Record Centre News
30 July 2010
In celebration of the International Year of Biodiversity we organised a big recording event at Stanmer Park called Bioblitz, one of many such events held throughout the UK, over the weekend of the 5th and 6th of June, where we tried to record as many species as we could. Luckily it was great weather all weekend so butterflies, dragonflies, moths and more were on the wing. On the Saturday we had 19 naturalists come along to see what we could record so we spilt into two groups – one looking at the plants in the woodland on the park and the other investigating the invertebrates found in the dead wood and general surrounds.
In the evening we set up six moth traps and had a good haul of moths, including a beautiful lime hawkmoth and the twig-like buff-tip. The bat detectors picked up a few species of bat flying about feeding at dusk, such as serotine and noctule. We packed up the moth traps at about midnight, just as we could hear the distant rumble of thunder. Overall we recorded just over 500 species during the day, of which 100 species were plant, 70 were moths and 70 were beetles. Highlights of the day were the Notable A species Drilus flavescens, which is a beetle that predates on snails and three Notable B species including the black-headed cardinal beetle Pyrochroa coccinea.
The next day was more about getting members of the public enthused about recording, so we had a stall at the popular Springwatch event, also at Stanmer Park, and we encouraged people to fill in a postcard which asked if they had seen any of the five species listed: starling, common frog, dragonfly, hedgehog and slow-worm. They could then stick labels on a huge map that we took along, and from this we gathered over 700 records and got people excited about what wildlife can be found in their own back garden. We also ran several guided walks to different parts of the park to see what we could record.
15 June 2009
We brought together a keen group of twenty naturalists on May 23rd for a day of intensive surveying of different species in the West Weald Landscape Project (WWLP) area. Our efforts concentrated on two distinct sites which are the subject of new conservation work by the WWLP in the vicinity of Ebernoe and Kirdford respectively.
The enthusiasm of the naturalists resulted in long lists of new species records, spanning a great range of groups from lichens and plants through diverse types of insects to birds and reptiles. The new insects discovered proved especially interesting, including a ‘nationally notable’ black and red click beetle Ampedus elongantulus and a huge striking cranefly (or “daddy long legs”) Tanyptera atrata which represents a first record for Sussex. New records of the rare brown hairstreak and grizzled skipper butterflies also came to light.
This species information will prove invaluable in underpinning our work to advise, manage and monitor these important sites and so advance conservation on a bigger scale working in partnership with private landowners in the West Weald.
Pictures: Graeme Lyons
11 June 2008
Another great day out in the field was had at the Adastra Recording Day at Ninfield on Friday 23rd May. We all enjoyed recording in the sunshine and spending some time with fellow recorders.
Working in partnership with the Sussex Botanical Recording Society we certainly filled a gap in the species data on their database and also the BRC database. At the beginning of the day we only had three non-plant records for the eight 1km squares, but along with the data from the two botanical groups that explored the area we will have many more records for the area including beetles, dragonflies, mammals, butterflies, birds, fungi, lichens and slime-moulds. So a big thank you to all of the recorders for your various contributions on the day.
We also ran five moth traps in the evening; we recorded over 55 species including Alder Kitten, Alder Moth, Miller and Lime Hawkmoth.
4 December 2007
The Dipterists Forum is the society concerned with the study of true flies (Diptera). It promotes all aspects of the study of flies, but is particularly concerned with the promotion of recording of fly species. Flies use all natural habitats and studying the flies in an area gives a really good summary of the quality of a habitat. There are a good number of fly species on the new BAP list and knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of these species is becoming increasingly important.
In 2008 the Dipterists Forum will be running an introductory course on the Identification of Fly Families: ‘Beginning with Diptera’ Friday 7th – Sunday 9th March 2008, to assist people interested in recording flies to get over the daunting stage of starting with a new group.
The course will be taught over a weekend at Preston Montford Field Studies Centre by enthusiastic expert tutors from the Dipterists Forum – Stuart Ball and Roger Morris. The course has been run this year and has been extremely successful. Each attendee gets a lot of individual help and will work on their own set of specially prepared flies which are examples of all the dipteran families. A set of keys with colour illustrations has been specially produced for this course and these in themselves have been much sought after! Each attendee leaves with their own set of keys plus advice on how to collect and pin flies for identification and for voucher specimens.
Preston Montford is an ideal venue because of the excellent laboratory facilities including microscopes, comfortable accommodation, good food and very friendly staff.
Course Fees: £185 for non-Dipterists Forum members (this price includes a year’s subscription to the Dipterists Forum). The discounted rate of £140 single room, £120 two sharing is available to people who are already Dipterists Forum members. Non residential rates may be available to people who live within travelling distance.
For more details and bookings, contact: Preston Montford Field Centre, Montford Bridge, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 1DX
Tel: 0845 330 7378
Fax: 01743 851066
Email: enquiries.pm@field-studies-council.org
Website: www.field-studies-council.org/prestonmontford
12 June 2007
The Great Stag Hunt 2007 is now under way. This is the third national survey of its kind and organisers PTES hope to generate more records than ever this year. The Stag Beetle is now thought to be very rare or even extinct in many countries throughout Europe and is protected by law in the UK.
One of the ways to help conserve this charismatic creature is to keep a check on where it is found, through recording, in order to try and maintain – and increase – its population.
If you spot a stag beetle or would like to know more about identifying them, visit the Great Stag Hunt website for more information.
Picture: Stag Beetle by David Plummer, www.davidplummerimages.co.uk
6 June 2007
The first Sussex Spider Group field visit to Lullington Heath was very successful. Undoubted highlight was the discovery of a very large female Atypus affinis by Evan Jones. Photos of the Atypus, Araneus angulatus and Platystomos albinus found on the day can be viewed on Flickr.
40+ species of spider were recorded, but there are many collected specimens yet to be identified. Other highlights included a Philodromus albidus, many Xysticus audax, Neoscona adianta, Zilla diodia, and a Cyclosa conica.
A full report is available for download.
Thanks to everyone that attended and contributed to the records for this very under recorded site, and special thanks to Evan Jones for his skill in finding the Atypus webs.
The next Sussex Spider Group field visit will be to Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve on Sat 8th September. Please contact Andy if you would like come along.
[ Download Full Report ]
Picture: Micrommata virescens by Andy Phillips, www.flickr.com/photos/3cubes/
7 March 2007
The Sussex Biological Recorders’ Seminar has grown and grown in size every year. 2007 was the 18th seminar held with nearly 200 people attending. The first seminar, in 1989 had just a handful of attendees but some of those are still attending the seminar 18 years on. It is a brilliant day with a buzzing atmosphere that could only be found at Adastra Hall. You can view photos taken on the day on our Adastra Flickr photo page.
The mood of the day was set by Henri Brocklebank’s vibrant record centre update. Henri reviewed the year at SxBRC telling of the exciting projects that had taken place during 2006 and how the data that SxBRC holds is growing in quality and quantity (although quality is most important of course).
Our first guest speaker of the day was Helen Roy from the National Ladybird Survey, based in Cambridge. Helen’s talk was about the Harlequin Ladybird, which is the “most invasive ladybird on Earth”. Helen fascinated the audience with talk of this sex-mad, cannibalistic species that is populating the UK at an alarming rate, threatening the UK’s native ladybirds on the way. The project aims to record the advance of this species, so please send in your records via the project’s website.
Nourished by tea and biscuits, the audience was ready to be shocked by Arthur Hoare’s talk about the aliens that live in Sussex; alien plants that is. Each time a picture of an invasive alien plant appeared on the big screen, rumbles of disdain rippled through the audience. Arthur spoke eloquently of how Sussex habitats, especially waterways, are under threat from these invasive species. It is important that we record these species in order to help monitor and control them.
After that, Barry Kemp reminisced about 20 years of the Sussex Amphibian & Reptile Group. Barry covered the projects that they have been involved in and instigated, including “toad crossings” and getting the public enthused about the newts and frogs in their garden ponds. The amount of records that SARG has helped generate, and the projects that they have achieved in Sussex, is remarkable.
Then the only thing standing between the audience and their lunch was Sarah McIntyre. Sarah is from the RSPB and did a presentation about the Reedbed Habitat Action Plan and how she is coordinating a pioneering project to restore and create reedbeds in Sussex. This project has been helped immensely by the records that have been generated by Sussex recorders over the years. It is hoped that many invertebrate and bird species will benefit from this habitat’s improved condition and expansion in Sussex.
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Over lunch, the recording community caught up with each other, discussing latest projects and new Sussex species over a piece of quiche. The atmosphere was lively and the audience was hesitant to sit back down again for the afternoon session, although they were glad they did.
Attendees returned to the “open-mic” slot, which is a short session where delegates can publicise their projects and request for volunteers. Here is a run down of each of the sessions:
Laura Bristow – Sussex Mammal Group
Sussex Mammal Group has been relaunched and is currently looking for volunteers to get involved in mammal surveys, including Otters and small mammals. Training will be given, so no experience necessary. Please contact Laura if you are interested.
Roy Ticehurst – Friends of Bedelands LNR
The land around Bedelands Farm LNR is under threat of development, and Roy is hoping to get some ideas of how action groups against development can work together. Please contact Roy if you have any ideas.
Mary Parker – ElmAware
Elms are still present in Sussex and Mary would like anyone who is out and about and sees an Elm with a brown patch on the canopy to report it to her please.
Richard Cowser – Sussex Ornithological Society
The BTO Winter and Breeding Bird Atlas 2007-2011 surveys will be starting in the winter of 2007/2008 and the SOS is hoping to get volunteers to cover all Sussex tetrads. There is a training day at Plumpton College. If you would like to get involved please contact Helen Crabtree, the SOS coordinator.
Henri Brocklebank – Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre
Every year the SxBRC presents the Sussex Biodiversity Recording Award. This is £1,000 which gets divided up and shared among recording schemes or individual recorders who need equipment, training, etc. to aid recording in Sussex. Awards of up to £200 will be given to successful applicants. If you would like an application form please contact Penny Green. The closing date for applications is 16/04/07.
Paul Pendlebury – Exotic Reptile Recorder
Paul would like to hear of any sites which may have a viable breeding population of terrapins.
Stephen Savage – Shoreham Beach Nature Reserve
Anyone interested in recording on Shoreham Beach please send in records as they would be useful to help find out more about this interesting habitat of vegetated shingle, which is especially good for invertebrates.
Barrie Watson – Barn Owls
If you find a dead or injured Barn Owl please contact Barrie as soon as possible so that he can try to determine whether a nest that needs attending to. If the Barn Owl has a ring around its leg please make a note of the number and report it to him. Also if you hear of any Barn Owls that may be threatened with development or barn conversions etc. please let Barrie know so that he can put mitigation in place.
Ali Wright – Veteran Tree Project
Ali is conducting a Veteran Tree Project and would be pleased to receive any records of veteran trees. Please contact Ali Wright for details of what information is required. If you would like to volunteer for this project, no previous experience is required and training will be given.
Paul Harmes – Sussex Botanical Recording Society
If you are a botanist, but not necessarily a member of the SBRS your records are still welcomed; please contact Paul Harmes who would like to hear from you.
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The first speaker of the afternoon session was Sam Bayley, a Horsham District ranger based at Warnham Local Nature Reserve, and a keen moth recorder. Sam’s talk was about a year of moth recording and was depicted with lots of beautiful moth images. 2006 is said to have been the best year yet for moth recording in Sussex, with lots of exciting species turning up in Sussex such as the awe-inspiring Death’s Head Hawkmoth and the impressive Clifden Nonpareil. As Sam said, if you weren’t excited by moths in 2006, you’re never going to be.
Next in the programme, a double-act of Robin Pepper and Sam St Pierre from the Sussex Ouse Conservation Society. They spoke of the macro-invertebrates that they have been methodically surveying in the Ouse tributaries in order to monitor the water quality.
The audience took a tea break before the whirlwind of Tony Whitbread, from the Sussex Wildlife Trust, hit the stage for the grand finale. Tony spoke of how ecology on a landscape scale is happening in Sussex and how biological records are helping make decisions about land management over larger areas. Linking networks of rides and connecting woodland were investigated to help the movement of different species’ populations across large tracts of land in Sussex.
At the end of the day Henri Brocklebank chaired a plenary session in which many questions were directed at Tony Whitbread, enough to fuel another seminar just based on landscape projects.
Many thanks to everyone, including the audience, who made this yet another successful biological recorders’ seminar. See you next year.
26 October 2006
Its that time of year when fungi is at its best, and now is the time to go hunting for Waxcaps.
These brightly coloured, and sometimes shiny, mushrooms are described as the orchids of the fungi world. They are found on unimproved pasture, old lawns and grassy churchyards, usually grasslands that haven’t had any artificial fertilizers applied recently, and are grazed or mown on a regular basis. Peter Russell, the Sussex Fungi recorder, has created this great Waxcap key which we hope you will enjoy using. To help us learn about new sites in Sussex that are good for Waxcaps we rely on your records, so we look forward to hearing from you soon.
[Download Waxcap key] (PDF)
Picture: Mark Monk-Terry
28 September 2006
After a very successful recording day at Friston Forest on Saturday I would like to thank everyone who attended for coming along and contributing to what was a great day.
Record highlights of the day include a White Admiral (Limenitis camilla), an Araneus angulatus, and a Nightjar feeding at dusk. We also heard three pairs of Tawny Owl and some were lucky enough to see one pair fly across the track in front of us. Ninety species of plants were speedily recorded by Arthur Hoare, and John Luck tracked down both Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) and Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) in every 1 km grid square in which the recording area sits. Vic Downer’s expert knowledge of Lullington Heath made for interesting comparisons with the neighbouring Friston Forest.
Lots of lovely moths turned up at the moth traps in the evening including Black Rustic, Sallow, Frosted Orange, Beautiful Carpet, Red-green Carpet and a “mystery moth” that Sam Bayley is going to investigate. The most apt moth of the evening was the Barred Hook-tip which is found in Beech woods, especially on calcareous soils and has colonised many areas where Beech is an introduction (info taken from the Field Guide to the Moths of Great Britain & Ireland by Waring, Townsend and Lewington); in other words, it’s found in places exactly like Friston Forest. Thanks to Sam for bringing his moth-traps and moth enthusiasm along, and thanks to David Plummer for also bringing his moth-trap along!
We have already received some records back, and we look forward to receiving more records once people have time to sort through them. Don’t forget that there is an easy-to-use Excel spreadsheet add-in that has been specially designed for recorders to add their records to called Species Recorder.
I’m sure there will have been other exciting records for the day, so let us know what you found.
White Admiral picture © Penny and Dave Green.
5 September 2006
Would you like to take part in the National Amphibian and Reptile Recording Scheme monitoring programmes next year? The Herpetological Conservation Trust has a register of potential NARRS participants where you can add your name and email address online, to be kept in the loop for NARRS developments. There is no commitment, and the aim is for them to build up a better picture of the numbers of potential surveyors and their geographical distribution. Please do take a minute to add your name by visiting NARRS website.