NRS Mentoring frequently asked questions

I want someone to show me the basics of nest recording to help me get started. Can a mentor do this?

Yes. A mentor will be happy to start at the very beginning and show you how to apply the Code of Conduct when monitoring nests, what to record and how to use the activity and habitat codes.

Can a mentor give me guidance on monitoring nest boxes?

Yes, although it’s best to find a mentor who monitors nest boxes themselves. When you select a pin on the map of mentors, an information box will appear and state what sort of guidance that mentor can give.

I want guidance on finding nests of new species. Can a mentor help with this?

Yes, although you’ll need to find a mentor who does nest finding. When you select a pin on the map of mentors, an information box will appear and state what sort of guidance that mentor can give.

I’m under 18-years-old. Can I take part in nest recording?

Absolutely! When you sign up for the Nest Record Scheme your parents will need to complete a consent form. If you want to meet with a mentor, you should nrs [at] bto.org (contact us) instead of using the mentor map.

I've sent a request to a mentor. What next?

The mentor should contact you in the next two weeks and tell you whether they are able to help. If they say yes, you can then make arrangements with them to meet or just to have a discussion. If you haven’t heard from the mentor after two weeks, please nrs [at] bto.org (contact us).

Will the mentor travel to meet me?

Often the person requesting mentoring visits the mentor, but it’s certainly an appropriate thing to request, for example, if you have a patch and want someone to look at it and advise you on finding nests there. And if one mentor declines your request, you can always ask another.

How much time should I spend with a mentor?

It depends on what you want to learn and how much time they can offer. If you're new to nest recording then one or two hours being shown the basics of monitoring nests may be a great help. If you’re trying to learn how to find the nests of, say, Skylark or Grey Heron then a longer period of training is ideal.

Can I contact more than one mentor?

There’s no limit, but please be considerate. Don’t contact more mentors at once than you expect to meet.

There isn’t a mentor available in my area.

If there is no mentor available near you, please nrs [at] bto.org (contact us). We may still be able to put you in touch with someone.