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This page lists several citizen science projects particularly relevant to gardeners. These projects are really important in understanding the rapidly changing ecosystems around us. Many of the changes being monitored, such as blossom and pollinator timing, may have profound effects on food supplies. Other projects are monitoring biodiversity.
Your contribution to these projects is significant.
To report non-native species, please see the Local Non-Native Species Survey page.
Bird Flu Monitoring
If you find a dead bird, please report it to DEFRA (APHA) using the online Government form.
An interactive map of reports is also available.
The Big Wasp Survey
This section will be updated when details are available for the next survey.
Wasps are voracious predators and they control plant pests like caterpillars and aphids. Without wasps many of the most common insect pests of crops and gardens would have very few natural predators and would eat all our food before it even got to our plates! It will also surprise you to hear that wasps also pollinate: in fact, there is evidence that they do as good a job as bees!
The Big Wasp Survey aims to use Citizen Science understand more about the different wasp species in the UK. The survey first ran in 2017.
The 2024 collection periods were:
Session 1: Start Sat 3rd Aug – Sun 11th Aug 2024.
Session 2: Start Sat 31st Aug – Sun 8th Sep 2024.
The UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme (PoMS)
Pollinating insects play a vital role in our environment, ensuring that many of our crops and wild plants are able to set seed and produce fruit. We need to know how pollinator populations are changing, and with your help we are gathering data on a wide range of flower-visiting insects.
There are two types of activities:
You can spend ten minutes counting pollinators to contribute a Flower-Insect Timed Count (FIT Count).
Or adopt a 1 km square and help us carry out a systematic survey of insects and flowers.
See the PoMS website for more information.
Identifying Pollinators
These separate resources can help with identifying pollinator species:
Avon Wildlife Trust hold regular free online bee identification sessions.
FruitWatch
A new citizen science initiative commencing Spring 2022
Fruit trees are highly dependent on insect pollination to produce fruit, and climate change is impacting both the timing of fruit tree flowering and pollinator flight, which could reduce pollination and fruit production. Reading University need your help to understand how fruit trees are changing flowering dates across the UK, and with our help are gathering data on four common fruits, Apple, Pear, Plum (including Damson and Greengage), and Cherry.
Garden Wildlife Health
The is a citizen science project run collaboratively by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), Froglife and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) which aims to monitor the health of, and identify disease threats to, British wildlife.
The project is focussed on garden birds, amphibians, reptiles and hedgehogs, and relies on the public submitting reports of sick or dead wildlife.
Plant Alert
Plant Alert is a citizen science project for gardeners.
Invasive non-native plants are causing major problems for native biodiversity, ecosystems, infrastructure, the built environment and human health. The majority of invasive plants have been initially introduced as ornamental garden plants and then spread from gardens into the wider environment. To prevent more species becoming invasive, gardeners can contribute by reporting early signs of invasiveness of ornamental plants in gardens.
Only record species where it is entirely safe and legal to do so. Do not take personal risks or trespass on private land for the sake of these surveys. The Upper Nar Gardeners group does not accept any liability or responsibility for the wellbeing of surveyors.
If there are any other citizen science projects that you think should be added to this page, or you spot any errors please contact Jeff.
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