somerset environmental records centre recording our...

Somerset Environmental Records Centre

Recording our environment

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End of year report 2014 – 2015



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Introduction

The core work of the Somerset Environmental Records Centre (SERC) is to gather, manage and supply

biological and geological data. Data gathered by SERC is used to build up a comprehensive picture of the

biodiversity and geology of Somerset, and help to monitor the state of the natural environment.

SERC is a non-political independent organisation.

Performance data for the year ending 31 March 2015

• 1.73m species records held

• 2105 Local Wildlife Sites registered

• 235 Local Geological Sites registered

• 2 projects delivered

• 301 data searches carried out

Somerset Record Centre ranked 19 out of 159 data providers for volume of records uploaded to the

NBN.

A chart showing the number of records held at March 2015 can be seen on the next page.

Number of records held at March



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Project Updates 2014-2015

Big Bat Surveys; in the Blackdown Hills and in the Brue Valley

• In July 2014 the fourth Blackdown Hills Big Bat Survey took place. It was organised by SERC in

conjunction with the Somerset Bat Group (SBG) and the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding

Natural Beauty (Blackdown Hills ANOB). SERC organised a Bat Survey Workshop prior to the event.

70 volunteers attended the survey which enabled 16 transects to be carried out and important data

to be collected.

• In August a survey was carried out in the Brue Valley. This was the first time SERC had organised

this event in conjunction with the SBG. 36 people took part covering 11 transect routes.

Local Wildlife Sites (LWS) Project

During 2014-15 SERC re-established the Local Wildlife Sites (LWS) review programme, including desktop

and on site surveys for existing LWS. SERC also took on the secretary role of the Local Sites Panel which set

and considers sites against the Somerset criteria.

Somerset Heritage Apple Varieties review

As part of the LWS project, a local expert was commissioned to update the list of

heritage apple varieties of Somerset.

This will be incorporated into the LWS criteria for orchards.

Engagement Strategy

Progress continues in implementing data exchange agreements with the Specialist Recording Groups – a

template data sharing agreement has been introduced which covers agreed confidentiality and sensitivity

of species through to frequency and method of data exchange.

Regular data updates are received from local groups such as the Somerset Moth Group, Exmoor Natural

History Society, Somerset Bat Group, Somerset Otter Group, the Reptile and Amphibian Group for

Somerset and the Somerset Butterfly Conservation, Somerset Rare Plant Group, Somerset Botany Group

amongst others.

National groups representing both fungi and lichen specialisms have agreed to share their Somerset data with SERC. This will be actioned in the autumn of 2015.



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Bumblebee survey days in partnership with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust

Over two days in July surveys were carried out at five separate sites around Somerset. 46 Bumblebees

were recorded representing 12 bumblebee species (50% of our UK species), including four of the cuckoos,

and most excitingly we recorded six Shrill carder workers at Charlton Adam Quarry, a new site recording for

Shrill carder.

The distribution of Shrill carder bee has declined dramatically in the last

century, making it one of the UK’s rarest bumblebees. The Shrill carder bee

is now only found in seven areas in southern England and Wales. These

fragmented populations are found in Kent, Essex, Somerset, Wiltshire,

Gwent, Glamorgan and Pembrokeshire.

Wildfowl and Wetland Trust

SERC signed a data sharing agreement with the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust (WWT) for data relating to its

new site at Steart Marshes.

Out on the levels the WWT, RSPB and Pensthorpe Conservation Trust

ended the fifth year of the Great Crane project with a total of 93

releases. Of the 93, 75 are known to be alive and residing within the

South West of the UK. This survival rate of 81% is higher than

expected.

Coastal Data

Intertidal surveys were trialled at various sites along the Somerset coast to coincide with March’s lowest

tides for 200 years.

Specialist software for coastal data, Marine Recorder, was evaluated and it

was decided to begin using this at SERC. During 2015-16 SERC will play a key

part in expanding the number and skill base of coastal volunteers and surveys

undertaken.



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Other developments 2014-2015

• Analysis of recording hotspots and cool spots was produced. Starting with the blue areas, with least

recording through green, yellow to red showing areas of the highest frequency of recording of data.

There are key interesting areas of the county for specialist groups to visit but other recorders are

often observing and submitting records relating to sittings near where they live.

• SERC has designed a garden recording initiative aimed at householders in urban areas. This is a key

geographical data gap in the county and will be promoted more once the SERC on line recording

facility is at a good standard.

• SERC introduced on line recording at the end of 2014-15 which will be rolled out and promoted

during 2015-16 once further developments have been implemented. This will enable data to be

received electronically reducing the input and validation time and making data more accessible.

• The SERC Team moved offices in the year and undertook a major document archiving

programme. Many processes were migrated from a paper to electronic based system.



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Service Level Agreements (SLAs)

In 2014-15 SERC had SLAs with:

• Environment Agency

• Natural England

• Wessex Water

• Mendip Borough Council

• Taunton Deane Borough Council

• South Somerset District Council

• Sedgemoor District Council

The SLAs typically include the provision of data regarding habitats and species. Some SLAs also contribute

towards survey programmes, with the priorities for these being agreed each year by the SERC Executive

Group.

As part of the SLAs with the District Councils SERC screens planning applications. This involves SERC carrying

out a data search to identify any records held which correspond to the area affected by the planning

application. The numbers of applications screened are set out below along with the number returning

positive records. These records are supplied back to the District Councils to assist with decision making.

Authority

Number

screened

Number with

positive records

returned Percentage

Mendip District Council 54 54 100%

Sedgemoor District Council 1311 400 31%

South Somerset District Council 2296 535 23%

Taunton Deane Borough Council 1472 697 47%

West Somerset Council 0 0 0%

Somerset County Council 10 10 100%

Total 5143 1696 33%

Other Data provision

Data search requests are received for a number of purposes. These may be to assist landowners, to enable

research or to assist with local community plans. Many data searches are also carried out by consultants to

assist with development planning and design process.

Academic Landowner Local Group Consultant/NGO Public SLA

15 10 2 245 20 9

• West Somerset Council

• Somerset County Council

• Exmoor National Park Authority

• Somerset Wildlife Trust



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Financial Summary

15.05%0.14%

82.05%

2.75%

SERC Income 2014/15

Data searches

Software Sales

Service Level Agreements

Projects

82.36%

7.99%

1.61%

0.25%

0.21%

0.31%

7.27%

SERC Expenditure 2014/15Salaries

Pension

Travel

Training

Promotion costs

Professional

Membership fees

Property and servicing

costs



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Current Staff and Volunteers

As at March 2015 there are two full time staff and two part time members of staff, equating to 3.2 whole time

equivalents.

Paula Hewitson – Manager of SERC

Tony Price – Data Management Officer

Cathy Horsley – Ecologist

Sue Simpson – Records Centre Support Officer

During the year SERC has been greatly assisted by six regular volunteers. In addition, two volunteers left

SERC to take up posts in the environmental sector. Volunteers have a variety of knowledge and experience

and have made an invaluable contribution to SERC in both the work carried out and ideas and enthusiasm.

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