For projects you can get involved with, see the links on our local and national surveys page.
We are pleased to announce the dates of the 2012 Recorders' Fora. Please join us for these enjoyable and informative events:
Download the event flyer (Pdf, 436 kB).
Everyone is very welcome and the events are free, but booking is essential. If you would like to attend, please contact us. Information on past fora can be found on the Recorders' Pages.
The lastest edition of Silurian, the newsletter for Monmouthshire Moth & Butterfly Group, is now available to download: MMBG Newsletter No.79 (September, 2011) (pdf 342 kB).
The minutes of the latest GGBAG (Greater Gwent Biodiversity Action Group) meeting are now available to download: GGBAG Minutes (28/09/11) (pdf 72.5 kB).
The latest edition of the Monmouthshire Meadow Group Newsletter is now available to download: MMG Autumn 2011 (pdf, 286kB).
In October, the SEWBReC database reached the 2 million record mark. The species in question was the first Welsh record of Old World Webworm (Hellula undalis). The moth was caught by Barry Stewart at Nitten Field on Gower, on the 2nd October during the unseasonably mild weather. Usually found in the tropics, and around the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, it is a pest of crucifers in its natural range.
Photo: Barry Stewart
The latest issue of the Gwent -Glamorgan Recorders' Newsletter (pdf, 1.26 MB) is now available to download; a big thank you to all those who have contributed! If you would like to be added to our distribution list to receive this newsletter, plus details of events organised by SEWBReC, via email, please contact us.
Chinese mitten crabs are officially listed as one of the World's 100 worst invasive species. They can cause damage to fishing gear and river banks, block intake screens, modify natural habitats and compete with native species. It is this economic and ecological damage that makes this crab such an unwelcome arrival. The full extent of these exotic pests in English and Welsh waters is currently unclear and a consortium of research institutes is requesting mitten crab sightings from members of the public, anglers and waterway workers, to clarify the distribution of this species. Find out more information and record your sighting of this invasive species at the Mitten Crab website.
Blaenau Gwent's Biodiversity Photography competition is still open to entries but not for long…the deadline is the 14th October.
The categories are…
It’s a great opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy some of Blaenau Gwent's fantastic natural environment - there are many greenspaces to visit and lots of wildlife to photograph and/or film!
For application forms and further details on the competition please visit the council website or contact Claire Pooley on 01495 355779.
The last two editions of Silurian, the newsletter for Monmouthshire Moth & Butterfly Group, are now available to download: MMBG Newsletter No. 77 (July, 2011) (pdf 497 kB) and MMBG Newsletter No.78 (August, 2011) (pdf 295 kB).
We've just recieved our first Rose Chafer (Cetonia aurata) record since 1923! This lovely minibeast was spotted in Monmouth by Christine Blumer, who reported her sighting to Gwent Wildlife Trust. GWT's Orchard Project Officer, Alice Rees, is on the hunt for the Noble Chafer (Gnorimus nobilis), a rare species which frequents orchards but has never been recorded in Gwent.
Despite this record being for a Rose, rather than Noble, Chafer, SEWBReC were delighted as always to recieve a record for a rare species. Further photos (© Christine Blumer) of the chafer can be viewed in our gallery here.
If you have any records of Chafers of any variety, please submit them to SEWBReC via our online form, and if you have any orchard based records, particularly of the elusive Noble Chafer, please contact Alice Rees at Gwent Wildlife Trust.
The big butterfly count is a nationwide survey aimed at helping to assess the health of the environment. It was launched in 2010 and an impressive 10,000 people took part, counting 210,000 butterflies and day-flying moths across the nation.
Big Butterfly Count 2011 runs from Sat 16th July - Sun 7th August (extended due to poor weather in the first week) but the website will be open to take sightings throughout July and August, and will thereafter be used to disseminate details of the results.
It is a simple survey of how many of each different type of butterfly or day flying moth that you see during a 15 minute period. The focus in 2011 is on 21 common species and there is a downloadable identification chart that can be printed off now so that people can get their eye in. Participants can carry out as many counts as they wish.
Sightings can only be submitted online at www.bigbutterflycount.org
The latest edition of Silurian, the newsletter for Monmouthshire Moth & Butterfly Group, is now available to download: MMBG Newsletter No.75 (pdf 471 kB).
The latest issue of the Gwent-Glamorgan Recorders' Newsletter (pdf, 906KB) is now available to download; a big thank you to all those who have contributed! If you would like to be added to our distribution list to receive this newsletter, plus details of events organised by SEWBReC, via email, please contact us.
The Cardiff Garden Wildlife Survey aims to find out about the hidden wildlife in Cardiff. Amongst the roads and buildings of the capital city our gardens are offering food and shelter to some of our most exciting wildlife.
The Cardiff Biodiversity Partnership, with the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales are asking you to help discover the wildlife of Cardiff’s gardens.
As you may have seen in the Capital Times, there is a simple form to fill in which will help us discover just what is using our gardens. The form is also available online at www.cardiff.gov.uk/biodiversity along with some handy identification guides.
For more information on Wildlife Gardening see www.wildaboutgardens.org. All completed forms received by the 13th December 2011 will be entered into a prize draw to win a wildlife gardening pack, including a wildlife gardening book, bird box and feeder.
Following on from the success of previous years' events, SEWBReC, in association with Wales Biodiversity Partnership, are once again holding a number of identification training days this year. For details of the 2011 events, please download the 2011 SEWBReC ID Training Day Flier (pdf, 112KB), or click on the following links:
The aim of these workshops is to stimulate recording interest and generate biological records. Help improve our knowledge of local species and habitats by learning how to identify species with local experts, and then submitting your records to SEWBReC. These events are free but booking is essential as spaces are limited.
To express your interest in attending any of the 2011 workshops, please download and complete the SEWBReC Species Training Day Form 2011 (Word doc, 398KB) and return to SEWBReC before the 10th June 2011. In the interest of fairness, places will be allocated by a random selection process. If you have not heard from us by the 15th June, please assume that you have not been assigned a place.
This year, SEWBReC are a Partner in four Biodiversity Blitz Days:
Now in their fifth successful year, these FREE events are open to all recorders, so please tell other naturalists who may be interested in attending about them! Please follow the above links for additional information and who to contact for further details.
For information, several other biodiversity blitzes are also being organised by other groups, this year for example Gwent Wildlife Trust: ‘Friends of Rogiet Countryside Park’ Biodiversity Blitz (4th June). Why not show your support and go along!
Unfortunately Phytophthora ramorum was recently identified in Vaccinium at Gethin woodland. Public access remains open, but visitors are advised to take biosecurity measures – for additional details, please download letter (Word doc, 324KB).
In order to slow the spread of this disease people should familiarise themselves with its symptoms, and employ the recommended precautionary measures when visiting infected areas. For further information, please follow the link to the Phytophthera article below.
Invasive non-native species can have a damaging impact on British plants, animals and ecosystems. They can spread disease, prey on native species and compete with them for food and living space.
If you are a water user, you may unknowingly be helping to spread invasive species from one water body to another in equipment, shoes and clothing.
The Welsh Assembly Government has been working with DEFRA, the EA and other stakeholders to highlight the importance to all recreational and other water users of taking basic, but effective bio-security measures to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. You can help by following three simple steps: check, clean and dry equipment before leaving the water.
For further information, please download the poster - English (pdf, 544KB); Welsh (pdf, 601KB) - or visit www.direct.gov.uk and search for Check Clean Dry.
On Friday 3 June 2011 (10am - 3pm), during National Volunteers' Week, the Forgotten Landscapes Partnership will be holding a Biodiversity Blitz Day at Blaenavon World Heritage Site. The aim of the day is to record as much wildlife as possible!
- No previous experience needed - Learn how to identify wildlife by working with naturalists - Find out about volunteering and training opportunities in the Forgotten Landscapes Partnership
This event is free, but booking is essential. All records collected during the event will be submitted to SEWBReC.
Download the Blaenavon World Heritage Site Biodiversity Blitz Day poster (pdf, 446KB)
For further information, please contact Sarah Lewis (Volunteer Recruitment and Training Officer, Forgotten Landscapes Partnership) on 01495 742333.
Any help on the day would be much appreciated. If you have previous experience in wildlife identification and recording, and would be willing to give a few pointers to others, please contact Sarah using the details above.
Following on from the success of the events held in the previous 2 years, SEWBReC will be arranging a series of identification workshops during 2011. We are pleased to announce the first of these:
Butterfly Identification Training Day (Friday 20th May; Afan Forest Park, Port Talbot)
For further information, please follow the above link, or download the poster (pdf, 85.1KB). Please note that if you are interested in attending, you must download and complete the booking form (Word doc, 389KB) and return it to SEWBReC by Wednesday 11th May. Places are limited, and in the interests of fairness, places will be allocated by a random selection process after this date.
Details of additional identification training days to be held during 2011 will be announced shortly.
The latest issue of the Moths Count project e-mail newsletter, E-moth, is now available to download: E-moth April 2011 (pdf 294KB). In this issue you will find an update on the National Moth Recording Scheme, a date for your diary (28th January 2012) and information about the latest Moths Count publications. For further information on Moths Count, please visit www.mothscount.org.
If you have a pond, by taking part in a simple survey, you can help Pond Conservation gather invaluable information about the nation's ponds and improve advice on pond design and management.
The Big Pond Dip is an annual survey, now entering its third year, which uses a simple biological assessment method, based on the creatures that live in ponds, to find out what condition garden ponds are in. Results can be entered online, via the Pond Conservation website, and are automatically added to the national database. This year, Pond Conservation hope to find out more about the impact of size and depth of a pond on its biodiversity, and to establish the importance of clean water.
Further details are available in the Big Pond Dip 2011 flier (pdf, 857KB). For further information, and to take part, please visit www.pondconservation.org.uk/bigponddip.
As part of Wales Sustainability Week and to recognise the United Nations’ International day for Biodiversity, Keep Wales Tidy is launching a new wildlife campaign this May in partnership with B&Q.
‘Have a Wild Weekend for Wales’ runs from 20 to 22 May and aims to improve biodiversity by assisting people to undertake small projects to benefit native species and create new wildlife havens in their locality. Open to community groups, schools, organisations, families and individuals, Keep Wales Tidy will provide free B&Q gift cards to purchase materials to create new wildlife areas across Wales.
Projects must take place on publicly-accessible land and result in the creation of a new wildlife habitat. Ideas include planting patches of bare grass with native trees and shrubs, creating a wildlife corner in a car park, creating scrapes and ponds for watery wildlife and planting to aid dwindling bee populations. Keep Wales Tidy are particularly keen to see applications that are targeted towards the protection of some of Wales’s most endangered wildlife species; such as the building of otter holts, and construction of owl boxes.
Further information, including application forms and criteria can be found on Keep Wales Tidy’s website. The deadline for applications is Monday 9 May 2011.
Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) and Amphibian and Reptile Groups of the UK (ARG UK) would like your help to conserve Britain's newts. Little is known about our most widespread newt species, and they are the least protected of our amphibians. The Great Easter Newt Hunt will help ARC and ARG UK find out how important your garden pond is for newts and plan for their conservation.
The survey period is 22nd April to 2nd May 2011 and the survey takes just 10 minutes during the day and 10 minutes after dark. For further information on how to take part, including full survey information, survey forms and ID tips, please see www.newthunt.org or download the Great Easter Newt Hunt flier (pdf, 336KB)
Phytophthora ramorum (formerly known as 'Sudden Oak Death') and Phytophthora kernoviae are two fungus-like pathogens which affect a range of trees, shrubs and other plants. They have the potential to threaten a variety of important UK habitats, including native heathland, ancient woodland and forestry, heritage parks and gardens, and also the horticultural trade.
There has been a coordinated approach to disease control aimed at containment and eradication of these pathogens since the first UK findings in 2002. In 2009 the decision was reached that more needed to be done, and a 5-year programme was launched with the aim of containing the risk from spreading further. The 3 main work streams are research and development, education and awareness raising, and disease control through clearance of host plants in high risk areas.
Three of the key host plants are Rhododendron, Vaccinium and Japanese Larch, but this list is by no means exhaustive. Symptoms of infection can vary with the type of plant infected. On shrubs, typical symptoms can include blackening of leaves around the midrib and at the tips, and/or wilting and dieback of shoots. Trees can show black lesions (called cankers) on the bark, which 'bleed' a dark sap. You can help: Please report any suspected Phytophthora outbreaks or vast Rhondodendron stands (including landowner details if known) to Kevin Izzard, Higher Phythophthora Project Officer at Fera (Food & Environment Research Agency): Email: kevin.izzard@fera.gsi.gov.uk; Tel: 01792 313047.
Biosecurity is crucial in preventing the further spread of these pathogens. Key points:
Please take the time to read the Phytophthera public information leaflet (English, Welsh). A wealth of further information and resources are availiable on the Fera website and the Forestry Commission website. For further information on an upcoming awareness presentation to be held at Parc Slip, please visit the events pages.
The thaw that followed the wintery weather in November/December 2010 revealed large numbers of dead amphibians and fish in ponds. In order to find out more about what is happening, Pond Conservation have relaunched Big Pond Thaw for 2010/2011.
If you have a pond, they would like to hear from you, whether or not you have experienced any fish or amphibian deaths; information about your pond could provide a vital insight into the phenomenon. For further details, please download the Big Pond Thaw Survey information (pdf 642KB) and consider completing the Pond Conservation Big Pond Thaw Survey online form. The Pond Conservation website also has the results from previous years' Big Pond Thaw surveys, plus useful cold weather advice for pond owners.
The invasive non native shrimp, Dikerogammarus villosus, was first reported in the UK on 3rd September in Grafham Water SSSI in Cambridgeshire. It has subsequently been detected on 28th November in Cardiff Bay and Eglwys Nunydd reservoir (Port Talbot) in Wales.
D. villosus is an aggressive predator with a high rate of reproduction. It is an extremely successful invasive with the potential to spread quickly, and to cause harm to many freshwater ecosystems. It is predicted that if it becomes widespread it will threaten a number of native species through predation and competition and will have knock on effects for biodiversity and the wider functioning of freshwater ecosystems in the UK.
For further information, including briefing notes, biosecurity guidance, identification guides and details of how to report suspected sightings, please visit the NNSS website (GB Non-Native Species Secretariat).
The latest edition of Silurian, the newsletter for Monmouthshire Moth & Butterfly Group, is now available to download: MMBG Newsletter No. 72 (pdf 344 kB)
The latest edition of ‘Living Churchyards’ - the newsletter of Gwent’s Living Churchyard Project, is now available to download: GLCP Newsletter Issue 6 (pdf 1.09MB). Sadly this is the last issue of Living Churchyards, as funding of the 3 year Living Churchyards Projectcomes to an end this December. Thanks to the work of everyone involved, hopefully the wildlife of Gwent's churchyards will continue to thrive. For further information about the project, please visit Gwent Wildlife Trust Living Churchyard Project webpages or contact Rebecca Price (Gwent Living Churchyards Project Officer) Email: rprice@gwentwildlife.org, Tel: 01600 740358.
The theme for these events is Woodlands, inspired by 2011 being declared International Year of Forests by United Nations (find out more by following the link to their website).
The dates for these events are as follows:
If you would like to attend, please contact us. Information on past fora can be found on the Recorders' Pages.
The latest issue of the Gwent-Glamorgan Recorders' Newsletter (pdf, 856KB) is now available to download; a big thank you to all those who have contributed! If you would like to be added to our distribution list to receive this newsletter, plus details of events organised by SEWBReC, via email, please contact us.
The Welsh Assembly Government are developing a Natural Environment Framework. The framework will have a stronger focus on sustainable land and marine management in Wales based on the ecosystem approach. It will also address climate change pressures on the environment.
WAG would like your views on this framework. To view the related documents and to find out how to respond to this consultation, please follow the link to the Welsh Assembly Government website. This could be your opportunity to influence the structure of biodiversity conservation for the future.
Start of consultation: 15/09/2010End of consultation: 31/12/2010
The Natural History Museum have just launched the Urban Tree Survey, a three year project which aims to build a picture of what trees are growing where and find out how the tree population is changing. They need your help. Everything you need to take part in this survey, including including full instructions, a survey form, interactive tools and identification keys, can be found on their website: please visit www.nhm.ac.uk/trees.
Orchards in Gwent are to be given a real boost with the help of the launch of the Gwent Wildlife Trust’s new Perllannau Gwent/Gwent Orchards Project. Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Countryside Council for Wales and Welsh Assembly Government’s Sustainable Development Fund in the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the project aims to bring orchards back to their former glory, and ensure that they have a permanent place in natural heritage. Please see the Gwent Wildlife Trust website for more details on the project and how to get involved.
Phytophthora ramorum is a pathogen of trees and other plants that was first found in Britain infecting a viburnum in a plant in a garden centre in 2002. P. ramorum kills most trees that it infects, and could have serious impacts on trees, woodland, the forest industries, and the wider environment.
Aerial surveys of woodland in South Wales in May 2010 identified symptoms that indicated that Phytophthora ramorum might be present. Subsequent inspections and testing have confirmed that there is widespread infection in the lower Afan Valley, Garw Valley and Vale of Glamorgan, in all ages of larch. Currently the outbreak has only been found in Welsh Assembly Government woodlands managed by Forestry Commission Wales (FCW). The situation is changing rapidly as FCW undertake more surveys and it is likely that the infection has spread more widely.
For further information, including symptoms, treatment and biosecurity measures, please visit the Forestry Commission website.
This year marks the 15th anniversary of the National Cycle Network. As part of the celebrations, Sustrans, the charity behind the network, along with The Valleys Heart and Soul campaign is inviting you to submit a digital photograph or short film depicting ‘people, places or wildlife’ on the National Cycle Network in The Valleys. A variety of prizes are on offer and winning photographs and short films will be announced and showcased at this year’s National Eisteddfod in Ebbw Vale. For further infornation about this competition, please visit www.thevalleys.co.uk/heartandsoul/competition.
The Forester Moth became a UK BAP Priority species in 2007 and Butterfly Conservation is currently endeavouring to collate information about its current habitat, larval foodplant and nectar requirements, to create a clearer understanding of its ecology. This will be used to inform management decisions and to produce location maps for what is probably an under recorded species.
Butterfly Conservation are therefore encouraging people to keep an eye out for the Forester this year when out and about in the countryside. If the species is seen, they would be very grateful if a simple recording form could be completed and returned to them. Visiting sites that appear to be suitable for the Forester or re-visiting sites with past records will also provide important information.
For further information about searching for the Forester, please download the Forester Survey Request sheet (pdf, 371KB); for information on the species in general, please download the Forester Species Information sheet (pdf, 523KB). Also available to download is the site recording form (Word doc, 46KB).
Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council is starting a new project, which aims to maintain and enhance the biodiversity of roadside verges in the county borough.
The first step is to identify roadside verges that may have value for nature conservation. These will then be surveyed and the information used to improve their management. They would like you to help by sending in your records of verges which display the best opportunities for wildlife.
For further information, including how to report your biodiversity rich road verges, please download the Roadside Verge flier (pdf, 1.16MB) or email Katie Partington, Assistant Ecologist (Katie.Partington@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk).
Wales is fortunate in having complete national Local Records Centre coverage, provided by Cofnod, BIS, WWBIC and SEWBReC. A tool is now available which enables users to easily determine which Welsh LRC covers their area of interest, by entering a postcode, place name, grid reference or just clicking on the map. Visit the Local Records Centres Wales website to try it out!
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 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 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.
'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.
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.
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!
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!
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 3 [October 2010]Gwent-Glamorgan Recorders' Newsletter Issue 2 [October 2009] 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]