MAP 1 : The standard grid based Atlas distribution of Ashy Starling.

MAP 1 : The standard grid based Atlas distribution of Ashy Starling.

Within each atlas square the 12 dots represent the months of the year from January to December (there is also a month 13, the explanation for which must wait). Thus, at a glance, the reader can see the quality of coverage for the square. In resident species such as this starling this only shows coverage. In migrant species it is indicative of seasonality. The orange dots represent breeding season and the red dots months with eggs in the nest. Combined these show the extent of and the peak (or indeed, peaks) in the breeding season. The table shows seasonality with the total number of records per month.

This map shows well the range of the species and the quality of coverage BUT THAT IS ALL IT SHOWS. This then was the basic aim of the Atlas when it was conceived in the late 1970s.

However, there is far more valuable information to be gained from long term monitoring, the use of georeferenced data and the use of NEGATIVE DATA. All would agree that it is far easier to record the presence of a species than its absence especially if one is not so far away from where the species is known to occur.