1

Re: Channel Islands

We are about to import some Channel Isles data to Recorder 6, using UK grid references (eg. Corbiere Point on Jersey is WV553482). I know the R6 mapping doesn't handle it but that's not a problem as we will be using DMAP.
The help text mentions an add-in that handles military grid refs but I'm guessing that these are different to the UK grid refs we have.

Is anyone else doing this, and are there any issues we should be aware of?

Janet Simkin
British Lichen Society

2

Re: Channel Islands

Hi Janet

If you are importing WV data into Recorder, then Recorder still needs to be able to understand the references to be able to import them. As the built in OSGB handling only covers the "true" British National Grid, Recorder will reject your references on import. The only way around this is to convert to something Recorder does recognise (like UTM32) or better, provide an addin that does support WA/WV format spatial references.

I know there is an addin to support transverse mercator references in Jersey, but I don't know of any others done for the Channel Islands. However, supporting WA/WV in Recorder may not be a huge task as there is an addin used in the international versions of Recorder which can be configured to support most reference systems by supplying a script to convert the grid square to the underlying easting northing. Before going down that route though I'd be interested to know if anyone else has handled WA/WV data first?

John van Breda
Biodiverse IT

3

Re: Channel Islands

Hi Janet/John,

The NMRS covers the Channel Islands and the only way I can import the data for all of the islands is with UTM.

Having Recorder 6 supporting WA/WV spatial references would benefit a number of national schemes. However, in addition to this a new outline map covering GB, Ireland and the CI would also be needed.

Notwithstanding this, the NBN Gateway to the best of my knowledge has no plans to include the CI in its remit to complete the picture.

Les Evans-Hill
Senior Data Officer
Butterfly Conservation, Butterflies for the New Millennium and National Moth Recording Scheme

4

Re: Channel Islands

Thanks for the replies, I understand the issue a bit better now.

Converting the grid refs to UTM would get the data into the system, but it wouldn't then be included in our DMAP output so unfortunately that's not the answer for us.

Many of the national schemes include the Channel Isles in their recording so I was hoping that someone else would have already developed an addin to handle the WA/WV grid refs. It is needed, but as it is outside the NBN remit I guess we'll have to look into getting it done ourselves.

Janet Simkin
British Lichen Society

5

Re: Channel Islands

Mike Weideli and I have done a couple of Recorder 3 to Recorder 6 data transfers for national schemes that have included transferring small numbers of records for the Channel Isles. Recorder 3 accepted the WA and WV grid references but Recorder 6 doesn’t so Mike had to convert them to UTM. The States of Jersey use Recorder 6 and, as John says, they had a mapping add-in developed by Dorset Software but I don’t know what would be involved in doing something for all the Channel Isles.

Sally Rankin, JNCC Recorder Approved Expert
E-mail: s.rankin@btinternet.com
Telephone: 01491 578633
Mobile: 07941 207687

6

Re: Channel Islands

Hi all,

I have just tried to import Channel Islands data in exactly the same manner as a successful previous import and sadly it doesn't work.

I have converted my WA/WV gridrefs to UTM (e.g. "30 123456 123456"), changed my spatial reference in Options to UTM and the Import Wizard discards all data.

Have I missed something out?

Les Evans-Hill
Senior Data Officer
Butterfly Conservation, Butterflies for the New Millennium and National Moth Recording Scheme

7

Re: Channel Islands

I'm afraid your absolutely right Les, it appears the current Import Wizard rejects UTM references, even if they are valid elsewhere in the application. I will make sure Lynn adds this to the list of things to fix.

Best Wishes

John van Breda
Biodiverse IT

8

Re: Channel Islands

Hi John,

Thanks for confirming this, thought I was going mad :)

Sally, if you see this note, the associated UTM help wording is incorrect - the example given "30 1430000 576000" has 1 too many zeros in the Easting co-ordinate.

Best wishes,

Les Evans-Hill
Senior Data Officer
Butterfly Conservation, Butterflies for the New Millennium and National Moth Recording Scheme