receives a passport, but also the lifeline it has created: territory, nest, pair, and offspring.

1. Levels of certification

Level	Object	Purpose
Individual Bird Passport	A distinct bird	Age, movements, reproduction, condition
Breeding Pair Passport	Permanent or seasonal couple	History of pair formation and reproductive success
Nest Passport	Separate nest	Design, location, years of use
Breeding Territory Passport	The area around the nest	Protection of feeding and protective territory
Brood Passport	Brood	Number of eggs, chicks and successful fledglings
Colony Passport	Bird colony	Number of active nests and colony dynamics
Species Population Passport	Local population	Abundance, distribution and trends
Migration Link Passport	Connection of nesting sites with migration routes	Wintering, stopping and returning of birds
Habitat Passport	Forest, rock, swamp, island or building	The condition of the entire nesting habitat

2. Age 16 years

The general rule of "passport only after 16 years" does not apply to birds.

Many small birds rarely reach this age, but are already full-fledged breeders in their first few years. For large birds of prey, seabirds, and waterbirds, 16 years of age can signify a mature, experienced, and especially valuable individual.

The proposed model

Category of birds	When is a passport issued?
Rare and protected species	Regardless of age
A bird with an individual tag	From the moment of marking
Confirmed breeding bird	From the first recorded breeding
Permanent breeding pair	After confirming the pair
Bird over 16 years old	Status of an elderly person
Unidentifiable small birds	Passport of a nest, territory or population

EURING and national ringing schemes use repeated sightings of tagged birds to study survival, migration, and longevity. The age of an adult bird, first ringed after fledging, is often a minimum estimate; in reality, it may be older.

3. Categories of nesting evidence

The DREVO system can use three main levels, compatible with the logic of European breeding bird atlases:

Category	Status	Examples of observations
A — Possible Breeding	Possible nesting	A bird of a suitable species is observed during the breeding season in a suitable habitat
B — Probable Breeding	Probable nesting site	Territorial behavior, singing, pair bonding, nest building
C — Confirmed Breeding	Confirmed nesting	Eggs, chicks, feeding, droppings, newly hatched young

This distinction is important because a bird's presence during migration does not necessarily mean it breeds in the area. The European Atlas EBBA2 also distinguishes between possible, probable, and confirmed breeding.

4. Priority groups of nesting birds

4.1 Large birds of prey

Priority	Group	Examples	The main type of passport
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Orly	golden eagle, white-tailed eagle, gravedigger, snake eater	Individual, paired, nesting and territorial
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Falcons	peregrine falcon, saker falcon, gyrfalcon	Individual and nested
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Large hawks	osprey, kite, buzzard, goshawk	Paired and territorial
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Owls	eagle owl, great grey owl, barn owl	Nesting and territorial

For large predators the following are especially important:

perennial nests;

permanent couples;

hunting areas;

safe zones around the nest;

power lines;

rocks and old trees;

availability of food supply.

4.2. Storks, herons and cranes

Group	Examples	Passport
Storks	white and black stork	Nest, pair, brood, migration route
Herons	gray, red, large white	Colony and individual nests
Spoonbills and glossy ibises	spoon, loaf	Colonial passport
Cranes	Common crane and regional species	Pair, territory and overnight place

For a white stork, one nest can be used for many years by different generations of birds. ThereforeNest Passportmust be maintained even after changing the pair.

4.3. Waterfowl

Group	Examples	Passport
Swans	mute swan, whooper swan	Individual and family
Geese	Greylag Goose and native breeding species	Paired and population
Ducks	mallard, otter, gogol, savka	Nesting and brood
Toadstools	Great crested grebe and others	Floating nest and territory
Loons	red-throated, black-throated	Individual and lake
Coots and moorhens	coot, common moorhen	Territorial and brood

Some aquatic birds can reach a considerable age. For example, banding data shows that individual red-throated loons regularly reach approximately 25 years of age.

4.4 River and coastal birds

Group	Examples	Passport
Kingfishers	common kingfisher	Burrow, coastal area and feeding area
Dippers	common dipper	A couple and a river section
Sand martins	sand martin	Colony passport
Crickets	European bee-eater	Colony and earthen cliff
Sandpipers	oystercatcher, common sandpiper, lapwing	Nest and open area
Seagulls and footsteps	Common tern, black-headed gull	Colony, island and broods

For such birds, it is important to map not only the nest site, but also:

sand and gravel islands;

coastal cliffs;

shallow waters;

areas without terrestrial predators;

seasonal restricted areas.

4.5. Forest birds

Group	Examples	Passport
Woodpeckers	black, green, large spotted	A tree with a hollow and a forest area
Owls	nyazyti, sychi, sipuha	A hollow, building or nest box
Corvidae	crow, jay, red-backed woodpecker	Pair and territory
Pigeons	clean, clean	Hollow or nest
Flycatchers and tits	white-throated flycatcher, great tit	Nest and population passport
Nuthatches and pikas	common nuthatch, pika	Hollow tree and forest sector

A tree with a hollow gets a separateDREVO Habitat Tree IDA single tree can provide nesting sites for several species for decades.

4.6. Birds of agricultural and agroforestry areas

Group	Examples	Passport
Swallows	barn swallow and town swallow	Nest on a building and a colony
Cuts	black swift	The cavity of a building or tower
Starlings	common starling	A hollow or nest box
Larks	skylark	Field area
Partridges	grey partridge	Population and brood
Owls of economic landscapes	barn owl, little owl	Building, barn or garden

When renovating buildings, nest passports allow for the following to be planned in advance:

nesting bricks;

cavities for swifts;

access to barns;

platforms for swallows;

safe construction timeframes.

5. Age classes of birds

The unified scale is used only as a common numerical standard.

Class	Age	Status
B0	Chick before fledging	Nesting chick
B1	Up to 1 year	young bird
B2	1–5 years	Adult
B3	6–15 years	Experienced manufacturer
B4	16–25 years old	Old-age passport specimen
B5	26–40 years old	A particularly valuable long-lived specimen
B6	More than 40 years	Living heritage of the species

This scale doesn't apply to all species. For a small songbird, 10 years can be exceptional, while some seabirds can live for over 40–50 years. British ringing records include records of a shearwater over 51 years old, a great auk over 42 years old, and a fulmar over 41 years old.

6. Passport of an individual bird

Section	Data
Identifier	WOOD Bird ID
View	Local and scientific name
Floor	If defined
Age	Exact, minimum or estimated
Bullet	Ring number, color mark, transmitter
External signs	Coloring, scars, damage, plumage pattern
Genetics	Only with sound scientific selection
State	Health, injuries, plumage condition
Partner	Tree ID pair
Nest	Associated Nest ID
Offspring	Broods and known chicks
Migration	Routes, stops and wintering areas
History	All repeated observations
Risks	Power lines, roads, glass, poisoning, predators
Security	Access level and protection zone

7. Passport nests

WOOD Nest Passport

Section	Data
Nest ID	Unique identifier
Species or species	What birds used the nest?
Type	Hollow, platform, burrow, open bowl, floating nest
Foundation	Tree, rock, building, land, island
Coordinates	Closed to sensitive species
Height	Above ground or water
Dimensions	Diameter, depth, entrance
Nest age	First known year of use
Activity	Active, empty, destroyed, restored
Pair	Related Bird ID
Eggs	Quantity and dates
Chicks	Hatched and successfully left the nest
Threats	Disturbance, predators, logging, building repairs
History	Usage by year
Security zone	Radius and season of restrictions

8. Passport of the breeding pair

DREVO Breeding Pair Passport

The following are recorded:

Pair ID;

partner identifiers;

the first year of joint breeding;

duration of the couple;

number of nesting attempts;

number of eggs laid;

number of hatched chicks;

number of fledglings;

change of partner;

nest change;

return to the previous territory;

reasons for unsuccessful clutches.

This passport is especially useful for:

storks;

eagles;

falcons;

swans;

cranes;

owl;

large sea and colonial birds.

9. Brood passport

Indicator	Content
Bread ID	Brood ID
Nest ID	Parental nest
Parents	Bird ID
Eggs	Quantity
Date of start of incubation	If known
Hatching	Dates and number of chicks
Banding	Allowed tag numbers
Height	Control measurements
Mortality	Number and suspected causes
Fledglings	Number of successfully leaving the nest
After departure	Survival Observations
Return	Future return to the territory of birth

10. Colony passport

Applicable for:

herons;

cormorants;

seagull;

step;

shore fish;

bee-eater;

rooks;

social weavers and other colonial species.

Section	Data
Colony ID	Colony ID
Types	One or more species
Square	Colony size
Active nests	Quantity
Empty nests	Quantity
Couples	Estimation of the number of pairs
Chicks	Productivity
Dynamics	Growth or contraction
Predators	Ground and air
Anxiety	People, transport, equipment
Site condition	Vegetation, island, cliff, trees
Protective zone	Seasonal access mode

11. How to identify a bird individually

Basic methods

Method	Possibilities	Restrictions
Metal ring	Long-term individual number	Recapture or quality reading is often required
Colored rings	Remote recognition	The code must be clearly visible.
Wing marks	Suitable for some large birds	Not for all types
Neck rings	Used in some geese and swans	Only by licensed professionals
PIT tag	Accurate electronic identification	A reader near the bird is required
GPS/GSM transmitter	Movement and migration	Weight, cost, battery life
Photo recognition	Plumage, beak, scars, head pattern	Not all species have stable characteristics
Genetics	Confirmation of kinship and individuality	Requires sample and lab
Acoustics	Voice and territorial activity	Usually identifies the species, but does not guarantee an individual

Banding and transmitter installation should only be performed by licensed professionals. Scientific banding schemes have a system of permits, training, and standardized records.

12. Living Mountain Observatory

The system monitors nesting birds using:

acoustic stations;

camera trap;

directional cameras;

thermal imaging systems;

TREVO AeroSense Drone;

chambers at nesting platforms;

River Rover Scout;

satellite tags;

civilian observations;

licensed ringing.

Automatically detected

the onset of territorial behavior;

nest building;

the appearance of a couple;

feeding chicks;

flight of young animals;

abandonment of the nest;

nest destruction;

approach of a predator;

anxiety on the part of a person;

changes in vegetation around the nest.

13. TREE AeroSense Drone

The drone is used for:

search for large nests;

colony mapping;

rock surveys;

control of the islands;

analysis of the condition of nesting trees;

search for safe approach routes;

assessment of feeding areas.

Restrictions

The drone must not:

approaching an active nest without permission;

hover over a bird;

used during sensitive stages of incubation;

provoke the abandonment of the clutch;

reveal the coordinates of rare species.

14. River Rover Scout

River Rover Scout is participating in the certification process:

swans;

ducks;

toadstool;

coot;

agar;

kingfishers;

dippers;

coastal colonies;

waterbirds.

It can map:

floating nests;

island colonies;

coastal burrows;

feeding shallows;

safe routes for broods;

areas of bird death in nets;

connection of nesting sites with fish resources.

15. Security levels

Level	Meaning
P0	Regular registration
P1	Active nest of the usual type
P2	Perennial nest
P3	Rare or sensitive species
P4	An old bird or a particularly successful pair
P5	Critical nest or colony
P6	National Natural Heritage
P7	International Natural Heritage

16. Particularly valuable breeding pair

A couple receives an elevated status if:

regularly returns to the territory;

has been successfully reproducing for many years;

produces more surviving chicks than average;

represents a rare genetic line;

restores lost population;

occupies a key slot;

survived extreme climate events;

became a source of dispersal for young birds.

17. Perennial nest

A nest receives the status of natural heritage if:

used by birds for many years;

has exceptional dimensions;

associated with a rare species;

used by several generations;

located on a historic tree or building;

is the center of a stable colony;

has a high reproductive success rate.

Such a nest is guarded even when it is temporarily unoccupied.

18. Public and private information

The public part of the passport

view;

region;

general status;

observation history without exact coordinates;

photographs that do not create risk;

results of reproduction in generalized form.

Closed part

exact coordinates;

access routes;

location of rare clutches;

tag data;

veterinary information;

information about genetic samples;

information that could attract poachers or collectors.

19. What not to do

The following is not allowed:

disturbing a bird for a passport photo;

looking into the nest unnecessarily;

touch eggs and chicks without permission;

band birds yourself;

install unsuitable transmitters;

publish the coordinates of nests of rare species;

cut down the tree immediately after the nest has been temporarily vacated;

repair a building during the active nesting period without an assessment;

consider a bird to be nesting simply because it was observed nearby;

consider the duration of wearing the ring as the exact age if the bird was ringed as an adult;

use drones without assessing the birds' reactions;

turning a passport into a right of ownership of a wild animal.

20. Priority system DREVO Living Mountains

Highest individual priority

eagles and sea eagles;

falcons;

large owls;

black and white storks;

cranes;

scopa;

swans;

rare waterfowl;

old-growth marked birds;

birds of restored populations.

Top nesting priority

perennial eagle nests;

stork platforms;

black stork nests;

eagle owl nests;

hollows of rare owls;

island colonies of terns;

colonies of herons;

coastal colonies of swallows and bee-eaters;

loon breeding grounds;

old hollow trees with several nesting species.

The main principle

For a bird, a nest is not a point on a map, but the center of territory, memory, and procreation.

In the systemDREVO Breeding Bird PassportNot only individual birds are protected. The following are subject to census and protection:

the bird itself;

her partner;

nest;

a tree, rock, island or building;

feeding area;

brood;

migration routes;

history of generations.

This creates not a static list of birds, but living genealogical and ecological nesting map, showing how restored mountains, forests, rivers, wetlands and agricultural areas once again become birthplaces for new generations.

Certification of nesting birds, nests and breeding areas