Monitoring wildlife
BBOWT's Reserves Surveying Programme
Surveying and monitoring habitats and species on our nature reserves - could you help?
To manage our nature reserves to their full potential we need to regularly assess the condition of the habitats on site, and have a record of all the key species present and how their populations are changing over time.
A rigorous programme of surveying and monitoring was launched in 2002 to standardise our approach. Each year we collect quantitative data using repeatable methodologies.
The Reserve Survey Programme aims to:
- Establish species presence/absence, species population trends and assess the condition of habitats
- Direct the management of reserves by reviewing the success of previous habitat management work and help plan for future management strategies
- Assess the impact of climate change
- Direct future surveying and monitoring programmes
- Inspire, train and involve volunteers
- Contribute to regional and national recording schemes, eg UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme.
At the beginning of each year the Ecology Team plans more than 300 surveying projects for the forthcoming spring and summer survey season. Much of this survey work is carried out by a fantastic 'army' of experienced volunteer surveyors. Each surveyor is experienced in the identification of at least one species group.
How to become a BBOWT Volunteer Wildlife Surveyor
The Ecology Team is always on the lookout for new wildlife surveyors. If you are able to confidently identify one or more species groups (eg butterflies, dragonflies, birds or plants) and would like to help with the Reserves Surveying Programme, please contact Ro Turan on 01865 775476 or email volunteering@bbowt.org.uk for more information.
Most surveys are undertaken by the same surveyor every year. This helps with administration and with consistency of data collection and survey effort. However, every year new surveyors are needed to fill gaps when previous surveyors have retired or new surveys (eg on new reserves) have been planned.
Please note the survey allocation period for each year’s survey season is from late January to March. By late March all planned surveys have been allocated and surveyors have begun their survey work. If you miss this deadline, please still get in touch as you can be added to the surveyor list for the following year.
If you are keen to get involved but don’t think your identification skills are quite good enough yet, there may be the opportunity to take part in group surveying events. We can also recommend courses you may be interested in attending.
2023 wildlife news from our reserves
Glow-worm by Andy Fairbairn
Linda Murphy and volunteers repeated their annual census of glow-worms at Whitecross Greenwood. The team have been monitoring the species since 1999 and it is great to report they recorded 303 glowing females which is the highest ever annual total.
At Whitecross Greenwood the very rare southern migrant hawker dragonfly was proven to have bred on one of the newly created ponds. This is currently the only known breeding site in Oxfordshire for the species.
Dartford warbler by Andrew Mason
Many of our breeding birds suffered during the poor spring weather, however there are still a few highlights to mention. Dartford warblers were confirmed to have bred for the first time in many years at Snelsmore Common. Hopefully they will now establish a viable breeding colony. Goshawks bred at Foxholes Wood and it is worth noting it is thought this apex predator will continue to increase and could have a profound impact on the ecology of sites. In the New Forest, where there are now annually 30+ breeding pairs, their main prey items are jays and grey squirrels! At Chimney, a pair of curlew again bred on the NNR and after the nest was protected with an electric fence, 2 young successfully fledged.
Military orchid by Jon Mason/TheEarlyBirder
At Homefield Wood, Phillip Pratt and his team counted 1,111 military orchids which is a record count for the reserve for this very rare orchid. Just down the road, a further 515 military orchids were counted at our Swains Wood reserve. The species is only known to grow at a handful of sites in the UK.
All of this is testament to the fantastic work of our nature reserve volunteers and work parties, wildlife trainees and staff.
Your wildlife sightings on BBOWT nature reserves
As well as the more formal Reserves Surveying Programme, we are also always keen to receive any ad hoc wildlife records.
If you have wildlife records collected on BBOWT nature reserves that you would like to share with us, please contact data@bbowt.org.uk.
We share biological records with our local record centres, which helps to inform local and national decision-making that may impact on biodiversity and conservation.
Please submit any records that are not from BBOWT nature reserves directly to BMERC if the records were in Buckinghamshire, or to TVERC if the records were in Oxfordshire or Berkshire.
If you've seen some interesting wildlife when you've been out and about, you can let us know via Twitter, including @BBOWT in your tweet.
Water voles, American mink and otter sightings
If you've seen a water vole, American mink or otter anywhere in Berks, Bucks or Oxon, please email your sighting to watervole@bbowt.org.uk, including the date and location of the sighting (with a grid reference if possible).
Volunteer by Jess Gallagher
Volunteering opportunities for all
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Water Vole Recovery Project
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