Paxton Pits Nature Reserve
St Neots Biodiversity Project
The Rotary Club of St Neots and the museum have teamed up to launch a project to monitor and record the wildlife in our area and we need your help.
People across the world are concerned about the increasing loss of wildlife and the effect that climate change is having on the declining biodiversity of the natural world. To enable us to monitor changes in biodiversity we first need to discover what wildlife currently lives in a particular area.
Why is the project important?
Biodiversity recording is an area of science to which everyone can make a real contribution. We only have estimates of the numbers of species to be found in England and the St Neots area. Climate change and the migration of species are creating perpetual change. New species are arriving as others disappear. By being involved in the project, you might well be the first to report a species or variety new to the county, possibly to England.
How to identify the wildlife you have seen?
If you are not able to identify a fauna species, you can include a photograph or description on your form. Phone Apps are also available for identification or websites have information to assist species identification.
Why are we collecting the information?
We are collecting information about wildlife across the whole of St Neots, including Eynesbury, Eaton Ford, Eaton Socon, Loves Farm, Wintringham and St Neots itself. Even if you do not live in one of these areas, you can still report the wildlife you see as you travel through them.
So if you live in any part of St Neots please start collecting information and send us your sittings.
What information don’t you need?
Please don’t send photos of any pets or selfies.
How long will the project last?
The answer depends very much on the amount of support the project receives from the people of St Neots. In the first year, we expect the number of species recorded to approach 500, with 800 in the second year and 1,000 in the third year. Assuming interest develops as expected, the project will be extended to flora and the number of species expected should top 1,400.
What will happen to the records you submit?
First, they will be collated by species and reported to the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Environmental Records Centre (CPERC) to become part of the biodiversity record for the area, the county, and England as a whole. Second, the project will identify key habitats and wildlife migrations routes. Looking forward the results collected will provide a baseline from which to monitor and report changes in the abundance and distribution of individual species and overall local biodiversity.
Who is leading the project?
The project is being led by Dr Mike Kingdon, President of the St Neots Rotary Club and a Chartered Scientist. Project progress will be reported by the Museum and local press. Watch the Museum website for details of project displays and activities. The project methodology is based on a similar example of citizen science that Dr Kingdon initiated in a Bedfordshire village during the first pandemic. If you wish to become more fully involved, please contact Dr Mike Kingdon using the project’s email address or by visiting the Museum.
More about how the Rotary Club is protecting the environment is available here.
How to get involved
Starting with the local wild animals (native fauna), we are asking people who live or work in St Neots, to help record the mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and insects (the fauna species), they see every month.
Each month, participants are asked to record the first time they see a species. For example, they should record the first robin they see each month – plus the date, time, and location.
Download a form and send us your monthly surveys to wildlife@rotarystneots.org.uk or deliver your forms to the museum.
Every individual sighting you make and report will contribute to the picture of local biodiversity.
