Can bird abundance declines be detected by citizen science programmes? A case study using Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus
Sparks et al. 2017
This study used data from two different citizen science projects; Nature's Calendar and BirdTrack. The aim was to determine whether citizen science projects can be used to detect population declines. The cuckoo was used as a case study as it is recorded by both projects and easily recognised. Analysis showed a significant decline in cuckoos with a distinct loss in the mid 'noughties.' The paper illustrates the value of citizen science in the absence of more formal monitoring schemes.
