All our surveys have multiple aims: to increase our knowledge of the local area, to contribute data to national surveys, to train people to undertake this sort of work and above all to encourage conservation of wildlife. They are all also great fun, allowing people to meet with others with similar interests, to learn new skills and to take part in something really worthwhile. Why not take part in one (or more) of our wildlife surveys this year. There is something to suit most interests (or, if not, suggest what you would like to study!). Contact Fiona
To see bigger map of Berwick and the Groups survey locations click on the map below. The bigger map may be slow to appear as it is quite large.
CASUAL SIGHTINGS
Berwick Wildlife Group's core survey.
Please continue to send us all your sightings/records, on any flora and fauna that you observe in your gardens or travels around our area, month by month throughout 2010. This survey is vital as it sweeps up species that are not covered in our more formal surveys and forms an overview of what wildlife we have here.
These records are most important, as they are passed on via the Explore Your Environment project to a national database, and will be available to ecologists carrying out environmental surveys (who may not be familiar with the local habitats and may make a quick visit at an unsuitable time of year). Unless the records are gathered and made public, no-one will know of the importance of a vibrant local patch and it could easily be damaged by change of land use or some sort of development.
Data are particularly sparse in north Northumberland – every record counts!
Use our form on the website, phone 01289 309046 or e-mail
faungier@aungier777.freeserve.co.uk
BIRDS
Estuary and Seabird Survey.
A continuation of the group's annual survey to gather data on important areas for wintering waders, wildfowl and seabirds on the Tweed Estuary and the coast north and south. The next survey will be on Saturday 13th February 2010. (See Programme) A second survey will be undertaken in October 2010.
British Trust for Ornithology Atlas 2007-11.
This survey monitors all the birdlife in the British Isles. It is a key tool for wildlife conservation and in general records the effects of agricultural and other development pressures put on our countryside. The task is to cover all the tetrads (2 x 2 km. squares) in all of the British Isles. Several of our members have taken up the challenge covering some 15+ tetrads in our area.
They would be very willing to take you out on a survey, or if you like, volunteer for your own tetrad via the BTO website (www.bto.org.uk ).
Pied Wagtails at Tapee Fen.
Tapee Fen is a small reedbed on the northern side of Berwick, once open water. Although it is now drying out, with standing water only during the wettest conditions, the reeds are holding their own against encroaching scrub and form a magnificent roosting place for small birds. Over five years ago one of our members (Phil) noticed large numbers of Pied Wagtails descending into the reeds one autumn evening, and rising out of them again in the morning. Since then she has kept a regular watch at dawn and dusk.
Although Pied Wagtails may roost in the Fen at any time of year, largest numbers are present during autumn migration, with a smaller peak in numbers in the spring. At times this is by far the largest concentration of roosting Pied Wagtails in north-east England and southern Scotland. The Wagtails are normally free of human disturbance in the Fen, but the large numbers attract Sparrow Hawks and Merlins. According to this disturbance and other unknown factors, the numbers of Wagtails seeking refuge in the Fen fluctuates night by night.
In order to delay the partially-natural drying of the Fen, Castlegate Area Residents' Association has obtained a grant from Northern Gas Networks, which will enable us to kill some invading sycamores.
This magnificent run of records shows the importance of long-term observation of a small urban site, and how a casual visit at the "wrong" time of day or year may not pick up on the importance of a site for birds or other mobile species. We are most grateful to Phil for the many hours spent watching, counting and recording.
To download an Adobe version of these reports right mouse click highlighted below , and select Save Target As
An Adobe copy of the report containing the results of this survey is posted here.
To Download a Free copy of Adobe Reader goto Adobe Reader.
Mammals
All Members Mammal Survey.
There are almost no official records of any mammals throughout north Northumberland!
The Northumbria Mammal Group is presently working towards producing a publication on the Mammals of the North East, a project that is likely to take another 2-3 years to complete. They are at the stage of gathering and collating sightings of all mammals in Northumberland and observations from Berwick and the north of the county are particularly sparse, so if we can record any mammals that we see it would increase their mammal records very significantly.
They are interested in all your sightings of mammals ( moles, deer, badgers, hares, rabbits, mice, voles and shrews.)
Even fresh molehills! If you send in sightings of fresh molehills around north Northumberland at least it tells us that there are moles there!
If you would like to help, can you send in your sightings of any mammals that you see, together with the date and location, or ideally a 6 figure map reference, to either
John Rae, 01289 381218, john_rae@dsl.pipex.com ,
or to
Fiona, faungier@aungier777.freeserve.co.uk .
We will collate the sightings and forward them to the Northumbria Mammal Group.
Bats.
Berwick Wildlife Group plans a sixth bat survey programme for 2010.
In previous years a variety of bat surveys have taken place in and around the town. We are beginning to build up a picture of bats' main feeding areas, but finding roosts is trickier – especially as bats move roosts throughout the year.
To download an Adobe version of these reports right mouse click highlighted below , and select Save Target As
An Adobe copy of the final report of the 2009 survey is posted here.
An Adobe copy of the final report of the 2008 survey is posted here.
An Adobe copy of the final report of the 2007 survey is posted here.
An Adobe copy of the final report of the 2006 survey is posted here.
Small Mammals.
Berwick Wildlife Group plans to continue our small mammal survey programme during 2010.
We undertake two styles of survey :-
1/ We take part in the Mammal Society’s National Small Mammal Monitoring Scheme which has been developed to collect data throughout the British Isles. It involves completing a variety of different surveys during April/May and Oct/Nov.
2/ We also undertake monthly spot surveys at different locations throughout our area. The aim of these surveys is to identify what species of small mammals inhabit north Northumberland and to pass this information on to both the Northumbria Mammal Group and the EYE Project.
To download an Adobe version of these reports right mouse click highlighted below , and select Save Target As
Report on the 2009 small mammal surveys at Tommy the Millers Field and Cocklawburn Dunes.
Report on the 2009 surveys for the Mammal Society National Small Mammal Monitoring Scheme.
Red Squirrels Survey, Woods throughout north Northumberland and south Berwickshire.
This is part of the Save our Squirrels project managed by Northumberland Wildlife Trust and Red Alert North England. The Berwick Save Our Squirrels Group is part of Berwick Wildlife Group.
In 2010 we propose to continue surveying squirrels in woods throughout north Northumberland and south Berwickshire. This is a huge undertaking and we need more volunteers to help with this work, as the areas to be surveyed are large.
If you would like to help please contact Elizabeth.
To download an Adobe version of these reports right mouse click highlighted below , and select Save Target As
An Adobe copy of the report of the 2006-7 surveys is posted here.
SoS Conference.
To Download a Free copy of Adobe Reader goto Adobe Reader.
Insects
Butterfly Transect 2009, Tommy-the-Miller's Field, Berwick. April to September.
This year we plan to undertake the Group's fifth survey of butterflies in Tommy the Miller's field, Berwick.
This involves walking the same "transect" weekly, and counting all butterflies within 2.5 m. of the transect line.
Such detailed repeated observations will eventually give a record of abundance, rather than just presence-or-absence of butterfly species.
All of our observations are sent to Butterfly Conservation for their national records.
To download an Adobe version of these reports right mouse click highlighted below , and select Save Target As
An Adobe copy of the final report of the 2009 survey is posted here.
An Adobe copy of the final report of the 2008 survey is posted here.
An Adobe copy of the final report of the 2007 survey is posted here.
An Adobe copy of the final report of the 2006 survey is posted here.
To Download a Free copy of Adobe Reader go to Adobe Reader.
Butterfly Survey, Cocklawburn Dunes.
This year we are planning to undertake the third survey of butterflies at Cocklawburn, as at Tommy-the-Miller's Field, above. Fortunately, butterflies only emerge in fine, warm weather, which makes this type of survey particularly pleasant, running from April to September.
All of our observations are sent to Butterfly Conservation for their national records.
To download an Adobe version of this report right mouse click highlighted below , and select Save Target As
An Adobe copy of the final report of the 2009 survey is posted here.
An Adobe copy of the final report of the 2008 survey is posted here.
Butterfly Survey, Mill Farm.
Berwick Wildlife Group are also planning to do a butterfly survey at Mill Farm, Tweedmouth. This will involve a visit at the end of May with a second visit at the end of July. All butterflies observed will be sent to Butterfly Conservation for their national records.
Bumblebee surveys.
Many species of bumblebees are declining throughout Britain, but it is not clear exactly where or why.
BWG members have been taking part in a survey for the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.
Why not record bumblebees in 2010 in your garden or when out for a walk and send the data to the Bumblebee Conservation Trust - and to us, please.
See www.bumblebeeconservationtrust.co.uk/surveys.htm
Identification Guides
By Fiona
Bumble Bee Crib.
on the Web
Bumble Bees
Solitary Bees
OTHER SURVEYS
Grassland Survey.
Northumberland wildlife Trust have asked us to examine a number of grassland areas in the north of the county, to extend their work on grasslands carried out in the last few years. Unimproved and semi-improved grasslands are very much under threat, affecting not only the constituent plants but the insects that depend upon them and their predators. This year we hope to studyt some coastal grasslands and inland sites on the Whin Sill (a particularly valuable and vulnerable type of grassland). The surveys involve standard botanical methods (quadrats!) and beginners are very welcome.
To download an Adobe version of this report right mouse click highlighted below , and select Save Target As
Surveys of grasslands developed on the whin sill outcrops. August & September 2009.
Beach Litter Survey.
During 2009 the Group continued to survey both Little Beach and Pier Road Beach as part of the Adopt-A-Beach scheme managed by Marine Conservation.
These surveys involve collecting litter from a 100m length of beach between the high tide line and the top of the beach. The results are used by Marine Conservation to identify sources of litter and to mount campaigns to stop the litter at source.
We will be undertaking one survey during 2010, in September.
Fixed Point Photography, Cocklawburn.
The dune grassland at Cocklawburn is being grazed under a Management Agreement to help the more interesting plants and their dependant animals.
In order to monitor this, BWG have been asked to take photographs from the same points three times a year.
We started in 2008 and so far changes are masked by seasonal variations, but 2010 should turn up some interesting results.
The present technique is simple (find the spot, point the camera, click the shutter), but it is easier with a small team and ideally several people should know how it is done to enable accurate repeats.
If you fancy a slow walk by the sea which has a scientific purpose, this might suit you (we could make it much more high-tech if you wish).
Seashore Survey.
In 2009 the Group undertook a fascinating survey of the seashore on the north side of Holy Island.
During 2010 we plan to survey the seashore at Little Beach in March/Aril. Wear your wellies and be prepared return to your childhood as you splash about in pools turning over rock to see what you can find.
It is a serious survey really! Seashore life is being affected by warming seas as well as pollution, and the sooner any changes are picked up the better.
Reptiles Survey.
During late summer 2010 the Group plan to carry out a survey of reptiles on Cocklawburn Dunes.
For problems with this site please contact -
John
