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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 either on this page or in the Archive. 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, 2013.
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 the year. 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 Sightings page of this 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 2013.
Mammals
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 2013 hs been prepared.
These are arranged locally from May to September, usually every second Thursday evening, with fall-back day Friday (same time, same place) if the weather is unsuitable on Thursday. We will bring equipment to enable us to hear and record the bats. We will hang around a lot; wear warm clothing, and bring a torch if visiting a rural area. This year’s venue’s are:
Thursday 2nd May, Castle Terrace area. Meet 20.51 at white gates at top of Coronation Park (NT 994 536).
Thursday 16th May, Etal. Meet at 20.45 at car park beside Etal Castle (NT 927 394)
Thursday 30th May, Violet Terrace area. Meet at 21.41 in front of Infirmary (NT 997 534).
Thursday 13th June, Scremerston. Meet at 21.56 in the road outside St Peter’s Church (NU 006 494).
Thursday 27th June, Garden City. Meet at 21.59 behind the Castle Hotel (NT 995 535).
Thursday 11th July, Ramparts and Parade area. Meet at 21.49 at main door to Barracks (NU 002 532).
Thursday 25th July, Marlin House area. Meet at 21.29 at corner of Palace Street and Sandgate (NT 998 526).
Thursday 8th August, possibly Paxton House (awaiting permission). Meet at 21.00.
Thursday 22nd August, to be arranged.
Thursday 5th September, to be arranged.
Thursday 19th September, Hide Hill & Lower Ravensdowne. Meet at 19.15 at corner of Hide Hill and Silver Street (NT 998 527).
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 2012 survey is posted here.
An Adobe copy of the final report of the 2011 survey is posted here.
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. We plan to continue the Group's regular 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 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 Red Squirrel Northern England and Red Squirrels Southern Scotland conservation projects.
In 2013 we propose to continue surveying for 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 John.
Butterflies
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 1 of them. Our "Holburn" square has some interesting species.
Butterfly Transect 2013,
Tommy-the-Miller's Field, Berwick. April to September.
This year we plan to continue the Group's 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 2012. survey is posted here.
An Adobe copy of the final report of the 2011. survey is posted here.
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.
Cocklawburn Dunes.
This year we are planning to continue the 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 2012 survey is posted here.
An Adobe copy of the final report of the 2011 survey is posted here.
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.
To Download a Free copy of Adobe Reader go to Adobe Reader.
Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey.
This involves two annual visits (in July and August) to a 1k grid-square near Holburn, when two butterfly transects are walked consecutively. Again, this only takes place in fine, sunny weather. We would be grateful for more surveyors, whether experts or wishing to learn to identify butterflies and day-flying moths.
OTHER SURVEYS
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 2013 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.
Pond Surveys as part of the National Pond Monitoring Network for the charity Pond Conservation. This is a scientific step-up from the basic surveys which we have used up to now, but should enable us to see if local ponds are reaching their full potential ecologically, and perhaps suggest how they might be improved. We will re-survey some of the best ponds we’ve already examined, and also take in new ones. We would be delighted if more members could join us; it’s just as much fun as catching taddies when you were young!
Amphibian Survey.
This is underway now. Do you know of any ponds or damp areas where newts, frogs or toads breed? Do let us know and we can check for spawning this spring.
Pirri-pirri Burr survey.
Natural England and the AONB are aiming to eradicate this troublesome weed on the mainland part of the Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve/SSSI. We will be arranging some deliberate search days/evenings north of Berwick and between Spittal and Goswick. The more people helping the better, so do let us know if you would be able to come along.
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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John
