Living Levels: Wild Watch
Engaging local people in recording wildlife on the Gwent Levels.
Through a programme of training days and online resources, we aim to provide local people with the confidence, skills and knowledge to help survey and record wildlife.
Surveying wildlife is essential for improving our understanding of the state of nature. Information gathered will reveal how wildlife numbers and distribution are changing in response to climate change and habitat loss.
As in many parts of the UK, wildlife on the Gwent Levels is under-recorded, primarily due to lack of resources. Our Wild Watch project will help to increase the number of “eyes on the ground” and give a clearer picture of a rapidly changing situation.
We have selected a range of target species to concentrate on. Over the course of the year volunteer surveyors are asked to look out for and record a range of wildlife, otters, barn owls and lapwings. Volunteers can record one, a few, or all of the target species many times throughout the year.
This is an exciting opportunity for volunteers both with or without previous experience of wildlife recording. Don’t be daunted – you will be provided with training and support in both species ID and how to record and submit accurate records.
Training and support
To help get you started we are organising a series of training days where you will be given an introduction to each species and some basic survey skills. Booking will be available early in 2023.
Training sessions will be held at a variety of venues across the Levels and will be delivered by SEWBReC (South East Wales Biodiversity Records Centre) and local experts. Sessions will focus on the identification of target species through talks, field walks and ‘hands-on’ practical sessions (e.g. analysing owl pellets). There will also be instruction on how to submit records using record cards, online and the SEWBReC recording app. Places are limited, so please book early.
We have also produced an online guide to recording along with downloadable resources for each species.
This project is delivered in partnership with:
