Finding Nature’s Footprints is supporting communities to run their own wildlife surveying and monitoring projects in their local area by connecting people, providing training and the necessary resourcesa and survey equipment. The project will draw on the most effective citizen science projects to ensure that the data collected goes to the right place and help inform decisions. For example, the National Plant Monitoring Scheme, National Dormouse Footprint Tunnel Survey, National Moth Recording Scheme and National Reptile Survey to name a few. It is important that Finding Nature’s Footprints works with the interests of local communities so if you are interested in monitoring a particular aspect of wildlife please get in touch Joe.Newberry@devon.gov.uk
Devon Biodiversity Records Centre
Devon Biodiversity Records Centre is part of a national network of ‘not for profit’ Local Environmental Records Centres in the UK. They collect, manage and make available over 6.8 million validated and verified wildlife records which are updated by 2,000-5,000 records a month. They also collect and manage data on wildlife habitats and geological sites, and lead on the County Wildlife Sites program for the county. They will play a key role within our survey aim of the project, as we collect data within local areas, we will pass this information onto them to contribute to national records.
BioBlitz
In June 2023 the projects first BioBlitz took place with the rangers on Northam Burrows Country park. Press about the 24+hour survey can be seen here. organised public events including night and daytime rock pooling, mud dipping, freshwater invertebrate sampling, moth and small mammal trapping. The event exceeded all expectations with a total of 269 different species recorded, of which 189 were new records to Northam Burrows. Overall, this included 64 different moth species, 20 species of birds and 103 species of different plants.
Camera Traps
We have been working with communities and landowners to survey local wildlife. Camera traps have been great for taking a look at what is about when people arent. Through the project we have a collection of camera available so if you know a good spot get in touch. We can show you how they work and some things to consider when camera trapping as well.