Recording Wildlife

mrs fish · #1 (**permalink**) 01-06-2008, 07:51 AM

I would like to know when people record something what do they write ?

I am interested in being able to record plants, birds and insects etc for my LNR

Wild-Woman · #2 (**permalink**) 01-06-2008, 08:05 AM

Grid reference is very important. But I think as much as possible if you're able to. Eg weather conditions, on what plant, behaviour, gender of species, stage of development, (egg, larva, pupa, adult)....of course I'm talking inverts. Transects are a good way of recording birds, butterflies etc but of course you've got to be prepared to do this regularly.
A shot of the species is good and can help firm up an id.
Your local wildlife trust would be able to give you the county recorders for different species.
All kinds of recordings are of great use though and it's a great way of contributing to conservation.

Tormentil · #3 (**permalink**) 01-06-2008, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

Transects are a good way of recording birds, butterflies etc

I had to look that up to see what you meant.

Transects

mrs fish · #4 (**permalink**) 01-06-2008, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tormentil

I had to look that up to see what you meant.

Transects

Saved me doing it , thanks

If County Recorders are interested all the more reason to do it

I suppose the best way to learn is to go out with someone and watch them

Paul mabbott · #5 (**permalink**) 01-06-2008, 09:46 AM

What you can identify/record will vary somewhat between taxa.

Location - as precise as possible (especially if you have GIS)
Date
Identity of species - also identity of identifier
Life stage (and sex if apparent)

Everything else is icing but can be very useful, for some groups more than others:
Activity - mating, eating, sunbathing ....
Substrate - what are they sitting on, eating, sheltering under
Weather -

Some idea of quantity is very useful: it converts a site list into scientific data! As WW said, you can do transects but these are only useful if repeated regularly (weekly, fortnightly) however going out to count butterflies or other insects on a cold rainy day is futile! Running traps or just standing still and counting can be useful but do it for a fixed time every time.

Good luck - don't try too much at first, ease into it! Local recorders will be pleased to help, I'm sure.

mrs fish · #6 (**permalink**) 01-06-2008, 10:47 AM

Thank you Paul that is very helpful

Paul mabbott · #7 (**permalink**) 01-06-2008, 10:56 AM

I'm sure you'd get advice from:
SNS: Suffolk Naturalists' Society - home page
..... if you're not already in contact.

Most counties have Natural History Societies (who commonly provide the county recorders) so always worth looking out for.

mrs fish · #8 (**permalink**) 01-06-2008, 12:11 PM

Great stuff there, thanks

I think the first thing to do is buy myself some decent books, I would like to start on Wildflowers, can anyone suggest a good Wildflower Identification book ? I also like Grasses/Sedges/Reeds , there are plenty of them about

ron1863 · #9 (**permalink**) 01-06-2008, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tormentil

I had to look that up to see what you meant.

Transects

I thought it was a cross dresser at first.

Big fat slug · #10 (**permalink**) 04-06-2008, 07:18 PM

Hi

They've been around for several years now but the Roger Phillips' series take some beating:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss...lips&x=15&y=22

I have the Wildfood one which has some interesting fungi in it if you want to borrow it.

J

Paul mabbott · #11 (**permalink**) 04-06-2008, 07:22 PM

There have been more than a couple of useful threads discussing identification books/keys - worth searching for in the archives. Also, maybe, worth being turned into stickies ... some of them? Or re-written as "advice" for beginners?

I suppose the best overview books for flowers are Rose or the Collins one ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrs fish

Great stuff there, thanks

I think the first thing to do is buy myself some decent books, I would like to start on Wildflowers, can anyone suggest a good Wildflower Identification book ? I also like Grasses/Sedges/Reeds , there are plenty of them about

mrs fish · #12 (**permalink**) 04-06-2008, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big fat slug

Hi

They've been around for several years now but the Roger Phillips' series take some beating:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss...lips&x=15&y=22

I have the Wildfood one which has some interesting fungi in it if you want to borrow it.

J

Thanks Jackie next door neighbour

Welcome to WAB

I have a very tatty Collins guide to Mushrooms and Toadstools

Yes Paul a book sticky would be good

Rose or Collins, I will have a look at them in Waterstones, thanks