BBOWT

ECOLOGISTS counted a record number of rare damselflies and helped vulnerable birds to breed using an electric fence during this year.

Staff and volunteers at Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust carried out more than 250 ecological surveys on the charity’s nature reserves to paint an invaluable picture of how local wildlife populations are changing.

The ecology team organised 32 butterfly transects, 28 bird transects, 10 dragonfly transects, 65 habitat condition assessments and numerous other surveys and monitoring projects such as orchid counts, badger activity monitoring, groundwater level measuring, newt bottle-trapping, reptile refugia checks, bat monitoring and dormouse nest box checks.

The charity has warned that some species, such as hazel dormice, are being badly hit by the effects of unusual and extreme weather linked to climate change as well as habitat loss and changes to woodland management.

Ecology officer Colin Williams said: “This year has been hugely significant for local wildlife.

“We saw the hottest-ever temperatures in the UK this summer and a drought that was extremely challenging for species in our area.

“However, BBOWT also completed a huge wetland restoration project which will help tackle the effects of climate change.

“During this period, our fantastic army of 130 surveyors helped undertake more than 250 wildlife surveys on 77 nature reserves.

“The data they collected tells us a huge amount about what species are present, how their populations are changing and the condition of our habitats.

“Given that we are already seeing the impact of climate change, this work is more valuable than ever in helping us to see how species are coping and how we can help.”

Numerous species are being affected by climate change, including hazel dormice, which are having their hibernation patterns disrupted by warmer winters.

At the trust’s Warburg Nature Reserve, near Henley, this year’s dormouse nest box checks found just a single male — a powerful indication that the population is lower than ever, even at a site dedicated to protecting nature.

However, there was also positive news for numerous species at other reserves.

Pete Hughes