Vice County Boundaries - Query

[Lancashire Lad]

Posted here as there isn't really a specific WAB forum that suits this query.

I'm looking for an online map that shows boundaries of Vice Counties.

The maps I've been able to find so far have been very small, and from which, impossible to determine exact boundary locations.

Ideally, I'd like something typically similar to google maps, but with VC's shown, so that panning/zooming could be done to look at the exact VC boundary.

BSBI site has a grid ref to VC converter, but using that becomes very tedious when multiple specific locations need to be determined, whereas looking at a suitable VC map overlay would b much quicker for all locations other than those right on the boundary.

Anyone aware of such a thing that's freely available to view?

Regards,
Mike.

[Dorts]

Originally Posted by Lancashire Lad

Posted here as there isn't really a specific WAB forum that suits this query.

I'm looking for an online map that shows boundaries of Vice Counties.

Anyone aware of such a thing that's freely available to view?

Regards,
Mike.

Mike,
If there is such a map I would very much like to see it. I am a BSBI member and have always had to create my own V.C. Boundary Maps, which is no easy task. Even the County Recorders are not always sure of where the boundary is.
If you are recording for just one V.C. I suggest you have a word with your
local Recorder, I'm sure he/she will help and may posess such a map that can be copied or copied from.
If you are not sure who your Recorder is, let me know.
Dorts.

[thunder]

Try the NBN Gateway

Resources - Mapping - National Biodiversity Network

I think that should give you what you want.

henrya

[Lancashire Lad]

Originally Posted by thunder

Try the NBN Gateway

Resources - Mapping - National Biodiversity Network

I think that should give you what you want.

henrya

Hi Henrya,

I appreciate your reply. I am actually aware of this, and acknowledge that the boundary data itself is free, but the necessary licence agreement (which must be completed before the download is permitted) has more strings attached than a grand piano!

Also, this only works if you have full access to GIS system mapping (which would require purchase of additonal software) - i.e. it wouldn't be possible to overlay the boundaries onto online google maps or similar.

One would think that NBN & Defra, the partners who produced the digitised Watsonian VC Boundary information would have made it available as an online search tool. - Amateur recording is supposedly encouraged, but the costs of purchasing these specialised mapping systems (certainly in my case) is not justifiable.

Regards,
Mike.

[thunder]

Originally Posted by Lancashire Lad

One would think that NBN & Defra, the partners who produced the digitised Watsonian VC Boundary information would have made it available as an online search tool. - Amateur recording is supposedly encouraged, but the costs of purchasing these specialised mapping systems (certainly in my case) is not justifiable.

Regards,
Mike.

There may be costs involved in making the boundaries available online that can't be covered at the moment. Most people have been content with the 1:62,500 maps, though I concede they are less use for edges of VCs, and may not be so available as they once were. Most vice county recorders have their own maps, and are usually willing to share them.

henrya

[earthdragon64]

I'd also be interested in this, at the moment I use the BSBI tool, I agree, it can be tedious. I've recently found the following website; Biological Records Centre - Vice County Squares This gives you a list by 10km, 2km or 1km square of all those squares in a particular Vice County, and the percentage of that square within the chosen vice county.

It also gives the percentage of that square in that VC in the sea, if applicable. So, if the percentage given for any particular square is 100% or land %age plus sea equals 100%, then you don't need to check in more detail for that square. If the land %age and sea %age is less than 100%, then part of that square is in another VC.

I haven't used it in any detail as yet, and it won't be better than a proper map, but I think it might be better than the BSBI tool.

Regards, Audrey.

PS, I think that a forum or sub-forum for recording and recorders would be useful. We could share hints and tips on recording software, or who to report unusual or possibly important finds to.

[Lancashire Lad]

Originally Posted by Dorts

....If you are recording for just one V.C. I suggest you have a word with your local Recorder, I'm sure he/she will help and may posess such a map that can be copied or copied from....

Hi, I've just sent an e-mail to Steve White, who I understand is County Recorder for Lancashire.

Regards,
Mike.

[Lancashire Lad]

Originally Posted by Lancashire Lad

Hi, I've just sent an e-mail to Steve White, who I understand is County Recorder for Lancashire....

E-mail bounced back - unknown address.

Originally Posted by Dorts

....If you are not sure who your Recorder is, let me know....

Dorts, (Tried to PM you, but your settings won't accept pm's), Do you have any contact info for Lancashire County Recorder?

Regards,
Mike.

[JennyS]

Hi Mike,
The BSBI website 'Recorders' page gives two recorders for Lancashire:
BSBI vice county Recorders

Jenny

[AlanS]

This isn't a helpful answer I fear, but as a BSBI vice-county recorder (Wigtownshire) I consulted the definitive 1-inch OS maps held in the Natural History Museum in London and copied the v.c. boundaries onto my own maps. Quite a number of other vice-county recorders have done the same, though this was mostly quite sometime ago. In many cases these annotated maps will have been passed on with changes in recordership.

So yes, it is often worth consulting vc recorders.

By "definitive" I mean here the maps that were used in the preparation of the published maps by the Ray Society in 1969. [Set of two maps, northern and southern Britain, 10 miles to the inch, plus explanatory booklet in slip-case, edited by J.E.Dandy.] In at least one case it has now been noticed that there is a significant discrepancy between these maps and Watson's original descriptions (a Perthshire mountain with its nationally rare plant species has moved), but they are regarded now as the standard.

I have not heard of these maps being available in on-line digitised form - maybe the Natural History Museum or the Ray Society should do this?

Alan