7 APPENDIX 7.1 Survey methodology Study Area Elmdon Ward = 498ha Hedgehog Survey May September – Rural area = approx. 250ha period Population 12,067 people Population density 24.2 per ha Phase 1 and hedgerow surveys, linked to barrier / connectivity assessments. Habitat surveys: Badger sett surveys: Desktop and surveys where required. Community surveys: Social surveys capturing trends in attitudes, habits and perceptions. Hedgehog surveys: Distribution and population surveys, see below: Survey Presence/absence surveys Abundance surveys specification Survey - To measure hedgehog distribution and - To measure hedgehog population objectives monitor changes over time. density and monitor changes over time. - To further understand the dynamic of the population through mark and recapture. Survey method Mammal footprint tunnels / Community Field searching (using torches) sightings / camera traps License No Yes required? Administered by Hedgehog Officer and volunteers Hedgehog Officer and volunteers Survey design Tunnels placed in residential gardens in 50 distributed evenly across the urban area and edge habitats in rural urban-rural gradient with an initial area. (Using national hedgehog survey intense survey period of 1 month protocols for rural area and a higher followed by subsequent recapture density of tunnels for urban area). / monitoring (see attached detailed survey and camera trap sightings submitted methodology) to us from the community. Sampling Citizen science surveys Capture-mark-recapture methods strategy including citizen science surveys Timing May September / any time May September – – Data collection Submission of footprint sheets Specific recording sheets This hedgehog survey methodology has been produced in consultation with Reading University’s School of Biological Sciences. Opportunities for facilitation of research projects in the HIA also exist with Reading University.
7 APPENDIX 7.1 Survey methodology Study Area Elmdon Ward = 498ha Rural area = approx. 250ha Hedgehog Survey period May – September Population 12,067 people Population density 24.2 per ha Habitat surveys: Phase 1 and hedgerow surveys, linked to barrier / connectivity assessments. Badger sett surveys: Desktop and surveys where required. Community surveys: Social surveys capturing trends in attitudes, habits and perceptions. Hedgehog surveys: Distribution and population surveys, see below: Survey specification Presence/absence surveys Abundance surveys Survey objectives - To measure hedgehog distribution and monitor changes over time. - To measure hedgehog population density and monitor changes over time. - To further understand the dynamic of the population through mark and recapture. Survey method Mammal footprint tunnels / Community sightings / camera traps Field searching (using torches) License required? No Yes Administered by Hedgehog Officer and volunteers Hedgehog Officer and volunteers Survey design Tunnels placed in residential gardens in urban area and edge habitats in rural area. (Using national hedgehog survey protocols for rural area and a higher density of tunnels for urban area). / and camera trap sightings submitted to us from the community. 50 distributed evenly across the urban-rural gradient with an initial intense survey period of 1 month followed by subsequent recapture monitoring (see attached detailed survey methodology) Sampling strategy Citizen science surveys Capture-mark-recapture methods including citizen science surveys Timing May – September / any time May – September Data collection Submission of footprint sheets Specific recording sheets This hedgehog survey methodology has been produced in consultation with Reading University’s School of Biological Sciences. Opportunities for facilitation of research projects in the HIA also exist with Reading University.
WWT%20Hedgehog%20Improvement%20Area%20Elmdon%20Sept%202014.docx