Birds are particularly susceptible to disturbance during the breeding season, and should be fully considered before and during any proposed development as well as nature reserve management.

Wintering birds are also vulnerable to disturbance and key feeding/resting areas should be identified during any survey.

All birds, their nests and their eggs are protected in varying degrees under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Bird survey is also relevant in relation to Section 74 (CROW Act) and UK BAP species. Methods of survey include single species surveys as well as generic methods such as Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) and Common Bird Census (CBC).

Pennine Ecological are currently monitoring sites through CBC in Lancashire as part of a management project.