BIOLOGICAL RECORDING IN SCOTLAND

BIOLOGICAL RECORDING IN SCOTLAND or BRISC, is a Scotland-wide organisation, dedicated to promoting and supporting of all aspects of biological recording in Scotland. We count amongst our members individual recorders as well as national societies and other bodies with interests in wildlife data. BRISC started back in 1975, at a gathering in Dundee, and I am well aware that some local SWT members will have been present at that meeting, who are therefore much more senior members of BRISC than I am, who only joined in 1992.

Of special interest to readers is BRISC’s survey of Scottish bumblebees. These attractive and colourful insects can be found in most habitats. Bumblebees are also ‘useful’ insects because they are important pollinators and valuable indicators of a healthy environment. If your garden has no bumblebees, there is something wrong with your garden!!

Bumblebees are not aggressive and only sting if molested, but oddly enough their common names are not widely known. However, bumblebees are getting a much higher profile, and ‘Buglife’, which promotes invertebrate conservation, plans a UK-wide survey for a distribution atlas, involving partners such as BRISC.

We offer two survey packs, one focusing on bumblebees likely to be found in gardens, the other covering all 17 species occurring in Scotland. As well as colour illustrations and keys to aid identification, the packs have information on where to look for bumblebees. BRISC works closely with Local Records Centres, and our survey packs are obtainable from FERN, 6/7 Hanover Court, North Street, Glenrothes, or tel:01592 413793.

A committee runs BRISC, and Gillian Calder, SWT’s Survey and Monitoring Data Manager, sits on this. Members get an annual conference, seminars on topical issues, publications intended to help recorders, and four newsletters a year with nature conservation news, current surveys and recording schemes, etc. We offer recording days, such as at Cullaloe in June 04, which unfortunately was drowned out by rain. We did nevertheless record 60+ chimney sweep moths, many insects, plants and birds.

Currently, we employ a three year development officer, Alan Cameron, with grants from SNH and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. The post is hosted by BTCV in Stirling, where we have our office. The money however runs out this year, so we are busy seeking funding for a new post.

If anyone would like to join BRISC, individual memberships only cost £10. Please contact Alan Cameron at 24 Balallan House, Allan Park, Stirling FK8 2QG or tel. 01786 474061.

Anne-Marie Smout, Chair of BRISC