Cawsand Bay Bioblitz Introduction. The Survey area

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1 Final Report

2 Cawsand Bay Bioblitz 2012 The Cawsand Bay Bioblitz had over 300 keen participants taking part and 133 volunteers and staff signed in at the base camp despite the severe weather warnings and local flooding. Over the course of the weekend more than 14 timetabled, public-participation activities took place including scientific surveys and guided walks. The total number of species found within the 24 hours stands at 1068 species, surpassing our 1,000 species target set before the event. Introduction A Bioblitz is a 24 hour multidisciplinary survey of biodiversity in a set place at a set time. The main goals of the events are to collect a snapshot of which species are present and to raise public awareness of biodiversity in the marine and coastal environment. This year s Bioblitz was the fourth marine/coastal Bioblitz to be organised by the MBA and partners in the Southwest. Base camp for the 2012 Cawsand Bay Bioblitz was situated at the Maker with Rame Institute in Kingsand and surveys took place over 24 hours from Saturday 7 th July to Sunday 8 th July. The event was led by the Marine Biological Association and supported by over 25 organisations who ran surveys and public participation activities, including Cornwall Wildlife trust, the Shark Trust, Ispot, Plymouth University, Butterfly Conservation, Seasearch and many more. Plymouth boat trips and Maker junction also provided valuable in-kind support to the event. A full list of all the supporting organisations is listed in the appendix. Many of the activities were kindly hosted by Mount Edgcumbe house and country park. The event was funded by European Interreg funding through the Marinexus project and the Big Lottery and Natural England as part of the Blue Sound Project. An additional grant was kindly provided by Ideas Tap. Due to severe weather warnings many activity leaders and volunteers were unable to travel to the event. It is thought that warnings also led to lower than anticipated visitor numbers to the area. Despite these problems more than 300 keen participants did take part with 133 volunteers and staff signing in at base camp. The Survey area Cawsand Bay incorporates the twin villages Kingsand and Cawsand, situated on the Rame Peninsula, overlooking Plymouth Sound. Both of the bays have East facing sandy and shingle beaches and both of the villages are within the Mount Edgcumbe estate. The Rame Peninsula is an area of outstanding natural beauty and the Plymouth Sound and estuaries waters are a designated European marine site which is both Special areas of conservation and special protected areas. The marine habitats protected include the estuaries, sandbanks, shallow inlets and bays. The Bioblitz survey site extended from Inner Penlee point to Sandway point.the survey area from Sandway point to Kingsand is a SSSI area (site of special scientific interest). And special care was taken to avoid any impact on these important features. The survey area incorporated several different habitat types including rocky shore, coastal heath, gorse bush, meadows, sandy shore and sea bed and the pond in the local doctor s surgery.

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4 Surveys Base camp was well equipped with microscopes, reference materials and trays with specimens for the public to look at and for the experts to examine and talk through their finds. The Institute was equipped with internet connection so the Data team from the MBA were able to upload new records, totals and photos live onto Twitter and on to a database over the course of the weekend. The MBA Common Room staff provided hot food and refreshments from the institute kitchen throughout the event, which were gratefully received by all staff and volunteers. 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, Base camp at the Maker with Rame Institute (image MBA) woodland, coast paths and surrounding areas. Jo Corke studying and identifying seaweed specimens in the Bioblitz Basecamp (image MBA) A Big bug hunt lead by Alison Smith (OPAL), Richard Comont (CEH), Tony Barber (BMIG) was held on the first day. Experts guided members of the public on a hunt for terrestrial invertebrates identifying and surveying the different species found. The big shore survey session was led by Jack Sewell (MBA) and volunteers from a range of other organisations. The activity included a walk along the shore and a rockpool ramble. Many local families enjoyed this activity and were very keen to explore the rockpools.

5 Nick Butcher from Mount Edgcumbe Park and Jacky Pearce guided the general public on a walk to explore the woodlands next to Cawsand village, looking at the different species of trees found and the fungi found growing in these woods. Emily Cannon from the Blue sound project (MBA) and Richard Comont (CEH) ran two sessions for the Mammal and invertebrate trapping activity. In the first session they and the public lay pitfall traps for invertebrates and mammal traps along the coastal path areas. In the second session the public were invited to join them in collecting and identifying the contents of the traps set from the previous night. A young participant taking part in the big shore survey activity (image MBA) Several fishing demonstrations lead by Matt McHugh (MBA), Doug Herdson (Marine Fish Information Services) and Richard Ticehurst (Plymouth University) took place on the foreshore at Kingsand throughout the event. Participants were keen to watch the experts use a seine net to collect many species and help sort through and identify the catch. Species found included a ballan wrasse and sand smelt. The Bats and badgers session was held late in the evening and was lead by Nick Butcher (Mount Edgcumbe) and the Cornwall bat group. Although a later session we had a couple of very keen families who came along and had a go at using a bat detector. Many bats were recorded including the Barbastelle and the Common Pipistrelle. In the evening Richard Comont (CEH) and experts from the Butterfly Conservation prepared moth traps along the coast path. A late session was held to carry out a torch light survey on the terrestrial invertebrates found in the traps previously set up in the day. The Night time rockpooling lead by Jack Sewell (MBA) was very popular despite the unsocial time of 2.30am. Many volunteers including the SHARC A fishing demonstration activity on the foreshore at Kingsand (image MBA) members and experts from other organisations joined in the search for creatures at Kingsand s rockpools. Species found included Cup corals, a Topknot, a Giant Goby, several species of crabs and a Candystripe flatworm.

6 The Dawn bird walk lead by John Randall had five keen members from the public taking part in bird identification and song with expert advice from John. A team led by Rob Camp (SAHFOS) ran plankton surveys. The activity was carried out on the foreshore and plankton was then taken back to the lab to be examined and recorded. A butterfly, ladybird and wildflower walk was led by Richard Comont (CEH) through the woodland next to Cawsand. The Fungus, Lichen and Primitive plants walk was led by Jacky Pearce and Jo Corke. Jacky Pearce gave a guided walk through the woodlands at Cawsand and gave an informative talk on the different fungi species found and how to identify them. Jacky also provided information on edible hedgerow plants. Jo Corke then gave a guided walk and an informative talk on Lichen and mosses found in the woodland. Participants taking part in the Fungus, Lichen and plant walk through the woodland nr Cawsand Bay (image MBA) Dives took place over the weekend and were organised by Seasearch, Discovery Divers, East Cornwall Divers and Aquanauts. The dive teams were able to offer an insight into life found under the water. The team s recorded a range of invertebrate and fish species in a range of habitats including open sand, rocky outcrops and seagrass beds. An Ocean Vigil was organised by Cornwall wildlife trust and due to unfavourable weather conditions, was based on the balcony of the Institute. The aim of the activity was to record any marine megafauna sighted from the balcony in the daylight hours. There were no marine mammals recorded during this activity however Seabird species were sighted. A team of divers preparing for a dive survey off the foreshore at Kingsand (image MBA) The Blue Sound project team lead snorkel surveys and guided angling

7 sessions for participants, based on the foreshore at Cawsand Village. The activities attracted a large number of participants and provided additional records of fish and subtidal species. Results The team began with a target total of 1000 species. This number was successfully made and the total found was 1068 of animal and plant species recorded during the 24 hours. 383 of the species recorded were new records for the area. The species list also included a number of nonnative species, not previously recorded at the site. The data has been processed and checked and will be archived in DASSH (The Data Archive for Seabed Species and Habitats). It will also be passed to local record centres and the NBN (National Biodiversity Network). Some highlights are given below. Species highlights The great green bush-cricket (Tettigonia viridissima) is a native species to the British Isles. The Bordered shieldbug (Legnotus limbosus) was sighted and this is the first record Southwest of Bristol and the first for the County. Solar powered sea slug (Elysia viridis). The bug (Capsodes Gothicus) was recorded for the first time west of Bournemouth and another first sighting for the County. The Silver Y (Autographa gamma), Diamondback (Plutella xylostella) moths (migrant species), Elephant, Poplar & Eyed Hawk-moth and the Green Arches moth were also recorded at the Bioblitz. The Scarlet Tiger Callimorpha dominulais is a large moth predominately found in South and West England (see photo on left). Long-Winged Conehead crickets (Conocephalus discolour) are found in South and Eastern England and are spreading northwards. These crickets are a nationally notable species. An adder which was a great sight to see! The Marine Springtail (Anurida maritime) and Shore Bristletail (Petrobius maritimus) are a few marine-adapted terrestrial invertebrates that were found. The Landhopper (Arcitalitrus dorrieni) is a species originated from New Zealand but can be found on the south coast of Devon & Cornwall A longhorn beetle (Leiopus nebulosus) was recorded and according to the NBN is the fourth recording in Cornwall. A scarlet tiger moth found at the Bioblitz event having just laid its eggs (image MBA)

8 The Giant Goby (Gobius cobitis) is a rare species protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and only found in a few sites in the Southwest. The pale willowherb (Epilobium roseum) is a common species found in Cornwall and previously found at Southdown quarry in 1990 and at Cremyll in 2007 but not known as a common species in SE Cornwall. The Tall Ramping fumitory (Fumaria bastardii) was found by Carol Tucker and confirmed by David Fenwick (a-p-h-o-t-o). This is a species rarely sighted in East Cornwall but can be commonly found in West Cornwall. This species was recorded in 1900 by T.J Wilcocks in an allotment in Cawsand and in 2009 by Phil Pullen at Empacombe at Cremyll. The Pacific, non-native seaweeds devil s tongue weed (Grateloupia turuturu) and wakame (Undaria pinnatifida) were sighted at Cawsand Bay. Volunteer participation More than 60 volunteers helped out over the weekend 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, catering and cake making, manning the base camp through the day and night and assisting in all activities. Volunteer participants helping out in the Bioblitz base camp (image MBA) Blue sound project groups lead by Rebecca House and Emily Cannon from the MBA and staff and volunteers from The Zone in Plymouth took part in and ran a variety of activities. There were over 50 participants from Turkey, Congo, Iraq, Iran, Sri Lanka, Kenya and Pakistan. The International Group arrived by bus on the Saturday and took part in bug hunting with OPAL and rockpool surveys with the MBA. Many people from the group also enjoyed snorkelling, fish netting and angling with the Blue sound team. After these activities finished the group walked up to Maker Junction at Torpoint and set up camp for the night. Many enjoyed camping out in tents and sleeping in the dormitory huts at Maker Junction and socializing and cooking around the camp fire in the evening. On the Sunday the group returned to Plymouth. For many people it was the first time they had been to Cornwall and really enjoyed meeting other people and appreciating the amazing scenery. I have seen many people since the July Bioblitz and they are already asking when is the next trip (Emily Cannon).

9 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 that came along and supported the event and dedicated their time to lead various activities and give their expert advice. A huge thank you to our funders Ideas tap, Interreg through the Marinexus project and Big lottery and Natural England for their generous funding, without their support we would not have been able to run the event. List of participating and supporting partner organisations and projects A-P-H-O-T-O Aquanauts Big lottery fund Biological Records Centre Blue sound project British Myriapod and Isopod group Butterfly conservation Centre for Ecology and Hydrology Coastwise Cornwall Wildlife Trust Cornwall Bat Group Discovery Divers East Cornwall Divers Ideas Tap Interreg Volunteers from the Blue sound Project fishing at Cawsand Bay (image MBA)

10 Ispot Just add H2O Maker Junction Maker with Rame Institute Marinexus Marine Biological Association Marine Fish information services Marine Institute at Plymouth University Mount Edgcumbe house and Country Park National Marine Aquarium Natural England OPAL Plymouth University SAHFOS Seasearch SHARC The Shark Trust The shore thing UK Ladybird survey