Northumberland BioBlitz

The third Northumberland Biodiversity Partnership BioBlitz took place at Ashington Community Woodland on the 21st and 22nd May 2010.

A BioBlitz is all about volunteers, scientists, naturalists, wildlife enthusiasts, school groups, students and members of the public working together to find as many different species as possible within a specific natural area – all whilst racing against the clock! As part of the celebrations for International Year of Biodiversity the Northumberland Biodiversity Partnership joined the national programme of BioBlitz events that are being run around the country.

Species recording started at 13:00 on Friday 21st May and finished at 13:00 Saturday 22nd May (International Day for Biological Diversity).

By the end of the 24 hour period 357 different species had been recorded.

Birds	50
Bryophytes & Lichens	7
Mammals	11
Plants	164
Reptiles	0
Invertebrates	120
Amphibians	4
Fish	1
Fungi	0

Throughout the event experts and enthusiasts carried out surveys for a wide variety of creatures including: mammals, insects, butterflies, birds, moths, plants, reptiles, trees, amphibians and bats. A number of free activiites were provided for members of the public such as wildlife safari’s, an evening bat walk and a wildlfower and lichen walk to help them learn more about the wildlife that can be found in Ashington Woodland.

The first species recorded was a swallow (Hirundo rustica), which were nesting in the stables next to the base camp.

Other highlights included:

Red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)
Poplar hawk moth (Laothoe populi)
Weasel (Mustela nivalis)

A massive thank you to everyone that helped to make the event such a success.

BioBlitz Northumberland!

Join the BioBlitz team on 21st and 22nd May at Ashington Community Woodland to discover the variety of wildlife that is present on your doorstep.

We will be starting at 13:00 on Friday 21st May and finishing at 13:00 on Saturday 22nd May.

Throughout the event experts and enthusiasts will be carrying out surveys for a wide variety of creatures including: mammals, insects, butterflies, birds, moths, plants, reptiles, trees, amphibians and bats.You can get actively involved in recording Ashington Community Woodland’s wildlife by taking part in one of the BioBlitz event’s free activities. More details below:         

Friday 21st May

Wildlife Safari – 13:00 until 15:00 (booking essential)

Explore Ashington Community Woodland with staff from Northumberland Wildlife Trust and learn the necessary skills to make accurate ecological records. This will include learning how to grid reference a sighting and the additional information that should be gathered as part of your wildlife record.

BioBlitz Base Camp – 13:00 until dusk (drop in event)

Visit the event marquee and talk to members of the BioBlitz team about the wildlife in Ashington Community Woodland. Look at some of the weird and wonderful specimens that have been found and view the video footage that has been captured by the WildPlaces project. Most importantly come and tell us your wildlife sightings so we can add them to the total.

Bat Walk – 20:30 until dusk (booking essential)

The Northumberland Bat Group will be leading an evening walk around the site to look for Bats. You’ll also be able to listen out for owls and be in with a chance of spotting other mammals. Bat detectors will be supplied.

Saturday 22nd May

BioBlitz Base Camp – 08:00 until 13:00 (drop in event)

Visit the event marquee and talk to members of the BioBlitz team about the wildlife in Ashington Community Woodland. Look at some of the weird and wonderful specimens that have been found and view the video footage that has been captured by the WildPlaces project. Most importantly come and tell us your wildlife sightings so we can add them to the total.

Wildflower and Lichen Walk 11:00 until 12:30 (booking essential)

Join Janet Simkin, a wildflower and lichen expert, on a stroll around Ashington Community Woodland to discover the variety of plants that can be found.

Children must be accompanied by an adult for all activities

The BioBlitz base camp will be set up at the entrance to the woodland via Lintonville Road. Meet here for all activities and to talk to BioBlitz staff and volunteers.

To get involved as a Media Volunteer, Naturalist, Guide, Steward or Liaison please regsiter here

To keep up with the latest info for this event you can follow us on our Twitter and Facebook page or check back here later.