Every year, the BNHS recorders provide summaries of the records that have been submitted during the year. This is what the records tell us about 2015 –

• Total rainfall was lower than in 2014. March, April and June were relatively dry months, wet and windy later in year. Quite sunny early April to mid May. Otherwise 2015 was rather dull.
• 9 new species of weevils again identified, 2 of these Anthribus nebulosus and Larinus planus have been introduced into the US for pest control with limited success.
• Micro-moth recording started in 1986 with 84 species, there are now 950 recorded species. 7 new species found, inc one that had been presumed extinct in Britain.
• Whiskered Bat, Myotis mystacinus, found in Rushmere area so now 12 species in Beds.
• 92 badger road casualties.
• Dormouse monitoring in 3 sites, nests found in nest boxes but no natural nests. Birds, bees and hornets also found nesting in dormouse boxes.
• Water voles not doing well due to mink predation.
• 368 species of lichens, 8 new ones found. Search your local churchyard.
• 2 new species of hoverfly, inc 1 refound after long time. Marmalade Fly, Episyrphus balteatus, new found in each sector.
• New atlas on British flora to be published in 2020 so records will be requested as input for that.
• 1843 dragonfly records from 64 people. Numbers affected by the weather, not as many records as usual for the 2 most common, Common Darter, Sympetrum striolatum, and Common Blue Damselfly, Enallagma cyathigerum. Lesser Emperor, Anax parthenope, and Red-veined Darter, Sympetrum fonscolombii, recorded. Need to look out for Willow Emerald Damselfly, Lestes viridis, Variable Damselfly, Coenagrion pulchellum, Beautiful Demoiselle and Norfolk Hawker, Aeshna Isoceles.
• 35 species of native woodlice in Britain, 45 inc introduced species, but only 5 species recorded in Beds. Records needed to found out how many we have.
• The signal crayfish, Pacifastacus leniusculus is present but there were no records.
• 12119 butterfly records from 253 people, 37 species recorded. Numbers affected by weather, spring species did well, summer ones did not.
• In 1928, 22 species of bumblebees in Beds, now only 13. Increase in records last year for bumblebees so apparently not affected by the weather. Why?
• Not good year for recording bugs, only ~120 species found instead of ~200. 3 new species recorded though, 405 species in total.