MKNHS ‘KNOW Y0UR TETRAD …’ PROJECT

As a project to celebrate the new millennium, MKNHS decided to publish a book – “Milton Keynes More Than Concrete Cows – real animals and plants too.”  In it were lists of plants, animals and fungi which were known to have been seen within the Borough between 1987 and 1999.  Since then, to encourage members to record species seen within their own local area, the Tetrad Project was set up and, in 2010, recording began.  A tetrad is a 2km x 2km square as seen on Ordnance Survey maps using the National Grid and each member was allocated the square appropriate to his and/or her house.  The few members who did not live within the Borough were also asked to participate.

As results came in and as publication via the internet became a reality the lists now appear in that form and will be updated on a regular (?annual) basis,  In 2010 some 30 members participated and produced 4400 records from 1172 species.  The book contains far more species than the project, but there are records for groups which were not covered earlier.

It is anticipated that records will continue to come in and any sightings (with known locations and dates of observation) made by members and non-members alike will be welcomed.  Milton Keynes Borough covers 100 tetrads so there is plenty of scope to find one with no records at all!

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.

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