The place for up to date news about the Suffolk Biodiversity Information Service along with links to our quarterly newsletter (see left sidebar).
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Anglian Ecology - New training courses
Basic Bat Awareness & Bat Scoping CPD training courses
Friday February 18th, Friday February 25th, and Friday March 25th, 2022
This is a full day of training specifically designed for those working with trees, in woodland management, or in the conservation sector, adding to continuing professional development and providing those who work with trees and woodlands with new skills. Successful participants will gain a certificate stating they have obtained the necessary skills to complete initial scoping surveys and secondary non-specialist surveys as recommended in the British Standard BS 8596:2015 Surveying for bats in trees and woodland - Guide.
For those who are interested in obtaining a Natural England Bat Licence, this course is a good introduction,and counts as 8 hours toward this training.
The cost of the day is £175, which includes all training, individual assessment and certification, lunch, tea/coffee and cakes! It also includes practical exercises in a privately owned semi-natural woodland to look at how to assess a tree for PRFs (Potential Roost Features). The course is run by two highly qualified practitioners, both of whom hold current Natural England Bat licences.
To find out more about this course, please click here.
Great Crested Newts CPD training courses
Friday April 29th and Friday May 6th 2022
To find out more about this course, please click here.
NEW FOR 2022!
We are running training courses on dormouse ecology + surveying - available April to Oct, book your place here: www.anglianecology.co.uk
Nature First Small Grants Scheme
The Greenprint Forum is running a Small Grant Scheme during 2021 and 2022 which is available to voluntary and community groups to apply for funding to support projects that help promote biodiversity in east Suffolk.
The Nature First small grants fund is provided by East Suffolk Council on behalf of the East Suffolk Greenprint Forum and is available for projects anywhere in the district of East Suffolk, that specifically contribute to the enhancement of local biodiversity and/or its understanding and appreciation by the local community.
Eligible projects may include work to restore existing habitats, creation of habitats, provision of nesting / roosting places for birds, pollinators and other animals, or activities to help local people of any age learn about and enjoy their local biodiversity.
Eligible projects must contribute to the Greenprint Forum’s goal of an East Suffolk where the value of nature is recognised by the majority, visitors are attracted because of it and everyone actively cares for it.
Applications will be considered by a panel comprising members of the Steering Group of the Greenprint Forum.
The scheme is intended to run throughout 2021 and 2022, and applications can be submitted at any time. Details of grants awarded to date can be seen via the link below.
Nature First Small Grants Scheme documents
- Greenprint Forum Nature First Small Grants Scheme guidance notes
- Greenprint Forum Nature First Small Grants Scheme application form
Projects supported so far
British Ecological Society - Grants Available
Funding to support the promotion of ecological science to a wider audience.
Individuals and organisations across Great Britain can now apply for grants to organise public engagement events in ecology.
Eligible applicants could include:
- Members of the British Ecological Society
- Researchers
- Schools
- Museums
- Libraries
- Community groups
The maximum award size is £2,000. However, this may be used as part-funding for larger projects involving other sponsors.
All projects must be consistent with at least two of the following objectives:
- Increase public understanding of, and engagement with, ecology.
- Stimulate discussion about ecology and its implications for society.
- Inspire and enthuse people of all ages about the science of ecology, especially those not previously interested.
- Develop skills in communicating the science of ecology.
All objectives must be aimed at a non-academic audience and all projects must provide a clear demonstration of direct interaction with the public.
The deadline to apply is 18 March 2022 (5pm)
For further information go to: Outreach Grants - British Ecological Society
Even more records now available!
We have been busy importing, validating and verifying data from some large datasets and as a result we now have over 5 million species records in our database.
Biodiversity Project Manager
Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils
£29,577 - £34,728
Fixed Term Contract or Secondment Opportunity for 2 years.
Would you like to play an active part in biodiversity improvements across our districts? An exciting opportunity has been created to help us implement our biodiversity action plan.
Our biodiversity action plan, launched in early 2021, aims to improve habitat for biodiversity across the districts. It includes aspirations to increase tree and hedgerow numbers and to support wildflower growth.
Find out more HERE
The Beveridge Herpetological Trust - Grants Available
The Beveridge Herpetological Trust awards a small number of grants each year of around £5,000 to £10,000.
The Trust's aims are to: Promote & advance the conservation of amphibians & reptiles, advance the education of the public of herpetofaunal nature reserves, execute, promote, support & publish research relevant to species and habitat conservation, such other purposes in England & Wales as the trustees see fit.
The trust is now open to applications for grant funding.
If you have a suitable project you can apply for funding via this link: Ludlow Management Trust
East England Apple and Orchards Project Job Opportunity
East England Apple and Orchards Project are inviting expressions of interest from experienced individuals with the skills and enthusiasm to deliver a range of training courses in orchard management across the region. If you have the necessary experience, particularly of teaching and pruning of young, established and overgrown trees, they would like to hear from you. Familiarity with H&S and Risk Assessment are key requirements.
Please send your CV to the address below, detailing your interest and experience in pruning and other aspects of orchard management. EEAOP aim to establish a pool of trainers to deliver a range of courses over the year. As such, we can be flexible and likely to be able to accommodate your availability.
EEAOP - [email protected]
For enquiries - 01328 838403
Suffolk Biodiversity Information Service welcomes two new specialists to its team
Hannah Alred, Ancient Woodland Inventory Officer
We are excited that Hannah has joined the team as Ancient Woodland Inventory Officer. Ancient woodlands have been covered in trees since at least 1600 AD and are a valuable part of our landscape. Hannah is responsible for adding new and updated data to the Suffolk part of the Ancient Woodland Inventory. The Inventory was created in the 1980s, before computer mapping was widely used, and this project will modernise it, providing greater detail to increase its resolution to take in woodlands down to 0.25 hectares in size over the previous 2-hectare resolution used. More details on the project can be found here https://www.theplanner.co.uk/opinion/the-value-of-updating-the-ancient-w... Alongside this she is currently finishing her MSc Environmental Science with her main interests being conservation and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). After hours she enjoys being outside exploring the natural world either by foot or paddle board, getting involved with volunteering and cross-stitching or baking on the rainy days.
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Emma Aldous, Communications Officer
We are delighted that Emma has joined us as Communications Officer. In this newly created position, she will be responsible for looking after our website and social media, providing support to our website users, revitalising the SBIS newsletter and plenty more! Emma has had a varied and unconventional career before joining us, with roles in print, design and publishing and detours that include seven years running a smallholding and goat micro-dairy. Her experience in designing and creating newsletters and magazines will be a welcome addition to the team. If you have articles or stories for the next newsletter or need help with using the website, please contact Emma on [email protected]. When not working she also enjoys exploring the countryside around her local network of footpaths, Suffolk’s long shingle beaches and estuary paths with their tidal mudflats and calling curlews. On rainy days she can be found crocheting blankets for friends and family.
Interactive Japanese Knotweed Map
Horticulture.co.uk Launch Interactive Japanese Knotweed Map. A new interactive map has been launched allowing users to see Japanese Knotweed cases in their local area by postcode. The map utilises records from SBIS and other NBN Atlas partners to show confirmed cases of the plant in the UK. While it is widely known for its capacity to cause structural damage to property, the invasive plant can also cause damage to watercourses and displace native vegetation. The map includes information to help identify and record new cases of Japanese Knotweed in the UK.
Ivy Bee Survey
The Ivy Bee (Colletes hederae) is a relative newcomer to Suffolk and has actually only been in the UK since 2001. It is a species whose distribution is gradually expanding northwards and can probably now be readily found throughout Suffolk. It is a fairly easy bee to identify with its boldly banded abdomen and can be found, at this time of year, foraging on Ivy flowers. The bees are solitary in terms of their nesting habits, but nesting aggregations are often quite dense in loose, friable soil – this could be your lawn or a warm south-facing bank. An FAQ on Ivy Bees can be found here http://www.bwars.com/content/colletes-hederae-faqs and we would welcome any sightings you have to be logged online here http://www.suffolkbis.org.uk/ivybeesurvey
Need a Little Help? Bioblitz Recording Guide
If you would like a bit of help submitting wildlife observations, from one of the bioblitz events we are supporting, you can follow our 10 step guide to submitting a record here:
NEW - Suffolk Polecat Survey
The Polecat (Mustela putorius) was pushed to the brink of extinction over 100 years ago. Labeled as probably one of the most hated mammal species, the last survivors retreated to Wales and remote parts of Scotland. Surveys conducted by the Vincent Wildlife Trust (VWT) over the last 23 years however have noted the gradual return of the Polecat to its former ranges and the latest survey for 2014/15 shows a relatively strong presence in Suffolk.
Whilst the VWT survey has now concluded, the Suffolk Mammal Group is keen to continue monitoring Polecat distribution in Suffolk. A major part of this monitoring is the ability to be able to distinguish ‘true’ Polecats from their domesticated cousins, ferrets, with whom they interbreed.
SBIS has teamed up with the Suffolk Mammal Group to produce a bespoke Polecat survey form which aims to collect sightings of 'true' polecats in Suffolk. Built upon our basic three stage recording form the survey includes additional questions to input further details about your observation.
For this survey it is ideal but not compulsary that you also submit a photo. Photos should ideally include the full body, including paws and a close up of the face - this should help verification. Sightings submitted without this information may not become verified. If you own a camera trap and this was used to make your observation - please include freeze frames detailing the above features and if possible provide a link to your video (if it is posted online) in the comment field.
The homepage for the survey can be found here:
Suffolk INNS (Invasive Non-Native Species) Survey
Suffolk INNS (Invasive Non-Native Species) Survey.
Here you can find links to record 5 different invasive plant species along with links to fact sheets and other recording resources. This recording form has been developed in partnership with the River Stour Project Officer from the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Project.
Suffolk Rosemary Leaf Beetle Survey
Have you seen the Rosemary Leaf Beetle on your lavender, thyme, rosemary or sage plants? This very striking looking beetle that feasts on the foliage and flowers of rosemary and other similar aromatic plants is on the increase in the UK. We would like to improve our understanding of just how widespread this species is in Suffolk so have created a recording page on our online recording service (SuffolkBRO). This publicly accessible recording form (you do not need to have an account) that asks the normal questions also asks when you saw your first adult beetle this year and what plant or plants you found it feeding on. Please help us by logging your sightings at http://www.suffolkbis.org.uk/rlbsurvey
Suffolk Swift Recording Form
The Suffolk Biodiversity Information Service has teamed up with Suffolk Wildlife Trust to create a suite of bespoke online recording pages to support their project with Suffolk Ornithologists’ Group, 'Save our Suffolk Swifts' (SOSswifts). Open to both members of Suffolk Biological Recording Online (Suffolk BRO) and the general public these pages allow the submission of both screaming party and nest site records.
The SOS Swifts initiative (Save our Suffolk Swifts) was established in 2014 to add support to a concerted national effort to raise awareness of the threats faced by the species and to celebrate this unique and truly amazing bird. The results collected from this survey will help increase our understanding and inform the conservation of these birds.
The home page for this survey can be found here: www.suffolkbis.org.uk/swift
Tweeters can also use the hash tag #SOSswifts to tweet about your first sightings of the season and spread the word.