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Newsletter of the Dumfries and Galloway Environmental Resources Centre Issue no. 12: Spring 2015
Bog restoration site at Cairnsmore of Fleet
Finding bugs in the bogs‌
In late summer and autumn 2014, DGERC requested help from volunteers to survey invertebrates on peat bog restoration sites in Dumfries and Galloway. The project, which was supported by the Scottish Government's Peatland Action fund, aimed to gather some baseline information about under-recorded taxa on a number of peatland sites undergoing restoration work through the Peatland Action programme. The Bugs in the Bog project was launched with a training day at the wonderful Kirkconnell Flow NNR just outside Dumfries, attended by 27 people. Peatland Action Project Officer Emily Taylor gave an introduction to the bog restoration programme and the Kirkconnell Flow bog site. Members of the local Butterfly Conservation group had set two moth traps on site the previous evening and, with DGERC, examined the catch. Invertebrate experts Chris Cathrine and Glen Norris of Caledonian Conservation then provided an excellent demonstration of invertebrate monitoring techniques, including setting pitfall traps, sweep netting and 'bug vaccing'. This novel technique for hoovering up invertebrates from within vegetation uses a converted leaf-blower (set to suck, of course!) with a fine mesh bag attached. Volunteers were allocated sites and, with the support of DGERC staff and Emily Taylor, set and collected pitfall traps from nine peatland sites across Dumfries and Galloway and in the eastern Scottish Borders. The main target species groups were spiders and beetles on the bogs, and any other invertebrates that could be gathered. Some volunteers ran moth traps and sweep-netted invertebrates, whilst the Caledonian Conservation team carried out more bug vaccing on the five priority sites.
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The recording period started later than we ideally would have liked, and volunteers were rather unlucky with the weather during the time available. The second driest September on record gave way persistent heavy rain in early October (over 75mm on one day!), with unsettled wet conditions continuing for the rest of the survey period. The heavy rain washed out some of the pitfall traps as the water table on the bogs rose dramatically. The specimens collected by our volunteers were sent on to Chris and Glen for identification – this is a specialised and time-consuming task. Collecting specimens for examination under the microscope is the only way to accurately identify many smaller species of invertebrate which cannot be identified in the field.
Setting pitfall traps at Cairnsmore of Fleet
The results yielded over 630 records of 185 different taxa. These included 60 different species of spider and 24 different beetles. Interesting records included the Notable B ground beetle Pterostichus aethiops at Bartaggart Moss, only previously recorded locally from sites in the Langholm-Newcastleton Hills SSSI, the wolf spider Pirata latitans at Aucheninnes Moss which has a very limited distribution in Scotland and the money spider Walckenaeria kochi at Cairnsmore of Fleet which has a rather disjunct Scottish distribution. Tantalisingly one unverified immature specimen may possibly have been of the jumping spider Sibianor aurocinctus. This would be only the second record for Scotland of this species, so hopefully return visits at the appropriate time of year will provide an adult specimen and confirmation. A huge thank you to all volunteers who took part. In the end we received more offers of help than we were able to organise sites to visit, so apologies to anyone who offered help but couldn't take part.
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Andricus callidoma
British Plant Gall Society field meeting in Dumfries & Galloway, 27-29 June 2014
June 2014 saw the first field visit of the British Plant Gall Society to Dumfries and Galloway. DGERC liaised with excursion organiser Chris Leach to suggest some interesting sites to visit in the east of the region. Tom Higginbottom, part of the keen-eyed team of recorders, reports on the finds‌
The shady walk from the car park did not seem too promising for plant galls but as we climbed through the woodland the forest ride became wider and more open. Soon we were recording gall wasps on the oak saplings by the pathway. It was good to see both generations of the Common Spangle Galls; the Currant Gall, the sexual generation of Neuroterus quecusbaccarum on some catkins and leaves while some leaves also had discs of the asexual generation not yet at their golden best. The blister-like gall of the sexual generation of N. numismalis and the asexual generation, the Silk Button Gall, were common on oak leaves. There were a number of galls which had been formed on the oak buds; the Cola-nut Gall Andricus lignicolus and the Artichoke Gall A. foecundatrix. However, it was the smaller more elusive bud galls which generated excitement. First the enlarged, slightly curved bud of A. solitarius, no more than 3 mm in length, and at this stage in its life-cycle, covered in short golden hairs. Then A. callidoma, slightly larger with a short stalk and even more striking in its early stages with flattened sides and red-tinged edges. On Broom were discovered both generations of the midge galler Asphondylia sarothamni. The first generation enlarges a bud forming a short pointed tip. The second generation forms a
Asphondia sarothamni 2nd gen.
The Hills (NX9272)
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swelling in the lower half of the pod. This is an example of an ambrosia gall where a microfungus is inserted with the egg into the host. The fungus develops in the gall chamber and there may be some mutual benefit between the fungus and the midge larvae. Another midge galler Contarinia scrophulariae had swollen the flower buds of Common Figwort and several white larvae were discovered when buds were opened. The anthers of a White Campion had been enlarged by the ‘anther smut’ Microbotryum lychnidis-dioicae, a fungal galler, dusting dark purplish spores over the white petals.
Caerlaverock Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (NY0565)
There were pimples on the Alder leaves formed by the mite Eriophyes laevis, while another mite Aceria nalepai formed a distinctive line of slightly larger bumps down either side of the mid-rib. The Alder fungal gallers were even more dramatic. Occasional leaves were enlarged by Triphragmium tosquinetii becoming paler in colour. The reddish tongues of Alder Tongue Triphragmium alni emerged from some female catkins. On many leaves of the Crack Willow were the bean-shaped galls of the sawfly Pontania proxima. Leaves of the Osier had been rolled by the midge Rabdophaga marginemtorquens.
Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve (NY0165) One of the most common Oak galls in England is the Marble Gall caused by the gall wasp Andricus kollari. It was surprising that the only record for the weekend was recorded here. There were also a number of the more common Andricus and Neuroterus species. The Cynips species of the pea galls, found on the underside of the leaf, in the last few years in England appear to have been experiencing a temporary decline. Populations of even the most common galls can vary dramatically from year to year. During field meetings in England the colourful striped pea gall caused by Cynips longiventris is occasionally found on the lower leaf surface. This asexual generation is a small, globular hard structure with a pimply surface often with red spots or stripes. It was even more surprising to discover the much more elusive sexual generation, the Green Velvet-bud Gall. No other examples of the Cynips species were
Eriophyes leinotus on Birch
The water meadows of Caerlaverock Wetland Centre provided an interesting and varied habitat. Enlarged red margins were discovered on the leaves of Amphibious Bistort caused by the midge Wachtliella persicariae. A number of galls were found on Meadowsweet, the small pimples formed by Dasineura ulmaria and the slightly larger light coloured swellings of D. pustulans. Two of the Meadowsweet fungal gallers were common; the orange aecia of Triphragmium ulmariae twisting some leaves while the white mycelium of Sphaerotheca macularis covered the stem and leaves of some plants. A Common Reed had been galled by the mite Steneotarsonemus phragmitidis, twisting the leaves into an almost ladder-like structure. The anthers of Lesser Stitchwort had been thickened by the fungus Microbotryum stellariae forming a powdery purple mass.
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recorded throughout the whole weekend. A bulge on the leaf stalk of Silver Birch was identified as being caused by the mite Eriophyes leionotus. On Downy Birch a slightly raised upper surface led to the discovery beneath of the erineum of the mite Acalitus rudis. Some flower buds of Elder had been swollen by the midge Placochela nigripes. There were examples of the Pocket Plum on some of the sloes of Blackthorn having been swollen by the fungus Taphrina pruni. Another uncommon bud gall was discovered on Oak. Andricus paradoxus is a greyish creamy colour, up to 6 mm tall, about twice as long as broad with longitudinal ridges and a small blunt tip. After investigating Silver Birch catkins three different midge gallers were discovered. The Semudobia skuhravae gall fused to the spindle of the catkin, while S. betulae formed a tiny but distinct window pit on the fruit, but in the S. tarda gall the window pit was absent and the wings of the fruit were almost completely undeveloped. The fungus Taphrina betulina had caused Witch’s Broom on Downy Birch. The flowers of a Hogweed were distinctly swollen, with many flowers not fully developing. The whitish, pale yellow larvae within the unopened flowers indicated the presence of the midge galler Contarinia nicolyi.
Lockerbie Wildlife Trust Eskrigg Nature Reserve (NY1280)
Andricus paradoxus
The same gall causer may attack similar species. Tips of the fronds of three different ferns, the Male Fern Dryopteris filix-mas, the Broad Buckler Fern D. dilatata and the Scaly Male Fern D. affinis had been rolled into a loose, conspicuous mop-head by the fly Chirosia betuleti. It was fascinating to find another example of the uncommon bud gall Andricus paradoxus. On an oak leaf was discovered a slightly swollen, oval brown-tinged exit hole indicating that the leaf had been galled by the micro-moth Heliozella sericiella. The anthers of some plants of Lesser Stitchwort had been thickened by the fungus Microbotryum stellariae. Occasional leaves of Viola palustris, the Marsh Violet, had been distorted by the fungus Puccinia violae. Another fungal galler Taphrina potentillae had twisted some leaves of Tormentil. This gall seems to be a feature of wet, boggy habitats. With over 90 different species of gall recorded, the trip was very successful. The galls were fascinating, for some of us an opportunity to see new species, but I think recollections of seeing and photographing Red Squirrels at Eskrigg will be a lasting memory! http://www.british-galls.org.uk
Taphrina pruni
Lochmaben Castle (NY0881)
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Upper Nithsdale habitat mosaic ŠMark Pollitt
Habitat Network Mapping in the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere
A habitat network is a set of separate areas of habitat that connect together in some way. These connections allow particular species to be able to move between individual patches of habitat. Such networks are a way of reducing habitat fragmentation, increasing biodiversity and improving resilience to climate change by ensuring plants and animals can disperse between areas. Southern Uplands Partnership staff working on the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere (GSAB) are undertaking an ambitious project to identify where important habitats exist and where future work, such as surveys and identifying potential areas for restoration, can be targeted. The approach follows on from a previous project which collated many records of species and habitats in the GSAB from national and local organisations. These were compiled along with land management information into the Natural Heritage of the Biosphere report, with a focus on the protected core area of the Galloway Hills and buffer zone comprising the Galloway Forest Park of the Biosphere, which are largely managed by SNH and FCS The Natural Heritage of the respectively. Biosphere report can be downloaded from: The Habitat Network Mapping project seeks to extend http://www.gsabiosphere.org.uk/ the previous work by assessing the whole of the what-we-do/conservation Biosphere for suitability for habitat networks for three high focus habitats identified in the report: blanket and raised bogs; native Oak woodland and native wet woodland; and Purple Moor-Grass and rush pasture. To produce the maps, a number of national and local datasets have been combined using geographic information systems (GIS)
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Habitat data was compiled from a variety of sources. These data have been used to identify the location of existing blanket and raised bogs that may be suitable for restoration. Possible areas for the recreation of this habitat have also been identified where there are areas of deep peat soil where another land use currently exists. Sensitive habitats, such as native woodland, and unsuitable habitats, such as bare rock, are excluded from the identified preferred and possible areas for network expansion. The recently completed Native Woodland Survey of Scotland by FCS has been used to identify areas of existing native Oak and native wet woodland. A distance of 1km is used to identify the area of preferred expansion, based on a moderate estimate of species dispersal over 100 year period. Possible areas for expansion are identified as those further than 1km away from existing Oak and wet woodland where new woodland could be established. Excluded from the preferred and possible areas for expansion are sensitive habitats such as bogs and unsuitable habitats such as bare rock.
Whorled Caraway ŠPeter Norman
analyses. The approach identifies preferred and possible expansion areas for each habitat network.
Of the three focus habitat networks, the biggest challenge has been the mapping of Purple Moor-Grass and rush pasture. Little data on this rare and fragmented habitat exists for Scotland. This highly biodiverse wet, acid grassland habitat is a special feature of the western UK. It is difficult to map as it occurs in small pockets on a mosaic of acid grassland, wetland and unimproved grassland habitats. To map the existing habitat, a characteristic species of umbellifer, Whorled Caraway Carum verticillatum has been used as a proxy for the habitat. Local records of Whorled Caraway from numerous data sources have been combined to show where the habitat is. To find preferred areas for expansion, lowland areas of acid grassland, wetland and unimproved grassland have been selected. Possible areas for expansion are areas of acid or peat soils where another land use currently exists. The network maps will be consulted on by local experts and stakeholders and eventually used in combination with Habitat and Species Action Plans to target conservation work in the Biosphere.
The Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere project is a partnership between SNH, FCS, Dumfries & Galloway Council, East Ayrshire Council and South Ayrshire Council. The Biosphere operates in consultation with project partners, local organisations, land owners and communities. To learn how you can support the Biosphere please visit www.gsabiosphere.org.uk.
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Events in 2014 A BioBlitz summer Three BioBlitz events took place in the region and DGERC helped out at each one. These events bring together experienced local recorders and the general public to survey and record species in a short space of time – usually 24 hours or less. They’re a great way to introduce people to wildlife recording and there’s a great fun element to these events too (unless you have to do the organising!). The first took place at Rockcliffe on the Solway Coast on 7/8 June (VC73, 1100 records, 612 taxa), the second at Logan Botanic Gardens on 28 June (VC74, 308 taxa) and the third at Knockman Wood on 12/13 July (VC73, 850 records, 456 taxa). Interesting finds included Swine-cress Lepidium coronopus and Whorled Caraway Carum verticillatum, a new vice-county record for Smooth Hornwort Phaeoceros laevis and a very obliging Hummingbird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum was popular amongst photographers.
Scottish Entomologists’ Gathering
The finds table at the Rockcliffe BioBlitz
The annual field meeting of entomologists from all over Scotland visited Dumfriesshire on the weekend of 27-29 June 2014. Based at the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust’s wonderful Caerlaverock Wetland Centre, experienced recorders with interests in many different taxonomic groups set about recording moths, flies, bugs and beetles around the reserve and at the nearby Kirkconnel Flow NNR and Mabie Forest. Records collated so far include around 250 different taxa from 15 different invertebrate groups.
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Successful year for new botany group The newly formed Kirkcudbrightshire Botany Group held eight field meetings between March and October 2014. The good summer meant that in general the weather was very kind, with only the August Threave visit being cold for the time of year (and ultimately very wet!). Venues included well-known sites such as Mersehead and Threave, and less well-visited locations near Dalbeattie, Cargenbridge and Irongray. 1534 records were generated, an average of 190+ species per visit, totalling 419 different taxa. In all the group field visits covered 13 monads (1x1km squares), the species number ranging from 81 to a very creditable 193 per square. Records ranged from the common and widespread such as Daisy Bellis perennis and Dandelion Taraxacum agg. to real rarities such as Annual Knawel Scleranthus annuus (Dalbeattie Reservoir). Nationally scarce species – present in 15 or fewer 10x10km squares in the UK – included Sea Centaury Centaurium littorale (Balcary), Isle of Man Cabbage Coincya monensis (Mersehead), Intermediate Wintergreen Pyrola media (Barscobe), Mudwort Limosella aquatica (Threave) and Marsh Stitchwort Stellaria palustris (Threave) The 2015 programme of field meetings has already started – for further information contact David Hawker (details available from DGERC). In early November DGERC's host organisation, the Southern Uplands Partnership, organised a regional conference to discuss the use of environmental information in decision-making in SW Scotland. Planning for a Greener Scotland looked at how data was currently made available and used and how this might be improved. It was attended by almost 50 people, with representation from public, private and third sector organisations. Speakers discussed the duty on all public bodies to further the conservation of biodiversity, and looked at how environmental information can be mobilised through local environmental records centres (like DGERC) and through the National Biodiversity Network. The work of the Scottish Biodiversity Information Forum was highlighted, as was examples of best practise in using data by planners and environmental consultants. The Scottish Environment Minister†, Mr Paul Wheelhouse, addressed the conference and recognised the valuable role that good environmental information has in decision-making. A full write up of the conference and links to the presentations given by each of the speakers is available on the SUP website. http://www.sup.org.uk/Planning-For-A-GreenerScotland †
Aileen McLeod replaced Paul Wheelhouse as the Minister for Environment, Climate Change & Land Reform on 21 Nov 2014.
Environment Minister Paul Wheelhouse at the conference
Scottish Environment Minister addresses regional conference
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New Zealand Flatworm ©Nic Coombey
DGERC is currently working with partners on the local Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) Working Group to improve data sharing amongst local organisations. At present data on invasive non-native species are held in lots of different places – local fisheries trusts, the local authority, local environmental records centre, Forestry Commission, other local conservation organisations, national data reported through the online apps, etc. – so no single organisation has a particularly complete picture of their distributions. Until now relatively little of this information has been shared locally or nationally nor made more widely accessible through portals such as the NBN gateway. The local INNS Working Group partner organisations have agreed that there is a clear need for better sharing of information on the location of INNS; put simply, better information should lead to better planning and decisions and help to reduce the likelihood of spreading INNS to new areas. DGERC has begun to work with local partners to collate their records into the Centre’s central database. Some, such as the local fisheries trusts, have extensive datasets following the valuable work they have been doing in controlling invasive plants, such as Japanese Knotweed Fallopia japonica, along the region’s river systems and also the monitoring and research on the North American Signal Crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus which is present in three sites in Galloway, most notably at Loch Ken. The plan will be to make the information available directly to partners in a suitable format to easily incorporate into their own data systems. The initial project is supported by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, and it is hoped that by demonstrating the value to partners support for funding the ongoing updating of this will be secured in future years.
Other INNS to look out for… There are numerous other invasive non-native species which have been recorded in Dumfries and Galloway. Gardeners may be familiar with the New Zealand Flatworm Arthurdendyus
Japanese Knotweed ©Mark Pollitt
Making better use of information on invasive non-native species
triangulatus, or the less common Australian Flatworm Australoplana sanguinea which is similar in shape but vivid orange in colour (see ‘Interesting sightings’ on p15). The Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis, a native of east Asia, has been reported from several places in recent years, including a spring 2015 sighting from Keith Kirk in Castle Douglas. Several Japanese Skeleton Shrimps Caprella mutica, a very strange-looking marine invasive, were found clinging to the hull of a boat in Loch Ryan during anti-fouling cleaning.
Please report sightings of INNS If you know of or find any invasive non-native species in Dumfries and Galloway you can report your sightings to DGERC. You can do this via the DGERC website or by using smartphone apps like PlantTracker and iRecord Ladybirds, (available on Android and iOS). You can also report them by emailing details of location, date and species (ideally with a photo for confirmation) to DGERC at info@dgerc.org.uk.
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Japanese Skeleton Shrimp ©Julie Harrison
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Harlequin Ladybird ©Keith Kirk
Submit your sightings: www.dgerc.org.uk/?q=recording/online-form
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Flowery roadside verge, Wigtownshire ©Mark Pollitt
Every flower counts – volunteers needed for annual stock take of UK’s wildflowers
The new National Plant Monitoring Scheme (NPMS), launching in spring 2015, will for the first time enable scientists to take an annual stock take of the UK’s wild plants and their habitats, but to do this we need the public’s help. The NPMS are looking for volunteers to carry out surveys of wildflowers and their habitats that will provide robust evidence of which widespread plants are increasing or declining, as well as indicating the changing state of our most valued habitats such as grassland, fenland and even road verges. Plants are nature’s building blocks and this new monitoring scheme will sit alongside existing schemes for the UK’s birds and butterflies to help us understand more about how the countryside is changing. Chris Cheffings, from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee says “Currently, information on plant species’ abundance and change is very limited, and it is difficult to gauge the condition of habitats outside protected sites. JNCC is delighted to be able to support the NPMS, which will fill this significant gap in UK biodiversity surveillance. The annual results collected by volunteers will help to identify trends in hundreds of species, allowing us to assess plant community changes.” The search is now on to find 2000 volunteers to take part in the NPMS who will play a vital role in gathering information. Together the volunteers will monitor wild plants in 28 important habitats, ranging from hedgerows and meadows to salt marsh and scree slopes. Hayley New, from Plantlife says “The NPMS is hugely enjoyable and over 400 volunteers have helped us set up the new scheme. It’s easy to do and everyone will receive free training and guidance plus support from the partnership for volunteers who have queries, as well as web support and illustrated guidance notes – so volunteers will have the perfect survey tool kit to get them started!”
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How does the NPMS work? Volunteers will be able to choose from three options depending on their level of expertise: recording from a short or an extended list of target species in each habitat or recording all species they find in their plots. Volunteers will be given a 1 km square with a grid showing up to 25 locations. Surveyors will be asked to visit three of those locations and carry out surveys in square plots and then identify two linear features such as hedgerows, rivers and road verges and survey these locations too. The squares have been randomly chosen, but with a focus on squares containing habitats of interest. Oliver Pescott, from the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology says “The results from this new scheme should allow us to quantify the smaller changes that are occurring within our most valuable habitats. In the past, volunteer-collected data have been able to demonstrate the results of large-scale habitat loss over the last century, now we would like to reveal even more detail about the changes within the remaining areas of these habitats in our landscape.” For more information on the NPMS and how to take part please visit www.npms.org.uk.
Scotland’s largest and longest running wildlife festival takes place again this spring. The Wild Spring Festival runs from 4th April to 4th May and includes wildlife events throughout Dumfries and Galloway. Check out the events at www.wildseasons.co.uk
Spring Squill ©Mark Pollitt
Dr Kevin Walker, Head of Science, Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI) says: “It’s really great to finally have a national scheme that everyone can take part in. Whether you simply love wildflowers or are a budding botanist, input from volunteers will provide sound evidence on how our wild plants and habitats are changing. It’s a fantastic achievement and should mean that wild plants are at the forefront of discussions on how our environment is changing and what we should be doing about it.”
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Other news… New County Moth Recorder Keith Naylor, who has been County Moth Recorder for several years, has decided to stand down this winter. He spent a great deal of time and energy on gathering records from current recorders and historical sources, computerising and verifying them and creating a well organised dataset. Keith’s sterling efforts well and truly put local moth recording on the map – quite literally via the local mothing website www.dgmoths.org.uk. Fortunately we do have a new county recorder so our moths won’t be left in the dark. Alison Robertson, who takes over from Keith, has been a keen local moth-er for over 7 years. She is also a knowledgeable all-round naturalist and wildlife recorder with an interest in birds, botany, orthoptera, and is an avid Queen of the South supporter too! Alison is the new contact point for sending in records and general moth enquiries, and will be supported by other experienced local recorders and DGERC who will all assist with validation and verification of records and updating the local moth website. Contact details are: mothrecorder@dgerc.org.uk or alison.dgmoths@gmail.com. For postal contact please use: Alison Robertson, c/o DGERC, Studio 1, Hillhead Mill, Kirkgunzeon, Dumfries DG2 8LA
Badger Course Scottish Badgers will be running a Level 1 Registered Badger Worker Course in Dumfries & Galloway this autumn. The purpose of the Registered Badger Worker Training Scheme is to build a network of surveyors certified as competent to undertake specific tasks as identified by Scottish Badgers. Inclusion on the Register is a nationally recognised qualification. The course costs £120 which includes a comprehensive training manual, classroom and fieldbased training, personal tutoring, assessment fees and completion certificate. Course details and an application form can be obtained from County Mammal Recorder Andy Riches.
Orthoptera atlas recording period extended to 2015
Early Grey moths ©Steve Riddell
The recording period for the national orthoptera atlas has been extended for one more season to include 2015. So if you see grasshoppers, groundhoppers or crickets this year please do report them to DGERC. We will be happy to assist with identification if good photos are provided, or you could post images on the iSpot website www.ispotnature.org for assistance with identification.
New squirrel website launched Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels has launched a new website. For information about Red Squirrels and their invasive Grey cousin, visit scottishsquirrels.org.uk. You can also report sightings via the online recording form.
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Some interesting sightings from 2014-15 A flowering spike of the rare Irish Ladies Tresses Spiranthes romanzoffiana was discovered at a site on the Kirkcudbrightshire coast by Buzz Clark in summer 2014. A rare orchid, this is the first record of this species for VC73 (Kirkcudbrightshire). Interestingly Dropwort Filipendula vulgaris, another county first was found at the same site by local recorder Jim McCleary, on a separate occasion last summer.
John and Heather Clark spotted Tree Bumblebee Bombus hypnorum at Moffat in late August. Numerous other reports were received from the Dumfries area and several sites along the Kirkcudbrightshire coast. The distinctive ginger, black and white colouring make it a relatively easy bumblebee to identify, and reports of sightings (ideally with photos) should be sent to DGERC.
Red-headed Cardinal Beetle ©Peter Norman
Peter Norman found a Red-headed Cardinal Beetle Pyrochroa serraticornis at Auchencairn, one of only three records of this species held by DGERC, all on the Solway Coast. To our knowledge, there are no records from any other regions of Scotland. It's quite a distinctive beetle (although there are two other similar ones which have black rather than red heads) and one to look out for in late spring/early summer.
Tree Bumblebee ©John Clark
Bob Glaister found the distinctive Kidney-spot Ladybird Chilocorus renipustulatus on separate occasions in August and September whilst walking on the Annandale Way between Hoddom and Brydekirk. It's the first time this species has been recorded in SW Scotland. Through diligent observation he also spotted several other ladybirds species in the same area (7-spot, 10-spot, 11-spot, Larch, Cream-spot, 2-spot and 14-spot), showing just what you can find if you keep your eyes peeled.
Kidney-spot Ladybird ©Bob Glaister
New for VC74 (Wigtownshire) was Sulphur Cinquefoil Potentilla recta, found by Paul Collin near Derskelpin, a likely introduction with the A75 road enhancements.
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Australian Flatworm ©Nic Coombey
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Elsewhere Nic Coombey found the distinctive Australian Flatworm Australoplana sanguinea in Kirkcudbright along with the more widespread New Zealand Flatworm Arthurdendyus triangulates. Non-native flatworms can cause significant local reductions in earthworm numbers, and care should always be taken when bringing soil or potted plants into the garden, since once established there is no way to eradicate them. In February and March 2015, Winifred Wilson in Dumfries photographed a striking visitor to her garden – a male Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros. This species winters and breeds in small numbers in the UK, and is often associated with urban or coastal sites.
Dumfries & Galloway Environmental Resources Centre Studio 1 HillheadMill Kirkgunzeon Dumfries DG2 8LA 01387 760274 info@dgerc.org.uk www.dgerc.org.uk Contacts: Mark Pollitt DGERC Manager ©DGERC 2015 Dumfries and Galloway Environmental Resources Centre is hosted by Southern Uplands Partnership, a not-for-profit organisation and registered charity.
Black Redstart ©Winifred Wilson
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For details of how to submit your wildlife sightings to DGERC visit www.dgerc.org.uk/?q=recording