introduced species research

[keeley]

I am collecting anecdotal evidence and hard data on the introduced species now living in the British Isles, from the Harlequin Ladybird to mysterious big cats. I would love to hear of your experiences or any useful information you can provide.

[wildone]

Keeley welcome aboard.

You ask for information on introduced species. Do you mean both flora and fauna? How far back do you wish to go? Rabbits, pheasants etc. or more recent introductions?

[keeley]

I am looking as far back as possible. Want a really vivid picture of the changes to our inhabitants. A history of the naturalization of the commoner taxa would be of interest to compare to other sources. Anything from facts to personal experiences on the less well known would be marvelous. Am not focused on flora at the moment. Thank you.

[pheonix]

i hate to be perdantic but would like to point out everything is 'introduced' as we were once under a huge glacia, it all depends on how far back you want to go!

[Imaginos]

Not quite true, parts of the south of England, & even further north avoided the ice sheet & according to some sources some sheltered valleys were comparatively mild during the summer months. Even so the flora & fauna that colonised naturally during the post-glacial period are still regarded as native species.

[Oy]

I've got a couple of poor but useable shots of a Mink I saw whilst walking in the Lake District a few years back if that's of any interest. I can give you the exact location too.

[pheonix]

i eat my words!!

[keeley]

Thank you Oy. That is very kind of you.

[keeley]

I'm new to this forum lark, Phoenix, my pedantic friend. Thank you for pointing out the need to be specific. I am looking for introduced species in the artificial sense of the word; not just deliberate, but accidental or opportunistic. For example, the little owl was introduced as an experiment, the ring-necked parakeet was accidental (or if feeling less generous: careless) and the ship's rat must be thought of as an intrepid conqueror of new lands.
Is that better?

[pheonix]

sorry was just being off that day!
it should make some interesting research, it would be good to get a perspective of where, when, and how all of the species we host now have come to colonise britain, and how they all interact with one another within their ecosystems. good luck