I've now finished inputting all the 2013 data I received, plus various bits and pieces from former years. This coincidence map shows where the under-recorded 10km squares are.
Anywhere green has <300 species and is very under-recorded. Really the whole county should be yellow (>400) or orange (>500) at this scale. Isabel in SN73 has the most scope for adding species. What a shame there aren't any resident moth'ers in SN42 (NE of Carmarthen).
How on earth do you find time to do your day job, Sam? Very interesting map: I'm going to have to find a lot of 1st's at Cwmllwyd this year coz I don't like that sludgy green colour in SN72!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean Steve - I better pull my finger out for SN62...
ReplyDeleteThat`s the spirit, Steve! I`m sure that you`ll score well in numbers and `goodies` in 2014. Down with sludgy green!
ReplyDeleteIt`s a bit far for me too reach in SN42, I`m afraid....I`m hoping to do some more sites this year in my adjacent 10km squares of the under-recorded SN41 and the closer SN50, as well as some general habitat targetting.
There`s some good habitat in SN42 and I used to know a keen naturalist living on the edge of Mynydd Ystlyffau`r Carn, with its moorland habitat. I also know of someone who probably would kindly agree to run a trap for us moth`ers, but that person would need much encouragement and identification help (as well as a trap).
I repeat my plea to those who have almost exhausted their home trap sites to consider at least a little `away from home` trapping, whether at a friend`s home or in different habitat...it`s really great fun....and you get new moths too. I managed to get hold of a third (cheap second-hand) actinic yesterday, which will make my trapping more efficient - if I`m going some distance, putting three traps out is better than my current two.
What's wrong with 'sludgy green'? Surely it's not surprising that there are less resident species in certain types of territory than in others which have a wider variety of habitats? I'm content to continue to explore my home environment and, who knows, I may eventually upgrade to yellow!
ReplyDeleteIndeed it isn't surprising that there are fewer resident species in many inland areas, but every 10km square has at least some habitat variation and the Brechfa hectad (SN53, >600 spp) isn't any more varied than the adjacent SN63. Regular trapping by at least 7 resident moth'ers (Dave & Jan, David & Fay, Martin, Julian and me) in the hectad is what has boosted our total, plus my penchant for micros. I'd expect most squares with a resident moth'er to surpass the 400 mark with some ID of larger more obvious micros. My 2x2km patch in Monmouthshire has no heathland and little natural grassland but has topped 800 over the last 15 years, and every year adds a few species.
ReplyDeleteAlso, related to Ian's comments: a very keen naturalist who farms next to Ystaflau-carn said he'd got some moth records and photos. I need to ask him again!
ReplyDeleteThose of you who are fortunate enough to have an intimate knowledge of the geography of the County are at a distinct advantage here! I had no idea where Mynyddystyfflau-carn is, eventually managed to find it on the OS Explorer map of Brechfa area, couldn't see it on Landranger Sheet 146. This raises the more general problem of not knowing the exact location of the 'hectads', let alone who's trapping in them. I know that mine is SN43, but I couldn't say where it begins/ends in any given direction. Is it possible to obtain a map which shows the County divisions in more detail in respect of towns, villages etc.?
ReplyDeleteI find the easiest way is to use Getamap from the OS. Click 'Visit as Guest' when it asks you to log in (they want people to register and pay, but have to provide the maps for free as well). Type in a place name, (eg Pencader) in the top left box and click Locate. Then chose 'Leisure' at the top of the frame and zoom out as far as it will let you.
ReplyDeleteThe eastings and northings are marked as numbers at the edges of each hectad, so in hectad SN43 the 1km squares are marked 40, 41, 42 etc along the north and south sides, and 30, 31, 32 etc up the west and east sides. Chris, your hectad (SN43) stretches SE into Brechfa Forest near Llanllawddog, and S to Alltwalis. Sally's SN33 includes heathy ground near Maudland (SN332346) and scattered conifer plantations etc that allow access. Steve's SN72 includes Cwm Sawdde (SN721250) which gives good access to woodland and conifer plantations as well as much of Mynydd Du. Vaughn's SN62 includes Dinefwr Park, which has incredibly few moths recorded, and also rough upland ground at Carn Goch (SN684242).
Thanks for your very detailed instructions, Sam. I will follow them and see how I go.
DeleteThanks for the information Sam - I thought Dinefwr Park might be in there - there really should be more records in that square! I'll have to make sure we (WTSWW) haven't got any moth records hidden away anywhere.
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