BioBlitzes – Are they worth it?
Richard Gallon’s experience of spider recording at the recent Cemlyn BioBlitz...
BioBlitzing can significantly improve our knowledge of the species which inhabit an area; the recent Cemlyn BioBlitz being a case in point.
Prior to the Bioblitz, the Cemlyn survey area had records of only 13 spider species (based on records held by Cofnod). However, during the BioBlitz event 26 spider species were recorded, of which 21 were new to the site.
In total the Cemlyn BioBlitz survey area now has records for 34 spider species – almost tripling the site’s species list in a single day!
The BioBlitz also produced a record of Silometopus ambiguus, a coastal money spider which is not only new to the reserve’s list, but only the fourth Anglesey record for this poorly recorded species!
If you have an interest in an obscure species group, why not volunteer for a forthcoming BioBlitz and see what you can find?
View the full list of species recorded at the BioBlitz on Cofnod's website. The next two BioBlitzes which Cofnod will attend will take place on 30th June at Plas Tan y Bwlch and 15th July at Bodelwyddan Castle, Denbighshire. Click here for more details
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