Tags
bioblitz, biodiversity, biodiversity in Wales, biological diversity, biological recording, biological records, SEWBReC
After our morning’s biodiversity recording session at Porthkerry and a rather scrummy pub lunch, our SEWBReC team took up the challenge of how many species we could discover in a one-kilometre square that borders Cardiff Airport, a square where only 15 species of anything had previously been recorded. Well, even a desert has more life in it than that, and we had fields and country lanes edged with hedgerows to explore so off we set.
Some of the hedgerows had recently been savagely trimmed and, though sunny, it was blowing a gale so conditions weren’t exactly perfect. But we are a dedicated team! We scanned and we scoured, we probed and we combed, we turned over and peered under, we inspected and we scrutinised. And at the end of two hours we had a preliminary list of 85 species, with some uncertainties to be verified, some ambiguities to be resolved and some experts to be consulted. What a thoroughly enjoyable, eminently satisfying day it was!
Each month SEWBReC provides maps and information about poorly recorded 1km squares in south east Wales, in the hope of filling in the gaps in their maps. If you live in the area, or even if you’re just visiting, you can help fill those gaps. See here for more information.
theresagreen said:
True enough! Any signs of pollution from kerosene fumes?
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sconzani said:
Nothing noticeable but that is something that we wondered about. No abnormalities in the critters we saw, fortunately!
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theresagreen said:
The prevailing south-westerly by any chance? Your findings reinforce my view that wildlife thrives better when it’s not disturbed and few people know exactly where it is. (Says she who publishes a blog to try to raise awareness of it!)
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sconzani said:
A sou’-wester it was! Methinks the masses will not be flocking to the country lanes on that side of the airport, except to go to the pub and collect their cars from the long-stay carparking adjacent to that pub.
Awareness is good!
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Beautywhizz said:
Another wonderful findings. Well done for braving the gale.
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sconzani said:
Thanks. Wind is better than pouring rain. 🙂
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