Wildlife volunteering: 2024 monitoring highlights
2024 monitoring highlights in Watercress farm
The Belmont wildlife volunteering programme is at the heart of our restoration efforts. It brings together dedicated volunteers, ecologists, and nature enthusiasts to monitor and protect the biodiversity within our nature recovery projects. Through consistent fieldwork and research, we aim to monitor species populations and trends, enhance habitats and apply insight-led strategies to support ecosystem restoration and resilience.
Today, we have recorded 2,175 species of wildlife in Watercress Farm. In January 2024, this number stood at 1,612 species, meaning we have observed an uplift of 563 species within a year. This represents a 200% increase from the 283 species recorded between January 2023 and January 2024, highlighting the incredible impact of letting nature take the lead year after year. The rewilding project is driving significant improvements in biodiversity, with new species thriving across an increasingly diverse range of habitats. While the growth is also partially influenced by an increase in expert recorders (i.e. species leads) and volunteer participation, the overall trend strongly indicates that our restoration efforts are working and biodiversity is flourishing at an accelerated rate.
This year, our volunteers have once again delivered valuable insights that contribute to a deeper understanding of local wildlife trends. Here’s an overview of our key findings on bird populations, moth diversity, butterfly trends, and plant life across Watercress Farm in 2024, with links to the full reports for those keen to explore the details.
Bird monitoring: a growing habitat for diverse species
The bird surveys carried out across all four transects recorded a total of 95 bird species in 2024, marking a significant increase due to wetland restoration and habitat maturity.
- New arrivals: Nine species were observed for the first time, including Gadwall, Shelduck, Common Sandpiper, Coot, Teal, Little Ringed Plover, Little Grebe, Dunlin and Little Owl.
- Successful breeding: Kingfishers and Kestrels successfully bred on-site, while Hobby falcons used the farm for feeding.
- Declines noted: Wintering finches and buntings saw a drop in numbers, possibly due to changing vegetation and climatic conditions.
- Notable raptors: Barn Owls hunted regularly, and Little Owls were recorded via thermal imaging for the first time.
ecological significance
These findings highlight how our restoration efforts create a more diverse and balanced habitat. The increasing presence of waterbirds and waders highlights the importance of the rewetting project delivered in 2023, while successful breeding among raptors suggests a stable food supply and habitat security.
Read the full Watercress Farm Bird Report 2024 for a comprehensive analysis of bird population trends and breeding observations.
moth recording: a record-breaking year for species discovery
Moth monitoring at Watercress Farm in 2024 revealed 355 species, including an impressive 59 new species recorded for the first time.
- High-diversity nights: On four occasions, over 100 species were recorded in a single session, with a peak of 142 species on August 11th.
- Rare finds: Notable discoveries included Argolamprotes micella, Stenolechia gemmella, Gypsonoma oppressana, and Dioryctria sylvestrella, all rare in the Bristol region.
- Expanding research: The recording efforts now provide a deeper understanding of species patterns, with over 200 species recorded on five or more nights.
ecological significance
Moths serve as essential pollinators and are critical indicators of environmental health. The discovery of rare species suggests that Watercress Farm is supporting a rich and evolving ecosystem, further validating the effectiveness of our habitat restoration work.
For a detailed breakdown of species and methodology, check out the Watercress Moth Recording Report 2024.
Butterfly banks monitoring
As part of our rewilding efforts at Watercress Farm, new butterfly banks created from the rewetting project in 2023 were seeded with 27 native plant species, creating vital nectar-rich habitats. Some of the early findings include:
- Early success: By the summer of 2024, the seeded banks were already more species-rich than unseeded areas.
- Floral highlights: Oxeye Daisy, Wild Carrot, and Common Knapweed flourished, providing essential resources for pollinators.
- Wild discoveries: A rare species, Loose Silky Bent, was recorded on two banks, marking its first sighting in Somerset since 1931.
looking ahead
In 2025, we aim to expand monitoring efforts to assess the long-term impact of these butterfly banks. Further habitat enhancements, including targeted planting for endangered species, will continue to support insect populations and biodiversity.
Read the full Butterfly Bank Monitoring Report 2024 for insights into habitat establishment and species diversity.
Butterfly monitoring: the impact of weather on populations
Our butterfly surveys recorded 2,615 individuals across 23 species—but a 40% decline from 2023 due to cooler, wetter weather conditions.
- Species trends: Ringlet populations surged on the Railway Sidings transect, while other species like Meadow Browns and Gatekeepers saw delayed emergence.
- New sightings: A Purple Hairstreak was observed for the first time.
- Comparison to wider trends: The decline aligns with broader regional patterns, with other Somerset sites reporting an average 44% reduction in butterfly numbers.
looking ahead
The 40% decline in butterfly numbers at Watercress Farm is deeply concerning and reflects a broader crisis across the UK. In 2024, the country officially declared a butterfly emergency, highlighting the alarming loss of these crucial pollinators. Butterflies are essential indicators of environmental health, and their decline signals wider issues such as habitat loss, climate change, and extreme weather patterns.
In 2025, we aim to expand monitoring efforts to assess long-term trends and identify key factors influencing butterfly populations. By enhancing plant life across the butterfly banks and improving nectar sources, we hope to help reverse this decline. While 2024 was a difficult year for butterflies, we remain optimistic that continued restoration efforts will provide better conditions for these species to recover in the years ahead.
Read the Watercress Farm Butterfly Surveys 2024 to dive deeper into the findings.
A huge thank you to our volunteers
None of these achievements would be possible without the dedication of our species leads and all volunteers. Your efforts are instrumental in protecting and enhancing the biodiversity at Watercress Farm. As we move forward, these monitoring programmes will continue to guide our habitat restoration strategies and support our mission of ecological restoration.
Are you interested in getting involved? Join us in the field and be a part of our wildlife conservation journey!
Explore the reports for an in-depth look at the year’s findings: