Most Tir Gofal farmers are very sympathetic to the wildlife on their farms and would not only wish to know more about what was on their farms but would take steps to preserve what was interesting if they knew about it and knew how to protect it.

Wildlife recorders are always keen to find new places to visit where wildlife is abundant. They particularly like places where little or no recording has taken place in the past so they can find some undiscovered gem. They also like places where it is easy to get permission to visit and they feel welcome. Farmers are also very familiar with their land and usually know the best places on the farm to visit so the recorders know they will get some direction and maybe a lift in the landrover to the best spots.

The Tir Gofal Farmers Association wishes to bring the two together. Very recently for most parts of Wales there are now Local Record Centres that cover the whole of Wales that collect records from local recorders and put them into a computer database. They also coordinate the activities of the diverse range of specialists that are interested in Wildlife. They run seminars, send out newsletters and generally promote Wildlife recording. We are therefore encouraging our members and all Tir Gofal Farms to contact their Local Record Centre and register the fact that they are a Tir Gofal Farm and they would encourage recording on their farm. The farm name, a map reference, brief directions and contact phone number and name are all that is required. Farmers could express an interest in birdwatchers or butterfly experts etc but they won’t always necessarily be any prepared to come. Remember that these people are normally amateurs who do their recording in their own time and at their own expense so you will need to tempt them to put your farm on the top of their list. Your TG officer might help you there. An offer to switch on a moth trap at dusk may well tempt the local moth recorder who can then come out in the morning to look at the catch.

We would expect recorders to provide their findings both to the Local Record Centre and to the Tir Gofal Farm. This is very important. A photocopy of the list of species should be supplied at least. Your Tir Gofal Officer will also appreciate the information either direct from you, or the recorder or via the LRC database which could take some time.

Ultimately if we are really going to protect the rare and declining wildlife in Wales we need to know where it is and we need to agree specific management prescriptions with the farmer to protect it. Tir Gofal will eventually have to move in this direction. In the meantime that wildlife will often have to rely on the goodwill of landowners.

Any scheme where people are concerned can have problems. We hope that by using the local record centres that the details of TG farms who would welcome recorders only goes to sensible and proper people and that they behave appropriately on farms. If you ever have any problems let us know.

The contact details of the Local Record Centres are set out below. Please note that only BIS has been operating for some time and the other record centres have only recently been set up so be patient. They are all very supportive of this initiative. From the map you can work out which to contact.

Simon Spencer

First Floor Offices, Coliseum House

7 Wheat Street, Brecon, Powys, LD3 7DG

Tel:01874 610881 Fax:01874 624812

Email: info@b-i-s.org

Website: www.b-i-s.org

Intec, Ffordd y Parc, Parc Menai, Bangor, Gwynedd,

LL57 4FG

Tel: 01248 672680 Fax: 01248 672601

Email: roy.tapping@cofnod.org.uk

Website: www.cofnod.org.uk

13 St. Andrew's Crescent, Cardiff, CF10 3DB.

Tel: 029 2064 1110 fax: 029 2064 1110

Email: i nfo@sewbrec.org.uk

Website: www.sewbrec.org.uk

Landsker Business Centre, Llwynybrain

Whitland, Carmarthenshire

SA34 0NG

Tel 01994 241468 Fax 01994 240668

Email: westwaleslrc@btopenworld.com