Wiltshire and Swindon Biological Records Centre (WSBRC) has recently concluded a significant project aimed at identifying the most important wildlife species in Wiltshire and mapping their whereabouts.
This comprehensive endeavor, conducted in collaboration with County Species Recorders, sheds light on the presence of England’s threatened species within Wiltshire.
The outcome of this collaborative effort is the compilation of a list known as “Wiltshire’s Critical Species,” which highlights the species that hold the utmost significance for the region.
What makes this even more captivating is the availability of interactive maps that showcase the precise locations where these species have been observed. These maps can now be accessed online, allowing everyone to explore and appreciate the rich biodiversity of the area.
Jon Isherwood, Manager of Wiltshire & Swindon Biological Record Centre, says: “We are very grateful to Natural England for supporting this project, which has enabled us to carry out some deep analysis of data on our priority and threatened species in Wiltshire and Swindon.
“Our staff, County Recorders and workshop participants worked hard in reviewing and analysing the data; out of an initial long list of 268 species that were considered, 133 species were identified as critically important in a Wiltshire context. These ranged from still common, but much declined species, such as hedgehogs and toads, to much scarcer species such as curlew, the Duke of Burgundy butterfly and the reintroduced Great Bustard.
“This work will provide valuable information for a variety of future conservation strategies and efforts, including community level Neighbourhood Plans and landscape-scale Local Nature Recovery Strategies. We hope this work will also help target and encourage more recording effort, which can provide more information to us in the future and add to the county’s environmental evidence base”.
The Wiltshire’s Critical Species Project, a pilot initiative, received funding from Natural England as part of the Species Recovery Programme. Detailed information and the interactive species distribution map can be found on the project webpage.
In order to contribute to wildlife conservation efforts, it is encouraged that if you encounter any of these species, you submit your observations through the user-friendly app available at: iRecord App.
By actively participating in recording and reporting sightings, we can collectively contribute to the preservation and protection of Wiltshire’s precious wildlife. Let’s come together to celebrate and safeguard our region’s diverse natural heritage.
