The latest news, events and views from Sussex Ecology.
SUSSEX ECOLOGY NEWS
16.02.2012: BAT ECOLOGIST REQUIRED FOR 2012
Sussex Ecology is currently seeking a bat ecologist to assist with dusk and dawn emergence surveys for bats on development sites in 2012.
You would be assisting with emergence surveys, with a licensed consultant present, and you will need to have a sound knowledge of bat ecology, as well as excellent identification skills. A Natural England bat survey licence would be preferred. You will need to have experience of undertaking bat surveys for developments. For further information and to email your CV, please contact us at info@sussexecology.co.uk.
27.01.2012: 2012 ADDER PROJECT
Sussex Ecology will be monitoring several known adder sites in the early spring, when adders start emerging from their hibernation sites. The majority of these sites are in Sussex but we have a few sites in other parts of the UK. The majority of these are on landowner sites, but some development sites are included where we undertook other ecological work.
To protect the adders and the privacy of the owners, we are unable to provide details of sites being monitored at this present time. However, watch this space for more updates on this exciting project.
WILDLIFE NEWS
January 2012: Join the hedgehog survey
25/01/2012 23:29:42People's Trust for Endangered Species hedgehog survey
Research in the 1970s by Britain's foremost expert on hedgehogs, Dr Pat Morris (formerly of Royal Holloway, University of London), revealed a direct link between hibernation and climate: hedgehogs came out of hibernation up to three weeks earlier in the South West of England compared to Scotland. Furthermore, in East Anglia, hedgehogs similarly spent longer in hibernation than in the London area or South West. This marked difference in hedgehog hibernation patterns across the UK shows a general trend of prolonged inactivity in proportion to the coldness of the winter.
Age, sex and weather
Dr Morris explains: "Age, sex and weather all appear to influence the timing of hedgehog hibernation. For example, young animals may remain fully active into December, no doubt seeking to develop sufficient fat reserves to ensure survival during subsequent hibernation. Also, adult females that have had late litters or may still be lactating will need to feed intensively before hibernating, causing them to be active for longer than adult males. However, mild weather can also delay hedgehogs entering into hibernation or elicit premature awakening, impacting on the creature's fat reserves and breeding times and consequently affecting the long-term survival of the species."
People's Trust for Endangered Species
Several organisations are monitoring native wildlife populations in Britain, however no one is focusing specifically on endangered hedgehogs and hibernation is an aspect of their behaviour that scientists need to understand better if People's Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) are to develop and support effective mitigation measures to halt their demise. Therefore PTES hope that with the vast people power of citizen science, PTES can identify any changes in the timing of waking hedgehogs since the initial research 40 years ago.
Bat Survey - 30th August 2010
Bat surveys have been ongoing since the beginning of April. Now it is the beginning of September and there are only 2 months left to complete activity surveys.
Hetty has typically being undertaking two night time surveys per week with the help of the small team of volunteers. To date, 4 sites have been completed and 6 sites are still being surveyed.
Unsurprisingly, pipistrelle bats have been recorded on every site. Noctule bats have been recorded on only two sites. Brown long-eared bat has been found on one site to date and two sites have had Natterer’s bat.
Amphibian Surveys - 8th July 2010
Most of the amphibian surveys have been completed (with the exception of surveys for larvae and young newts). This year has been very successful with a large number of ponds surveyed and amphibians found, including great crested newts. The cold start to the spring delayed the start of the season, although most frogs were found to be spawning in the 2nd to 3rd week of March throughout East Sussex. In total, X ponds were surveyed and X% of ponds had amphibians present.
Water Vole Surveys - 6th July 2010
Three water vole surveys have so far been completed. These are currently running behind due to other surveys being delayed at the start of the survey season. Good signs of water voles found with most sites having feeding piles and latrines. No signs of otters yet but there have been several recent reports of Otters in the area.
