We want to thank all of our SSRS Spring Survey volunteers who participated in the 2020 Survey. It was very disappointing that we were unable to complete the survey this year due to the restrictions imposed by Covid-19 and we appreciate your patience as we have adjusted to a new means of working.
As we continue to face the challenges of the pandemic, it has been decided that the Spring Survey will not be returning in 2021 due to the uncertainty of ongoing restrictions.
With an incomplete dataset from this year’s survey, an annual Spring Survey Report for 2020 will not be produced, however we will aim to make use of returned samples where possible. Please see the regional guidance listed below for advice on remaining survey equipment.
We are incredibly grateful for the hard work and dedication that went into this year’s Spring Survey, and we hope that we can offer more opportunities in the future that you will find equally rewarding. There are all sorts of other ways you can get involved in the project, and specific volunteer openings can be found on the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Volunteering Opportunities page. Do keep in touch with your local Conservation Officer or Community Engagement Officer if you have any questions or concerns.
What should I do with my 2020 Spring Survey kit?
Please read over the guidance and instructions below for your survey area:
- If you participate in our Autumn Operational Survey, please leave your feeder boxes in situ and continue to store any bait in a sealed container in a cool, dry place for reuse.
- If you are solely a Spring Survey Participant, please take down your feeder boxes where possible, removing any remaining bait or debris from the feeder to store at home for collection by a member of the SSRS team. If you feel you are unable do so, please get in touch. If you have been storing bait, you are welcome to use this in your own garden.
- Please complete your Tetrad Data Sheet including your personal information and volunteer hours and post these using the pre-paid envelope provided. Collected stickies will not need to be included. Please note that the listed address will need to be changed to:
North East Team
PO Box 18776
ABERDEEN
AB25 9BJ
- Please complete the ‘Volunteer Hours’ and personal information sections of your Tetrad Data Sheet and post these using the pre-paid envelope provided. Collected stickies will not need to be included.
- If you have been storing bait, you are welcome to use this in your own garden.
- Please leave all feeder boxes in situ.
- Please can we ask that you carry out one final visit to your feeder boxes to collect any remaining stickies and scrape out remaining bait or debris from the box. Please leave the boxes in situ.
- Complete your Tetrad Data Sheets, including your volunteer hours and collected stickies, posting these in the addressed pre-paid envelope provided.
- If you have been storing bait, you are welcome to use this in your own garden.
- For any other equipment you have such as cameras and spray bottles, please keep hold of these for now. When Covid-19 restrictions ease sufficiently we will contact you to make arrangements to collect survey equipment in.
- Please carry out one final visit to your feeder boxes to collect any remaining stickies and scrape out remaining bait or debris from the box.
- Retrieve your boxes from your tetrad and store them at home in a dry place. We are aiming to have these boxes passed onto your local network or returned to SSRS for future use. We will contact you individually to organise the transfer.
- If your boxes are on private land, please ensure that the landowner is aware that you are on site to retrieve the boxes. If you have any concerns, please get in touch.
- Please complete your Tetrad Data Sheets, including your volunteer hours and collected stickies, posting these in the addressed pre-paid envelope provided as usual.
- If you have been storing bait, this can be donated to a nearby Volunteer Group or you are welcome to use this in your own garden.
- Guidance and instructions for remaining Spring Survey equipment and supplies will be issued shortly.
If traveling to feeder box locations please adhere to Government guidelines and visit https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/ for the latest information on restrictions in your local area.