<\/p>
How many species of animal can you find in an ordinary garden? We offer top tips on how to plan your own wildlife survey this summer.<\/p>\n
Bioblitzes are a blend of hands-on scientific surveying of wildlife with a family-friendly, festival atmosphere, enabling zoologists, botanists, mycologists and other experts to share their knowledge and passion.<\/p>\n
Many events include practical demonstrations \u2013 of bird ringing or moth trapping, for example \u2013 as well as craft activities or food stalls.<\/p>\n
The first ever bioblitz took place over 24 hours in a city park in Washington DC in 1996. It was a great success, and the idea quickly caught on as a means of engaging the public in biological field studies \u2013 one of the most enthusiastic supporters has been American entomologist EO Wilson, best known for his work on ants.<\/p>\n
The first UK bioblitz was held in Bristol in 2009.<\/p>\n
In the UK, most bioblitzes take place in late spring or early summer, when the widest variety of species can be expected.<\/p>\n
Bioblitzes work best as a group activity, so start by inviting friends and neighbours \u2013 it doesn\u2019t matter if some people stay only for part of the survey.<\/p>\n
To ensure that you use your time effectively and cover the entire garden, split into groups, each of which focuses on a different area.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a good idea\u00a0to label all the key habitats on a sketch. If some areas are out of bounds, make sure everyone knows this in advance.<\/p>\n
Many public bioblitzes are carried out over a 24-hour period, and some last a whole weekend or even longer, but there are no hard and fast rules.<\/p>\n
You could \u2018blitz\u2019 for just a few hours or you could organise several survey sessions at different times of day. Above all, enjoy yourselves!<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Identify your targets<\/strong><\/p>\n Before starting your bioblitz, make a hit list of target species and where in the garden you have seen them in the past.<\/p>\n Remember that every species will contribute to your total \u2013 a bioblitz is about measuring overall biodiversity, so don\u2019t just hunt for rare or unusual creatures.<\/p>\n Pace yourself<\/strong><\/p>\n Different animals are active at different times. For a day-long bioblitz, begin by listening to the dawn chorus, then open your moth trap.<\/p>\n Now check any pitfall traps, footprint tunnels and bait set up the previous evening, before turning your attention to the rest of the garden.<\/p>\n Finish the bioblitz at dusk by looking out for emerging bats.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t forget to look up<\/strong><\/p>\n Always keep an eye out for birds flying over your garden.<\/p>\n Some insects, such as dragonflies, may fly higher than\u00a0you expect, too.<\/p>\n Ask experts<\/strong><\/p>\n If you need help to identify mystery species, show your bioblitz photographs to a local natural-history museum or society, or post them online.<\/p>\n Three websites to try are Wild About Britain<\/a>, iSpot<\/a>\u00a0and iRecord.<\/a><\/p>\n Share your records<\/strong><\/p>\n Posts on iSpot<\/a> and iRecord<\/a> are shared with national recording schemes; other websites for reporting your finds include BTO BirdTrack<\/a>,\u00a0\u00a0ARG UK<\/a>,\u00a0The National Mammal Atlas Project<\/a>\u00a0and Butterfly Conservation<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Moths make up a large proportion of the insect diversity in a typical garden.<\/p>\n Most are nocturnal, so you need some form of lure or trap to record the maximum number of species.<\/p>\n You could simply use a sticky, sugary bait or hang up a white sheet with a light shining on it, but these techniques won\u2019t lure moths from far away and you\u2019ll have to keep popping outside after dark to see what you\u2019ve attracted.<\/p>\n You will have more success if you use a moth trap \u2013 essentially a container with a light source.<\/p>\n It also keeps your catch safe until the morning, when moths tend to be still and thus easier to observe and photograph.<\/p>\n Find out more about choosing a moth trap<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Sweep netting<\/strong><\/p>\n A sweep, or butterfly, net is an essential piece of kit for any bioblitz.<\/p>\n In fact, you need two types \u2013 one with a black, lightweight mesh for catching flying insects in midair, and another with a heavy frame\u00a0and white mesh for sweeping through long vegetation.<\/p>\n Slowly move the net in wide arcs \u2013 avoid sudden swipes as this can damage insects\u2019 fragile wings and legs.<\/p>\n Carefully transfer your catches to transparent pots one at a time so that you can view and, if necessary, photograph them.<\/p>\n Using a beating tray<\/strong><\/p>\n As its name suggests, a beating tray is used to catch invertebrates dislodged from branches or foliage by gentle tapping.<\/p>\n Alternatively, simply spread a white sheet\u00a0or handkerchief out on the ground below.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 1 Search for nests<\/strong><\/p>\n Check logpiles, compost heaps, banks and sheds for the nests of mice, voles and rats.<\/p>\n 2 Record footprints<\/strong><\/p>\n A \u2018footprint tunnel<\/a>\u2019 uses bait to tempt small mammals inside and across an ink pad, leaving prints on a sheet of paper.<\/p>\nHow to record moths<\/strong><\/h3>\n
How to sample minibeasts\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
How to record garden mammals<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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