Blog - surveys

Big Butterfly count 2019

Big Butterfly count 2019

by Chris, 19 July, 2019, 0 comments

A brief note to say that the Big Butterfly count is underway as from today (19th July), continuing through until the 11th August. This annual count is important as it allows ecologists to assess the impact of environmental / climate change on wildlife - identifying 'winners and losers' in times of change. You are asked to give 15 minutes to count the butterflies in your garden / woodland / local park. There is a free app (for both android and iOS) and an ID chart to help you. Thousands of people took part in 2018, submitting 97,133 counts of butterflies and day-flying moths from across the UK; to see the results of last year's survey click on the link - here. Read more...

Insect Pollinators in decline

Insect Pollinators in decline

by Lewis, 13 April, 2019, 1 comments

The science journal Nature has published the results of another insect survey, specifically of pollinating insects. The UK pollinator monitoring scheme looked at some 353 species of bees, bumblebees and hoverflies. The survey analysed 700,000+ sightings of pollinating insects over thirty years or more (1980 to 2013). The survey yielded information about the changes in the range of these different pollinators - that is the different parts of the countryside that these insects were found in. The survey did not attempt to determine actual numbers of bees etc in an area. There were “winners and losers’ in the survey but the overall picture was somewhat depressing. Read more...

The NHM Bluebell Survey - update

The NHM Bluebell Survey – update

by Chris, 16 May, 2012, 3 comments

Back in 2006 (and 2007), the blog posted information about the Natural History Museum Bluebell Survey. https://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/flora-and-fauna/recording-your-bluebells/ https://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/flora-and-fauna/bluebell-survey-2007/ This is an ongoing project, apart from studying the distribution of native and spanish bluebells (and the hybrids, which now may be more common than their Spanish 'parent') - the project is also looking at the flowering time of the bluebell (in relation to climate change / variability). Full details of the project (and lots of information about bluebells) can be found at the NHM website. Read more...

Climatic debt

Climatic debt

by Chris, 28 February, 2012, 0 comments

Butterfly Conservation UK and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology have been involved in the monitoring the status of butterflies through various citizen science schemes*. UK butterflies (and indeed, birds) are probably the best-studied wildlife groups thanks to the dedication of an enormous workforce of highly skilled and committed volunteer recorders. Butterflies and birds have been observed and recorded in detail for many, many years and these detailed records and counts yield an invaluable resource of information for the analysis of population change(s). A recent report indicates that some 70% or more of our butterfly species are in decline and that the geographical distribution of many has contracted. Read more...

Wildlife organisations

Wildlife organisations

by Lewis, 17 September, 2011, 2 comments

For those wanting to follow up on the different forms of wildlife in their woodland, the following organisations / societies might be of interest / use. For each there is a link and a snippet from the organisation's website. Website of the British Arachnological Society (wiki.britishspiders.org.uk). "Here you can find information on those fascinating animals, arachnids. Our emphasis is on British spiders but we don't exclude other arachnids such as Harvestmen (opilionids), Pseudoscorpions and Scorpions". Read more...

Nightingales

by Chris, 16 May, 2010, 11 comments

Nightingales are migratory birds and fly into the U.K. in the Spring, having spent the winter in Africa. The nightingale is particularly well known for its song; (a wma file of which can be found here). However, not everybody in the UK is likely to hear them singing. It is not found in Scotland or Wales, and in other places its numbers have fallen quite dramatically. It is now mainly found in the South-East, especially Kent, Sussex, Suffolk and Norfolk. A sighting is unlikely; nightingales are shy, drab brown birds who seek the dense vegetation described below. Read more...

The Big Bat Map

The Big Bat Map

by catherine, 6 August, 2009, 9 comments

The Bat Conservation Trust has put chiropterology (that’s the study of bats) on the map with its new interactive, web-based database of bat activity. It is encouraging everyone to record their sightings of bats – wherever they might be: woodland, park, or even in your back garden. Read more...

Woodland Birds in Decline?

Woodland Birds in Decline?

by catherine, 22 August, 2008, 3 comments

The latest Breeding Bird Survey for the British Trust for Ornithology in partnership with The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, has highlighted a significant decline in woodland bird species. The annual survey has revealed numbers down by more than 50% in several species, the worst hit being the willow tit down by 77%. Read more...

Wild Flower Guide

Badger

Read our guide to wild flowers of woodland and hedgerow

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