Some survey techniques for beginners

[henrya]

Excellent stuff, Imaginos.

Quote
Any ground dwelling invertebrates, small mammals or amphibians that are intercepted by the trap line will walk along it until they fall into the pitfall. Make sure you check such traps at least twice a day or you run the risk of encountering dried out frogs & starved shrews.
Endquote

When I was pitfalling for newts, I alway put a large chunk of damp sponge (bathroom not Victoria!) in the bottom of a big pitfall trap. Gave the newts something to hide under and helped keep them moist.

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A rough but often inaccurate guide is one century of age per woody species found in a thirty-metre length of hedge.
Endquote

This is fun to do, but so inaccurate that you can't ever rely on results - you need to check historical evidence (look at old maps, estate documents etc) so why count the plants in the first place (unless you are testing the reliability of the method, which would be an interesting project in itself).

henrya

[birdwatcher28]

Hi Imaginos

Thanks for posting. As a begineer these techniques will come in very useful.

[Imaginos]

Hi henrya, thanks for the feedback

Originally Posted by henrya

When I was pitfalling for newts, I alway put a large chunk of damp sponge (bathroom not Victoria!) in the bottom of a big pitfall trap. Gave the newts something to hide under and helped keep them moist.

Good idea

Originally Posted by henrya

This is fun to do, but so inaccurate that you can't ever rely on results - you need to check historical evidence (look at old maps, estate documents etc) so why count the plants in the first place (unless you are testing the reliability of the method, which would be an interesting project in itself).

Yes the results are inaccurate as I stated, however the method-to search the hedgerow for woody species-is a great introduction to plant identification. Hedgerows can have a great number of woodland, field and ruderal species depending on the structure. Also, being linear features, there is more chance of recording all that is there.

[henrya]

Imaginos,

Quote
Yes the results are inaccurate as I stated, however the method-to search the hedgerow for woody species-is a great introduction to plant identification.
Endquote

That's what I meant when I said it was fun to do - I was in a bit of a rush and would have written more if I'd had the time. Looking at hedges, you not only learn about the plants but you should find bird nests, mammal signs and insects as well. And learn about hedge management (or lack of it).

henrya

[Jonny]

Excellent tutorial Imaginos...............The boy and me are involved in reptile surveying at our local wildlife reserve. We have roofing sheets layed out at various parts of the reserve and all we do is, once a month, go and lift the sheets and record what is under there. Last year we used green mineral roofing felt, but this got very hot in the sun and some of them melted underneath, so this year we are using old metal corrugated roofing sheets............Jon

[Alan]

Wo! I missed this thread!

Great info here, and very applicable my current interest! Nice one..

[annie2]

Hi,

I like the survey technique descriptions - easy to understand.

Would you do the same survey technique for dragonflies as you do for butterflies?

Annie

[thunder]

Originally Posted by annie2

Hi,


Would you do the same survey technique for dragonflies as you do for butterflies?

Annie

You could certainly try, but dragonflies are much faster moving than butterflies, and it is harder to keep track of them. They are also more difficult to identify as they fly past, until you get really experienced. Also they can aggregate in much larger numbers, and counting becomes impossible.

But give it a go - and see how you get on.

henrya

[ring ouzel]

English Nature is now called Natural England and I dont think this website works anymore. The Mammal Society moved to Southampton 18 months ago and have a new website, if you Google the mammal society its usually the first result.

hth

[thunder]

Originally Posted by ring ouzel

English Nature is now called Natural England and I dont think this website works anymore. The Mammal Society moved to Southampton 18 months ago and have a new website, if you Google the mammal society its usually the first result.

hth

Yep - note that the original posts were made in 2006!

henrya