DERC Newsletter
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No. 52 Autumn 2004
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In this issue:
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I am delighted to be able to introduce this article with the
news that DERC now holds over 1 million records on the database. In fact, with
the addition of several large datasets this year for moths and butterflies, we currently
have 1,011,695 records on Recorder. This is a considerable achievement and we would like
to thank all our volunteers and contributors. |
Wayside Veteran Trees
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Wayside veteran tree
Photo: Bryan Edwards |
DERC is currently seeking funding for a veteran tree project. If we are successful
we shall be building on records collected by the Dorset Biodiversity Partnership and
asking you for more information about trees in your area.
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Wayside veteran trees in Dorset
(Click on the picture for a larger map) |
At the moment we know of a number of veteran tree sites in Dorset plus c.40 other
trees in hedges or standing in small groups. According to the distribution map most of
these trees are found in North and West Dorset, with scattered specimens elsewhere.
The bid includes time for contacting land owners, surveying trees for their
ecological interest and providing more information on the importance of wayside and
veteran trees to land managers and others who may be interested.
If you know of an old tree that may qualify, we would be pleased to hear from you.
Carolyn Steele (Record Centre Manager)
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Dorset Rare Plant Register
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Narrow-leaved Lungwort (Pulmonaria longifolia)
Photo: Bryan Edwards |
Earlier this year DERC, in conjunction with the Botanical Society
of the British Isles, published the first
Dorset Rare Plant Register. The
report was written and co-ordinated by Bryan Edwards and David Pearman,
but includes contributions from many local recorders – thank you all. We are
now concerned with monitoring known sites for rare plants and
keeping up with new finds. If you have any records please send them in.
You can order the Register by sending a cheque, payable to ‘DERC’
(price £8 + £2 p&p), or call in to the DERC office and collect
a copy. A full list of DERC publications and more information on
Dorset’s rare plants can be found here.
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The Miniature World Around Us
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Caecilius flavidus
Photo: John Hunnisett |
When thinking of the vast array of insects in this country, Psocids
belonging to the order Psocoptera, is not the first group to spring to mind.
In fact these small insects, most less than 3 mm long, go unnoticed except perhaps
occasionally when seen running across the surface of old books or wallpaper where
they feed on fungal spores and organic debris, hence their common name ‘booklice’.
Of the 90 or so species listed from this country many are rarely recorded and are
casual imports occurring in stored products and shipments from abroad.
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Cerobasis guestfalica
Photo: John Hunnisett |
In Britain only about 50 are known to occur naturally outdoors where they are
associated with either bark or foliage. Once studied some can be identified in the
field from their vein patterns and colouring on the wings and body. About 20 are
said to be common and during the summer many species can be beaten from trees. As
with aphids some species can be found in both winged and wingless forms. Some of
the rarer species have been shown to have an association with ancient woodland and
as such could be included as indicator species.
To date Dorset can only boast records for 18 species, so there is plenty of
opportunity to make new finds for the county. Two species which can be found by
tree beating are shown here. Caecilius flavidus, a foliage-feeder of broadleaf
trees, can be recognised by its bright yellow body. Cerobasis guestfalica is
found on bark and fences and can be identified by the anchor shaped mark on its head.
John Hunnisett
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DERC Summer Workshops
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Peacock's Tail (Padina pavonica)
Photo: Bryan Edwards |
DERC organised six workshops during the summer and we were
pleased to see so many well attended. In July, Phil Sterling and
John Hunnisett led a terrestrial invertebrate workshop, walking from
Eype Mouth to Thorncombe Beacon. Several rarities were discovered
including a rare weevil Smicronyx reichi (RDB3) and a moth,
Barrett's Marbled Coronet, (Hadena luteago barrettii).
The moth had been attracted to a moth trap set up on the
beach at Eype's Mouth the evening before the meeting. This is only
the third record of the moth in Dorset. The other two records, both
fairly recent, are believed to have flown a long way to get to
Dorset, but this record may indicate a resident population somewhere
along the coastline from West Bay to Seatown. The larva feeds mainly
on Sea Campion (Silene maritima), on sea cliffs and is found
in suitable coastal locations in Devon, Cornwall and in Wales.
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Marine Algae Day at Kimmeridge
Photo: Bryan Edwards |
In August, Lin Baldock ran an Introduction to Marine Algae at the
Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve at Kimmeridge Bay (Voluntary Marine
Nature Reserve). Lin led the identification of red, brown and green
seaweeds from the upper shore to the sub-littoral zones. Interesting
finds included Rainbow Wrack (Cystoseira tamariscifolia),
with its characteristic blue-green iridescence when submerged, and
the funnel-shaped Peacock’s-tail (Padina pavonica). Such an
interesting and enjoyable afternoon was spent that Lin has agreed to
run another marine algal workshop for DERC in April or May next
year, when algal species are at their best for identification. If
you would be interested in attending please contact DERC or
see our workshops
page for information on future events.
Danuta Kochanowska
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Dorset Environmental Records Centre
