Dorset's Fauna

Mammals

DERC work closely with the following groups:

(all affiliated to the Dorset Wildlife Trust)

Red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris

Red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris

Photo: Paul Glendell - English Nature

Terrestrial and aquatic mammal records are collated by the County Recorder for mammals, John Stobart.

Marine mammals are also recorded for the county. See the Marine pages for more details.

Mammal records can be sent to recording groups or directly to DERC.

Fish

Most fish records come to DERC from the Environment Agency and the Marine Conservation Society, but additional records are always welcome particularly for these Priority BAP species and protected species:

  • Sturgeon
  • River Lamprey
  • Brook Lamprey
  • Sea Lamprey
  • Allis Shad
  • Twaite Shad
  • Vendace
  • Whitefish
  • Atlantic Salmon
  • Basking Shark
  • Spined Loach
  • Bitterling
  • Giant Goby
  • Couch's Goby
  • Bullhead
  • Pollan
  • Houting

Amphibians and Reptiles

Sand Lizard - Lacerta agilis

Sand Lizard Lacerta agilis

Photo: Michael Hammett - English Nature

Dorset Amphibian and Reptile Network (DARN) was launched in 2004 to promote the conservation of native species of amphibian and reptile and their habitats in the county through survey, monitoring, practical conservation and liaison work. Membership costs £5 annually and is open to anyone interested in helping DARN to achieve its objectives.

For further information please contact:

Contact: Chris Gleed-Owen or
Dorothy Wright
Organisation: The Herpetological Conservation Trust
Address:
655A Christchurch Road
Boscombe
Bournemouth
Dorset BH1 4AP
E-mail: chris.go@herpconstrust.org.uk or
dorothy.wright@herpconstrust.org.uk
Telephone: 01202 391319

Invertebrates

The Dorset Invertebrate Recording Group (DIRG) has been recently established to provide an opportunity for invertebrate specialists to meet. For more information contact:

Contact: Sean Cooch
Organisation: English Nature
Address:
Slepe Farm
Arne
Dorset BH20 5BN
Telephone: 01929 557450

The Dorset Branch of Butterfly Conservation is very active and always keen for new members.

The Dorset Moth Network is organised by Gordon Hopkins & Paul Butter. For more information contact:

Contact: Gordon Hopkins
Organisation: English Nature
Address:
Skaillrora Lodge
Common Mead Lane
Gillingham
Dorset SP8 4RE
E-mail: grhopkins99@hotmail.com

In 2004 Tony Allen began work on a beetle atlas for Dorset, due to be published 2009. If you are a beetle expert and would like to help or send in your records for inclusion, please contact DERC.

Birds

For information on Dorset’s birds including the Dorset List and recording in the county, visit the Dorset Bird Club web-site.

Records sent in to Dorset Bird Club are verified and entered on a database. DERC work with the Dorset Bird Club and regularly exchange bird data.