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Iain Cowe has produced an excellent report on his surveys/sightings of butterflies and moths in Berwickshire during 2010, and has kindly allowed us to place it on the Group's website.
It can be viewed by following this link.
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Many of our records come from "casual sightings", others are the result of surveys, used partly for local information but where possible also linked to regional and national projects. Our surveys are written up in internal reports, available on the BWG website http://www.berwickwildlifegroup.org.uk/Local%20Wildlife.html#Reports. There is so much to work on we are always keen to recruit and train more surveyors. It is not practical to set up a whole summer's programme at the start of the year; so we keep lists of people interested in the various surveys and the dates and times of surveys are then chosen to suit the requirements of the survey, the weather and the participants. If you are interested in particular (or all!) surveys just let us know. Ring Fiona on 01289 330591 or e-mail mail3@berwickwildlifegroup.org.uk. Beginners and experts are equally welcome. You can see wildlife close up, learn something new, aid conservation.
Surveys Proposed for this Year, 2011.
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 Environmental Records Information Centre for the North East of England 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
Fiona
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. This survey was completed in February 2011.
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 be completed in 2012. 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.
UK bat populations have declined considerably during the last century (see Bat Conservation's site, www.bats.org.uk ). Britain's 18 native species of bat now have legal protection. However, only by pinpointing local roost sites and feeding areas can the law be made effective. BWG has been carrying out regular surveys of bats in Berwick, Tweedmouth and Spittal, with occasional excursions into the countryside, since 2005, resulting in maps of the feeding areas of the most common species, the Common and Soprano Pipistrelle. Discovering the roosts (which vary between winter and summer, maternity roosts and male roosts ) is proving more challenging. We now have several bat detectors (which make bats' high-frequency echolocation calls audible to us) and a survey programme for 2011 is being drawn up. Surveys usually take place on Thursday evenings, around dusk, and mostly in the town.
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 2010 survey is posted here.
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.
Until we began our surveys there were very few "records" of any mammals in north Northumberland. The Northumbria Mammal Group is producing a publication on the Mammals of the North East, a project that is likely to take another year or so to complete. We plan monthly trapping surveys at different locations throughout our area, to identify what species of small mammals inhabit north Northumberland, and we will pass this information on to both the Northumbria Mammal Group and the ERIC Project. We also take part in the Mammal Society’s National Small Mammal Monitoring Scheme, developed to collect data throughout the British Isles. This involves completing a variety of different surveys at two sites during April/May and Oct/Nov. We monitor small mammals by capturing them in Longworth traps and releasing them unharmed a few hours later. The whole set-up, pre-bait and capture process involves several consecutive visits over a few days, but working as a team means not everyone need turn up for every session. Recording small mammals is a chance to get up close to some feisty, furry beasties which may be abundant but are seldom seen.
To download an Adobe version of these reports right mouse click highlighted below , and select Save Target As
2010
Report on the 2010 small mammal surveys throughout north Northumberland.
Report on the 2010 surveys for the Mammal Society National Small Mammal Monitoring Scheme.
Report on the 2010 surveys on the Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve.
2009
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 Squirrel Northern England.
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.
Insects
Butterflies are extremely valuable indicators of the state of the environment. Butterfly Conservation runs schemes to monitor them which involve over 10,000 volunteer recorders. The data gathered is used by the Government to indicate the health of the environment at national, UK and European levels. The Butterflies for the New Millennium project covers the whole British Isles, assessing the distribution of each butterfly species. Anyone can submit records of sightings. The UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme measures changes in butterfly abundance across a network of over 750 sites, including 2 counted on a weekly basis by BWG members taking it in turns. Butterflies are only easily seen while active in warm, still weather, giving surveyors a delightful short walk in the countryside on a sunny day with an added purpose. The Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey involves fewer visits to randomly selected 1-km squares. Again BWG members are responsible for 2 of them. Our "Holburn" square has some interesting species and our "Cheviot" square involves quite a challenging hill walk.
Butterfly Transect 2010, 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 2010 survey is posted here.
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 2010 survey is posted here.
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.
OTHER SURVEYS
Herring Gull Survey.
Despite their bully-boy tactics in Berwick (plastering cars in smelly goo and mugging tourists for chips) Herring Gulls populations in Britain are falling and they have now been put on the Red List for high conservation concern in the UK. Is the breeding population in Berwick increasing or decreasing? Are most nests in the centre of town or on the outer estates? We should know so that next time there are demands to "do something about Gulls" we can make recommendations based on scientific fact. We intend to count gulls in the town (from the ground) in April and July, with small teams being responsible for recording in specific areas. We could do with plenty of help for the survey, which is of practical benefit to townspeople and visitors, as well as the birds.
Beach Litter Survey.
During 2010 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 2011, 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 2011 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).
Big Sea Survey.
This is an intertidal survey, using volunteers throughout the north-east, organised by the Dove Marine Laboratory. It involves recording information on coastal species, to help make decisions about management and protection of our coastal biodiversity and provide a baseline for changes in marine life. Training and equipment is provided by the Dove Marine Laboratory, and several BWG members are taking part. You are welcome to join us on a survey day
Pond Survey.
The Open Air Laboratories (OPAL) network aims to inspire nature-lovers by getting people to explore, study, enjoy and protect their local environment. Last year we took part in the OPAL Water survey. We examined 7 local ponds last year – and amazingly found a Stonewort, later identified by experts as Chara rudis, a new Vice-County Record. It seems local ponds, like small mammals, are under-recorded, so we hope to visit some more ponds once the weather warms up and the aquatic plants and beasties are active and visible. If you enjoyed dabbling in ponds as a child, here's your chance to re-live those happy times.
OPAL's Climate Change Survey
OPAL's Climate Change Survey concentrates on the distribution of contrails (aircraft condensation trails) in the upper atmosphere over Britain. Not wildlife observation, but the data will help understand the uncertain effect of aircraft exhaust on climate change.
If you would like further details of any of these surveys, or would like to take part, please contact Fiona early in 2008.
Remember, although we would be delighted to have the help of any experts, we are equally delighted to help beginners to learn the necessary skills to take part in these surveys.
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