Biodiversity surveys...

[gentlefern]

Hi,

I'm a beginner myself and I've found volunteering with various organisations, such as Sustrans and Butterfly Conservation is mutually helpful. They send you very useful instructions of exactly how to carry out a transect and quadrat surveys. The Sustrans book I recieved only last week is the excellent in my opinion.

I've now measured two Transects in two very different areas of Swansea. It is my intention to ustilise these Transects to record species, seasonal changes etc, etc in the coming years. I can then do a year on year comparison. I submit any species records to the relevant organisations and if necessary to my County Recorders or Sewbrec.

If I have any doubts about a record I always get it confirmed by the relevant expert before I send it in. I also keep the Biodiversity and Education Officer informed as well as my local Wildlife Trust and the landowner.

I can't afford to go on a formal course, but I'm finding that this is an excellent method of learning on the job.

Hope this is of some use.
cheers
Karen
PS next year I'm going to have a go at adding a few quadrats to my repertoire.