Participants: If you are interested in
helping with any of the surveys detailed below please contact ONLY the
person, telephone number or email address.
Survey Organisers:
50 word listings on this page are free (details not included in any
paper publication) additional words at 20p each minimum fee £10. To send
your survey details or for more information
contact CJS.
Wildlife Surveys and Fieldwork
Many conservation organisations appeal for volunteer surveyors to record and
submit local sightings for a national wildlife survey. Taking part in any of
these surveys will give you useful experience and also help to extend the
scientific knowledge of a species, so vital for appropriate conservation
management. Some include training in survey techniques and some may even pay
expenses.
General / Habitat
Woodland Trust
The Nature's Calendar survey run
by the Woodland Trust enables you to record seasonal UK wildlife
sightings online and add to the longest written biological record in the
UK. The website has live interactive maps, personalised data tables and
analysis of how the seasons are changing. Visit
www.naturescalendar.org.uk
Annual. No deadline.
2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity and
to celebrate, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust are
launching a simple wildlife survey that everyone can take part
in. To submit your wildlife survey results visit our website
www.hwt.org.uk, or request a survey
form email
wildline@hwt.org.uk.
Homes for Wildlife
Get free, tailor made advice from the RSPB & help turn
your garden into a haven for all wildlife! whether you have a large
mature garden or just a balcony, there's advice for everyone. Visit
www.rspb.org.uk/hfw to find out
more.
End Date: Ongoing.
Wetlands in my backyard with
the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust
From April 2010 to October 2010 - National Wildlife Survey. Visit your local canal,
river or lake and record (online) all the species you see. The
information will be used to help plan the management of our navigable
waterways and to protect their wildlife. This year’s survey has a
special focus on the kingfisher.
www.waterscape.com/wildlifesurvey
Start: April 2010. End: October 2010.
2007
2008
2009
The Million Ponds Project
will create an extensive network of new ponds across the UK. Ultimately
the aim is to reverse a century of pond loss, ensuring that once again
the UK has over one million countryside ponds. A critical element of the
project is that these new ponds will have clean water. To find out how
to make clean ponds, see the Million Ponds toolkit.
www.pondconservation.org.uk/millionponds/pondcreationtoolkit
End date: funded to 2012
OPAL Water and Biodiversity Surveys
Open Air Laboratories (OPAL) has two new
national surveys this year. The Water Survey encourages people
to explore England’s freshwaters and The Biodiversity Survey
(from September 2010) looks at the importance of hedges to
wildlife. Anyone can take part with free materials downloaded
from
www.opalexplorenature.org
2007 Countryside Survey
Results published
Countryside Survey is a unique study of the natural resources of the
UK's countryside carried out by the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.
Undertaken at regular intervals since 1978, the countryside is sampled
using rigorous scientific methods. To find out more visit
www.countrysidesurvey.org.uk
More information about all People's Trust for Endangered
Species surveys - past results and ongoing work - can be found
at http://www.ptes.org/surveys,
with details of how to take part End Date: ongoing
iSpot website helps you
put a name to wildlife you have seen. At iSpot (
www.ispot.org.uk ) you can upload
pictures and connect with a social network of thousands of users, from
beginners to experts. iSpot is an Open University website funded from
The Big Lottery Fund’s £11.7 million grant to Open Air Laboratories.
Mammals
Dorset Wildlife Trust is coordinating at County wide mammal survey,
aiming to produce a Dorset Mammal Atlas in 2012. We are looking for
volunteers prepared to carry out surveys across the County for specific
mammal species. Training given where required. Contact Anna Muckle at
DWT on 01305 264620 for details.
http://www.dorsetwildlife.co.uk/dorset_mammals_project.html
Suffolk Wildlife Trust is
carrying out a project on Harvest Mice in Suffolk. The project is
using the success of the Suffolk Barn Owl Project to collect owl pellets
and train volunteers to analyse the remains to look for harvest mice and
carry out nest surveys. We are looking for volunteers who are interested
in analysing owl pellets at home and passing the results back to SWT for
verification. We are holding training days for committed volunteers to
learn how to identify small mammal remains. Harvest Mouse Project
Officer at
martha.cowell@Suffolkwildlifetrust.org 01473 890089
Ongoing until spring 2011
PTES’ Hedgerows for Dormice project will benefit
hedgerows and the wildlife, particularly dormice, that depend on them.
We are looking for volunteers this summer to help survey hedgerow
condition, and in the autumn/winter to undertake habitat management
work. Training provided. To find out more visit
www.ptes.org/hedgerows or
email
hedgerows@ptes.org
National Otter Survey
in England will help to find out if conservation targets have been met
and to identify what action is required to maintain otter recovery. If
you have seen an otter recently please complete our otter sightings
recording form and send back to PTES. We will pass on your sightings to
the Environment Agency survey.
http://bit.ly/OtterSurvey
PTES Mammals on Roads Survey. By recording the mammals
along road journeys, we can build a picture of how species distribution
and abundance is changing. Visit our website at
www.ptes.org/mor or email
mor@ptes.org
for a free survey park. Survey starts 1st July.
Annual survey, deadline 30 Sept.
2008
Updated results August 2009
All People's Trust for Endangered Species / Mammal Trust
surveys, past results and present surveys can be viewed on
http://www.ptes.org/index.php?cat=9
Birds
We need your help to find out
more about our swifts
You've probably seen them
speeding through the air, screaming their heads off, or swooping into
crevices in buildings. But they're in trouble. Tell us where you see
swifts and help us to help them. To find out more and how you can help,
visit:
www.rspb.org.uk/helpswifts
End Date: Ongoing.
National Corncrake Survey
with RSPB
Corncrakes will begin to return
to the UK at the end of April, and and the public will be able to call
in on special hotline numbers to submit their records of the species.
(England and Wales) - 01767 680 551 (Scotland) - 0131 311 6500 (Northern
Ireland) - 028 9049 1547 ID info
http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/c/corncrake/index.asp
End Date: Ongoing.
British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) - various surveys
Several national, annual surveys to monitor many
bird species in a range of habitats, creating an unrivalled
historical database of UK bird populations and distributions. In
addition to running the UK's national Bird Ringing Scheme, other
surveys include: Breeding Bird Survey, Garden Birdwatch Survey,
Heronries Census, Nest Record Scheme, Owls, Wetland Bird Survey, and
Bird Atlas 2007-11.
Competent birdwatchers required, especially
in remote areas. Details at www.bto.org
or from BTO, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2PU
Deadline: none
&
survey updates
The RSPB is
asking anyone who sees a hen harrier in England to report it to
a special Harrier Hotline. The appeal for sightings is in
a bid to find out more about where birds may be nesting. The
number is 0845 4600121 (calls charged at local rate).
Reports can also be e-mailed to
henharriers@rspb.org.uk. Please provide details of the
date and location of sighting, including a grid reference where
possible. For harrier id info, click on
www.rspb.org.uk/henharrier End Date: ongoing.
This is a national survey to find out more about urban distributions
of widespread amphibians, discovering more about their habits and about
their garden habitats. Anyone with or without a garden pond can
participate. If you need help working out which amphibians you’ve
spotted then our amphibian
guide might come in useful. Find out more at
www.froglife.org/frogwatch
Why did the toad cross the road?
Froglife’s Toads on Roads project registers
toad migratory crossings throughout the UK. Toad Patrollers need
your help in the spring to monitor these sites and record vital
information on the current status of the common toad nationally. Over
45,000 toads were helped across in the UK’s roads in spring 2010.
Interested in taking part? For more information and to find your
nearest crossing see
http://www.froglife.org/toadsonroads
Newt skin disease project.
An investigation into a newly emerging newt skin disease caused by a
protozoal parasite. Affected newts have single or multiple blister like
nodules or lumps on the skin . If you see newts with skin disease
please contact
Anna.Meredith@ed.ac.uk with
location details and an image or description.
to see photo of diseased newt.
End date: ongoing
Plants
Plantlife's Wild About Plants team are
asking people to fill in a parish record. The parish record has been
designed to give a better insight into the presence of twenty plant
species within parishes throughout England & the way certain plants are
used. Visit
www.wildaboutplants.org.uk/parish to download a record form & for
more information about the project.
Volunteers needed to
survey a randomly assigned 1km square near their home. Survey a
Wildflower path, a 5x5m square, a 1x20m linear plot, using a list of 99
common plants. good botanists can identify more at super-surveyor level.
Free survey pack supplied. Register on 01722 342755 or at
www.plantlife.org.uk.
Wildflower Survey with
Neroche Scheme, Blackdown Hills
Ongoing project to determine the
effect of cattle grazing in the forest. Volunteers are trained in
identifying a number of key wildflowers and then complete an area of
survey in their own time. To express an interest, please call 01823
680846
info@nerochescheme.org
Traditional Orchard
Inventory for England
PTES are producing the national
inventory of traditional orchards to support the traditional
orchard Habitat Action Plan. Help us to locate traditional
orchards in your local area & to help establish their condition.
You'll be provided with a detailed survey pack containing
everything you need. For
more details
www.ptes.org/orchards
or Anita Burrough
anita@ptes.org
020 74984533
Deadline: ongoing to
2011
Conker Tree Science
Conker (horse chestnut) trees are being attacked by invading
leaf-mining moths, which eat the leaves from the inside,
turning them brown, and reduce the size of the conkers.
Help scientists map the spread of the moth and the damage
caused. Accept 'Mission: alien moth survey' at
http://www.ourweboflife.org.uk
Fish / Marine / Coastal
UK Marine Fish Recording Scheme
This scheme has a collection of thousands of records of rare and
unusual marine and estuarine fish from around the British Isles, these
could provide evidence of the impact of warming seas or the effects of
fisheries. We welcome records from anglers, divers, fishermen, sailors
and the general public, as well as scientists. Contact us with your
sightings:
Douglas.Herdson@btinternet.com or 01752 405155.
Manx Wildlife Trust
Report Your Basking Shark Sightings to Us.
We would like you to help us find out how many basking sharks visit the
Isle of Man every year, and to help us study what they are doing whilst
they're here! Report your sighting online on this website.
www.manxbaskingsharkwatch.com
End Date: Ongoing, although shark season ends in
September.
18 - 19/9/10
MCS Beachwatch
is an annual UK-wide beach litter survey & clean-up, organised by the
Marine Conservation Society (MCS) since 1993. Third weekend in September
every year, & represents the UK’s contribution to the International
Coastal Cleanup (ICC), which takes place in over 70 countries worldwide.
MCS mobilise thousands of vols, surveying litter on hundreds of beaches
throughout the UK.
www.adoptabeach.org.uk
2008
Insects and other invebrates
BeeWatch
The Bumblebee Conservation Trust needs your help to map the
distribution of UK bumblebees, particularly the rarer species. Please
upload digital photographs of the bumblebees you observe in your garden
or when out for a walk using the link to our online BeeWatch survey
http://bumblebeeconservation.org/surveys.htm
BeeWalk
Do you have time to do a monthly 1-2km fixed transect walk for
bumblebee conservation? The Bumblebee Conservation Trust has recently
launched this long-term survey which aims to gather information on the
relative abundances of UK bumblebee species for the first time.
Email
beewalk@bumblebeeconservation.org for details
Big Butterfly Count.
Butterflies and moths are very sensitive to environmental change,
which makes them an excellent indicator of the health of the
countryside. Be part of the big butterfly count - a new nationwide
survey taking place between 24 July and 1 August 2010 and help us
take the pulse of nature.
www.bigbutterflycount.org
Moths Count aims to
encourage interest in moths throughout the UK and to establish an
ongoing National Moth Recording Scheme to improve
knowledge and conservation of the 900+ species of larger moths. You can
submit moth sightings, attend moth events, or get involved in Butterfly
Conservation's work to conserve moths.
www.mothscount.org
The Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey took off in 2009
with over 760 1km squares surveyed across the UK. The WCBS is a
great way to get involved with butterfly monitoring as it only requires
2 summer visits. If you would like to take part in 2010 then
please contact
survey@butterfly-conservation.org
University of Cambridge / Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
Harlequin Ladybird Survey. The most invasive ladybird
on earth arrived in Britain last summer and now threatens our 46 native
ladybird species. Numerous individuals have been recorded east of a line from
the Wash to the Isle of Wight, with a few more sightings in the Midlands. This
survey will monitor its spread across Britain and assess its impact on native
ladybirds. Monitoring ladybirds has never been more important and surveyors
are required throughout the country. Send records online via
www.harlequin-survey.org or
print off their recording form (in Word) and post to Harlequin Ladybird
Project Officer, Biological Records Centre, CEH Monks Wood, Cambridgeshire
PE28 2LS. Report online at:
www.harlequin-survey.org (Record all species
of ladybirds on www.ladybird-survey.org ).
No deadline.
Big Bumblebee Hunt
The survey ran in 2007 but the online submission form is still available
to leave records, for more details about
other Buglife Surveys click on
www.buglife.org.uk
2007
The
Scarlet malachite beetle (Malachius aeneus) is a colourful and
mysterious beetle that appears for a month in early May and June. It's
known from only eight village greens in the UK and is so rare Buglife
need your help to find it. To find out more and record any sightings
have a look at
http://www.buglife.org.uk/conservation/currentprojects/scarletmalachitebeetlesurvey.htm
The Giant Aphid Hunt
It’s the world’s largest aphid, fiercely guarded by
ants and milked like a dairy cow. Now the Giant oak aphid needs your
help. The new survey will help us to map where it lives so that we can
discover just how rare it really is. For more details and survey forms
look at
http://www.buglife.org.uk/getinvolved/surveys/giantaphidhunt.htm
Submit sightings to
hopkins@fireflyuk.net or call 01603 660300.
Take Part in the UK Safari Glow-worm Survey
Now in its ninth year. If you've seen any glow-worms this year we'd love
to hear about them. You can easily report your sighting online anytime.
Visit:
www.uksafari.com/glowworms
Ongoing: no deadline
2008 2009
Details believed correct but given without prejudice.
to see photo of diseased newt.