Walkover Observational Survey

This is useful technique for the recording of plants and mammals. It can help to determine habitats and also the boundaries of vegetation. This is a very simple and easy way to collect data quickly and would form the commonest technique used for general surveys.

Advantages include:
• Provides an initial baseline estimate of the subject matter.
• This can be repeated on a frequent basis to monitor significant changes.
• Complete record sheets on the move.
• Cheap; only a notebook needed.

Disadvantages include:
• Not an accurate representation of subject matter.
• Biased towards path of the areas that are more accessible than other less accessible parts.
• Comparisons between different observations will not accurately identify trends/changes.

A point count for birds is where observations are made of birds at random site locations. Line transects can be used for observations at random along the line or in a grid fashion.

Advantages include:
• Easy.
• Accurate if conditions are right.
• No disturbing of nests etc.
• No equipment needed (binoculars may be helpful though).
• Quick (5-10 min per location).

Disadvantages include:
• Picking wrong time of day, or of the year to make observations (birds migrate).
• Sticking to same times for different days for accurate trends/comparisons can be difficult.
• Weather conditions affect bird activity.
• Observer/or others making a noise.

This technique can also be used for invertebrates/insects, covering butterflies, snails, dragonflies, bees, wasps, earthworm casts, ants, spiders, beetles, woodlice and a lot more. A range of these smaller animals might be observed during a walkover observation survey. At specified intervals, logs or leaves might be carefully turned over or lightly disturbed to make an observation of any relevant creatures.

Walkover methods might include (of which several might be used in planning a survey):
• Random.
• Straight line.
• Grid system.
• 'W' shape lines (transect).



Advantages
• Provides an indication of the frequency of creatures.
• Simple to carry out and record.
• Doesn't trap or harm creatures.
Disadvantages
• Not accurate.
• Increases the time spent during a survey, by recording another set of individuals besides plants (and mammals, if required).