The Wiltshire & Swindon Biological Records Centre (WSBRC) is housed at the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust as a not-for-profit partnership and provides a central reference point for environmental information on geology, habitats, sites and species in the County of Wiltshire and the Borough of Swindon. Find out more about us.
Recent Sightings
We’ve had a report of 100 Lapwings - Vanellus vanellus on 28th December 2009 at SU062678, north of the road between Bishops Cannings and Avebury.
Scarce conifer to get military protection
Juniper is one of only three native conifers and well known for its dark blue berries, useful in gin making.
It has declined in recent years, due mainly to loss and poor management of its remaining habitats and is now a priority species across Europe and under the UK and Wiltshire Biodiversity Action Plans.
The downs along the Porton range are an important national stronghold for this small, bushy evergreen, but overgrazing has also led to ageing and decline of the plant population there.
Now a Wiltshire based plant research and conservation charity, Plantlife, has undertaken an important project, in partnership with the MOD at their research establishment there, to improve habitat management and secure the plant’s future.
Wildlife Suffers In Cold Weather
The sheer length of the severe cold snap in Britain is depriving birds and other wildlife of access to both food and water as the ground and water are frozen solid. Due to its severity the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has declared a wildlife emergency.
The RSPB says “the bird’s natural food is covered in snow and ice and impossible to get to. Water birds may be forced to leave iced-over lakes and rivers. The ground becomes too hard for birds like thrushes and lapwings to probe, and natural food like berries, acorns and seeds are buried.”
Call for Annual County Recorder Reports
It’s the time of year to send in your Annual Reports for 2009!
If you are unable to compile a full report please fill in this quick form.
All reports need to be
received by 31st March
