MKNHS ‘KNOW YOUR TETRAD’ PROJECT 2010-2012

This project is not being actively supported by the Society at the moment but might possibly be relaunched in the future to collect a more up-to-date set of records.

It originally set out to help build a long-term record of our local natural history by encouraging members to adopt a tetrad (a 2km x 2km square as seen on Ordnance Survey maps using the National Grid), usually near their home or favourite stomping ground, and they then collected records of all flora and fauna spotted within this area. Most of the tetrads were within the Milton Keynes Borough. The records were submitted annually to the Society’s collators of tetrad records and then sent on to the County Environmental Records Office.

In its first year (2010), some 30 members participated and produced 4400 records from 1172 species! It then carried on for a couple more years but as the records submitted tailed off it was decided to end the project. However the lists that were collated can still be accessed below and provide a useful snapshot of our local wildlife from 2010-2012.

The lists themselves are in five groups and so each can be searched/accessed separately.  The sequencing varies but, basically, they give the scientific name, the common name and the number of tetrads from which each species has been recorded.

Click on the  Word icons below to open to see details of the records in each of the following five groups.

Group 1 – PLANTS 

There are separate sections for Mosses and Liverworts; Ferns and Horsetails; Conifers and Flowering Plants.  In each case the scientific name given is the most up-to-date known. Where possible only one common name is given but often several are available – or none!

Group 2 – VERTEBRATE ANIMALS

There are separate sections for Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish.  The sequence in which birds are listed is different from the other groups, following that normally used by “birders” – i.e. Vouse Order.

Group 3 – MOST INVERTEBRATE ANIMALS

There are separate sections for Earthworms and Leeches; Slugs and Snails; Millipedes, Centipedes and Woodlice; Spiders, Mites and Harvestmen – and all insects except Butterflies and Moths.

Group 4 – BUTTERFLIES AND MICRO-MOTHS

The species are listed in numerical order according to the Bradley Checklist of Lepidoptera.

Group 5  – MACRO- MOTHS

This section is dedicated to the memory of George Higgs, a long-time member of the Society, a nationally recognised expert and mentor to many.

As with the Butterflies and Micro-moths the species are listed in numerical order according to the Bradley Checklist of Lepidoptera