For projects you can get involved with, see the links on our local and national surveys page.
For anglers, the March brown (Rhithrogena germanica) is one of the most iconic mayfly species. It is under threat across Europe but it is thought that the UK may be a stronghold for this species. Your help is needed to discover where the March brown is found in the UK. The relatively large (13-15mm) adults typically emerge en-masse from rivers around lunch time in March and April. If you see a hatch of these distinctive species, please report it to the Ephemeroptera Recording Scheme, specifying the date, number seen, river/nearest place name and grid reference (if known). Information sheets, which include a photograph indicating the characteristic mottled wings and 'spot' on all legs plus the postal/email address to return the information to, are available to download: March brown survey information sheet (pdf 177KB). For further information, please visit the Ephemoptera Recording Scheme website.
The latest edition of ‘Living Churchyards’ - the newsletter of Gwent’s Living Churchyard Project, is now available to download: GLCP Newsletter Issue 4 (pdf 628KB). If you have any events or news for the next edition, please contact Rebecca Price (Gwent Living Churchyards Project Officer) Email: rprice@gwentwildlife.org, Tel: 01600 740358. For further information about the project, please visit Gwent Wildlife Trust Living Churchyard Project webpages.
The Greater Gwent Biodiversity Action Group (GGBAG), formed in 1998, exists to further the local BAPs in Gwent, by facilitating action on the ground through networking, experience sharing and working together to identify and deliver strategic initiatives. The group covers Vice County 35 (Monmouthshire) together with those parts of Breconshire within the County Borough of Blaenau Gwent (1996) or the County of Monmouthshire (1996). The minutes of the latest meeting are available to download: GGBAG Minutes (24/11/2009) (pdf 26.7kB).
The 2010 Gwent Recorders' Fora will be held on Saturday 20 February and the Glamorgan event will take place on Saturday 27 February. The theme for the fora is 'Aquatic habitats and species'. Further information can be found on the respective pages of the Events Calendar.
These events are organised by SEWBReC. They are free, include a complimentary buffet lunch and are open to anyone interested in biological recording. Please contact us if you are interested in attending either forum.
On 11th November 2009, Buglife – the Invertebrate Conservation Trust – launched a new national campaign, 'Snug as a Bug', to get hundreds of people creating cosy homes for bugs this autumn. A bug-friendly garden is a wildlife-friendly garden afterall! For further information and to find out how to get involved, please visit http://www.buglife.org.uk/getinvolved/gardening/snugasabug.htm
The latest issue is now available to download: Gwent-Glamorgan Recorders' Newsletter Issue 2 (pdf, 1.83 MB). The previous issue can be found on the Recorders' Forum Events page.
The challenge is to write a thousand word article on a subject of topical environmental or wildlife interest in Wales which inspires you. The winner will receive a prize of £500 donated by WWF Cymru and the first four runners up will receive a subscription to Natur Cymru.
Natur Cymru is the quarterly magazine dedicated to the environment and wildlife of Wales. The purpose of the competition is to stimulate debate and encourage contributions from anyone with a passion for our natural world in Wales.
Submissions should be emailed to info@naturcymru.org.uk by 31st March 2010. The winning article will be published in the Summer edition of Natur Cymru. For further information, please visit http://www.nature2010.org.uk.
The latest edition of 'Silurian' - the newsletter for Monmouthshire Moth & Butterfly Group, is now available to download: MMBG Newsletter No. 62 (pdf, 293 kB)
Dr Dan Foreman, Head of the Conservation Ecology Research Team at Swansea University is interested in any mink and polecat carcasses that might appear on Gower / Swansea roads between now and March 2010. The bodies are needed for a variety of projects this year, including:
Please contact Dan (01792 295445 / d.w.forman@swansea.ac.uk) if you see a carcass or to report live sightings; if you are able to pick up any bodies for him he would be extremely grateful!
It's time for the next issue of the Recorders' Newsletter to be produced and we would therefore like to invite the submission of articles, project updates, events details, etc. for inclusion. We would really appreciate more items from recorders - it could simply be a list of species you have recently recorded, an update of where you have been surveying in the last year or details of an interesting sighting. Photographs are also welcomed. This is an ideal opportunity to plug your favourite recording location, and to raise awareness of the species that you record. The deadline for submission is Friday 16 October 2009.
Previous copies of the newsletter can be found on the Recorders' Pages of the website.
'Birding in Glamorgan', by Alan Rosney and Richard G Smith, has been produced by the Glamorgan Bird Club and will be launched in October. The book contains 53 site guides with sketch maps, access details, species lists and when to visit.
A launch event for the book was held at Kenfig National Nature Reserve on Sunday 18th October 2009. The original flier for this event is available to download: Birding in Glamorgan launch (pdf 168 kB), which also includes some snapshot images from within the book and further information about its features as well as ordering information.
The Peoples Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) are holding their 3rd Great Nut Hunt this winter. The first Great Nut Hunt survey was held during National Dormouse Week in 1993; the second survey, which took place in 2001, resulted in the collection of over 50,000 nuts!
Taking part is simple - all they are asking people to do is to find some woods or hedgerows with hazel, look for nuts opened by small mammals and record if they were opened by dormice! PTES request that you send any nuts that you think have been opened by dormice to them. Survey packs can be downloaded from their website at http://www.ptes.org/moremammals/gnh/.
If the nuts were not opened by dormice, they may offer clues as to the distribution of other species such as wood mouse and bank vole. Laura Palmer, County Ecologist at Cardiff CBC, has kindly offered to view any nibbled hazelnuts from within the Cardiff area to confirm what ate them - please contact her on (029) 2087 3268. She is also able to provide expertise in dormouse nut hunting and help with advertising, so if you would like to run a Nut Hunt day at your local site or with a small group within the Cardiff area, please give her a call!
Sustrans, who coordinate the National Cycle Network, are currently piloting a new project, 'Wildlife Champions', in South East Wales. The 'Wildlife Champion' volunteers will be allocated a specific section of their local greenway and will monitor biodiversity along it. All volunteers will receive an induction pack as well as regular newsletters, training opportunities, access to the volunteer intranet and dedicated support from local or national coordinators.
Further information on this project can be found in the Wildlife Champions leaflet (pdf, 693 kB). To enquire about getting involved in this project, please contact Roanna Larsen at Sustrans Cymru: Tel - 029 2065 0602; Email - sustranscymru 'at' sustrans.org.uk.
Over the last few months, The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales have been distributing survey forms to homes around Cardiff in order to find out about the wildlife that uses gardens in the capital. All forms received by The Wildlife Trust before 13th October will be entered into a prize draw. To obtain further information on the survey or to download a copy of the survey form, please visit The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales website.
The Biodiversity of Blaenau Gwent Photographic Competition is run by Blaenau Gwent Biodiversity Partnership each year to celebrate the natural environment in Blaenau Gwent. It is supported by the Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council and Countryside Council for Wales.
There are 5 categories:
For further information, including the rules of entry and to obtain an application form, please contact the Biodiversity Team at Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council on 01495 355779. The competition poster is available to download: Biodiversity of Blaenau Gwent Photographic Competition 2009 poster (397 kb).
Photos can be taken at any time of the year but all entries must be received by Friday 16th October.
The 2009 Go Wild! event, held on Saturday 6th June, was hosted by Caerphilly County Borough Council on behalf of the Caerphilly Biodiversity Partnership at the Sir Harold Finch Memorial Park in Pontllanfraith. The hardy visitors who braved the stormy weather had the opportunity to meet an array of live animals including otters, snakes, lizards, newts, slow worms, butterflies, moths, and a few members of the SEWBReC team!
Young visitors to the SEWBReC stand could take part in a number of competitions which tested their species identification and grid reference finding skills. All completed game sheets were entered into a prize draw; the lucky winners of the wildlife books have been notified. Thanks to all who came over to say hi - especially those who passed on species sightings!
This competition is open to local residents & businesses, churches & communitybuildings. Everyone is being encouraged to enter whatever their garden type, which can include community gardens, schools and allotments. Further details are available at www.cardiff.gov.uk/biodiversity. The entry form is available to download: Wildlife Garden Class (pdf). The closing date for entries is Friday 10th July 2009.
In the UK, millions of Painted Lady butterflies have arrived in recent days and more are likely to arrive with sunny weather and favourable winds forecast over the coming weekend.
There is a unique opportunity to get better information on the nature and scale of this spectacular and unprecedented migration by taking part in a UK-wide count. Butterfly Conservation are inviting interested recorders to carry out a two hour sample count from 11:00 - 13:00 (UK time) on Saturday 30th May. This will enable objective comparison with all other sites recorded in the same way.
The data can be entered online at Butterfly Conservation’s website:
http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/sightings/1097/painted_lady_butterfly.html
For further details, including survey methodology and site selection, please download the Painted Lady Count Information Sheet (Word doc, 28kb).
On 2nd April 2009, the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), Froglife and The Herpetological Conservation Trust (HCT) jointly launched the 'Reptiles and Amphibians in your Garden' survey. Surveys carried out by garden owners are an efficient way to gather information on herps in urban and suburban areas. Previous garden surveys have been carried out in specific localities, so this is the first time that such a project has been attempted nationally. It will gather information on:
The survey will cover 2008 and this year up to the end of June (although the section on frog mortalities goes back to 2006 – the last warm summer we had!) and is pretty easy to complete; participants simply mark boxes to indicate their observations. Survey forms can be obtained by contacting HCT or following the instructions on the BTO website, and will also be distributed by the BTO to participants of 'Garden BirdWatch'. The deadline for return of survey forms is the end of July this year.
Further information can be found on the Froglife and BTO websites.
This year, the Bat Conservation Trust are launching what could be the biggest survey of urban bats undertaken, and you could be involved! No previous experience or knowledge is necessary and all equipment will be provided.
What's involved:
All the adopted squares will add up to give an overall indication of bat activity, which could help with their conservation as all 17 species of UK bat are threatened.
If you are interested in getting involved, and would like further information, please contact the relevant individual or organisation for your area, or the Bat Conservation Trust.
Cardiff: Catalena Angele (Secretary, Cardiff Bat Group)
Neath Port Talbot: Rebecca Sharp (Ecologist, Neath Port Talbot CBC, r.sharp@npt.gov.uk / 01639 686149)
Swansea: Jo Mullett (Biodiversity Education Officer, City & County of Swansea, jo.mullett@swansea.gov.uk / 01792 635784)
The latest edition of ‘Living Churchyards’ - the newsletter of Gwent’s Living Churchyard Project, is now available to download: GLCP Newsletter Issue 2. If you have any events or news for the next edition (expected late summer 2009) please contact Rebecca Price on 01600 740358.
The South Wales Mammal Group (SWMG) was formed in December 2008 by a small team of ecologists and environmental enthusiasts in Cardiff. Their objective is to collect and collate information on the mammals of South Wales, to raise awareness of South Wales mammals, their ecology and conservation needs, and to provide a forum for those interested in mammals throughout the area.
SWMG’s members bring with them a wide variety of practical field skills such as small mammal trapping, PIT tagging, radio tracking and field sign identification. With the help of its members and working in partnership with other relevant organisations, SWMG soon intend to have a number of projects up and running, including work with water voles, otters, dormice, harvest mice and as many other mammals they can find!
No qualifications or experience are needed to join SWMG, just an interest in mammals. If you care about wildlife and conservation or would like learn practical field skills and are interested in getting involved, why not contact the group.
Anybody wishing to become a member or looking for more information can contact SWMG on info@southwalesmammalgroup.com or 07897558390. Alternatively, visit the SWMG website.
The input of recorders is extremely valuable when decisions are being made which could affect them. We would especially like your opinion on Section 42 species identification packs (download the guidelines and species list), data flow and data verification. For further information, please visit our Biological Recording pages. Thank you for taking the time to offer your assistance – you can influence outcomes!
SEWBReC is occasionally asked for recorders’ contact details (for the purpose of helping with taxonomic identification, sending and requesting records, surveying contracts, and obtaining expert opinion etc). Please help us ensure we have your correct contact details, and that we have permission to pass on your details to consultants and other interested people (where appropriate) by completing this form and submitting it to us. Thank you for your time.
Congratulations to Peter Davies and all at Slade Farm for their recent achievement in becoming the first winner of the Nature of Farming Award. The Southerndown farm was 1 of 4 short-listed finalists, and ultimately gained 36% of the vote in the competition, run by RSPB and Countryfile Magazine and backed by Butterfly Conservation and Plantlife. The site was the venue for the 2008 Glamorgan Biodiversity Blitz, organised by SEWBReC. Further details on the competition and the winning farm can be found on the RSPB website.
The bizarre Ghost Slug was first found in a Cardiff garden in 2007. It is blind, lives underground, and kills and eats earthworms by squeezing down their burrows. Ghost slugs are originally from Turkey and Georgia and have not been seen in Europe before, but they may be spreading. The Ghost Slug Project would like to hear from anyone who has seen them.
For more information see the National Museum Wales website or contact Ben Rowson (02920 573 110).
Download the Ghost Slug Identification Guide
Following the success of the first Biodiversity Blitz Day in 2007, two events were organised by SEWBReC this year. The Gwent Blitz was held on 2nd August at Aberbargoed Grasslands, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The Glamorgan Blitz was on 16th August at a Tir Gofal Farm in Southerndown called Slade Farm.
There was a great turnout for both events, with local recorders of a wide variety of taxonomic groups attending. As a result of the efforts of those present, a large number of new species were recorded at the previously under-recorded Aberbargoed site and a diverse assortment of species were found at Slade Farm, despite the rain! Huge thanks to all involved!
A full list of species from both days will be available once all records have been submitted. If you attended either event, please don't forget to send us your records!
Please visit our Biodiversity Blitz Days pages or contact us for further information on these events.
This July SEWBReC attended the Royal Welsh Show. All the Welsh LRCs were represented at a joint stall in the Countryside Care Area in the Wales Environmental Compact marquee, near the Main Ring.
2008's Go Wild! event, organised by the Blaenau Gwent Biodiversity Partnership as part of Wales Biodiversity Week, was held at Parc Bryn Bach LNR (Tredegar) on Saturday 14th June.
SEWBReC held a competition for youngsters to name a selection of plants and animals from photos on a map. Two winners have been drawn from a hat and will be sent wildlife identification books.
Other activities on offer, hosted by a variety of conservation groups and other organisations included meeting wild owls, otters, minibeasts, newts, frogs & toads, building homes for bats and birds, and a biodiversity "boot camp"!
In 2009 Go Wild! is due to be held by Caerphilly County Borough Council at Pontllanfraith.
SEWBReC reached the million records mark on 8th January 2008. The species in question was a bryophyte recorded by Sam Bosanquet: Sanionia uncinata (Sickle-leaved Hook-moss). It was spotted on waste ground in Abersychan.
Sam notes that "Sanionia uncinata is usually found in species-rich limestone grassland, on montane crags, or in willow carr, so its presence on an area of disturbed roadside turf was remarkable. There are a reasonable number of records of it from north-west Gwent, but all from natural habitats."
Dan Forman is in need of carcasses of weasel, stoat, mink and polecat for his research.
Please keep an eye out for those mustelids, especially when traveling on the road: any donations will be gratefully received!
Dr Dan Forman CBiol.MIBiol.EurProBiol.Behavioural, Physiological & Molecular Ecology GroupInstitute of Environmental SustainabilitySwansea UniversitySingleton ParkSwansea, SA2 8PPTel: (+44) 01792 295445
In the event of finding an otter carcass, please telephone 0800 807060 (Environment Agency) or 0845 1306229 (Countryside Council for Wales) with details of the location.
Otter carcasses will be forwarded to the Cardiff University Otter Project.
Click on the links below to download PDF versions of this newsletter which has been produced by SEWBReC since 2005.
Gwent-Glamorgan Recorders' Newsletter Issue 1 [October 2008]
Gwent Recorders' Newsletter No. 11 [October 2007]Gwent Recorders' Newsletter No. 10 [October 2006]Gwent Recorders' Newsletter No. 09 [November 2005]