Malvern Grayling Timed Counts REPORT

Transcription

1 Malvern Grayling Timed Counts REPORT Timed counts on five sites between 1-24 Jul (Mel M., John H., Simon R.) suggest a maximum (peak) population of 32 on 7 Jul, and an accumulative maximum of 37 from all sites regardless of the day recorded. This compares with 33 and 37, respectively, in The earliest sighting was 27 Jun [MM], following a warm May and a very warm June; and the last sighting was 5 Aug [MM]. This compares with the first on 23 Jun in 2017, the earliest recorded, so far, this century; and the last on 20 Aug. (Prior to 2014 sightings were only recorded on four sites, and the adjusted count compares four of five sites i.e. excluding DWLoop). Year Max. total timed counts in one day Max. Population Adjusted ie except DWLoop

2 Malvern Grayling Timed Count Distribution 7 th to 24 th July 2018 Total number of records from timed counts = 190 (green squares) Max. Count in One Day = 32 on 7 th July Max. Count (accumulative) = 37 between 7 th 24 th July Timed Count Routes on North Hill Grayling Ridge Ivy Scar Rock Chat Valley DeWalden Loop Rushy Valley TCR is 1 km further south of North

3 Timed counts 1-24 Jul 2018 Site name Grid reference Date Recorder Temperature Light Wind speed Confirmed Estimated mean mean mean Chat Valley SO /07/2018 John Howes Grayling Ridge SO /07/2018 John Howes Ivy Scar Rock SO /07/2018 John Howes Walden Loop SO /07/2018 John Howes Chat Valley SO /07/2018 John Howes Grayling Ridge SO /07/2018 John Howes Ivy Scar Rock SO /07/2018 John Howes Walden Loop SO /07/2018 John Howes Chat Valley SO /07/2018 John Howes Grayling Ridge SO /07/2018 John Howes Ivy Scar Rock SO /07/2018 John Howes Walden Loop SO /07/2018 John Howes Chat Valley SO /07/2018 Mel Mason MAX. ON ONE SITE Grayling Ridge SO /07/2018 Mel Mason MAX. ON ONE SITE Ivy Scar Rock SO /07/2018 Mel Mason Walden Loop SO /07/2018 Mel Mason Chat Valley SO /07/2018 John Howes Grayling Ridge SO /07/2018 John Howes Ivy Scar Rock SO /07/2018 John Howes MAX. ON ONE SITE Walden Loop SO /07/2018 John Howes Chat Valley SO /07/2018 Mel Mason Grayling Ridge SO /07/2018 Mel Mason Ivy Scar Rock SO /07/2018 Mel Mason Walden Loop SO /07/2018 Mel Mason MAX. ON ONE SITE Chat Valley SO /07/2018 John Howes Grayling Ridge SO /07/2018 John Howes Ivy Scar Rock SO /07/2018 John Howes Walden Loop SO /07/2018 John Howes Chat Valley SO /07/2018 John Howes Grayling Ridge SO /07/2018 John Howes Ivy Scar Rock SO /07/2018 John Howes Walden Loop SO /07/2018 John Howes N/A Chat Valley SO /07/2018 Mel Mason Grayling Ridge SO /07/2018 Mel Mason Ivy Scar Rock SO /07/2018 Mel Mason Walden Loop SO /07/2018 Mel Mason Chat Valley SO /07/2018 John Howes Grayling Ridge SO /07/2018 John Howes Ivy Scar Rock SO /07/2018 John Howes Walden Loop SO /07/2018 John Howes Chat Valley SO /07/2018 Mel Mason Grayling Ridge SO /07/2018 Mel Mason Ivy Scar Rock SO /07/2018 Mel Mason Walden Loop SO /07/2018 Mel Mason Rushy Valley SO /07/2018 Simon Roberts MAX. ON ONE SITE TOTAL MAX. ON FIVE SITES Casual Records North Hill SO North Hill SO North Hill SO Grayling Rock SO North Hill SO Zig-zag path SO Ivy Scar, North Hill SO North Hill SO Grayling Rock SO Mel Mason 27/06/ male Male first sighting halfway up Grayling Ridge Alison Uren 07/07/ Timed count 8:00 to 8:30 am John Tilt 10/07/ Ideal conditions but only 13 compared with 32 using same counting method in 2017; perhaps already passed their peak? Peter Seal 20/07/ Only sightings in 2 hrs on northern hills Liz Lloyd 22/07/ female Female laying eggs in hallow below LHDW path Peter Seal 25/07/ male Good condition Mel Mason 31/07/ female 50% sun, wind=2, cool morning John Howes 03/08/ On rocks a little way up above Grayling Rock Mel Mason 05/08/ male Male last sighting on Grayling Rock

4 Comments: 1. The timed count population in 2018 [37] is similar to 2017 [37] and higher than in 2015 [26] and 2016 [25], but still significantly lower than 2013 [56]. 2. All casual sightings were recorded in the timed count sites, and none were seen dispersing to new sites. 3. The habitats around the timed counts sites have been improved by volunteer work during recent years. Grasses are more prevalent where the scrub and bracken have been cut each year between , but regular scrub clearance during the winter months is necessary to maintain and further improve these sites. The photo below [25 Aug] of the main sites clearly shows the difference between the ideal grassy areas surrounding the rocky ridges and the unsuitable scrubby areas covering most of the eastern slopes. 4. The habitat of the lower part of Grayling Ridge has improved considerably following several years removing scrub [Oct-Nov] and cutting bracken [May - Jun]. Again, regular scrub and bracken clearance is necessary to maintain and improve this site. 5. Gorse and young trees have become established on the south side of Ivy Scar Rock in recent years and further scrub clearance is necessary this winter. 6. Rushy Valley is the nearest suitable site south of North Hill but only one Grayling was recorded there this year. 7. Further south on the eastern slopes of Worcestershire Beacon, Firs Ridge was a previous stronghold for Grayling. Despite volunteer work during the past few years, this site still requires significant improvement to remove excessive scrub on and around the rocky ridges, and access to the site. 8. Access between the sites on North Hill to complete the timed counts is difficult and hazardous, largely due to excessive gorse and bracken growing over steep connecting tracks. Further work to improve these routes is necessary this winter. Many thanks to MHT for providing wardens and staff support on regular habitat management days, and to John Howes and Simon Roberts for supporting the timed counts on five sites during July. Particular thanks go to the many volunteers from MHT and WMBC who turn up in all weathers during the winter months to maintain and improve the sites for the Malvern Grayling. I suspect this very vulnerable species would be extinct or on the brink of extinction without the help of volunteers. Mel Mason WMBC Malvern / MBG Recorder / 1 Sep 2018

5 Eastern slopes of North Hill four main sites Aug 2018 Grayling Rock Chat Valley Grayling Ridge Ivy Scar Rock DeWalden Loop Grayling Rock and Chat Valley Aug 2018

6 Grayling Rock & Grayling Ridge Aug 2018 Lower slopes of Grayling Ridge Jun 2018

7 Ivy Scar Rock Jun 2018 Rushy Valley South Ridge 25 Aug

8 Firs Valley 2017 eastern slopes of Worcestershire Beacon & nearest suitable site south of North Hill

9 Some of the highlights in Jul /2

10 Some of the highlights in Jul /2