http://www.wsbrc.org.uk/News/News.aspx Keeping you up to date with news from the Wiltshire and Swindon Biological Records Centre en-gb Sat, 04 Feb 2012 15:12:48 GMT Copyright: (C) Wiltshire and Swindon Biological Records Centre http://www.wsbrc.org.uk 1440 http://www.wsbrc.org.uk/images/WSBRC.gif http://www.wsbrc.org.uk/Default.aspx A study into the effects of climate change on the survival, and hibernation of Hedgehogs needs you to record any sightings of our most easily recognised native mammal. The results from the survey, the first of its kind, will be used to help scientists understand the hedgehog’s life cycle better, including hibernation. http://www.wsbrc.org.uk/9EODtFq8wUinb68TzPpFQA%3d%3d/NewsArticle.aspx http://www.wsbrc.org.uk/9EODtFq8wUinb68TzPpFQA%3d%3d/NewsArticle.aspx Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT The end of November and across the county hedgehogs and other overwintering or hibernating species are still active, roses are still in bloom and many plants are in bud once again. This year has seen the warmest September and October since 2006 with average temperatures 2 degrees centigrade higher than the 1971 – 2000 average, with October being the 8th warmest October seen in the last 100 years. http://www.wsbrc.org.uk/hT8HDgIu2EWaEsPeu5caOw%3d%3d/NewsArticle.aspx http://www.wsbrc.org.uk/hT8HDgIu2EWaEsPeu5caOw%3d%3d/NewsArticle.aspx Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Receiving a record for an unusual Wiltshire species is always interesting so imagine the excitement when earlier this month we received a record for the first ever sighting of the Small Marbled moth (Eublemma parva) in Wiltshire. http://www.wsbrc.org.uk/MI3OicdJRUm9iGSety%2b8DQ%3d%3d/NewsArticle.aspx http://www.wsbrc.org.uk/MI3OicdJRUm9iGSety%2b8DQ%3d%3d/NewsArticle.aspx Tue, 22 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Butterfly Conservation Trust recently released the results of its second Big Butterfly Count, and unfortunately the news is not all good, with an overall 11% decline in the number of butterflies seen per count.

Butterflies are very quick to react to changes in their environment making them ideal biodiversity indicators; their declines forewarn us to declines in other species. http://www.wsbrc.org.uk/Y4sG3FBJ4UO9K%2bGoc_fXXg%3d%3d/NewsArticle.aspx http://www.wsbrc.org.uk/Y4sG3FBJ4UO9K%2bGoc_fXXg%3d%3d/NewsArticle.aspx Thu, 03 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Autumn has arrived with a vengeance and while we look forward to Bonfire night many animals are searching for suitable hibernation spots.

The Hedgehog is well known for making itself at home in wood piles intended for bonfire night, however they are not the only animals to find such places suitable as winter hideaways; frogs, toads and newts will also find such sites ideal. http://www.wsbrc.org.uk/ghcxoyZrlUuXaqDCIhPn8w%3d%3d/NewsArticle.aspx http://www.wsbrc.org.uk/ghcxoyZrlUuXaqDCIhPn8w%3d%3d/NewsArticle.aspx Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT The British Mycological Society has just launched a recording project to get all amateur field mycologists involved in data gathering, no matter the level of expertise. They are asking for sightings of six easily recognised common fungi. http://www.wsbrc.org.uk/Pg7VdMiNY0yKbAHN9DJ4UA%3d%3d/NewsArticle.aspx http://www.wsbrc.org.uk/Pg7VdMiNY0yKbAHN9DJ4UA%3d%3d/NewsArticle.aspx Tue, 11 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Cotswold Water Park Dragonfly Atlas Project was launched in 2008 with the aim of achieving Water Park-wide surveys and the publication of the first Dragonfly Atlas for the area. Fieldwork has been ongoing since then by a committed group of volunteers. http://www.wsbrc.org.uk/RTLHmgPaF0iLx7BSwtseiQ%3d%3d/NewsArticle.aspx http://www.wsbrc.org.uk/RTLHmgPaF0iLx7BSwtseiQ%3d%3d/NewsArticle.aspx Wed, 28 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Quagga Mussel is a highly invasive non-native species, similar to Zebra Mussel but possibly even more invasive. Unlike Zebra Mussels this species has not yet been found in Great Britain, but based on its spread through Europe is expected to arrive soon. It is essential to identify any new invasion as early as possible. http://www.wsbrc.org.uk/ep7xRt%2bjkE%2bk5Lpt8kT%2bQQ%3d%3d/NewsArticle.aspx http://www.wsbrc.org.uk/ep7xRt%2bjkE%2bk5Lpt8kT%2bQQ%3d%3d/NewsArticle.aspx Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT The University of Bristol has developed a smart phone app called “Conker Tree Science - Leaf Watch” to help biologists monitor the distribution and movements of the Horse Chestnut Leaf-miner Moth. If you have a smart phone why not have a go by downloading and using the app yourself? http://www.wsbrc.org.uk/VnMGVSWr2EKoHAd_g0HCgQ%3d%3d/NewsArticle.aspx http://www.wsbrc.org.uk/VnMGVSWr2EKoHAd_g0HCgQ%3d%3d/NewsArticle.aspx Thu, 25 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Open Air Laboratories network (OPAL) has launched a simple and fun survey to find out how the urban environment affects invertebrates, and find out about the incredible variety living around us.

All you have to do is take part in three 15 minute surveys in your local area such as your back garden or your local play park and then let OPAL know what you found! http://www.wsbrc.org.uk/6HNOPWT8dUCSAodSpQRlDg%3d%3d/NewsArticle.aspx http://www.wsbrc.org.uk/6HNOPWT8dUCSAodSpQRlDg%3d%3d/NewsArticle.aspx Fri, 12 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT