Tab for Tetrad Totals

The new tab I've inserted above hopefully makes it it easier to keep 'tabs' on the most up to date tetrad coverage map for Glamorgan. I've also put a few of the older maps up so you can see the progression of recording. As both Charles and George have done recently, by including updated tetrad totals their square-bash results, I've been able to update the map immediately, rather than waiting for sync files. Please do keep doing this if possible.

Glamorgan tetrad map update

It seems timely for a tetrad update as I have just received a sync file from Charles, plus it includes George's data up to a month or so back. I have now highlighted in blue the 30 boundary squares considered to have received an acceptable level of coverage, which when added the those with a minimum of 60 species, totals 333 'completed' tetrads. This equates to 54% of the 615 Glamorgan tetrads, so we're now over half way!

In addition to the updated map is the last map I posted in May, plus a map from one year ago, so the additions can be viewed more clearly when flicking between maps. You may notice some of the boundary squares have disappeared altogether - this was done after carefully checking the vc41 boundary overlay on the Grab a Grid Reference website (use the 'Toggle Vice-County' option below the left hand map to check any boundaries you're uncertain of).

Glamorgan tetrad map update

It's been just over three months since the last update, but as there's been a healthy amount of recording (4996 records for 2016 so far) the latest map update should be of help in targeting efforts. Charles and Hilary have been very busy extending the NPT coverage, with additional records to many worked squares as-well-as chipping away at RCT. George has consolidated the Cardiff tetrad castle and has even built a lookout tower on the east wing - so he can keep an eye on what Sam's up to the east! I see George has also starting building an outpost around Old Castle Down - clearly deprived of Lego as a child! ;-) I'm not sure if Sam's been able to do much in Glamorgan this year, additional to his visit to the Hafod (clearly Monmouthshire is benefiting from his move), but I see Peter's been doing bits and pieces at a variety of sites and adding to the larger picture. Note, some of Sam's data from last year is included in this update. No doubt recording will ease off as spring turns into summer when flower and bugs will quite rightly grab our attention more, but I'm sure there will days when the green fuzz proves irresistible...

[as usual the new map plus the previous one so you can flick to see the updates more clearly]

Glamorgan tetrad update

I know it's been less than a month since the last one, but a little clarification is needed within NPT. Although the west is getting closer to achieving the nominal target, many squares still have lots more to offer and will benefit from revisits. As always, flick between the two to see the changes from the previous updates (PS. I'll update this map with Sam, George & Peter's additions when they come through from Dave).

West Glamorgan progress update

After all the recent scarcities, it seems appropriate that some of our commonest species should get a mention. Having now achieved the nominal tetrad coverage for Swansea, I thought a check of the coverage of our most widespread species might help identify where follow-up effort is required. There are 276 tetrads in West Glamorgan and the following table lists the most widespread species in terms of the number of tetrads recorded, along with the same figure as a percentage.

Species League Table (Tetrads)	#	%
Kindbergia praelonga	232	84
Calliergonella cuspidata	230	83
Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus	223	81
Brachythecium rutabulum	220	80
Hypnum andoi	212	77
Metzgeria furcata	209	76
Frullania dilatata	200	72
Bryum capillare	199	72
Ceratodon purpureus	192	70
Mnium hornum	189	68
Ulota bruchii	189	68
Atrichum undulatum	180	65
Dicranum scoparium	179	65
Lophocolea bidentata	178	64
Dicranella heteromalla	177	64
Hypnum jutlandicum	177	64
Polytrichastrum formosum	176	64
Pseudoscleropodium purum	175	63
Barbula unguiculata	174	63
Orthotrichum affine	172	62

The following selection of maps highlights the distribution gaps in these widespread species. It's probable most can be taken above 90% with some additional targeted effort, bearing in mind a some of the NPT squares are still to be visited. Charles and Hilary's systematic monad recording is most impressive for species in key NPT habitats, such as forestry and mires, as shown in the second batch of maps below:

A few selected species frequent in forestry and mire habitats:

2015 Glamorgan update

2015 records from the main contributors are now almost all in, so an update seemed timely. Still with Sam's data to come through the system, we only fell short of the 10,000 mark last year by just 456 records, so again well done for all the hard effort. I know it's only been a month since the last update, but I've added the previous update alongside the current map as it's always encouraging to flick between the two to see the advances more clearly. Here's hoping for some drier weather to encourage us out a little bit more!

Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus further afield

The distribution of Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus in Glamorgan is partly elucidated by examination of maps from three other pretty well-recorded S Wales VCs. 

It has a very inland distribution in Pembs, largely avoiding the coast (except for a handful of very sheltered lane banks or churchyards, perhaps introduced with wreaths in the latter).

Colonies are widespread in Carms except around Llanelli and Carmarthen.  The strongest populations are on lane banks in the northern half of the county from Clunderwen to Llandovery.

Finally in Monmouthshire it is scarce except in the Black Mountains, with a few lane bank colonies around the Trellech plateau.

The first Atlas said that pollution had caused declines in Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, and that would seem to make a lot of sense judging by its distribution in south Wales.  Roll on the time we can publish a S Wales tetrad Flora to really display these patterns!!

Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus

I was out in southern Ceredigion yesterday (Capel Dewi, just north of the Teifi) doing Brown Hairstreak egg surveys, and was struck, as always when doing BH surveys in SW Wales, by the abundance of R. triquetrus on lane banks.

I've still to record this species in Glam! Barry, could you post a map please? Maybe one for each of the Rhytidiadelphus species if you have time. Thanks.

Calliergonella maps

In response to Graham's earlier post here are the distributions of our two Calliergonella species (MapMate data only).

Campylopus maps

Here are a few maps based on the MapMate data set for general interest. They give an idea of survey progress and possibly the need, for me at least, to get a better understanding of Campylopus species.