Spiders: An Introduction to their Identification

Spiders are found almost everywhere, from our houses to the tops of our highest mountains. They remain undiscovered by most naturalists, with a reputation for being a difficult group to identify. This short course will introduce spiders, how to catch them and how to set about identifying them. It is aimed at people with some background in identification of any plant or animal group.

The course will cover simple field techniques, the recording and storage of spiders. The standard texts used in identifying British spiders will be introduced and a major part of the course will be spent identifying some of the spiders at Kindrogan Field Centre and its rich surroundings. Identifying spiders usually means microscopic examination of dead specimens, but it's not as bad as that makes it sound! The course will try to show how diverse and interesting spiders are and set participants on their way to becoming arachnologists.

Alastair Lavery has been interested in spiders for over 30 years, studying spiders in both Scotland and the Falkland Islands. He knows the Kindrogan area well, having worked there in the past.

Further Information

This course is now historical and therefore no bookings can be taken.