WILDLIFE SURVEYS

Surveys offer lots of opportunities to find out about your local wildlife and hone your identification skills.

Wildlife experts are always looking for people to share their knowledge with, so you can join in the enormous task of mapping the plants and animals that live in Shropshire.

If you would like to get involved with any of the following projects please contact the relevant coordinator.

Ludlow Wildlife Survey

Ludlow's gardens are alive with honey bees, hoverflies, hedgehogs and even the occasional hornet. They're singing with birds including much higher than national average numbers of siskin, bullfinch, redwing and fieldfare. Ferns, such as southern polypody grow in the town's old walls, lampreys, Atlantic salmon and sticklebacks swim in its rivers.

The survey paints an idyllic picture - but it's an idyll under threat. House building threatens open spaces such as Fishmore Quarry, where the swan-necked earth moss grows. Gardens are targets for developers. Ludlow Branch is calling for the Local Development Framework to recognise their value to wildlife. The ponds, mature trees, bushes and flowering plants provide a marvellous mosaic of habitats, lost in many towns years ago. Ludlow's thriving wildlife must be cherished.

To download the full report of the Ludlow Wildlife Survey click here.

Putting Shropshire's birds on the map

Shropshire Ornithological Society is calling on local people with an interest in birds to help with the county bird atlas. Results will also contribute to a new national atlas, organised by the British Trust for Ornithology. This is a very important project, which is being supported by all major conservation organisations. Anyone can help, and all records are valuable.

We want records of every bird seen in each small survey area during the winter, and again during the breeding season. People can help by sending in records of the birds seen in their garden or on their farm, or while out walking or visiting the wider countryside. Some people will make an even bigger contribution, by making several visits to a specific survey area and recording everything seen. Experienced birdwatchers can also help with timed counts.

Allan Dawes, the atlas organiser in north Shropshire said "We've made an excellent start, but more helpers are needed. When we did the last Shropshire atlas, well over 350 local people sent in records. Interest in birds and wildlife has increased since then, so we hope for a lot more helpers this time. Atlassing is very enjoyable - it takes us to the quieter parts of our lovely county. The results are very useful, informing plans for the conservation of birds that are declining. Anyone interested in birds can make a valuable contribution."

If you'd like to help...
Contact Leo Smith, Atlas Publicity Officer, (leo.smith@dsl.pipex.com) or Allan Dawes (allandawes@btinternet.com), or visit www.shropshirebirds.com

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