Monitoring wildlife on the National Cycle Network (Scotland) (2014)

Transcription

1 Greener Throughout 2014, over 70 volunteer Wildlife Champions were recruited to the Sustrans Greener project in Scotland. A core task of these Wildlife Champions was to monitor wildlife on a one-mile stretch allocated to them on a traffic-free section of National Cycle Network. Volunteers were offered monthly training in the ID and surveying of different wildlife types. This document contains the results of the surveys that followed these training sessions. The surveys were undertaken on the sections of National Cycle Network indicated in red on the map below:

2 Birds January 2014 In January 2014, two sessions of bird ID and survey training were held at RSPB Lochwinnoch, delivered by Scott Paterson of Kinross Ecology. 23 Wildlife Champions attended and were asked to do the RSPB Birdwatch on their Greener stretch after training. The graphic to the right shows the overall results of the RSPB Birdwatch in So how did National Cycle Network greenways in Scotland compare? 696 birds counted on greenways in Scotland TOP 10 birds seen by Wildlife Champions in Scotland in 2014: 1. Starling 2. Chaffinch 3. House sparrow 4. Blackbird 5. Wood pigeon 6. Blue tit 7. Goldfinch 8. Magpie 9. Long-tailed tit 10. Great tit 23 Wildlife 17 Greener 10 regions Other birds seen on the routes during the survey included: Bullfinch Oystercatcher Curlew Pheasant Goldeneye Redwing Grey wagtail Sparrowhawk Kestrel Treecreeper Lapwing Wren

3 Mosses & ferns February 2014 In February 2014, two sessions of moss and fern ID and survey training were held at RSPB Lochwinnoch, delivered by Carol Crawford of Peak Ecology. 23 Wildlife Champions attended and were asked to complete a Sustrans moss & fern survey on their Greener stretch after training. What species did the Wildlife Champions find? Mosses Shaggy moss Catherine s moss Feather moss Pincushion moss Lawn moss White moss Spear moss Tamarisk moss Ordinary moss Marsh hair moss 250 records of mosses, ferns & liverworts created Palm moss Wood bristle moss In total, 13 species of moss, 2 species of liverworts and 8 species of ferns were recorded (see opposite) 23 Wildlife 22 Greener 10 regions Names taken from Bryophytes of Native Woods. A Field Guide to Common Mosses and Liverworts of Britain and Ireland s Woodlands by Carol L Crawford (TNRC, 2001) Liverworts Dripwort Pincerwort Ferns Maidenhair spleenwort Bracken Rusty back fern Male fern Hart s Tongue fern Hard fern Broad Buckler fern Common polypody fern

4 Monitoring wildlife on the National New records. Amphibians March 2014 In March 2014, two sessions of amphibian and reptile ID and survey training were held in Gartcosh, delivered by Pete Minting of Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust. 16 Wildlife Champions attended and were asked to complete a Sustrans amphibian survey on their Greener stretch after training. The map below shows records of palmate newts (pink dots) in the central belt as taken from NBN Gateway before our surveys took place: 32 amphibian sightings made In total, 4 species of amphibians were recorded. 148 amphibian adults were seen during the surveys 15 Wildlife 14 Greener 7 regions Common frog - 22 adults Smooth newt - 2 adults Palmate newt adults Common toad - 18 adults Photo credits: Getty images, Brett Lewis photography, RSPB, Paolo Mazzei, Warren Photographic The map below shows our Wildlife Champions records of palmate newts in the central belt (red dots) - their data is creating new national records!

5 Bumblebees April 2014 In April 2014, one session of bumblebee ID and survey training was held in Caldercruix, delivered by Anthony McCluskey of Bumblebee Conservation Trust. 14 Wildlife Champions attended and were asked to take part in BBCT s BeeWalk survey on their Greener stretch after training, between April and October. So what was found on National Cycle Network greenways Over 1200 bees spotted over 7 months 19 Wildlife 19 Greener 7 regions In total, 8 species of bumblebee were recorded, in addition to honeybees and those that were undetermined!

6 Bats May 2014 In May 2014, two sessions of bat ID and survey training were held in Polmont, delivered by Anne Youngman of Bat Conservation Trust. 12 Wildlife Champions attended and brought 8 family and friends with them. They were asked to do a bat survey on their Greener stretch after training and participate in the Big Bat Map. Follow up. 6 Wildlife Champions (plus 6 friends and family!) did Advanced Bat Training in July and contributed to the National Bat Monitoring Programme s Waterways Survey and Sunset/Sunrise Survey: Several wildlife champions reported sightings of bats circling under bridges, indicating possible bat roost sites 5 Wildlife 5 Greener 5 regions 3 bat species recorded Common Pipistrelle Daubenton s bat Noctule (unconfirmed) Soprano Pipistrelle Results from Photo credits: Bat Conservation Trust

7 Invertebrates June 2014 In June 2014, two sessions of invertebrate ID and survey training were held in Stirling, delivered by Scott Shanks of Buglife. 15 Wildlife Champions attended and were asked to do the UK Ladybird Survey on their Greener stretch after training. Bernie Only 17 ladybirds found!...but 6 different species were recorded 18 Wildlife 15 Greener 8 regions Cream-spot ladybird Orange ladybird 2-spot ladybird 2-spot ladybird 7-spot ladybird 11-spot ladybird Image credits:

8 Butterflies July 2014 In July 2014, two sessions of butterfly ID and survey training were held in Stirling, delivered by Scott Donaldson of Butterfly Conservation Scotland. 12 Wildlife Champions (and one son!) attended and were asked to complete a Sustrans butterfly survey on their Greener stretch after training, and optionally throughout the season. 10 species seen by Wildlife Champions in Scotland, in order of abundance: 1. Small white 2. Large white 3. Green-veined white 4. Meadow brown 5. Ringlet 6. Orange tip 7. Small tortoiseshell 8. Dark green fritillary 9. Six-spot burnet* 10. Common blue * Day-flying moth Big Butterfly Count Although Wildlife Champions did a transect survey, how do their results compare to the Big Butterfly Count statistics for 2014? 299 individual butterflies recorded The Big Butterfly Count is a static survey, counting the butterflies seen in one spot over 15 minutes. 44,000 people in the UK took part and 560,000 individual butterflies and moths of the 21 target species were counted. The 2014 results for all 21 of the big butterfly count target butterfly and moth species are shown below in order of abundance: In total, 104 individual records were made, including 9 species of butterfly and 1 species of dayflying moth 11 Wildlife 10 Greener 8 regions 1. Peacock 2. Gatekeeper 3. Small white 4. Small tortoiseshell 5. Meadow brown 6. Large white 7. Red admiral 8. Green-veined white 9. Common blue 10. Speckled Wood 11. Ringlet 12. Comma 13. Six-spot burnet 14. Large skipper 15. Small copper 16. Painted lady 17. Marbled white 18. Brimstone 19. Holly blue 20. Wall 21. Silver Y

9 Wildflowers August 2014 In August 2014, two session of wildflower ID and survey training were held at RSPB Lochwinnoch, delivered by Ali Murfitt, formerly of Plantlife. 16 Wildlife Champions (plus two family members!) attended and were asked to take part in the National Plant Monitoring Scheme (Wildflower Path) on their Greener stretch after training. So what was found on National Cycle Network greenways 85 plant species recorded The highest number of plant species recorded in one 1km square was THIRTY-SIX! Bernie 17 Wildlife part, surveying 17 1km squares on 17 Greener 7 regions The chart below shows how many of the 17 1km-squares each species was found in. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the single species found in every survey square is common nettle!

10 Fungi September 2014 In September 2014, two sessions of fungi ID and survey training were held in Glasgow, delivered by Ali Murfitt, formerly of Plantlife, and a freelance mycologist. 14 Wildlife Champions attended and were asked to complete a Sustrans fungi survey on their Greener stretch after training. Top 12 fungi species seen by Wildlife Champions in Scotland 1. Sycamore tarspot 2. Turkey tail 3. Candlesnuff 4. Birch brittlegill 5. Jelly ear 6. Brown birch bolete 7. Brown rollrim 8. Collared parachute 9. Common earthball 10. Common jelly spot 11. Common puffball 12. Wooly milkcap 13. Sulphur tuft 14. Glistening inkcap Photogenic... The many and varied species of fungi found on the National Cycle Network proved popular subjects for photography and many Wildlife Champions sent in beautiful pictures of what they had seen individual records of fungi made The highest number of fungi records on one stretch was 24 individual records 16 Wildlife 13 Greener 7 regions

11 Monitoring wildlife on the National Badgers October 2014 Disappointment... In October 2014, two sessions of badger ID and survey training were held in Edinburgh, delivered by Susan Tierney of Scottish Badgers. 14 Wildlife Champions attended and were asked to complete a badger survey on their Greener stretch after training. Wildlife Champions were obviously disappointed not to see a badger or badger activity on their stretches, but those lucky enough to attend the second training session had caught a glimpse of one in the car park... Ber- No badgers seen on surveys Unfortunately no sightings of badger activity were made on 13 stretches On one stretch a dugout wasp nest was spotted but no other evidence of badger activity 14 Wildlife 14 Greener 8 regions And then... With a camera trap on loan from the Greener team, one Wildlife Champion caught a badger on film in her back garden.

12 Winter trees November 2014 In November 2014, two sessions of winter tree ID and survey training were held in Edinburgh, delivered by Greener Ecologist, Lenka Sukenikova. 14 Wildlife Champions attended and were asked to complete a Sustrans winter tree survey on their Greener stretch after training. Top 10 tree species seen by Wildlife Champions in Scotland 1. Hawthorn (28 records) 2. Ash (25 records) 3. Sycamore (19 records) 4. Silver birch (16 records) 5. Beech (15 records) 6=. Alder (13 records) Elder (13 records) 8. Willow (12 records) 9=. Common lime (8 records) Dogrose (8 records) 36 1km grid squares surveyed Other trees seen on routes during the survey included: 300 individual records of trees were recorded 58 different species were recorded 11 Wildlife 12 Greener 8 regions Willow Hazel Oak Elm Apple Cherry Yew Blackthorn Whitebeam Rowan Horse chestnut Pine

13 General surveys Stay in touch... Throughout 2014, Wildlife Champions submitted monthy general surveys, letting us know what they had seen on the routes. 507 general surveys were submitted between January and December 2014 and sightings included: 20 Golden Eye, 1 Kingfisher and 3 otters on my stretch all in the space of 10 minutes walk. Dozens of blue damselflies A lovely stoat flecked with white A flock of 150 fieldfares Greener has its own dedicated page on the Sustrans website which provides background of the project: News articles are regularly put up on our News pages: Photographs of training sessions and workdays are added to our Flickr site: greenergreenways/sets/ Tweet all about it To join the conversation use the hashtags: #greenergreenways and #wildlifechampion You can also follow us on Twitter: Sustrans Scotland Volunteer Bernie White butterflies increasing in number as day warmed up And look for us on Facebook too: Group of great tits - could hear some replying to each other A Sparrowhawk flying along the track ahead of me