Accreditation
Getting accreditation
An observatory must meet the organisational and operational requirements set out in section 1 to be able to apply for accredited status.

The observatory must also be able to demonstrate that it is able to fulfil the obligations of an accredited observatory as set out in section 2 (this is clause 6 of the BOC constitution which can be found here).
Section 1
1. Organisation
The Observatory must have an organising committee responsible for ensuring that the Observatory's obligations under the constitution are observed and maintained. Where the Observatory Committee is referred to it should be noted that this may exceptionally be a single individual.

2. Operation
The Observatory must have a defined recording area, a map of which must be provided as part of the application process. While this area can be quite large (in the case of islands or headlands) there MUST be a core area defined which is of a size that it is possible for one person to maintain the daily census during the migration period. It is permissible for a recording area to be split into smaller areas as long as the areas covered each day are noted in the daily log but still maintaining coverage of the core area.

Reasonable coverage (records for a minimum of 75% of days) of the core area must be maintained during the migration seasons. Records for other times, particularly the breeding season, should be maintained where possible. 

The Observatory must maintain the daily census in a digital format with back-ups kept in the cloud or off-site.

The Observatory must maintain a programme of bird ringing within their recording area.

The Observatory will use its best endeavours to provide training for visiting ringers and trainee ringers, subject always to the availability of suitably qualified ringing permit holders.

3. Applying for accredited status
Reasonable cover must have been maintained at a prospective Observatory site for two or more consecutive years immediately prior to the application, with a prospect of continuing activity.

The application must include:
• Details and membership of its organisational structure
• Data file containing a minimum of two year’s daily census
• A map of the observatory recording area

Accreditation shall formally be given following a vote at the annual meeting of the BOC.

Following accreditation there will be a further probationary period of three years during which accredited status can be suspended immediately should the Observatory consistently fail to be able to maintain the obligations detailed in Clause 6 of the Constitution.

4 Termination of Accredited Status
Any accredited Observatory which ceases to be able to fulfil the obligations of an Observatory as outlined in the Constitution may cease to be an Accredited Observatory by giving notice in writing to the Secretary of the BOC.

Any accredited Observatory which ceases to be able to fulfil the obligations of an Observatory as outlined in the Constitution may have accredited status withdrawn subject to consultation between the BOC Executive Committee and the Observatory concerned.

An Accredited Observatory which fails to meet standards and codes of practice required by the BTO's Ringing Scheme shall be liable to forfeit accredited status subject to consultation between the BTO, BOC and the Observatory concerned.
Section 2
Membership obligations
  1. All accredited observatories must comply with the following to maintain accredited status:
  2. Any accredited Observatory which ceases to be able to fulfil the obligations as outlined in this constitution may cease to be recognised as an accredited Observatory following consideration by BOC.
  3. Any Accredited Observatory which fails to meet criteria laid down by the BOC shall be liable to forfeit accredited status subject to consultation between the BOC and the Observatory concerned.
  4. The BTO Ringing Scheme is the responsibility of the BTO. Any transgressions of rules or codes of conduct of the scheme by a ringer associated with an accredited observatory will be dealt with accordingly by the BTO ringing standards select committee and are not part of this constitution.
  5. Any changes in the boundaries of the observatory recording area must be notified to the BOC secretary.
  6. Reasonable coverage (records for a minimum of 75% of days) of the recording area must be maintained during the main migration seasons (March - May and August - October). Records for other times, particularly the breeding season, should be maintained where possible.
  7. The Observatories shall participate, where possible, in such co-operative programmes of research as shall be agreed between BOC and BTO.
  8. The Observatory will maintain a daily record of species observed, with measures of abundance and other attributes also recorded. Such records will be maintained securely and stored in an electronic format approved by the BOC. Such data will be provided to BTO for inclusion into BirdTrack.
  9. The Observatory will maintain a programme of bird ringing within their recording area and will engage regularly in discussion with BTO over the best ways to maximise the scientific value of this programme. They will submit data from this ringing programme to the BTO as required under the rules of the Ringing Scheme. They will also use their best endeavours to supply additional ringing data, which may be requested by BTO after consultation with the BOC, for specific projects.
  10. Observatories will provide or supply information for, overnight accommodation with board and/or cooking facilities at an appropriate charge.
  11. The Observatory will use its best endeavours to allow ringing opportunities for visiting ringers subject to their qualifications and in line with the rules of each bird observatory and at the entire discretion of the Ringing Group Leader.
  12. The Observatory will use its best endeavours to provide training for visiting ringers and trainee ringers, subject to the availability of suitably qualified ringing trainers and permit holders with helpers’ endorsements, and in line with the rules of each bird observatory and the Ringing Scheme and at the entire discretion of the Ringing Group Leader.
  13. An Accredited Bird Observatory is considered to be a Ringing Group and thus subject to the relevant rules.
  14. A Warden or other officer of an Accredited Bird Observatory is considered to be the agent of a landowner/land manager. It may mean that on occasion, in the best interests of the Bird Observatory or for land management reasons, ringing activity may be stopped or directed to a specific location by them but they cannot overrule the judgement of the ringer-in-charge regarding ringing standards.
  15. Accredited Bird Observatories will take special care when showing people birds and provide specific guidance to wardens and visiting ringers on publicising trapping of rarities and handling large numbers of people interested in seeing rarities, in line with the guidelines publicised by the BTO Ringing Scheme.
  16. Individual observatories are strongly encouraged to make maximum use of their data.
Share by: