Help WSBRC to support nature

By Jon Isherwood, WSBRC Manager

Wiltshire & Swindon Biological Records Centre (WSBRC) is the biological data and environmental mapping hub for Wiltshire and Swindon, with over three million species records as well as habitats and a variety of other data.

Accurate data is vital to help organisations and individuals make the right policies, plans and decisions for our countryside, landscapes and wildlife. We are constantly working to update this data by supporting recording efforts and through project work. There is a lot going on!

Get involved in WSBRC's projects

• Our Ancient Woodland Inventory update project is keeping us busy mapping and gathering evidence about ancient woodlands in the county. We are identifying areas of woodland and wood-pasture which have been in existence since at least 1600 AD. These sites have irreplaceable ecological and historical characteristics. Many are now in poor condition or threatened by development.

• The 6th National Otter Survey of England is also underway and is looking for volunteers – find out more here: www.mammal.org.uk/national-otter-survey/

Coming soon...

• The ‘S41’ project will review and update our information about Wiltshire’s special ‘Section 41’ Priority Species. These are species which are of principal importance for the purpose of conserving biodiversity in England.

• ‘Nurturing Nature’ is a major recording effort based in the Chalke and Chase area of Cranbourne Chase AONB and will recruit and equip volunteers to carry out surveying and monitoring of chalk downland, woodland and bird species.

• We are also looking to kick-start a new ‘Wiltshire Hedgerow Inventory’ project. Hedgerows are a Priority Habitat, and an important source of food and shelter for a range of insects, birds and mammals. Initial work will involve interpreting aerial photography and historic maps.

Learn some new skills! Contact joni@wsbrc.org if you would like to get involved in any of these projects.

Send us your wildlife sightings!

Photo: White tailed eagle, Vijay Patel

Header photo: Hagbourne Copse, Sarah Stebbing

Unusual sightings

We’ve had some great photos shared with us lately, including a white tailed eagle, a glossy ibis and an oil beetle. Send us your sightings if you spot any more elusive wildlife!

Are pine martens heading our way?

Photo: Pine marten, Darin Smith

We have heard unconfirmed reports of sightings in the south of the county; if you can help with any information, please get in touch!

Help us by submitting your sightings via the iRecord App. Find out more here: www.wiltshirewildlife.org/make-a-record