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Copyright © 2009 D R Allan

Conservation in Gosport

(Hampshire, UK)

Why record? At the moment there is much talk about protecting biodiversity; and new legislation is coming along all the time. Talk and legislation are all very well, but even a wildlife surveyor may not locate all species present ('bats in the belfry!'). If the animals or plants are not known to be in the area, they will still not be taken into account for management or planning applications.
Local knowledge - perhaps your knowledge - can be invaluable in pinpointing species, or areas of conservation interest.

How can you help?   ¤   Just send your records to your local Record Centre or Wildlife Trust

What makes a record?
All records should include 'The 4 W's' as follows:
Who - the recorders name in full, and the name of the determiner if necessary
What - the species name, preferably with the scientific (Latin) name
Where - the name of the location it was seen at, preferably with a 6- or 8-figure grid reference this should include the nearest village or town as shown on an Ordnance Survey 1:25 000, or 1:50 000 map, and the County.
When - the date on which the species was recorded.
Other useful information:
In some instances extra detail can be valuable:
Habitat, associated plants/animals, host (for parasitic organisms).
Number of individuals seen, and/or the extent of a colony.
If it is a roost site.
Evidence of breeding.
Age or stage, i.e. mature, flowering, fruiting, larva, nymph, sapling, etc.
Alive or dead, road-kill records, for instance.
Existence of a specimen, or photograph.
Sex.
Time of the sighting.
Tide state - particularly for wading birds.

I can supply forms: postal (see Contacts list) or email (MS Excel or MS Word file). Alternatively you could try filling out the Online Recording Form

Practical Conservation


Some of the Gosport sites you might like to help out at include:
Browndown <> Rowner Copse <> Wildgrounds <> Leesland Recreation Area <> Carter's Copse.

If you would like to help at any of these sites, or others, contact Gosport Countryside Section on (023) 9258 8666 and ask if there is a meeting scheduled, or a 'Friends of' group.


Your time and effort will be greatly appreciated by any of your local groups.

Below is an extract from a copy of a pre-2003 Newsletter from a Gosport conservation volunteer group.

I would like to help

If you would like to help look after the natural environment in your area, wherever your interest lies and whatever talent you have to offer, there is sure to be some way that you can help.
There are large and small practical tasks to help with, perhaps painting signs, or maybe creating a pond. There are also hedges to be planted, and building of boardwalks and bird or bat boxes.... you don't have to be a carpenter to do this, there is always a friendly helping hand to show you what to do, (I've never heard a bat complain about the standard of handiwork yet!).

Help is often needed doing survey work, this can be as simple as counting Brent Geese on a particular site once a week or so, or it could be recording plants or butterflies. Summer, winter, all the year round, your help is always needed.

If you do decide to go along to your local group, or perhaps the one that manages your favourite place, it may be best to phone beforehand. You may appreciate directions to get to some of the places, and nature can be unpredictable and planned tasks are sometimes (not often), changed or cancelled due to weather conditions.

Nobody expects you to attend all the tasks arranged, many people turn out just a few times a year, or just for their 'pet' tasks.
Always wear stout footwear and old clothes as you may get very grubby.
If you are planning to stay all day make sure you take some lunch and a drink - although hot drinks are often provided, some even provide chocolate biscuits too!

Almost anyone can take part in conservation volunteer tasks. If you think you can't do the practical tasks, then talk to the organiser, there is usually something for a willing volunteer to do.


Extract from Newsletter

GOSPORT MID-WEEK CONSERVATION GROUP

Conservation Volunteering - does it sound like hard work to you?
It can be, but it can also be a lot of fun. It is a chance to meet new people and have a laugh.
We are not asking you to exhaust yourself, use strange implements, wear sandals or sport a beard!
But we are asking you to help us manage some of the habitats left in Gosport for the benefit of the wildlife.
Willing to give it a try - come once and see what it's like.

Tasks are held on alternate Wednesdays and start at 10am from Grange Farm, Little Woodhams Lane (Off Howe Road), Rowner.
CONTACT: GOSPORT COUNTRYSIDE SECTION (023) 9258 8666 for more details.
Please wear old clothes and stout footwear.
Warm drinks are provided. Bring a packed lunch (if you are staying all day).

CONSIDERING VOLUNTEERING ?
Plucking up the courage to join a new group can be quite daunting especially as you do not know what to expect.
•When you arrive, introduce yourself to the leader.
•Wear suitable footwear, stout shoes or wellies. The group insurance is invalidated by "unsuitable footwear".
•In sunny weather, wear a hat and sunscreen lotion.
•In wet weather bring waterproofs.
•Wear old clothes, expect to get grubby!
•If you have any health problems - please let the leader know.
•If you feel unhappy about using a particular tool, say so. There are always alternatives!
Remember - the following will benefit from the time you give!
•Skylarks on Sandhill.
•White Admiral Butterflies in Carter's Copse.
•Cetti's Warblers in the reedbed.
•Great Green Bush Crickets on Home Heath.
•Bluebells in the Wildgrounds.
•Plus the habitats - heathland, wetlands, grassland and woodland.
What are you waiting for?

    GOSPORT BOROUGH COUNTRYSIDE SECTION

If you feel perhaps practical work is a little too much, then there are other useful contributions you can make to helping Gosport's wildlife.

Could you keep a notebook of butterflies, birds, mammals or plants that you see in your local "greenspace"?   It is all useful information and we would like to know it.
We can give advice on how to do a butterfly transect, which involves walking a set route once a week between April and September. What could be more pleasant?

Other talents such as sign writing or an ability to build bird or bat boxes are also welcome.
Or if you are a Winter person, perhaps you could help with the Brent goose survey? We can supply the forms.

Weare also on the lookout for volunteers to warden the Wildgrounds during our open period 1 March - 31 October.


Where else can you find out about your local groups?

BTCV also offer a very diverse range of conservation-related services and products; from training courses to environmental advice and holidays.

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