Field Identification – Ryton Meadows Nature Reserve
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C E R T I F I C A T E I N E C O L O G Y A N D
W I L D L I F E C O N S E R VA T I O N
FIELD IDENTIFICATION: RYTON MEADOWS NATURE RESERVE
JAYE WHALLEY
30 July 2008
Field Identification – Ryton Meadows Nature Reserve
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INTRODUCTION The location is Ryton Meadows Nature Reserve (Grid Ref: SP378728), originally a 12.4 hectare
landfill site owned by LaFarge, now leased by Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire. The site
comprises farmland (62.5 hectares), woodland (106 hectares) and Ryton Wood, SSSI owned by
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust.
During 1960-1990 Steetley Aggregates, Redland, LaFarge all extracted sand and gravel contributing
to the loss of 40-60 acres of woodland. Restoration in late 1980s began with inert building waste and
household rubbish capped with clay, sand and sub-soil (Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire; Slater,
2008).
Species recording began in 1990 when Mike Slater, Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire, conducted a
butterfly and day-flying moth transect survey. His restoration recommendations were adopted by
LaFarge. The site is now a herb rich grassland half sown with wildflower seed mix, one quarter
colonising naturally, the remainder left fallow. British native boundary hedgerows also planted.
Nature reserve opened officially May 2007.
A dry-stone wall was added to create egg-laying habitat for butterflies. Now small numbers of the rare
Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages) and Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus malvae) are present, together with
Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) and Brown Argus
1
2
3
4
5
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(Aricia agestis). Ancient woodland once supporting 19 species of fungi and spiders now boasts 33 of
butterflies (Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire).
For this project Mike Slater was contacted with an offer to conduct a wildflower survey across five
habitats, and assist with monitoring Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages) egg-laying (Lewington, 2004).
Hypothesis: Species diversity will be greater on seed sown areas than on areas left to colonise naturally.
METHODOLOGY Five habitats, 1–5 on map, will each be observed during March-June to identify and record emerging
wildflower species and participate in the annual egg-count.
A plan for measurement and providing meaningful data for both this report and Butterfly Conservation
Warwickshire was considered (Slater 2008). Therefore 5, 10 x 10m quadrats were staked in each
habitat. Two methods agreed for data collection:
• For wildflowers a 300mm diameter drop disk was provided to be randomly positioned 10 times
for each quadrat (Appendix C). For identification Guide to Grassland Plants 1, FSC was
primarily used on site with The Wildflower Key, Francis Rose (see References).
• Using the same method an OVA Deposition Preference Survey Form, provided by Butterfly
Conservation Warwickshire, was completed once a month (Appendix D). Photographs taken
and species identified using Pocket Guide to the Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland,
Richard Lewington (see References).
A grid was overlaid onto an aerial
photograph of the reserve to give references
used by all Butterfly Conservation
Warwickshire surveyors. Throughout this
report the survey areas are referenced as:
• Habitat 1: AA
• Habitat 2: DC
• Habitat 3: FB
• Habitat 4: HC
• Habitat 5: JC
For this survey, abundance was not recorded and grasses were not identified.
Note: Unless otherwise indicated, all photography is by Peter Whalley.
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RESULTS The observations below summarise each visit to the reserve.
29th March 2008 Photographs taken of each habitat (Appendix F):
• Habitat 1 – AA Field grazed by rabbits.
• Habitat 2 – DC Grazing enclosure. Ground slightly boggy in places.
• Habitat 3 – FB Calcareous bund of aggregate (brick/broken concrete) left to colonise.
Bird’s-foot-trefoil seeded.
• Habitat 4 – HC Thin layer of sub-soil, slow re-growth.
• Habitat 5 – JC Methane vents, thin layer of sub-soil, rabbits present.
Five 10 x 10m quadrats staked during visit.
April 2008
12/4/08: The first Cowslip (Primula veris) shoots were observed (Gulliver). The table shows the
identification key (Rose, 2006): Species Key Key steps
Primula veris Rose (2006) General Key to Plant Families 1, 2, 5 Rose (2006) E; Plants with individual flowers small (5mm or less), grouped into umbels, with individual flower stalks all radiating from one point on tip of stem like ribs of an umbrella – umbels either simple, or compound (umbels of umbels)
1, 3, 4 >>Primulaceae
27/4/08: These species were identified, unless stated each was recognised by its common name
(Gulliver and Rose, 2006):
Habitat 1: AA • Cowslip (Primula veris)
• Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale agg)
Habitat 2: DC • Cowslip (Primula veris)
Habitat 3: FB • Wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca)
• Nettle (Urtica dioica)
Habitat 5: JC • Field Forget-me-not (Myosotis arvenis)
• Broadleaf willow herb (Epilobium montanum) identified by Mike Slater
• Creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense)
• Spear thistle (Cirsium vulgare)
• White clover (Trifolium repens)
• Common ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) identified by Mike Slater
• Common centaury (Centaurium erythraea) identified by Mike Slater
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May 2008 5/5/08: The first butterflies were observed (Lewington, 2004):
Peacock (Inachis io)
Orange Tip female (Anthocharis cardamines)
Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus)
Soil pH tests were conducted using a garden testing kit:
• Habitat 1: AA Neutral
• Habitat 2: DC Neutral-Alkaline
• Habitat 3: FB Alkaline
• Habitat 4: HC Neutral
• Habitat 5: JC Neutral
24/5/08: The first egg witnessed was laid by Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi) on Bird’s-foot-trefoil
(Lotus corniculatus) (Gulliver and Lewington, 2004):
These wildflowers were identified during a butterfly walk with Mike Slater, unless stated each was
recognised by its common name (Gulliver and Rose, 2006):
• Bird’s-foot-trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) identified by Mike Slater
• Greater Bird’s-foot-trefoil (Lotus pedunculatus) identified by Mike Slater
• Common vetch (Vicia sativa)
• Greater stitchwort (Stellaria holostea) identified by Mike Slater
• Meadow Buttercup (Ranunculus acris)
• Creeping cinquefoil (Potentilla reptans) identified by Mike Slater
• Bugle (Ajuga reptans)
• Lady’s smock (Cardamine pratensis) also known as Cuckooflower, identified by Mike Slater
• Kidney vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria) identified by Mike Slater
• Ragged-robin (Lychnis flos cuculi)
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14th June 2008 Wildflowers and butterflies abound, these photographs were taken as individual was egg-laying
(Lewington, 2004):
Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus malvae)
Grizzled Skipper egg
Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages) Dingy Skipper egg Additional wildflowers observed, unless stated each was recognised by its common name (Gulliver
and Rose, 2006):
Habitat 2: DC • Creeping cinquefoil (Potentilla reptans) identified by Mike Slater
• Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata)
Habitat 3: FB • Black Medick (Medicago lupulina)
• Goosegrass (Cleavers) (Galium aparine)
• Greater Stitchwort (Stellaria holostea) identified by Mike Slater
• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Habitat 4: HC • Black Medick (Medicago lupulina)
• Creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens)
• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Habitat 5: JC • Bird’s-foot-trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) identified by Mike Slater
• Clover, red (Trifolium pratense)
• Cowslip (Primula veris)
• Knapweed (Centaurea nigra)
• Meadow Buttercup (Ranunculus acris)
• Lady’s Bedstraw (Galium verum)
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• Ox-eye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)
• Ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata)
• Sheep’s Sorrel (Rumex acetosella)
• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
The biological recording form can be found in Appendix B.
To demonstrate diversity, wildflower species per habitat is displayed below (Appendix C):
Summary of Species Recorded
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
1 - AA 2 - DC 3 - FB 4 - HC 5 - JC
Habitat
Freq
uenc
y
With the average number of species being:
• Habitat 1 – AA 3.3
• Habitat 2 – DC 2.7
• Habitat 3 – FB 2.2
• Habitat 4 – HC 4.3
• Habitat 5 – JC 5.4
A comparison between two survey areas, the grazing enclosure (DC) sown with a wildflower mix and
the top field (JC) left to colonise naturally. The distribution of plants relative to sown and colonised
areas was measured using Mann-Whitney U test (Appendix E). The data is analysed by giving each
measurement a rank score and comparing the medians of each sample. The result shows that our
hypothesis can be accepted as there is no significant difference in species found in the two areas.
This graph shows species frequency for wildflower seed mix against natural colonisation:
Field Identification – Ryton Meadows Nature Reserve
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0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Bird's-
foot T
refoil
Black M
edic
Bugle
Butterc
up, C
reepin
g
Cinquefo
il
Clover, R
ed
Clover, W
hite
Comman R
agwort
Common C
entau
ry
Knapw
eed,
Common
Lady
's Bed
straw
Ribwort Plan
tain
Sheep
s Sorr
el
Thistle
,Cree
ping
Vetch,
Common
Yarrow
Freq
uenc
y
DC Sown JC Colonised
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DISCUSSION
Monitoring at different times of year has been challenging. In hindsight a recording sheet completed
for early wildflowers, such as Forget-me-not (Myosotis arvenis) and Cowslip (Primula veris), as well as
data collected end-June for this report, would provide useful information if monitoring continues in
2009.
Stakes should have been taller as vegetation, particularly in DC and JC, soon made them difficult to
see.
Identifying species from vegetation was unsuccessful. The reserve elevation is quite exposed; the high
winds during March/April made research using The Wild Flower Key on site difficult.
Ecological management methods means 33 breeding butterfly populations are now present. The
preferred egg-laying sites for Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages), rock, bare ground/hallows and Bird’s-foot-
trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) have now been introduced (Lewington, 2004; Rose, 2006). By continuing
the process of planting the correct food plants (wildflowers and saplings) which are known nectar
sources our native butterflies and moths appear.
Bio-diversity results from variation in soil types and light grazing or mowing. Common Ragwort
(Senecio jacobaea) was removed from the grazing enclosure DC by Mike Slater, so three cows and
calves could occupy this field (Gulliver). Field JC was mown for the first time in September 2007.
The self seeding of nectar plants throughout the reserve is evident, as demonstrated with the Bee
Orchid which as been found at 3 locations on the reserve.
Nettles (Urtica dioica) on the calcareous bund (FB) have been sprayed and are dying back. This may
have been due to calcium carbonate as the aggregate used was destined for landfill or nitrate levels
depending on where it came from. Thistles (Cirsium vulgare and Cirsium arvense) have also been
sprayed due to their abundance in the field (HC).
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REFERENCES Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire - Saving butterflies, moths and their habitats – Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire Reserve at Ryton Wood Meadows. Accessed 07/04/08 http://www.warwickshire-butterflies.org.uk/reserve.asp Chalmers, N. and Parker P. (1986) The Open University Project Guide Field. Field Studies Council Cook T., Dr 2008 (07 June): Field Trip. Newton Field Centre, Newton. Gulliver, M. & R. A key to grassland plants 1. FSC Publications, Shrewsbury Lewington, R. (2004) Pocket Guide to the Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland. British Wildlife Publishing, Hampshire Rose, F. (2006) The Wild Flower Key How to identify wild flowers trees and shrubs in Britain and Ireland. Penguin Books Ltd Slater M. 2008 (16 February): Meeting relating to Ryton Meadows Nature Reserve. Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire The NBN Species Dictionary. Access 24/07/08 Available from: http://nbn.nhm.ac.uk/nhm/
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Appendix A - Log 1 - 1st Visit 16/2/08: Background information
2 3
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4 5- 2nd Visit 21/3/08: Methodology agreed
6
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7- 3rd Visit 29/5/08: Staking out habitats
8 9 - 4th visit 14/4/08: First sampling data recorded
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10 11 - 5th visit 19/4/08: Butterfly walk with Mike Slater
12 - 6th visit 27/4/08: Met with Mike Slater and agreed soil sampling may be beneficial. Beginning to recognise wildflowers
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13 14 - 7th visit 5/5/08: Soil samples recorded 15 - 8th visit 24/5/08: Butterflies and
wildflowers
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16 - 9th visit 14/6/08: Recording wildflower species
17 18
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APPENDIX B – Ryton Meadows Nature Reserve (biological recording form)
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Appendix C - Ryton Meadows Nature Reserve recording sheet Site ZONE 1 - AA Site ZONE 2 - DC
Quadrats Quadrats Species 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total Species 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total Bird's-foot Trefoil 9 Bird's-foot Trefoil 8 Broadleaf Willow Herb Broadleaf Willow Herb Bugle Bugle Buttercup, Creeping 7 Buttercup, Creeping 2 Buttercup, Meadow Buttercup, Meadow Cinquefoil, Creeping Cinquefoil 1 Cleavers (Goosegrass) Cleavers (Goosegrass) Clover, Red Clover, Red Clover, White 3 Clover, White Comman Ragwort Comman Ragwort Common Centaury Common Centaury Cowslip 2 Cowslip Dandelion Dandelion Knapweed, Common Knapweed, Common 7 Knapweed, Greater Knapweed, Greater Lady's Bedstraw 7 Lady's Bedstraw 3 Nettle Nettle Ox-eye Daisy Ox-eye Daisy Ragged Robin Ragged Robin Ragwort Ragwort Ribwort Plantain 5 Ribwort Plantain 4 Sorrel Sorrel Strawberry, Barren Strawberry, Barren Strawberry, Wild Strawberry, Wild Thistle, Spear Thistle, Spear Thistle,Creeping Thistle,Creeping Vetch, Common Vetch, Common 1 Yarrow Yarrow 1 Total 2 3 3 4 4 4 2 3 3 5 33 Total 1 3 3 3 3 2 4 2 3 3 27
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Site ZONE 3 - FB (BUND) Site ZONE 4 - HC Quadrats Quadrats Species 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total Species 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total Bird's-foot Trefoil 3 Bird's-foot Trefoil Black Medic 4 Black Medic 9 Broadleaf Willow Herb Broadleaf Willow Herb Bugle Bugle Buttercup, Creeping 6 Buttercup, Creeping 7 Buttercup, Meadow Buttercup, Meadow Cinquefoil Cinquefoil Cleavers (Goosegrass) Cleavers (Goosegrass) Clover, Red Clover, Red Clover, White 2 Clover, White 6 Comman Ragwort Comman Ragwort 1 Common Centaury 2 Common Centaury 2 Cowslip Cowslip Dandelion Dandelion Knapweed, Common 2 Knapweed, Common 4 Knapweed, Greater Knapweed, Greater Lady's Bedstraw Lady's Bedstraw Nettle 1 Nettle Ox-eye Daisy Ox-eye Daisy Ragged Robin Ragged Robin Ragwort Ragwort Ribwort Plantain Ribwort Plantain 1 Sorrel Sorrel Strawberry, Barren Strawberry, Barren Strawberry, Wild Strawberry, Wild Thistle, Spear Thistle, Spear 2 Thistle,Creeping 2 Thistle,Creeping 9 Vetch, Common Vetch, Common 2 Yarrow Yarrow Total 1 3 2 3 3 4 2 2 1 1 22 Total 5 5 3 5 3 6 4 3 5 4 43
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The steps taken when identifying the taxonomy in these tables were from one of the following methods:
• Instant recognition of plant by its common name, as either identified before (eg Newton Field Centre) or plant growing in own garden (eg Bugle, Goosegrass and Common Vetch).
• Identification provided by Mike Slater, Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire, who decided which wildflower seed mix to sow when restoring grassland. Genus and species was then taken from either of the reference books below.
• Reference made, when on site, to the pocket sized field guide ‘Guide to grassland plants 1’ written by Mavis and Richard Gulliver and published by FSC Publications / AIDGAP.
• Photographing specimens and studying ‘The Wildflower Key How to identify wild flowers trees and shrubs in Britain and Ireland, written by Francis Rose and published by Penguin Books.
• Species Family name sourced from Wikipedia.
Site ZONE 5 - JC Quadrats Species 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total Bird's-foot Trefoil 5 Black Medic 7 Broadleaf Willow Herb Bugle 1 Buttercup, Creeping 1 Buttercup, Meadow Cinquefoil Cleavers (Goosegrass) Clover, Red 3 Clover, White 3 Comman Ragwort 5 Common Centaury 2 Cowslip Dandelion Knapweed, Common Knapweed, Greater Lady's Bedstraw 8 Nettle Ox-eye Daisy Ragged Robin Ragwort Ribwort Plantain 10 Sheeps Sorrel 1 Strawberry, Barren Strawberry, Wild Thistle, Spear Thistle,Creeping 3 Vetch, Common 5 Yarrow Total 4 4 5 6 7 7 7 5 6 3 54
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Appendix D - OVA Deposition Preference Survey Form
OVA DEPOSITION PREFERENCE SURVEY FORM
SITE NAME:
RYTON WOOD MEADOWS GRID REF: SP376726 SPECIES: DINGY SKIPPER
DATE: 19/4/08 RECORDER: JAYE WHALLEY
5 metre square numbers 100 99 98 97 96 95 94 93 92 91
81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90
80 79 78 77 76 75 74 73 72 71
61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70
60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 51
41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
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Example 5m square reference code format: DB43
OVA DEPOSITION DETAILS
5 Metre Square Reference Code AA1 AA2 AA3 AA4 AA5 AA6 AA7 AA8 AA9 AA10 1. Vegetation Height (measured in cm) 6 6 9 6 5 7 6 9 4 6 2. Number of eggs on foodplant - - - - - - - - - - 3. Colour of egg (yellow/Orange) - - - - - - - - - - 4. Height of shoot containing egg - - - - - - - - - - 5. Distance of egg from shoot tip - - - - - - - - - - 6. Distance of shoot from centre of main
plant - - - - - - - - - -
7. Percentage bare ground within disc area 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 8. Percentage of dead dry vegetation within
disc area 5 1 10 1 10 10 5 5 0 0
9. Percentage of green grass within disc area 70 90 90 50 80 70 80 60 90 20
10. Evidence of stock grazing (trampling, cattle paths, dung, poaching) within disc area
N N N Y N N Y N N N
11. Known nectar plants in flower within disc area2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
12. Seeds heads from the previous year or black plantain heads3(roosting perches) within disc area
N N N N N Y N N N N
13. Visible clumps of Rabbit dropping within disc area 1 0 1 0 4 0 6 2 2 3
14. Bramble and/or other low invading scrub (e.g. Hawthorn seedlings) within disc area N N N N N N N N N N
15. Aspect, flat ground or on slope orientation to sun (e.g. F=flat, 1SW=shallow slope south west, 2NE=medium slope north east, 3E=steep slope east etc.)
F F F F F F F F F F
16. Adults counted (in flight over survey area) None
5 Metre Square Reference Code DC1 DC2 DC3 DC4 DC5 DC6 DC7 DC8 DC9 DC10
1. Vegetation Height (measured in cm) 10 14 23 18 12 2. Number of eggs on foodplant - - - - - - - - - - 3. Colour of egg (yellow/Orange) - - - - - - - - - - 4. Height of shoot containing egg - - - - - - - - - - 5. Distance of egg from shoot tip - - - - - - - - - - 6. Distance of shoot from centre of main
plant - - - - - - - - - -
7. Percentage bare ground within disc area 20 0 0 0 0 8. Percentage of dead dry vegetation within
disc area 15 40 10 10 40
9. Percentage of green grass within disc area 50 30 60 20 10
10. Evidence of stock grazing (trampling, cattle paths, dung, poaching) within disc area
N N N N N
11. Known nectar plants in flower within disc area2 0 0 0 0 1
12. Seeds heads from the previous year or black plantain heads3(roosting perches) within disc area
N N N Y Y
13. Visible clumps of Rabbit dropping within disc area N N N N N
14. Bramble and/or other low invading scrub (e.g. Hawthorn seedlings) within disc area N N N N N
15. Aspect, flat ground or on slope orientation to sun (e.g. F=flat, 1SW=shallow slope south west, 2NE=medium slope north east, 3E=steep slope east etc.)
1 1 1 1 1
16. Adults counted (in flight over survey area) None
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OVA DEPOSITION DETAILS
5 Metre Square Reference Code HC1 HC2 HC3 HC4 HC5 HC6 HC7 HC8 HC9 HC10
1. Vegetation Height (measured in cm) 2 2 1 6 1 2. Number of eggs on foodplant - - - - - - - - - - 3. Colour of egg (yellow/Orange) - - - - - - - - - - 4. Height of shoot containing egg - - - - - - - - - - 5. Distance of egg from shoot tip - - - - - - - - - - 6. Distance of shoot from centre of main
plant - - - - - - - - - -
7. Percentage bare ground within disc area 0 0 60 0 10 8. Percentage of dead dry vegetation within
disc area 0 20 20 50 0
9. Percentage of green grass within disc area 20 30 10 10 10
10. Evidence of stock grazing (trampling, cattle paths, dung, poaching) within disc area
N N N N N
11. Known nectar plants in flower within disc area2 0 0 0 0 0
12. Seeds heads from the previous year or black plantain heads3(roosting perches) within disc area
N N N Y N
13. Visible clumps of Rabbit dropping within disc area N N N N 5
14. Bramble and/or other low invading scrub (e.g. Hawthorn seedlings) within disc area N N N N N
15. Aspect, flat ground or on slope orientation to sun (e.g. F=flat, 1SW=shallow slope south west, 2NE=medium slope north east, 3E=steep slope east etc.)
F F F F F
16. Adults counted (in flight over survey area) None
5 Metre Square Reference Code JC1 JC2 JC3 JC4 JC5 JC6 JC7 JC8 JC9 JC10
1. Vegetation Height (measured in cm) 2 2 2 5 5 2. Number of eggs on foodplant - - - - - - - - - - 3. Colour of egg (yellow/Orange) - - - - - - - - - - 4. Height of shoot containing egg - - - - - - - - - - 5. Distance of egg from shoot tip - - - - - - - - - - 6. Distance of shoot from centre of main
plant - - - - - - - - - -
7. Percentage bare ground within disc area 5 10 0 0 0 8. Percentage of dead dry vegetation within
disc area 10 5 0 0 2
9. Percentage of green grass within disc area 80 60 70 80 50
10. Evidence of stock grazing (trampling, cattle paths, dung, poaching) within disc area
N N N N N
11. Known nectar plants in flower within disc area2 0 0 0 0 0
12. Seeds heads from the previous year or black plantain heads3(roosting perches) within disc area
N N N N N
13. Visible clumps of Rabbit dropping within disc area 2 2 8 2 0
14. Bramble and/or other low invading scrub (e.g. Hawthorn seedlings) within disc area N N N N N
15. Aspect, flat ground or on slope orientation to sun (e.g. F=flat, 1SW=shallow slope south west, 2NE=medium slope north east, 3E=steep slope east etc.)
F F F F F
16. Adults counted (in flight over survey area) None
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OVA DEPOSITION PREFERENCE SURVEY FORM
SITE NAME:
RYTON WOOD MEADOWS GRID REF: SP376726 SPECIES: DINGY SKIPPER
DATE: 27/4/08 RECORDER: Jaye Whalley
5 metre square numbers 100 99 98 97 96 95 94 93 92 91
81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90
80 79 78 77 76 75 74 73 72 71
61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70
60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 51
41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
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Example 5m square reference code format: DB43
OVA DEPOSITION DETAILS OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE: 17o 5 Metre Square Reference Code - AA AA71 AA28 AA68 AA94 AA78 AA39 AA60 AA19 AA40 AA96 1. Vegetation Height (measured in cm) 4 4 4 10 14 10 2 2 6 6 2. Number of eggs on foodplant 3. Colour of egg (yellow/Orange) 4. Height of shoot containing egg 5. Distance of egg from shoot tip 6. Distance of shoot from centre of main
plant
7. Percentage of unidentified green plants within disc area 55 50 20 20 40 50 50 50 50 75
8. Percentage bare ground within disc area 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9. Percentage of dead dry vegetation within
disc area 5 0 0 30 20 40 20 0 20 5
10. Percentage of green grass within disc area 40 50 80 50 40 10 30 50 30 20
11. Evidence of stock grazing (trampling, cattle paths, dung, poaching) within disc area
N N N N N N N Y N N
12. Known nectar plants in flower within disc area2 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1
13. Seeds heads from the previous year or black plantain heads3(roosting perches) within disc area
N N N N N N N N Y N
14. Visible clumps of Rabbit dropping within disc area 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 0 2
15. Bramble and/or other low invading scrub (e.g. Hawthorn seedlings) within disc area N N N N N N N N N N
16. Aspect, flat ground or on slope orientation to sun (e.g. F=flat, 1SW=shallow slope south west, 2NE=medium slope north east, 3E=steep slope east etc.)
F F F F F F F F F F
17. Adults counted (in flight over survey area)
5 Metre Square Reference Code - DC DC10 DC27 DC35 DC12 DC59 DC79 DC93 DC75 DC05 DC05 1. Vegetation Height (measured in cm) 7 10 18 14 22 15 4 13 11 8 2. Number of eggs on foodplant 3. Colour of egg (yellow/Orange) 4. Height of shoot containing egg 5. Distance of egg from shoot tip 6. Distance of shoot from centre of main
plant
7. Percentage of unidentified green plants within disc area 35 45 50 0 60 60 45 10 15 70
8. Percentage bare ground within disc area 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 5 0 9. Percentage of dead dry vegetation within
disc area 5 5 20 50 20 20 30 80 70 5
10. Percentage of green grass within disc area 60 50 30 50 20 20 20 10 10 25
11. Evidence of stock grazing (trampling, cattle paths, dung, poaching) within disc area
N N N N N N N N N N
12. Known nectar plants in flower within disc area2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
13. Seeds heads from the previous year or black plantain heads3(roosting perches) within disc area
N N N N Y Y N Y N Y
14. Visible clumps of Rabbit dropping within disc area 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
15. Bramble and/or other low invading scrub (e.g. Hawthorn seedlings) within disc area N N N N N N N N N N
16. Aspect, flat ground or on slope orientation to sun (e.g. F=flat, 1SW=shallow slope south west, 2NE=medium slope north east, 3E=steep slope east etc.)
1S 1S 1S 1S 1S 1S 1S 1S 1S 1S
17. Adults counted (in flight over survey area)
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OVA DEPOSITION DETAILS
5 Metre Square Reference Code - HC HC12 HC55 HC72 HC06 HC03 HC40 HC79 HC76 HC73 HC23 1. Vegetation Height (measured in cm) 6 1 4 14 4 2 4 8 1 1 2. Number of eggs on foodplant 3. Colour of egg (yellow/Orange) 4. Height of shoot containing egg 5. Distance of egg from shoot tip 6. Distance of shoot from centre of main
plant
7. Percentage of unidentified green plants within disc area 35 28 58 50 60 70 50 50 50 70
8. Percentage bare ground within disc area 0 0 30 0 0 5 0 0 30 0 9. Percentage of dead dry vegetation within
disc area 5 2 2 10 30 5 20 30 10 10
10. Percentage of green grass within disc area 60 70 10 40 10 20 30 20 10 20
11. Evidence of stock grazing (trampling, cattle paths, dung, poaching) within disc area
N N N N N N N N N N
12. Known nectar plants in flower within disc area2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
13. Seeds heads from the previous year or black plantain heads3(roosting perches) within disc area
N N N N N N N N N N
14. Visible clumps of Rabbit dropping within disc area 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 5
15. Bramble and/or other low invading scrub (e.g. Hawthorn seedlings) within disc area N N N N N N N N N N
16. Aspect, flat ground or on slope orientation to sun (e.g. F=flat, 1SW=shallow slope south west, 2NE=medium slope north east, 3E=steep slope east etc.)
F F F F F F F F F F
17. Adults counted (in flight over survey area) 2
5 Metre Square Reference Code - JC JC19 JC23 JC79 JC97 JC94 JC72 JC49 JC44 JC33 JC12 1. Vegetation Height (measured in cm) 1.5 4 6 6 4 2 2 3 3 4 2. Number of eggs on foodplant 3. Colour of egg (yellow/Orange) 4. Height of shoot containing egg 5. Distance of egg from shoot tip 6. Distance of shoot from centre of main
plant
7. Percentage of unidentified green plants within disc area 45 65 45 30 50 18 20 30 28 20
8. Percentage bare ground within disc area 0 0 25 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9. Percentage of dead dry vegetation within
disc area 5 5 10 20 0 2 0 0 2 0
10. Percentage of green grass within disc area 50 30 20 50 50 80 80 70 70 80
11. Evidence of stock grazing (trampling, cattle paths, dung, poaching) within disc area
N N N N N N N N N N
12. Known nectar plants in flower within disc area2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
13. Seeds heads from the previous year or black plantain heads3(roosting perches) within disc area
N N N N N N N N N N
14. Visible clumps of Rabbit dropping within disc area 0 2 5 1 0 0 1 2 3 4
15. Bramble and/or other low invading scrub (e.g. Hawthorn seedlings) within disc area N N N N N N N N N N
16. Aspect, flat ground or on slope orientation to sun (e.g. F=flat, 1SW=shallow slope south west, 2NE=medium slope north east, 3E=steep slope east etc.)
F F F F F F F F F F
17. Adults counted (in flight over survey area)
Field Identification – Ryton Meadows Nature Reserve
Page 28
OVA DEPOSITION DETAILS
5 Metre Square Reference Code – BUND FB FB01 FB21 FB26 FB77 FB83 FB09 FB94 FB10 FB32 FB92 1. Vegetation Height (measured in cm) 2 2 1 1 3 5 2 2 15 3 2. Number of eggs on foodplant 3. Colour of egg (yellow/Orange) 4. Height of shoot containing egg 5. Distance of egg from shoot tip 6. Distance of shoot from centre of main
plant
7. Percentage of unidentified green plants within disc area 40 66 18 20 70 50 20 28 30 50
8. Percentage bare ground within disc area 20 2 2 80 30 50 80 10 50 0 9. Percentage of dead dry vegetation within
disc area 10 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 30
10. Percentage of green grass within disc area 30 30 80 0 0 0 0 60 20 20
11. Evidence of stock grazing (trampling, cattle paths, dung, poaching) within disc area
N N N N N N N N N N
12. Known nectar plants in flower within disc area2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
13. Seeds heads from the previous year or black plantain heads3(roosting perches) within disc area
N N N N N N N N N N
14. Visible clumps of Rabbit dropping within disc area 1 0 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
15. Bramble and/or other low invading scrub (e.g. Hawthorn seedlings) within disc area N N N N N N N N N N
16. Aspect, flat ground or on slope orientation to sun (e.g. F=flat, 1SW=shallow slope south west, 2NE=medium slope north east, 3E=steep slope east etc.)
F F F F F BUND FACE
BUND FACE F F BUND
FACE
17. Adults counted (in flight over survey area)
Field Identification – Ryton Meadows Nature Reserve
Page 29
OVA DEPOSITION PREFERENCE SURVEY FORM
SITE NAME:
RYTON WOOD MEADOWS GRID REF: SP376726 SPECIES: DINGY SKIPPER
DATE: 24/5/08 RECORDER: JAYE WHALLEY
5 metre square numbers 100 99 98 97 96 95 94 93 92 91
81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90
80 79 78 77 76 75 74 73 72 71
61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70
60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 51
41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Field Identification – Ryton Meadows Nature Reserve
Page 30
Example 5m square reference code format: DB43
OVA DEPOSITION DETAILS OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE: 17o 5 Metre Square Reference Code FA
1. Vegetation Height (measured in cm) 10 2. Number of eggs on foodplant 1 3. Colour of egg (yellow/Orange) Y 4. Height of shoot containing egg (cm) 5 5. Distance of egg from shoot tip (cm) 0.5 6. Distance of shoot from centre of main
plant (cm) 10
7. Percentage of unidentified green plants within disc area 5
8. Percentage bare ground within disc area 15 9. Percentage of dead dry vegetation within
disc area 0
10. Percentage of green grass within disc area 5
11. Evidence of stock grazing (trampling, cattle paths, dung, poaching) within disc area
N
12. Known nectar plants in flower within disc area2 0
13. Seeds heads from the previous year or black plantain heads3(roosting perches) within disc area
N
14. Visible clumps of Rabbit dropping within disc area N
15. Bramble and/or other low invading scrub (e.g. Hawthorn seedlings) within disc area N
16. Aspect, flat ground or on slope orientation to sun (e.g. F=flat, 1SW=shallow slope south west, 2NE=medium slope north east, 3E=steep slope east etc.)
F
17. Adults counted (in flight over survey area) 2 (Female) Dingy Skipper; 2 Green Hairstreak; 1 Grizzled Skipper
Field Identification – Ryton Meadows Nature Reserve
Page 31
OVA DEPOSITION PREFERENCE SURVEY FORM
SITE NAME:
RYTON WOOD MEADOWS GRID REF: SP376726 SPECIES: DINGY SKIPPER
DATE: 01/6/08 RECORDER: Jaye Whalley
5 metre square numbers 100 99 98 97 96 95 94 93 92 91
81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90
80 79 78 77 76 75 74 73 72 71
61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70
60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 51
41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Field Identification – Ryton Meadows Nature Reserve
Page 32
Example 5m square reference code format: DB43
OVA DEPOSITION DETAILS OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE: 20o overcast, bright 5 Metre Square Reference Code - AA AA10 AA5 AA1 AA25 AA100 AA91 AA41 AA55 AA58 AA23 1. Vegetation Height (measured in cm) 10 17 9 7 12 10 5 9 10 11 2. Number of eggs on foodplant 3. Colour of egg (yellow/Orange) 4. Height of shoot containing egg 5. Distance of egg from shoot tip 6. Distance of shoot from centre of main
plant
7. Percentage of unidentified green plants within disc area 60 90 90 70 90 90 50 50 100 100
8. Percentage bare ground within disc area 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9. Percentage of dead dry vegetation within
disc area 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
10. Percentage of green grass within disc area 40 10 10 30 10 10 50 50 0 0
11. Evidence of stock grazing (trampling, cattle paths, dung, poaching) within disc area
N N N Y N N N N N N
12. Known nectar plants in flower within disc area2 0 2 BFT,
Cowslip 1 BFT 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 BFT
13. Seeds heads from the previous year or black plantain heads3(roosting perches) within disc area
N N N N N N N N N N
14. Visible clumps of Rabbit dropping within disc area 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
15. Bramble and/or other low invading scrub (e.g. Hawthorn seedlings) within disc area N N N N N N N N N N
16. Aspect, flat ground or on slope orientation to sun (e.g. F=flat, 1SW=shallow slope south west, 2NE=medium slope north east, 3E=steep slope east etc.)
F F F F F F F F F F
17. Adults counted (in flight over survey area)
5 Metre Square Reference Code - DC DC1 DC18 DC100 DC66 DC91 DC59 DC10 DC15 DC36 DC44 1. Vegetation Height (measured in cm) 12 28 15 15 12 9 10 9 19 15 2. Number of eggs on foodplant 3. Colour of egg (yellow/Orange) 4. Height of shoot containing egg 5. Distance of egg from shoot tip 6. Distance of shoot from centre of main
plant
7. Percentage of unidentified green plants within disc area 0 50 0 0 30 20 10 0 45 0
8. Percentage bare ground within disc area 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9. Percentage of dead dry vegetation within
disc area 0 20 50 50 40 40 0 50 10 30
10. Percentage of green grass within disc area 100 30 50 50 30 40 90 50 45 70
11. Evidence of stock grazing (trampling, cattle paths, dung, poaching) within disc area
N N N N N N N N N N
12. Known nectar plants in flower within disc area2 0 0 0 0 1 vetch 0 0 0 0 0
13. Seeds heads from the previous year or black plantain heads3(roosting perches) within disc area
N Y N N N N N N N N
14. Visible clumps of Rabbit dropping within disc area 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
15. Bramble and/or other low invading scrub (e.g. Hawthorn seedlings) within disc area N N N N N N N N N N
16. Aspect, flat ground or on slope orientation to sun (e.g. F=flat, 1SW=shallow slope south west, 2NE=medium slope north east, 3E=steep slope east etc.)
F F F F F F F F F F
17. Adults counted (in flight over survey area)
Field Identification – Ryton Meadows Nature Reserve
Page 33
OVA DEPOSITION DETAILS
5 Metre Square Reference Code - HC HC10 HC5 HC1 HC22 HC61 HC100 HC95 HC91 HC46 HC51 1. Vegetation Height (measured in cm) 5 4 15 3 5 6 8 2 2 3 2. Number of eggs on foodplant 3. Colour of egg (yellow/Orange) 4. Height of shoot containing egg 5. Distance of egg from shoot tip 6. Distance of shoot from centre of main
plant
7. Percentage of unidentified green plants within disc area 20 60 40 50 40 60 40 50 50 40
8. Percentage bare ground within disc area 0 20 0 10 10 0 0 10 20 5 9. Percentage of dead dry vegetation within
disc area 0 10 10 5 20 5 5 0 5 10
10. Percentage of green grass within disc area 80 10 40 35 30 35 55 40 25 45
11. Evidence of stock grazing (trampling, cattle paths, dung, poaching) within disc area
N N N N N N N N N N
12. Known nectar plants in flower within disc area2
1 Forget Me Not 0 0 1 Forget
Me Not 0 0 0 1 Forget Me Not 0 0
13. Seeds heads from the previous year or black plantain heads3(roosting perches) within disc area
N N N N N N N N N N
14. Visible clumps of Rabbit dropping within disc area 0 0 0 15 0 3 0 2 0 0
15. Bramble and/or other low invading scrub (e.g. Hawthorn seedlings) within disc area N N N N N N N N N N
16. Aspect, flat ground or on slope orientation to sun (e.g. F=flat, 1SW=shallow slope south west, 2NE=medium slope north east, 3E=steep slope east etc.)
F F F F F F F F F F
17. Adults counted (in flight over survey area)
5 Metre Square Reference Code - JC JC4 JC22 JC44 JC53 JC64 JC99 JC95 JC91 JC10 JC1 1. Vegetation Height (measured in cm) 2.5 2 2 3 9 10 8 9 3 9 2. Number of eggs on foodplant 3. Colour of egg (yellow/Orange) 4. Height of shoot containing egg 5. Distance of egg from shoot tip 6. Distance of shoot from centre of main
plant
7. Percentage of unidentified green plants within disc area 90 20 70 70 20 90 40 90 80 95
8. Percentage bare ground within disc area 0 0 20 0 80 0 20 0 0 0 9. Percentage of dead dry vegetation within
disc area 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 0
10. Percentage of green grass within disc area 10 80 10 30 0 10 20 10 20 5
11. Evidence of stock grazing (trampling, cattle paths, dung, poaching) within disc area
N N N N N N N N N N
12. Known nectar plants in flower within disc area2 0 0 0 0 0 1 BFT 0 0 0 1 BFT
13. Seeds heads from the previous year or black plantain heads3(roosting perches) within disc area
N N N N N N N N N N
14. Visible clumps of Rabbit dropping within disc area 2 3 2 10 10 0 20 0 1 0
15. Bramble and/or other low invading scrub (e.g. Hawthorn seedlings) within disc area N N N N N N N N N N
16. Aspect, flat ground or on slope orientation to sun (e.g. F=flat, 1SW=shallow slope south west, 2NE=medium slope north east, 3E=steep slope east etc.)
F F F F F F F F F F
17. Adults counted (in flight over survey area)
Field Identification – Ryton Meadows Nature Reserve
Page 34
OVA DEPOSITION DETAILS
5 Metre Square Reference Code – BUND FB FB01 FB19 FB56 FB99 FB68 FB10 FB91 FB100 FB95 FB92 1. Vegetation Height (measured in cm) 2 2 2 30 5 1 9 15 6 1 2. Number of eggs on foodplant 3. Colour of egg (yellow/Orange) 4. Height of shoot containing egg 5. Distance of egg from shoot tip 6. Distance of shoot from centre of main
plant
7. Percentage of unidentified green plants within disc area 50 30 30 50 20 10 30 30 40 50
8. Percentage bare ground within disc area 20 10 70 30 80 30 40 40 40 50 9. Percentage of dead dry vegetation within
disc area 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 10 0
10. Percentage of green grass within disc area 30 60 0 10 0 60 30 30 10 0
11. Evidence of stock grazing (trampling, cattle paths, dung, poaching) within disc area
N N N N N N N N N N
12. Known nectar plants in flower within disc area2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Bugle 0
13. Seeds heads from the previous year or black plantain heads3(roosting perches) within disc area
N N N N N N N N N N
14. Visible clumps of Rabbit dropping within disc area 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
15. Bramble and/or other low invading scrub (e.g. Hawthorn seedlings) within disc area N N N N N N N N N N
16. Aspect, flat ground or on slope orientation to sun (e.g. F=flat, 1SW=shallow slope south west, 2NE=medium slope north east, 3E=steep slope east etc.)
F F F F F F F F F F
17. Adults counted (in flight over survey area) 1 – Dingy Skipper
Field Identification – Ryton Meadows Nature Reserve
Page 35
OVA DEPOSITION PREFERENCE SURVEY FORM
SITE NAME:
RYTON WOOD MEADOWS GRID REF: SP376726 SPECIES: DINGY SKIPPER
DATE: 14/6/08 RECORDER: Jaye Whalley
5 metre square numbers 100 99 98 97 96 95 94 93 92 91
81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90
80 79 78 77 76 75 74 73 72 71
61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70
60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 51
41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Field Identification – Ryton Meadows Nature Reserve
Page 36
Example 5m square reference code format: DB43
OVA DEPOSITION DETAILS OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE: 5 Metre Square Reference Code - AA AA1 AA41 AA100 AA98 AA91 AA89 AA10 AA52 AA45 AA24 1. Vegetation Height (measured in cm) 19 7 10 25 13 20 18 19 5 5 2. Number of eggs on foodplant 3. Colour of egg (yellow/Orange) 4. Height of shoot containing egg 5. Distance of egg from shoot tip 6. Distance of shoot from centre of main
plant
7. Percentage of unidentified green plants within disc area 80 40 80 100 50 80 100 90 50 50
8. Percentage bare ground within disc area 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9. Percentage of dead dry vegetation within
disc area 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
10. Percentage of green grass within disc area 20 60 20 0 50 20 0 10 50 50
11. Evidence of stock grazing (trampling, cattle paths, dung, poaching) within disc area
N Y N N Y N N N Y Y
12. Known nectar plants in flower within disc area2 0 0 0 BFT 0 BFT BFT BFT 0 0
13. Seeds heads from the previous year or black plantain heads3(roosting perches) within disc area
N N N N N N N N N N
14. Visible clumps of Rabbit dropping within disc area 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
15. Bramble and/or other low invading scrub (e.g. Hawthorn seedlings) within disc area N N N N N N N N N N
16. Aspect, flat ground or on slope orientation to sun (e.g. F=flat, 1SW=shallow slope south west, 2NE=medium slope north east, 3E=steep slope east etc.)
F F F F F F F F F F
17. Adults counted (in flight over survey area) 1 – Dingy Skipper
5 Metre Square Reference Code - DC DC100 DC62 DC1 DC7 DC10 DC50 DC91 DC96 DC65 DC29 1. Vegetation Height (measured in cm) 10 30 18 24 12 24 23 15 25 24 2. Number of eggs on foodplant 3. Colour of egg (yellow/Orange) 4. Height of shoot containing egg 5. Distance of egg from shoot tip 6. Distance of shoot from centre of main
plant
7. Percentage of unidentified green plants within disc area 0 50 20 20 0 50 50 0 0 0
8. Percentage bare ground within disc area 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9. Percentage of dead dry vegetation within
disc area 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 0 20
10. Percentage of green grass within disc area 100 50 80 80 100 50 50 50 100 80
11. Evidence of stock grazing (trampling, cattle paths, dung, poaching) within disc area
N N N N N N N N N N
12. Known nectar plants in flower within disc area2 0 0 0 1 BFT 1 vetch 1 vetch 0 0 0 0
13. Seeds heads from the previous year or black plantain heads3(roosting perches) within disc area
N N Y N N N N N N N
14. Visible clumps of Rabbit dropping within disc area 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
15. Bramble and/or other low invading scrub (e.g. Hawthorn seedlings) within disc area N N N N N N N N N N
16. Aspect, flat ground or on slope orientation to sun (e.g. F=flat, 1SW=shallow slope south west, 2NE=medium slope north east, 3E=steep slope east etc.)
F F F F F F F F F F
17. Adults counted (in flight over survey area)
Field Identification – Ryton Meadows Nature Reserve
Page 37
OVA DEPOSITION DETAILS
5 Metre Square Reference Code - HC HC10 HC29 HC89 HC91 HC96 HC100 HC43 HC1 HC16 HC7 1. Vegetation Height (measured in cm) 8 5 2 2 10 7 2 16 3 5 2. Number of eggs on foodplant 3. Colour of egg (yellow/Orange) 4. Height of shoot containing egg 5. Distance of egg from shoot tip 6. Distance of shoot from centre of main
plant
7. Percentage of unidentified green plants within disc area 30 25 50 90 70 70 80 50 25 20
8. Percentage bare ground within disc area 0 50 20 10 0 0 20 0 25 0 9. Percentage of dead dry vegetation within
disc area 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
10. Percentage of green grass within disc area 70 25 30 0 30 30 0 50 50 80
11. Evidence of stock grazing (trampling, cattle paths, dung, poaching) within disc area
N N N N N N N N N N
12. Known nectar plants in flower within disc area2 0 0 1 BFT 3 F-M-N
b’cup, cl 1 clover 0 0 0 0 1 Butter cup
13. Seeds heads from the previous year or black plantain heads3(roosting perches) within disc area
N N N N N N N N N N
14. Visible clumps of Rabbit dropping within disc area 0 3 10 3 0 2 0 0 3 3
15. Bramble and/or other low invading scrub (e.g. Hawthorn seedlings) within disc area N N N N N N N N N N
16. Aspect, flat ground or on slope orientation to sun (e.g. F=flat, 1SW=shallow slope south west, 2NE=medium slope north east, 3E=steep slope east etc.)
F F F F F F F F F F
17. Adults counted (in flight over survey area)
5 Metre Square Reference Code - JC JC91 JC96 JC100 JC42 JC32 JC10 JC6 JC1 JC38 JC34 1. Vegetation Height (measured in cm) 8 16 15 4 10 5 25 18 5 3 2. Number of eggs on foodplant 3. Colour of egg (yellow/Orange) 4. Height of shoot containing egg 5. Distance of egg from shoot tip 6. Distance of shoot from centre of main
plant
7. Percentage of unidentified green plants within disc area 90 100 90 50 70 90 100 100 50 50
8. Percentage bare ground within disc area 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 30 0 9. Percentage of dead dry vegetation within
disc area 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
10. Percentage of green grass within disc area 10 0 10 50 30 10 0 0 20 50
11. Evidence of stock grazing (trampling, cattle paths, dung, poaching) within disc area
N N N Y N N N N N N
12. Known nectar plants in flower within disc area2 0 1 BFT 0 0 1 BFT 0 1 BFT 1 BFT 1 BFT 0
13. Seeds heads from the previous year or black plantain heads3(roosting perches) within disc area
N N N N N N N N N N
14. Visible clumps of Rabbit dropping within disc area 0 0 0 30 5 0 0 0 15 10
15. Bramble and/or other low invading scrub (e.g. Hawthorn seedlings) within disc area N N N N N N N N N N
16. Aspect, flat ground or on slope orientation to sun (e.g. F=flat, 1SW=shallow slope south west, 2NE=medium slope north east, 3E=steep slope east etc.)
F F F F F F F F F F
17. Adults counted (in flight over survey area)
Field Identification – Ryton Meadows Nature Reserve
Page 38
OVA DEPOSITION DETAILS
5 Metre Square Reference Code – BUND FB FB10 FB6 FB1 FB59 FB55 FB51 FB15 FB100 FB96 FB91 1. Vegetation Height (measured in cm) 2 14 2 10 16 3 5 15 12 12 2. Number of eggs on foodplant 3. Colour of egg (yellow/Orange) 4. Height of shoot containing egg 5. Distance of egg from shoot tip 6. Distance of shoot from centre of main
plant
7. Percentage of unidentified green plants within disc area 10 90 30 75 50 15 90 30 10 10
8. Percentage bare ground within disc area 20 0 30 20 50 70 0 70 0 0 9. Percentage of dead dry vegetation within
disc area 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
10. Percentage of green grass within disc area 65 10 40 5 0 15 10 0 90 90
11. Evidence of stock grazing (trampling, cattle paths, dung, poaching) within disc area
N N N N N N N N N N
12. Known nectar plants in flower within disc area2 0 1 BFT 1 clover 1 butter
cup 0 0 1 clover 0 0 0
13. Seeds heads from the previous year or black plantain heads3(roosting perches) within disc area
N N N N N N N N N N
14. Visible clumps of Rabbit dropping within disc area 6 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
15. Bramble and/or other low invading scrub (e.g. Hawthorn seedlings) within disc area N N N N N N N N N N
16. Aspect, flat ground or on slope orientation to sun (e.g. F=flat, 1SW=shallow slope south west, 2NE=medium slope north east, 3E=steep slope east etc.)
F F F F F F F F F F
17. Adults counted (in flight over survey area)
Field Identification – Ryton Meadows Nature Reserve
Page 39
APPENDIX E – Mann-Whitney U-test
The raw data below shows the number of species found per quadrat on A (seed sown area DC) and B
(free colonisation of area JC):
Drop A B 1 4 2 2 4 5 3 5 3 4 4 3 5 3 5 6 6 4 7 6 3 8 3 7 9 7 1 10 6 3
48 36
The Mann-Whitney U-test is used to test whether the two independent groups could have come from
the same population, and is one of the most powerful non-parametric tests. The purpose of the U-test
is to test for a difference in medians, and is not dependant on normality or equal variance as explained
by Cook (2008).
Using the U-test, the data is ranked on a continuous scale in ascending order where A is seed sown
area DC and B is free colonisation area JC. The two columns are ranked as one data set, starting with
the lowest number. Therefore in Table 2 below we work our way down by giving number 1 (A) the rank
value of 1, number 2 (A) the rank value of 2. However, a different ranking method is applied where
measurements are equal. The 3’s are counted across A and B and take up ranks 4,5,6,7,8,9,10
(seven 3’s), when tied each number is given the average (or mean) of the ranks they take up so 7.5
(the mean of 4,5,6,7,8,9,10). When the number of tied ranks is even it will be given a .5 number, when
odd the average will be a whole number. The ranks are then summed for each area.
Field Identification – Ryton Meadows Nature Reserve
Page 40
Table 1: Original Raw Data set for
No of samples taken Table 2: Raw Data arranged numerically for
No of samples taken A Ua B Ub A Ua B Ub 1 1 4 11.5 1 1 3 7 4 11.5 2 2.5 3 7 5 13 2 2.5 3 7 6 15.5 3 7 3 7 3 7 7 18 3 7 2 2.5 7 18 3 7 4 11.5 7 18 3 7 2 2.5 5 13 3 7 3 7 6 15.5 3 7 3 7 3 7 4 11.5 4 11.5
10 59.5 10 141 4 11.5 5 13 5 13
Ua 99 Ub 14.5 6 15.5 6 15.5 7 18 7 18 7 18 10 59.5 10 141
The values of U have been calculated as follows:
A (sown): U=n1n2 + n1(n1+1) - Σra so, 10 x 10 + 10(10+1) – 59.5 = 95.5
2 2
B (colonised): U=n1n2 + n2(n2+1) - Σrb so, 10 x 10 + 10(10+1) – 141 = 14
2 2
The smaller of the two U values, 59.5, is compared with the appropriate value in the table of Critical
Values (Chalmers and Parker, 1986) by measuring across 10 down 10 (based on the number of
samples) giving a result of 23 (as shown below):
Field Identification – Ryton Meadows Nature Reserve
Page 41
If the corresponding calculated U-value of 95.5 is less than the tabulated figure 23, then the null
hypothesis must be rejected.
In this comparison the hypothesis is accepted and it is assumed there is no significant difference in the
numbers of species in the two areas.
Field Identification – Ryton Meadows Nature Reserve
Page 42
Appendix F – Fieldwork
MARCH
Habitat 1 - AA
Habitat 2 - DC
Habitat 3 – FB (calcareous bund)
Habitat 4 - HC
Generally across the habitats
Bugle
Ribwort Plantain
APRIL
Habitat 1 - AA
Habitat 2 - DC
Habitat 3 – FB (calcareous bund)
Field Identification – Ryton Meadows Nature Reserve
Page 43
Generally across the habitats
Bird’s-foot refoil
Ground-ivy(Glechoma hederacea)
Common forget-me-not
Broad leaved willowherb
Barren strawberry
Barren strawberry
Common ragwort
MAY
Greater Stitchwort
Ribwort Plantain
Bugle
Field Identification – Ryton Meadows Nature Reserve
Page 44
JUNE
Habitat 1 - AA
Habitat 3 – FB (calcareous bund)
Habitat 4 – HC
Habitat 5 – JC
Generally across the habitats
Cattle grazing (photo by Mike Slater)
Common Forget-me-not
Birds-foot trefoil
Ragged Robin
Ladybird on Common Vetch
Six-spot Burnet
Silver-ground carpet
Common Blue female
Common Blue male