Introduction to Freshwater Animals

Improve your identification skills of and learn about the ecology of aquatic macroinvertebrates. The Malham estate has a variety of aquatic habitats, including the tarn itself, streams, and bogs which support a wide range of aquatic macroinvertebrates.

The course will include:
- Field collecting techniques
- Preservation and curation of wet specimens
- Use of identification keys; including to species level for some groups
- Information on life histories

By the end of the course participants should be confident about using the field techniques for collecting and preserving specimens. You will be able to recognize many aquatic insects, both adult and juvenile and other macroinvertebrates; to class, order and even family level in the field and should be confident in the use of microscopes and identification keys.

This is a course both for beginners and those with experience of working in the freshwater environment who want to improve their identification skills.

Sharon Flint has over 15 years’ experience in identification of adult and juvenile aquatic insects and has taught insect identification and ecology to university students and professionals. She has worked on aquatic invertebrate surveys for Natural England, the RSPB and the private sector and has done research on the ecology of stoneflies and caddisflies.

Peter Flint has over 50 years’ experience of insect identification. He has been curator of insects for over 40 years at Lancaster University where he also teaches ecology and identification.

Further Information

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