News

 

For projects you can get involved with, see the links on our local and national surveys page.

 

SEWBReC is currently recruiting!

Vacancies have recently arisen for TWO organised, professional and enthusiastic people to join the SEWBReC team as BIODIVERSITY INFORMATION ASSISTANTS.

The successful candidates will be responsible for the ongoing computerisation of biological records from a range of sources (including the Countryside Council for Wales and local recording groups) and will assist with the output of biodiversity information products and services in response to enquiries from SEWBReC users.

For further information, please see our Jobs page.

 

The Royal Welsh Show 2008

This year SEWBReC is attending the Royal Welsh Show! All the Welsh LRCs will be represented at a joint stall in the Countryside Care Area from the 21st to the 24th of July. A member of staff from SEWBReC will be there on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday to answer your queries or just to chat about the work that we do. Come and see us at the Wales Environmental Compact marquee (CCA839), near the Main Ring (see map).

 

Go Wild!

This year's 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 2008.

SEWBReC Staff at Go Wild

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 the event is due to be held by Caerphilly County Borough Council at Pontllanfraith.

 

Common Darter

British Dragonfly Society: National Dragonfly Atlas Project

The National Dragonfly Atlas Project will be launched in April 2008. The aim of this project is to update the known distribution of British dragonfly and damselfly species over the next five years, culminating in the publication of a new national atlas in 2013.

 

BTO Atlas Project (2007-2011)

BTO Atlas

 

 

The breeding season fieldwork started on 1st April. There are two ways you can help:

  1. Choose one or more tetrads to do Timed Tetrad Visits
  2. Collate lists, anytime, anywhere for Roving Records

See the BTO Atlas website for more details.

 

One million records and counting....

Sanionia uncinataSEWBReC 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."

 

Dead bodies wanted!

Dan Forman is in need of carcasses of weasel, stoat, mink and polecat for his research.

PoleflatPlease 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 Group
Institute of Environmental Sustainability
Swansea University
Singleton Park
Swansea, SA2 8PP
Tel: (+44) 01792 295445

Otter duo

 

 

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.

 

Gwent & Glamorgan Recorders' Days

The Glamorgan Recorders' Forum was held at the Best Western Heronston Hotel, Ewenny Road, Bridgend, on Saturday, 26 January 2008.

The Gwent Recorders' Forum was held at the Boardroom, Caerleon Campus, University of Wales College Newport, on Saturday, 16 February 2008.

Both were a great success and Biodiversity Blitz days are planned to follow during the summer months. Anyone with an interest in biological recording is welcome to attend future events. Please see the Recorders' Days page and our events calendar for further details and minutes of previous events.

 

Gwent Recorders' Newsletter

Click on the links below to download PDF versions of this newsletter which has been produced by SEWBReC since 2005.

Gwent Recorders' Newsletter No. 11 [October 2007]
Gwent Recorders' Newsletter No. 10 [October 2006]
Gwent Recorders' Newsletter No. 09 [November 2005]

 

SEWBReC News publication

Click on the link below to download a PDF version of SEWBReC's previous newsletter:

SEWBReC Update [June 2005]