BioBlitz 2010

The third Northumberland Biodiversity Partnership BioBlitz took place at Ashington Community Woodland on the 21st and 22nd May 2010.

A BioBlitz is all about volunteers, scientists, naturalists, wildlife enthusiasts, school groups, students and members of the public working together to find as many different species as possible within a specific natural area – all whilst racing against the clock! As part of the celebrations for International Year of Biodiversity the Northumberland Biodiversity Partnership joined the national programme of BioBlitz events that are being run around the country.

Species recording started at 13:00 on Friday 21st May and finished at 13:00 Saturday 22nd May (International Day for Biological Diversity).

By the end of the 24 hour period 357 different species had been recorded.

Throughout the event experts and enthusiasts carried out surveys for a wide variety of creatures including: mammals, insects, butterflies, birds, moths, plants, reptiles, trees, amphibians and bats. A number of free activiites were provided for members of the public such as wildlife safari's, an evening bat walk and a wildlfower and lichen walk to help them learn more about the wildlife that can be found in Ashington Woodland.

The first species recorded was a swallow (Hirundo rustica), which were nesting in the stables next to the base camp.

Other highlights included:

Red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)
Poplar hawk moth (Laothoe populi)
Weasel (Mustela nivalis)

A massive thank you to everyone that helped to make the event such a success.