Salcombe Bioblitz 2015 Final Report.Pdf

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FINAL REPORT

1 | P a g e Salcombe Bioblitz 2015 – Final Report Salcombe Bioblitz 2015

This year’s Bioblitz was held in North Sands, Salcombe (Figure 1). Surveying took place from 11am on Sunday the 27th September until 2pm on Monday the 28th September 2015. Over the course of the 24+ hours of the event, 11 timetabled, public-participation activities took place, including scientific surveys and guided walks. More than 250 people attended, including 75 local school children, and over 150 volunteer experts and enthusiasts, families and members of the public. A total of 1109 species were recorded. Introduction

A Bioblitz is a multidisciplinary survey of biodiversity in a set place at a set time. The main aim of the event is to make a snapshot of species present in an area and ultimately, to raise public awareness of biodiversity, science and conservation. The event was the seventh marine/coastal Bioblitz to be organised by the Marine Biological Association (MBA). This year the MBA led in partnership with South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and Ambios Ltd, with both organisations contributing vital funding and support for the project overall. Ambios Ltd were able to provide support via the LEMUR+ wildlife.technology.skills project and the Heritage Lottery Fund. Support also came via donations from multiple organisations. Xamax Clothing Ltd provided the iconic event t-shirts free of cost; Salcombe Harbour Hotel and Spa and Monty Hall’s Great Escapes donated gifts for use as competition prizes; The Winking Prawn Café and Higher Rew Caravan and Camping Park offered discounts to Bioblitz staff and volunteers for the duration of the event; Morrisons Kingsbridge donated a voucher that was put towards catering; Budget Car Hire provided use of a van to transport equipment to and from the event free of cost; and donations were received from kind individuals. The following organisations provided vital support, running activities and helping to survey the are: Devon Wildlife Trust; Herefordshire Wildlife Trust; Lemur +; National Marine Aquarium; Plymouth University Marine Institute; SAHFOS; Devon Birds; Sea Search; Butterfly Conservation; Exeter University; Kingsbridge Natural History Society; Plymouth Marine Laboratory; Plymouth Environmental Action; DASSH (The Data Archive for Seabed Species and Habitats); A-P-H- O-T-O WILDLIFE IMAGE LIBRARIES; Marine Photo; Wye Valley AONB; Plymouth Sound BSAC; British Myriapod and Isopod Group; Coastwise North Devon; National Biodiversity Network; EcoLogic Consultant Ecologists LLP; Bumblebee Conservation Trust, ;Devon Moth Group; Wembury Marine Centre.

Figure 1: Rocky shore along ruins of Fort Charles, just off North Sands Beach, Salcombe (Image MBA)

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The Survey Area

The survey area (Figure 2) was located within the Salcombe-Kingsbridge Estuary. As well as being part of the South Devon AONB, the estuary is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a local nature reserve and lies within the South Devon Heritage Coast. With no large river feeding it, the estuary is unusually an almost entirely a marine system, possessing a very rich and diverse intertidal and sub-tidal flora and fauna, with certain communities being outstanding examples of their type in the North-east Atlantic. The lower estuary, where the survey took place, is characterised by rocks and sandy bays, home to unusual and important species including Eel-grass Zostera marina; fan mussels Atrina fragilis, Sea Potato Echinocardium cordatum with its commensal bivalve Montacuta ferruginosa, and an array of rare marine alga like Chondria coerulescens, kelp Laminaria ochroleuca, red algae Gracilaria foliifera and all four British species of Gigartina.

Figure 2: Map of the Survey Area.

3 | P a g e Salcombe Bioblitz 2015 – Final Report Surveys and Base camp activities

A marquee was set up on the green at North Sands Beach and used as a Base camp (Figure 3). Base camp was well equipped with microscopes, cameras connected to screens, reference materials and survey equipment for all to use.

Figure 3: Base Camp during the day (A, Image MBA) and at night during the total eclipse of a supermoon (B, Image David Fenwick)

Inside the marquee, Marine Photo, SAHFOS, Ambios Ltd, Plymouth University, APHOTO, Devon Wildlife Trust, South Devon AONB, The MBA and several other organisations displayed images, specimens and interactive resources to engage schools and the public (Figure 4a, 4b). Ambios’ stand attracted much attention at base camp where an enormous white board was updated with highlights and species tally updates throughout the event. The Data team from DASSH worked hard, day and night to process wildlife records over the course of the two days (Figure 4d).

Basecamp was used as a meeting point for activities and the surrounding area was home to gazebos manned by the National Marine Aquarium Community Seagrass Initiative (CSI), South Devon AONB and Beach Rangers (Figure 3a). Stands offered arts, crafts and interactive activities to explore and learn about wildlife, raising awareness of the unique local habitats (Figure 4c).

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B D A

Figure 4: Members of the public exploring basecamp (A, Image Nigel Mortimer). Microscope linked to big screen (B, Image MBA). Community Seagrass Initiative Stand raising awareness of seagrass beds (C, Image MBA). Data Team at work (D, Image Rob Jutsam) Many activities took place over the course of the weekend including scientific surveys, guided walks and self-guided activities run by scientists and experts from participating organisations and attending as individuals. Activities took place throughout the day and night exploring the local beaches, rockpools, marshes, woodlands and surrounding areas.

Work with schools

We welcomed over 75 local school children from Salcombe, Modbury and Stokenham Primary schools, as well as six home schoolers. The pupils joined experts on marine and woodland based activities, and were invited to visit stands and participate in activities at basecamp (Figure 5). The activities were cooperatively led by the participating organisations and took place in a carrousel style format. We are very pleased by the great feedback we received from the schools, both from the children and supporting staff.

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B C

Figure 5: Sea shore (A), Basecamp (B) and woodland (C) during the school visit. (Images MBA)

Public Surveys

Fourteen timetabled public activities took place throughout the event, kicking off with the ‘Seashore Safari’ led by the MBA who were joined by over 30 volunteers and members of the public. As a way to mark the 200th anniversary of the death of English naturalist George Montagu, who spent much of his time exploring and documenting the wildlife found on the shores at Salcombe, participants were challenged to follow Montagu’s footsteps and see how many species could they find that were first described by him after finding them in the local area.

In the meantime, ‘Team Fish’ led by Richard Ticehurst from Plymouth University Marine Institute and Douglas Herdson prepared for the Fish Survey that followed. Many helpers and observers gathered, to see experts use a seine net and push nets and to help sort through and identify the catch (Figure 7a). Species recorded by the group included common dragonet Callionymus lyra, five- bearded rockling Ciliata mustela, plaice Pleuronectes platessa, but also new records for the area, including corkwing wrasse Crenilabrus melops, sand smelt Atherina presbyter and European sprat Sprattus sprattus.

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A C Figure 6: What did we find on the shore? Participant proudly presents a juvenile squat lobster Galathea strigosa (A). Little cuttlefish (Sepiola atlantica) (B). Beautiful seaslug Polycera quadrilineata (C). (Images MBA) The Big Bug Hunt and the Woodland Walk that followed saw the British Myriapod and Isopod Group join forces with Ambios and the Devonshire Association, who guided approximately 20 members of the public in identifying trees, flowers, minibeasts, fungi and anything that caught their attention during the walk. Equipped with nets, tubs and magnifying glasses, the team returned with records of flowering plants like native meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria, non-native species like ground-elder Aegopodium podagraria, ferns such as soft-shield-fern Polystichum setiferum and bracken Pteridium aquilinum, and the well-known red admiral butterfly Vanessa atalanta.

At four pm on Sunday, approximately 20 people joined the Plymouth Environmental Action (PEA) group to explore the local marsh looking for fresh water invertebrates and wild-flowers (Figure 7b). The Bioblitz team were very pleased to have the PEA volunteers join us and contribute to the marsh and freshwater dimension of our event. Species found during this survey included Broad-bodied Chaser Libellula depressa and new records for the area such as Gammarus pulex and Common Bithynia Bithynia tentaculata. Immediately after the Marsh Walk, event attendees had the opportunity to watch and learn everything about seagrass. This colourful, comfortable and interactive stand was manned by Expert CSI (Community Seagrass Initiative) staff who were on hand to answer questions about seagrass beds and explain why and how they are such an important feature of our marine environment (Figure 4c).

The Plankton Survey was led by the MBA, PML and SAHFOS. Together, the team collected and sorted through water samples collected from the beach at high tide and caught the attention of an intrigued crowd of 10 people or more (Figure 7c).

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Figure 7: Crowd gathered to sort Team Fish seine net’s catch (A, Image MBA). Keen participants exploring the marshes for freshwater invertebrates (B, Image Rob Jutsam). Well-equipped volunteer to collect plankton far into the swell (C, Images MBA)

As twilight approached, Andrew Charles from Ecologic Consultants guided 12-20 people on a Twilight Nature Walk around marshes and woodland paths equipped with hand-held bat detectors and sharp vision on the lookout for terrestrial mammals,. A bat recording device was strategically positioned and left over-night to record any additional species and in total four species of bats, A including Common and Soprano Pipistrelles (Pipistrellus pipistrellus sensu lato and Pipistrellus pygmaeus, respectively), Myotis mystacinus and a Noctule Nyctalus noctula were detected.

B C

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Figure 8: Ambios Team watching camera trap footage of the European badger Meles meles footage (A). Woodland Walk (B). European garden spider Araneus diadematus at base camp (C). Phil Burton from Herefordshire Wildlife Trust spreading enthusiasm for terrestrial wildlife (D). (Images MBA)

The Twilight Walk was immediately followed by a Trap Walk, which showcased humane wildlife traps targeting moths and mammals. The following morning traps revealed many moth species, including several new records for the areas such as Acrocercops brongniardella, some micromoths B such as Agonopterix heracliana, and the not often found feathered slender Caloptilia cuculipennella. The quietness of the night, was interrupted by the “Night time Rockpooling”, led by the Marine Biological Association. It also proved very popular with approximately 30 people attending all equipped with high-vis vests and head torches (Figure 9b). Participants were able to watch feeding limpets, scavenging crabs and sleeping wrasse. Highlights included small spider crabs, seaslugs and a pair of fifteen-spined sticklebacks in the shallows.

Early in the morning, Liz Harris from Devon Birds set out with Doug Herdson for the Early Morning Bird Walk and recorded several species of bird including common species such as Carrion Crow Corvus corone and the Blackbird Turdus merula, but also the shy Jay Garrulus glandarius and first record in the area of the Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus.

9 | P a g e Salcombe Bioblitz 2015 – Final Report A B

A B Figure 9: Exploring and learning about marine life day (A, Image Rob Jutsam) and night (B, Image MBA)

Parallel to the timetabled activities, underwater surveys took place throughout the event, including scuba dives organised by keen individuals and local dive clubs. Many species of fish, mollusc, annelids, crustaceans, sponge, and algae were observed and recorded. When not involved in timetabled activities, experts kept busy throughout the event by digging sand and mud, sweeping for bugs and identifying species at basecamp.

Results

The event began with an ambitious target total of 1000 species. This number has been successfully met with the total species found during the 24 hours being 1109. Expectations were high given the unique, diverse and well protected status of the area where the surveys took place. By the end of the 24+ hours of the event, 704 species were processed by our Data Team. This number was used to determine the winner of the ‘Guess the number of species’ competition, won by Coral Smith, from Devon Wildlife Trust. The prize was an amazing night stay at the Salcombe Harbour Hotel and Spa. The hotel also donated the prize for a competition for the best Salcombe Bioblitz Photo. Entries to this competition were accepted via social media (Facebook and #mbabioblitz on Twitter) until the 15 October 2015, and was won by Richard Ticehurst with a fantastic collection of photos that perfectly captured the day (Figure 10a). Another addition to this year’s event was the Bioblitz Passport (Figure 10b). Our youngest visitors were encouraged to complete ‘mini missions’, and/or participate in any of the on-going activities and register their achievements on their own personal passport with bespoke stamps. Any passport showing 3 or more completed missions entered a prize draw with prizes including a variety of gifts kindly donated by Monty Halls Great Escapes.

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Figure 10: Photo competition winning shot (A, Image Richard Ticehurst). Bioblitz Passport (B, Image MBA)

Of the species recorded, 304 were new records for the area (SX73), often common species overlooked by recorders like the dandelion Taraxacum officinale. The species list also includes a number of non-native species that seem to be well established in the area. Twenty three of the total 160 species in the ‘Montagu’s Challenge’ where recorded, including the Yellow-plumed Sea Slug Berthella plumula and the Twin Fan Worm Bispira volutacornis. This was just a small effort, but in terms of informing conservation, it would definitely be worth investigating further to determine if and how the local environment might have changed over the past 200 years.

The data has been processed and verified and will be archived in DASSH (The Data Archive for Seabed Species and Habitats), and passed to the NBN (National Biodiversity Network). Some highlights are given below. Highlights

 Esther Hughes found Anotrichium furcellatum (verified by Francis Bunker)– a non-native species of red algae, and first record for Devon (according to the NBN gateway)  Millipede Enantiulus armatus was a highlight for Richard Comont - a rare species both nationally and internationally, and not one seen before  Ground beetle Syntomus truncatellus also highlighted by Richard Comont - a scarce species in the south-west  Bright red weevil Apion frumentarium which Richard Comont was happy to find  Big Lesser Stag Beetle Dorcus parallelipipedus  A large sea squirt Phallusia mammillata was found subtidally.  Two rosy feather stars Antedon bifida were found intertidally. The species itself is not rare in the area, but it is less common to find them intertidally.  The seaslug Doris cf. ocelligera was found by Jan Whittington and identified by David Fenwick.  A highlight for ‘Team Fish’ was the lesser pipefish Syngnathus rostellatus. Found and identified by Douglas Herdson.

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B D Figure 11: Rosy Feather-star Antedon bifida (A). Sea squirt Phallusia mammillata (B). Tiny Spider Crab (C). A juvenile Squat Lobster Galathea strigosa (D) (Images MBA)

Shore Thing Survey – by Harry Crocker (MBA/LEMUR trainee)

Salcombe Bioblitz brought together lots of people interested in Natural history, both amateurs and professionals alike. This was the perfect time to do a Shore Thing Survey, a citizen science project that looks for climate change indicator and non-native rocky shore species. I led the survey with 12 volunteers including some who had not been rockpooling before! We also had the pleasure of the Plymouth Environmental Action group joining us as well so we had a mixed ability team. Together we worked our way from lower to upper shore diligently looking in quadrats for all the species we could find and identifying them with ID guides. On this beautiful day we had very good low tides exposing Kelp beads of Laminaria ochroleuca which was first seen in Salcombe in 1949 and has since formed dense beds. We started the 20 minutes timed species search at low tide looking intensely for specific species on open rock, in pools, crevices and under overhangs. The team got stuck in and peered in all nooks and crannies of the exposed boulders. Many species were found including the non-native seaweed species wireweed (Sargassum muticum) and harpoon weed (Asparagopsis armata). We found a number of interesting animals too including Montagu’s crab (Xantho hydrophilus) that was first named by George Montagu, the famous naturalist of the 1800’s who lived close to Salcombe. Although the scientific name Montagu gave it is not accepted (it was submitted 18 years after the original find) his name is still attached to the common English name.

The Survey was very successful, with some quadrats becoming partially flooded as our keen volunteers stayed to identify as much as possible before moving on with the incoming tide. The iconic

12 | P a g e Salcombe Bioblitz 2015 – Final Report fort ruin and the beautiful weather made for a stunning backdrop and there was enough time for a small general rockpooling session afterwards. I like to think that we are following in the footsteps of Geroge Montagu by going out and exploring the British rocky Shores today with future potential Naturalists.

What did participants say:

”I really enjoyed the nightime rockpooling as it gave me a chance to see animals I hadn't seen before - I saw 15 spined stickleback, a pipefish, a Long-spined Sea Scorpion, as well as a cool nudibranch! It was also incredible to see all the crabs walking about in the open which you don’t see in the daytime.” Ruth Magennis, LEMUR

“Having worked with the local marine communities of the Salcombe-Kingsbridge estuary for some years, I know from first-hand experience what gems and surprises the very special local geography supports, and the BioBlitz was a wonderful way to engage, share and celebrate this with the human element of that community. Many people who had lived in the area most of their lives and thought they knew it had their eyes reawakened too!” Nigel Mortimer, South Devon AONB

“The Salcombe Bioblitz was an intriguing event. I never would have thought that so many fish swam that close into the shore! It is important for scientists to record the different species because it helps us to protect the shore habitat.” Isla Mortimer, 12

Volunteer Participation

This year, nearly 100 volunteers helped out over the course of the event as groups or as individuals and without their valued support and enthusiasm the event would not have been possible. Volunteers took part in and led surveys and helped with the general running of the event including the organisation and setting up before and after the event, manning the base camp throughout the day and night and assisting in all activities. To them we would like to say a very special thank you with hope to see you all again at the next event (Figure 12).

Figure12: Proud and happy volunteers at the end of a long but successful event (Image Nigel Mortimer)

13 | P a g e Salcombe Bioblitz 2015 – Final Report Thanks and Acknowledgements

We would like to thank all of the individual volunteers who helped out with the organisation, planning and setting up for the event. We would also like to thank the organisations, scientists and individuals who came along and supported the event and dedicated their time to lead various activities and give their expert advice. A very special thank you goes to our partners: South Devon AONB and Ambios Ltd. Nigel Mortimer and the rest of the AONB team worked tirelessly helping with the planning and ensuring all permissions and logistics were cared for. Also, Nigel’s incredible knowledge of the local area and infectious enthusiasm meant that visitors left the bioblitz better informed about the wonders of the Salcombe-Kingsbridge Estuary and its wildlife. Simon Roper and the rest of the Ambios team were also great to work with, contributing incredible leadership in wildlife surveys and catering for the event, and also with an admirable positive attitude making anything possible. Also, a huge thank you goes to local organisations and individuals who demonstrated great willingness to support the event in whatever way they could.

Finally, we would like to thank the BBC Radio Devon for reporting live from the event and pre- recorded pieces before and after the event.

List of participating and supporting partner organisations and projects