Each year, Butterfly Conservation urges the public to venture outdoors and record their local lepidoptera populations with the Big Butterfly Count – a UK-wide survey aiming to assess the health of butterflies and day-flying moths. The count involves recording the number and species of butterflies in a chosen area for fifteen minutes and uploading results to their official website.
There are around 130 day-flying macro moths and 59 species of butterfly in the UK. These highly sensitive animals are key indicators of environmental health and play a crucial role in pollination across the country. The latest State of the UK Butterflies report, an assessment on British butterflies, found that the group has declined by 80% since the 1970s. The Big Butterfly Count allows the health and trends of these species to be assessed, improving our understanding of their conservation and threats.
This year’s count took place between Friday 12th July and Sunday 4th August, and the results from nationwide counts can be found on Butterfly Conservation’s interactive map. Over 140,000 counts were taken during this time, recording nearly 1,000,000 butterflies. Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus), Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina), Large White (Pieris brassicae), Small White (Pieris rapae) and Peacock (Aglais io) butterflies were the most recorded species across all data points, accounting for over 670,000 sightings.
This years count revealed the lowest numbers on record, and has led to the announcement of a nationwide ‘butterfly emergency’. On average, seven butterflies and day-flying moths were seen per count, half of last years average. This years count observed significant downward trends in the group, with around 81% of species showing declines, and 600,000 less butterflies recorded than last year (which equates to around a third of 2023’s total observations). 9,000 counts did not record any butterflies, which is the highest number recorded in the history of the count.
We participated in the Big Butterfly Count this year, and are excited to share our results below.
In July, the Biological Recording Company held the first of three webinars on bioacoustics in conservation. These webinars, which are presented in partnership with Wilder Sensing, Wildlife Acoustics and NHBS, began with a general introduction to bioacoustics, and will be followed with two sessions later in the year discussing the technology in more detail.
In the first webinar, talks by Geoff Carss of Wilder Sensing and Joe Hampson from the Somerset Wildlife Trust provided listeners with an overview of bioacoustic technology, its applications in measuring diversity and a short story of Honeygar farm, the Trust’s first ‘wilded’ site. NHBS are pleased to have sponsored this webinar, and we would like to thank participants who took part in our prize draw to win a Song Meter Micro 2.
Wilder Sensing: An entry-level introduction to bioacoustics
Bioacoustics provides ecologists and conservationists with an auditable, low-cost technology to measure biodiversity. It involves the use of audio recorders to passively detect sound in an environment, which can then be analysed to provide insights into community assemblage.
This technology can be used to measure several environmental variables, including animal presence, soil health, weather and infrastructure. Long-term monitoring of an environment can provide us with new insights on the richness and species density of an area and can even be used to analyse migration of key groups. Analysis can also determine areas of interest and habitat preferences for certain species, which can be used to inform future land management.
This method removes bias from traditional surveying techniques, where the skill and age of the observer, or sometimes even the day itself, can impact the result of a traditional survey. However, there are some limitations associated with this technology. False positives (the technology can misidentify a species), false negatives (the technology might miss a call), poor sound quality and mimicry can impact the accuracy of recorded data. To capture an accurate picture of community assemblage, passive recording is best used in partnership with traditional site surveying. This way, disturbance and false negatives can be mitigated, and through bioacoustic surveys, we can revisit the recordings as technology develops.
An acoustic sensor deployed at Honeygar Farm. Image by Wilder Sensing.
Key points:
Bioacoustic technology provides additional insights into community assemblage through the use of sound
The technology is best used alongside traditional surveying for a more accurate overview
The technology is limited by sound quality, false positives and false negatives.
Somerset Wildlife Trust: Honeygar Farm Case study
Honeygar Farm is an 81-hectare site of former intensive farmland, now owned by the Somerset Wildlife Trust (SWT). Since acquiring Honeygar, SWT have employed a unique ‘wilded’ approach to restoring the site.
Changes in hydrology management were among the biggest alterations at Honeygar, as the site has been subject to intense peat drainage to make way for agriculture. Honeygar has over two metres depth of peat, equivalent to 100,000 tons of carbon dioxide, so restoring the natural peatland by blocking drainage ditches was key to improving the carbon storage on site. Cutting and grazing by cattle, historically a huge pressure, has also been reduced from a herd of around 140 animals to 40 individuals. This, partnered with limited silage cutting and resting fields from grazing, is encouraging recovery of the botanical communities on site. The Trust is also exploring the use of different ungulates, including goats, ponies and different cow breeds, to better support the wetland habitat.
Over 20 months, nearly 13 million records were gathered using four sensors on site. This monitoring was undertaken alongside breeding bird, wintering bird and breeding wader surveys to provide a more detailed picture of community assemblage, confirmed with manual validation and targeted surveys to assess rare bird presence. Honeygar will continue to be monitored for insects, birds, mammals, fungi and plants to inform future management practices.
Speaker Joe Hampson deploying acoustic recorders on site. Image by Wilder Sensing.
Key points:
Honeygar Farm is the Trust’s flagship site for the ‘wilding’ approach
Formerly an agricultural farm, Honeygar is being restored to its natural peatland habitat through alterations in landscape management
Bioacoustic technology has provided insight into the community assemblage at the farm, helping to inform landscape management.
This webinar was an enlightening insight into bioacoustics and highlighted some interesting points on its conservation applications. Read our Q&A with Geoff to hear more about Wilder Sensing and its technology, and find more details on Honeygar on the Somerset Wildlife Trust website.
Find tickets for the next webinar, ‘Can Passive Acoustic Monitoring of Birds Replace Site Surveys?’ here.
Recently, Wildlife Acoustics and Bat Conservation International partnered together to host a webinarhighlighting the use of bioacoustics in bat conservation across the globe. The webinar featured three case studies tackling the impacts of white-nose syndrome, habitat loss and climate change with the help of bioacoustic technology. Here, we provide a summary of these case studies and the applications of acoustic monitoring in these investigations.
Florida USA, Dr. Melquisedec Gamba-Rios
Endemic to the region, the Florida Bonneted Bat (Eumops floridanus) is increasingly threatened by habitat loss from sea level rise and destructive development. This species has one of the smallest ranges in Southern Florida and utilises old tree cavities and large, open spaces for roosting and feeding. Dr. Gamba-Rios and his team sought to identify critical habitat for this endangered species using bioacoustics, hoping to support their fragile populations.
The team used acoustic recorders to identify key roosting and feeding areas for the species. Interestingly, they found that Miami’s zoo, golf courses and tropical parks had high numbers of Florida Bonneted Bat calls. The research showed that the large, open areas surrounded by forest and absence of artificial light of these locations provided an ideal foraging space for the species.
Since these bats require older, cavitied trees, the habitat of the group is at risk as development increases. Plans for water park construction were proposed on a key site for this species, however the evidence gathered here was used to challenge the proposal, resulting in its rejection to protect key bat habitat.In March 2024, over 1.1 million acres of critical habitat were designated for the species in Florida, including foraging areas in urban habitat and over 4,000 acres of Miami Pine Rocklands. Federally protected species are known to be twice as likely to move toward recovery than those without protection, so the designation of these spaces is incredibly important in securing the future of this species.
Florida Bonneted Bat by Florida Fish and Wildlife via Flickr
Nyungwe National Park, Dr. Jon Flanders
Last seen in 1981, the Hill’s Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus hilli) was considered a ‘lost’ species in Rwanda. In January 2019, a group of scientists and researchers, including Dr. Jon Flanders, set out on a 10-day expedition in Nyungwe National Park, looking to rediscover this elusive animal.
Nyungwe National Park rangers played a key role in the early stages of this project, identifying caves and key habitat for bats in the area. The rangers conducted acoustic monitoring using SM4 Acoustics to identify foraging and roosting areas, collecting over 260,000 files of acoustic data.Eight of these recordings successfully detected the calls of the Hill’s Horseshoe Bat, found in small, defined ranges. During the 10-day trip, the team worked relentlessly to catch, measure and collect DNA samples from bats using mist nets and harp traps in these locations. The team successfully captured two Hill’s Horseshoe Bats and confirmed the capture of this critically endangered species with museum archive specimens. The expedition highlighted the spectacular diversity of Nyungwe National Park which features a large number of rare and endemic species, and these findings reinforce the parks importance as a biodiversity hotspot.
Little Brown Bat with white-nose syndrome by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service via Flickr
White-nose Syndrome, Dr. Amanda Adams
White-nose syndrome is a cold-loving, infectious fungal disease found in bats. The fungus manifests in a total skin infection, most visible around the muzzle of the animal.This infection is responsible for significant mortality in several species, where the infection causes bats to wake often during hibernation – burning their fat stores, causing dehydration and starvation. Infected bats can expend up to twice the amount of energy as healthy individuals during hibernation, severely impacting their ability to survive the winter.Because of this, six million animals have succumbed to this infection so far, impacting 12 out of 44 species found in the USA.
Dr. Amanda Adams sought to use bioacoustics to enhance the management of foraging habitat to support these species through hibernation. The team used the Song meter mini to search for the presence of bats and observe their feeding behaviours. They found that feeding behaviours were observed up to three times more in prey patches, and this allowed researchers to designate feeding habitats for affected species. The survey will be used to inform vegetative management on passing corridors, aiming to increase the productivity of foraging areas to support the health of infected bats.
The ‘Going to Bat for Bioacoustics’webinarprovided an engaging insight into the applications of acoustic monitoring in bat research, showing how the technology can be used to support bat conservation. To learn more, the Wildlife Acoustics website has a range of training courses and webinars.Upcoming events can be found here.
Solitary Bee Week was founded in 2018 to raise awareness of the importance of solitary bee populations across the globe. Now hosted by Buglife, this week-long event hopes to encourage the public to pledge their support for these unsung heroes. Solitary Bee Week 2024 (Monday 1stJuly – Sunday 7thJuly) gives us a chance to support these vital pollinators and #EarnYourStripes.
What are solitary bees and why are they important?
It is estimated that there are between 20,000–30,000 solitary bee species across the world, and the UK is home to 240 of them. Solitary bees do not produce wax or honey, do not form hives, and do not exhibit swarming behaviours – a striking difference to the behaviours we usually associate with bees. They typically nest in underground burrows or in the hollows of plant stems and tunnels, so it is no surprise that we are seeing a downturn in the abundance of the group with increasing urban development and environmental decline.
As we urbanise, we remove the habitat of these extraordinary pollinators – we are seeing fewer hedgerows and wildflower meadows, which would otherwise provide vital food sources for these insects. Partnered with agricultural intensification, environmental changes are contributing to the significant declines we see in pollinators. Solitary bees are important for pollination, and their loss could be devastating not only to the environment, but for food security worldwide. Solitary Bee Week is helping raise awareness of these insects in the hopes of managing their threats and preventing further declines in the future.
From pollinator identification workshops to solitary bee walks, Buglife is hosting a range of events in support of Solitary Bee Week. An interesting highlight of the week, Buglife have collaborated with Hayley Herridge the Pollinator Gardener to create the ‘B-Lines Garden’ to be featured in the Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival – highlighting the importance of insect pathways to provide corridors for pollinators. Find the full week’s itinerary here.
What can I do to support my local bees?
Solitary Bee Week is the perfect time to pledge your support for local solitary bees.
Leaving an area of exposed soil and providing bee hotels are great ways to provide nesting areas. Mining bees account for around 70% of solitary species – patches of exposed soil are an excellent way to provide space for this group, where they create underground nesting burrows. For cavity nesting bees, such as Red Mason Bees, hotels are a great way to provide nesting habitat where they will lay eggs in the dry, hollow tubes. Planting wildflowers and nectar-rich plant species is another way to support pollinators by providing an important food source.
Here we have chosen a selection of products in our range that can support solitary bees in your outdoor space:
The Restore Nature Now March took placein Central London on Saturday 22nd June. Themarchsaw the coming together of over 350 charities, businesses and direct-action groups calling on thegovernment to work harder to protect biodiversity in the UKand Restore Nature Now!Some of the NHBS team travelled up from Devon and joined the estimated 100,000 peoplethat took part in the march.
‘The Restore Nature Now march felt really galvanizing. It was heartening to walk with so many ecologists, scientists and activists and to dip into conversations about the amazing work people are participating in around the country to lead and assist in nature recovery. I was really moved by the impassioned speeches in parliament square from a host of brilliant speakers, and the sight of three peregrine falcons over Westminster was a potent and magical moment too!’ – Oli
A large bat puppet made by the Bat Conservation Trust.A vibrant banner to stand up for nature.
‘It felt great to be a part of the march and join so many other people passionate about our nature and wildlife. The speakers at Parliament Square were inspirational, sadly I’m not sure if our politicians heard them, but we will be backand continue to be a voice for nature.’ – Adam
An estimated 100,000 took part in the march.The march was supported by a range of nature-focused organisations including RSPB, Plantlife and WWF.The family-friendly march had lots of entertainment and interactive activities.
WHY DID THE DEMONSTRATION TAKE PLACE?
Restore Nature Now took place to call on political parties to act on the climate crisis and use the upcoming general election as a turning point. Their demands are as follows:
A PAY RISE FOR NATURE: To facilitate nature recovery, agricultural landowners need more support to make climate-friendly choices, and to do this, Restore Nature Now urged the UK government to double the nature and climate-friendly farming budget.
MAKE POLLUTERS PAY: Big business significantly contributes to environmental decline and the climate crisis, and to tackle this, organisers asked for new rules and regulations to be introduced to enforce greater contributions.
MORE SPACE FOR NATURE: Restore Nature Now campaigned for the expansion and improvement of protected areas and called for an improvement of public land and national parks to make a greater contribution to nature recovery.
A RIGHT TO A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT: Calling for the creation of an Environmental Rights Bill, organisers are looking for the UK Government to drive better nature decisions to improve public health.
FAIR AND EFFECTIVE CLIMATE ACTION: To solve the climate crisis, and in turn save nature, more investment is required into effective climate action.
Restore Nature Now was a fantastic demonstration of hope and a call to action for the UK government. Our staff had an enlightening experience and thoroughly enjoyed the entertainment and talks throughout the day.
30 Days Wildis an annual challenge organised by The Wildlife Trusts which encourages people across Britain to do one wild thing every day in the month of June. This year marks the 10thanniversaryof 30 Days Wild, andthe Trusts are celebrating with more people than ever. From dining al fresco to taking part in a beach clean, there is something for everyone with this initiative. NHBS are taking part in 30 Days Wild this year, and we would like to share how our staff are exploring the wonders of nature.
Here’s a selection of things we’ve done so far:
Jo has been working hard to grow strawberries at home and has finally managed to pick the first of her home-grown fruits!
Simon has been bird watching at Slapton Sands and Berry Head in the summer sun and has found some fascinating coastal species, including Guillemots and Cormorants.
We had a wildlife hunt on our office lawn – #NoMowMay and Let it Bloom June have treated us to an amazing diversity of organisms, including a Southern Marsh Orchid, a Painted Lady Butterfly and a Little Brown Mushroom.
Oli captured a fantastic image of a female Great Spotted Woodpecker while visiting a bird feeder in his local area!
In Brixham Harbour, Simon has been spotting cetaceans and marine mammals including Harbour Porpoise and Grey Seals!
30 Days Wild has been a great way for all of us at NHBS to explore nature. The initiative is a perfect reminder to take some time outside every day, take a deep breath and to smell the flowers. Follow our journey throughout June on Facebook, Instagram and X(formerly Twitter) – stay tuned to see some wildlife drawings, leaf rubbings and a busy bug hotel!
Each year, Plantlife launch their national campaign of #NoMowMay. This initiative encourages people across the UK to allow their garden lawns to grow wild in the spring, providing vital habitats for many species. Here at NHBS, this is our fourth year taking part – each year in awe of the diversity of species in our lawn. Find our previous No Mow May blog posts on our conservation hub. Here, we give an update on the species we saw throughout last month.
The wilder lawns that develop during No Mow May provide a haven for invertebrate species in our gardens. At NHBS, we saw a whole host of insects in and around our lawn last month, from wasps to weevils and Green-veined White butterflies. Other highlights have included:
A Small Yellow Underwing (Panemeria tenebrata) – a diurnal moth species frequenting meadows and grassland.
Mayfly (Ephemera vulgata) – found near rivers and areas of freshwater between May and August.
Volucellabombylans– a bumblebee-mimicking hoverfly common throughout the UK.
Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo) – a damselfly with a striking blue, metallic body found near rivers and streams.
And some beautiful wildflowers, including Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) and Perforate St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum). Here are some of our favourites:
The Southern Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza praetermissa) – the most common and widespread of marsh orchids, features spectacular purple petals.
Bee Orchid (Ophrysapifera) – named for its mimicry, the Bee Orchid self-pollinates due to a lack of appropriate pollinators in the UK. The specimen on our lawn has yet to bloom (left), but we have a striking image from last year showcasing the mimicry of this species (right).
Cuckooflower (Cardamine pratensis) – also known as ‘Lady’s-smock’, this flower is one of the first signs of spring, often found near riverbanks, wet meadows and grassland.
Germander Speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys) – considered a ‘good luck charm’ for travellers, this planthas a beautiful blue flower and is found in meadows, woods and hedgerows across the UK.
Our Product and Purchasing Manager, Mark, has documented the progress of his local park during No Mow May. Towards the end of the month, the green expanse had varying lengths of grass and plenty of wildflowers, encouraging pollinating species – a great example of how local councils can boost biodiversity in public spaces.
And our Sales and Marketing Manager, Adam, has grown his lawn throughout May creating a corridor for local wildlife brimming with wild buttercups, dandelions and many other self-seeded plants.
No Mow May is a fantastic initiative to engage with, attracting homeowners, businesses and local councils with its wealth of benefits. If you have enjoyed taking part,thenLet it Bloom June could be a great opportunity to continue supporting your garden wildlife. This scheme simply involves continuing the No Mow May philosophy throughout the summer with less garden maintenance. You may choose to allow your entire garden to grow wild or leave some areas untouched for wildlife.
Have you taken part in No Mow May? Share your pictures with us via Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
The 2024 SouthWest Marine Ecosystems (SWME) conference was held at the Plymouth Marine Laboratory in April. Running since 2007, the conference brings together organisations and individuals involved in research on and management of the marine environment to report on annual system changesin the south-west. The conference covers the oceanography, plankton, seabed and seashore, fish, seabirds, seals and cetaceans of the south-west. Alongside key trends and interesting occurrences fromthe past year, SWME also encompasses management themes: marine planning, protected areas, fisheries, water quality and plastic pollution. This year’s theme focussed on the interconnectedness of the environment and its management, demonstrating this connectivity through interaction and discussion between guest speakers. In this blog we provide a roundup of SWME 2024.
The first session began with a rundown of oceanography and weather conditions across the UK, setting the scene for our marine environment. The UK experienced an increase in mean air temperature and increased sunshine duration over winter. There was also a decrease in mean rainfall across the UK and record-breaking heatwaves – some of us may remember the scorching temperatures of June last year, a worrying 2–3°C anomaly.
From March 2024, a new bylaw prohibits the use of bottom towed gear in defined areas of 13 marine protected areas (MPAs). Hartland Point to Tintagel Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ), Cape Bank MCZ, Lands End and Cape Bank MCZ, South of Celtic Deep MCZ, Wight-Barfleur Reef MCZ, East of Haig Fras MCZ and Greater Haig Fras MCZ are the MPAs that will benefit from this designation in the south-west. Devon Wildlife Trust vocalised a desire for a ‘whole-site approach’ for MPAs in the region – managing the site in its entirety, not just where protected species or features are present.
No single stretch of river was found to be in ‘good’ overall health in 2023. Image by Dave_S via Flickr.
The Devon Maritime Forum stressed an urgency to address issues surrounding water quality in the south-west. They reported that no single stretch of river was found to be in ‘good’ overall health in 2023 – with quality impacted by agricultural run-off, sewage overflows, climate change and urban diffuse pollution.The UK Government has pledged to invest £1.6 billion to improve the water quality of rivers, lakes and coastal waters. Investments will be used to tackle storm overflow discharges, treatment works pollution and water resilience. South West Water will also be investing £70 million to upgrade infrastructure to reduce discharges in the region.
Analysis of plastic pollution showed that polyethylene was the most common material in plastic waste and marine litter fragments. To tackle the issue of plastic pollution on a global scale, the Global Plastics Treaty is under negotiation, and is expected to be legally binding by 2024. The treaty will address the full life cycle of plastic products and aim to end the pollution by these materials worldwide.
Key points:
Higher average winter temperatures and sunshine, with decreased rainfall were observed in 2023
A new bylaw will prohibit the use of bottom-towed gear in seven MPAs.
The UK Government has pledged to invest £1.6 billion to improve freshwater and coastal water quality
The Global Plastics Treaty will be legally binding by the end of 2024, intending to end plastic pollution
Organisms
Plankton researchers saw a higher abundance of salps (a barrel-shaped pelagic tunicate), consistent with a general increase in filter feeders over the past 30 years. There was also an influx of Barrel Jellyfish strandings across the south-west, with the species accounting for 27% (467) of the annual total of jellyfish sightings. A new method of plankton sampling has been developed, called Automated In-situ Plankton Imaging and Classification System (APICS). This new technology will help to determine the impacts of environmental changes on plankton, allowing for long-term, broad-spectrum measurements of the group.
New observations have improved our understanding of Basking Shark behaviour, revealing that this species may remain in UK waters throughout winter, instead of migrating south as previously believed. Blue Sharks were also caught more readily than previous years, exhibiting a higher catch per unit effort (CPUE), with over 1,000 caught off the coast of Looe, in Cornwall. The UK had its first sightings of Smalltooth Sand Tiger Shark, with a 10-foot individual washing up in Lyme Regis, Dorset. Typically seen in tropical and temperate waters, the discovery of this species in the UK is indicative of the effects of climate change on marine megafauna.Atlantic Bluefin Tuna have also been returning to the south-west with most sightings between July and February. There has been a marked increase in catch rate (over 5,000 were landed in 2023) which has prompted the introduction of fisheries plans (see below).
2023 saw an influx of Barrel Jellyfish strandings. Image by Ales Kladnik via Flickr.
Rat eradication has been hugely successful for a number of seabirds. On Lundy, Manx Shearwaters and Puffins have responded positively and have seen population increases in 2023, and Storm Petrels have recolonised the island. Razorbills and Guillemots are also recovering well and are breeding successfully without predation from rats. The south-west has luckily missed the worst of avian influenza, although some small gulls and terns were affected in Dorset last summer. However, Kittiwakes are having local productivity issues which is prompting concern, and several species of gull are experiencing significant declines: Herring Gulls, Lesser Black-backed Gulls and Great Black-backed Gulls have all experienced losses over 40%. The English Seabird Conservation and Recovery Pathway (ESCaRP) report was published at the start of 2024, highlighting the sensitivity of seabird species to a range of pressures. Vulnerability assessments were conducted to inform the recovery pathway, and the report has made recommendations for conservation measures to address negative impacts.
Puffins have responded positively to rat eradication programmes. Image by Jason Thompson via Flickr.
There are concerns over the impacts of climate change on Humpback Whales. Increasingly, we are seeing individuals which are choosing not to migrate and are instead remaining in UK waters. Researchers believe that these animals are not undertaking seasonal movements due to a lack of food resources during winter – demonstrating that decreased productivity at the base of the food chain can cause issues further down the line for other marine organisms.
Key points:
New technology will provide a greater understanding of the impact environmental change may have on plankton
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna and shark sightings have increased in the south-west, including the Smalltooth Sand Tiger Shark, never previously recorded in the UK
Rat eradication programmes have been hugely successful in protecting seabirds
Kittiwakes and a number of gull species are experiencing declines
Climate change is thought to be impacting Humpback Whale migration
Industry
The Crown Estate have announced plans to develop more offshore wind farm projects, generating an additional 4GW of electricity to contribute to the 50GW by 2030 goal. This additional capacity could power up to four million homes, contributing to the UK target of net zero by 2050. Large, floating platforms have been proposed to enable deployment in deeper water – installation further offshore provides more reliable wind resources, generating more power for the same installation on-shore. There have been assessments to prepare for the deployment of extensive offshore wind in the south-west – with pre-consent surveys run by The Crown Estate. Celtic Sea Power, owned by Cornwall Council, is supporting offshore roll-out and has identified areas for data collection in the region. There are three project development areas where aerial, geophysical, acoustic and LiDAR surveys are taking place to improve data collection, accelerating the programme. The Poseidon Project was established by Natural England to provide a sensitivity map across the EEZ (exclusive economic zone –a surrounding area of 200 nautical miles offshore, where the nation has jurisdiction over resources) through digital aerial surveys. Collecting detailed information on seabirds, marine mammals and habitats, the project aims to improve models of abundance and distribution for key species which may be impacted by offshore development.
There have been preparations to install further offshore wind. Image by the Department of Energy and Climate Change via Flickr.
Sardine and Anchovy stocks are reported to have had a good year, continuing to support fisheries in the south-west, while Sprat fisheries have slowed due to insufficient stock size and 0-group fish (fish in their first year of life). We can see that new fisheries are emerging in the region (e.g. Atlantic Bluefin Tuna quota of 39 tonnes), while other, more traditional stocks are declining (e.g. Edible Crab). Five fisheries management plans have been developed for bass, King Scallops, crab and lobster, whelk and non-quota demersal species – these plans are put in place to deliver sustainable fisheries while minimising negative impacts on marine species. Dogger bank SAC, The Canyons MCZ and Inner Dowsing, Race Bank and North Ridge SAC were protected from damaging fishing activity in 2022 by prohibiting trawls, seines, dredges and bottom towed gear – this bylaw seeks to protect cold-water coral reefs, seabed, sandbanks and biogenic reef.
Key points:
Offshore wind development is being accelerated by better data collection and availability, supporting the UK in reaching renewable energy targets
Some traditional stocks are declining, while new fisheries are emerging
Five fisheries management plans were introduced
Four areas of conservation concern were protected to prohibit bottom towed gear
This year’s conference was an enlightening insight into the marine ecosystem in the south-west and highlighted some inspirational conservation work undertaken by several organisations, and individuals, dedicated to this environment. The SWME YouTube channel has a selection of webinars and further information on the conference can be found on the SWME website.
It is in the earliest months of the year, when the weather turns milder and deeply saturating rains arrive, that adult toads, frogs and newts begin to emerge from their wintering hibernacula and make their long-standing annual journeys to the waterways in which they breed. It’s an ancient way of life for amphibians and a behaviour that pre-dates humankind by millennia.
Toad – Oli Haines
Roads are a relatively new addition to the landscape by comparison. A blink of an eye in toad evolution. They frequently bisect the paths that amphibians must navigate in order to reach their ancestral ponds. Being relatively slow-moving, small, and cryptically coloured, amphibians are incredibly vulnerable on tarmac roads. As such, it is estimated that two tons of toads are killed on roads each year in the UK.
This February was one of the warmest and wettest on record in England, and it felt every bit of it. Despite the gloom of early darkness and torrential rain, I was thrilled to sign up and join an enthusiastic local volunteer group of Toad patrollers, deep in the Devon laneways, to learn what work is being done to mitigate our impact on the amphibians currently making these critical journeys.
The Toads on Roads project was spearheaded by the amphibian charity Froglife over twenty years ago. Volunteers that are involved in the project put in considerable effort each year to monitor known and established toad crossings around the country. These are the places where toads gather in their largest numbers and are at significant risk of being run over in their attempts to reach spawning ponds.
The group I joined have, for a number of years, been protecting an intersection where three roads meet beside a large pond. As we gather in high-vis vests at around half five in the evening, it’s already fully dark. We’re wearing latex-free gloves and bearing large white buckets. The pond is swelling up either side of the road, flooding the tree roots in a muddy soup. The rain falls intermittently and, sure enough, a proud collection of male toads is already eagerly lining the roads awaiting the females.
Toads crossing sign in Stalisfield Road by Pam Fray, via geograph.org.
We walk along the lane counting the toads we find and placing markers near them that are more visible for passing cars than the toads themselves are. It’s not such a busy road, but it is narrow and steeply enclosed between old earthen hedgerows that cars and tractors have clipped away over time, resulting in an overhang that the toads are incapable of climbing. Often, they become trapped along the lane. Where we find them in a predicament, we watch to observe the direction of their travel, and if the cars come, we gently lift the toads off the tarmac and place them in the verge where they appear to be headed.
A few drivers who come by slow down and ask what we’re doing. Many seem intrigued by the response, often vowing to take care as they go on. I’m told this is an improvement. As awareness of toad crossings and the work being done to monitor them increases, people are more understanding, though I’m assured there’s still animosity from some drivers who feel inconvenienced.
During some of the evenings on the patrol we encountered beastly weather; driving rain and flooded roads; and I marvelled at the dedication of the volunteers and their care for the amphibians crossing the roads. I learned that more people are approaching Froglife to get involved and that, due to increased awareness and publicity, the plight of toads is reaching more and more would-be patrollers. There have also been successful cases of temporary road closures to divert traffic during the heights of toad migration in the UK this year.
Toads – Oli Haines
It’s a complex web of challenges that contribute to amphibian population declines – not just nationally but globally. Land-use intensification threatens our waterways with myriad pollutants and our roads and construction projects fragment vital habitats or obliterate them entirely. It’s heartening that awareness is building. It has been such an inspiration to me to learn there’s a network of enthusiastic and caring volunteers out there in the winter nights, working at limiting the damage to amphibian populations, championing these remarkable and charismatic animals, and building hopeful connections in local communities while doing so.
If you feel call to get involved, visit the Froglife website where you can learn more about local toad crossings. There’s also abundant information on ways that you can make any local green spaces or gardens more amphibian friendly, such as making ponds, allowing wilder patches and encouraging greater invertebrate diversity.
The RSPB’s 45th Big Garden Birdwatch took place between Friday 26th and Sunday 28th January 2024. This annual event is one of the largest citizen science wildlife surveys in the UK and helps us gain an understanding of how our garden bird populations are changing in abundance and distribution over time. Over half a million people took part in last year’s event, recording a total of 9.1 million birds. House Sparrows took first place, despite a gradual 57% decrease in sightings since the first Birdwatch Count in 1979. They were closely followed by the Blue Tit and Starling.
Although the Big Garden Birdwatch has finished, there is still time to submit your results on the RSPB website by the 18th February, or by post before the 13th February. Even if you didn’t see anything, it still counts!
With birds being faced with an increasing number of challenges each year, it’s more important than ever to make your garden and outdoor space wildlife friendly. This can include installing bird feeders or tables which provide an important food source throughout the winter months when natural food sources are scarce., You can also provide clean, fresh drinking water in shallow containers such as bird baths or saucers, and install nest boxes for breeding in the spring. Also, don’t forget to regularly clean and maintain your feeders and baths as this helps stop the spread of disease. Head over to the RSPB website to find out more about how you can help your garden birds.
Robin – Catherine Mitson
Results
As usual, many of our staff took part in this year’s Big Garden Birdwatch from their gardens or local parks across Devon, and we recorded a total of 129 birds and 22 different species. Compared to last years results, there was a 31% increase in sightings, while an additional nine species were spotted in this year’s count. The most sighted bird was the Carrion Crow, closely followed by the Blue Tit and Magpie. In comparison, the county’s top birds were the House Sparrow, Blue Tit and Starling.
Sabinetook part in the event from her garden and spotted:
3 Carrion Crow
2 Wood Pigeon
1 Robin
2 Magpie
1 Blackbird
1 Song Thrush
Wood Pigeon – Oli Haines
Olitook part in the event from his garden and spotted:
3 Blackbirds
2 Woodpigeon
3 Jackdaw
2 Blue tits
1 Dunnock
1 Great tit
1 Robin
1 Magpie
1 Goldfinch
Adam took part in the event from his garden and spotted:
2 Blackbirds
6 Blue Tits
1 Chaffinch
2 Great Tits
4 House Sparrow
Dunnock – Oli Haines
Catherine took part in the event from her garden and spotted:
2 Collared Dove
2 Jackdaw
4 Starling
1 Woodpigeon
Marktook part in the event from his local park and spotted:
5 Parakeets
12 Crows
4 Magpies
10 Herring Gull
Blackbird – Catherine Mitson
Elle took part in the event from her garden and spotted:
2 Blue Tits
1 Dunnock
1 Grey Wagtail
2 Wood Pigeon
1 Magpie
1 Great Tit
Maltook part in the event from her local park and spotted:
3 Carrion Crow
1 Buzzard
Daniel took part in the event from his garden and spotted:
10 Chaffinch
7 Blue Tits
5 Long Tailed Tits
4 House Sparrow
3 Great Tits
2 Goldfinch
1 Coal Tit
1 Blackbird
1 Wren
1 Dunnock
1 Robin
Blackbird – Catherine Mitson
We’d also love to hear what you spotted if you took part – let us know in the comments below.
The RSPB:
For more information on UK garden birds, identification guides, the 2024 Big Garden Birdwatch, past results and more, please visit the RSPB website.
