UKBMS Transect Surveyor (Tadley Common, Basingstoke)
Our Transect Walkers help us to understand butterflies in their local area and, by extension, across the UK. They inspire people to better understand the butterflies that they see.
In partnership with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust we are looking to recruit a team of Transect Surveyors to survey a new butterfly transect at Tadley Common, north of Basingstoke.
Tadley Common is owned by the Turbary Allotment Charity and lies mostly within the Pamber Forest and Silchester Common Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It is particularly important for its heathland and associated habitats such as acid grassland, mire, gorse and scrub. This type of environment supports many rare species of heathland plants, birds, reptiles and insects including Silver-studded Blue and Small Heath butterflies.
Heathland habitats are being restored using two small herds of Dexters cattle and periodically coppicing the scrub and gorse where it is overgrown. Further gorse clearance is needed. We want to establish the current status of butterfly populations and monitor them as heathland restoration continues.
At Butterfly Conservation, we want to create a world where butterflies and moths are enjoyed by everyone, forever. We need people to walk transects to collect data. This data is used to inform decisions which help to conserve butterflies, both locally and nationally.
You will be volunteering with a wide range of people helping us to monitor butterflies in your local environment.
Please contact Steve Bolton at steve.bolton@hiwwt.org.uk to find out more about this opportunity.
Volunteer role
UKBMS Transect Surveyor
Volunteer manager
Transect Co‑Ordinator
Where you will be based
Outdoors
Why we want you
To survey a transect each season, on behalf of Butterfly Conservation within your Branch area.
What you will be doing
* Conduct regular surveys for butterflies or moths, in one or many locations.
* Identify all butterflies/moths encountered, to the best of your ability.
* Seek assistance/advice in identifying species as appropriate (including the use of BC apps such as iRecord Butterflies).
The skills you need
* Ability to identify butterflies or moths, at a level appropriate to the relevant survey or scheme.
* Desire to learn and improve identification skills.
* Understanding of the basic attributes of a biological record.
* Own transport required to access survey locations, if required (this will depend on area and scheme).
What's in it for you
* Develop or apply your knowledge of butterflies, moths and the environment.
* Contributing directly to the scientific knowledge base of our butterflies and moths in the UK.
* Improve your identification skills.
* Improve your understanding of the distribution and ecology of those species encountered.
* Increase your social circle with like-minded people, boosting your wellbeing.
Disclaimer
Surveying a transect involves recording butterflies and day flying moths along a set route every week between April and September. The route can be shared with other volunteers to reduce the time commitment from each person. We ask that you commit to a minimum of 6 months in this role and complete training when you start. Children aged 13-15 must be accompanied by an adult whilst volunteering. If you are aged 16 or 17, your parent may give written permission for you to volunteer unaccompanied.
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