Discovering Wildlife Tracks and Signs – 22/04/2023

This beginner course is a great place to start for those looking to improve their ability to identify a range of wildlife tracks and signs.

You will learn skills to confidently identify a variety of mammal and bird activity including the physical appearance and ID features of a tracks, feeding signs, homes, and droppings. You will also have plenty of time exploring outdoors to put your new found knowledge into practice, leaving you with a solid introduction to the world of tracking.

Wildlife tracking is an ancient science and art – one that humans once relied upon for survival. Tracking involves a range of skills such as identifying the animal that left the clue, working out what it was doing and when, and even finding the animal itself. Tracking is a great way to hone our ability to observe details around us and to build our knowledge of wildlife, specifically their presence, movements and feeding ecology. This place-based training course from the Field Studies Council includes a balance of classroom-led and outdoor learning opportunities focusing on building introductory knowledge of wildlife tracks and signs, and the identification/ understanding of some examples of these. It will introduce Master Listing as a concept to help objectively interpret what we find in the field.

What will be covered during this course?

• • Tracking will be introduced as a science and art that can deepen our connection, appreciation and understanding of our wildlife.
  • Introduction to mammal and bird foot morphology and how that relates to the tracks we find in the field and helps us identify the track maker.
  • Commonly found wildlife signs will be introduced (droppings, homes and beds, feeding signs, scrapes and rubs, trails, feathers, hair and bones), and you will be taught what they tell us about the animals that left them, including identification.
  • Master listing will be introduced and how it can be used to work out difficult tracks or signs.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• • Have a deeper appreciation of the evidence that our wildlife leaves on the landscape.
  • Be able to understand mammalian foot morphology and identify some common mammal tracks.
  • Be able to identify some common bird tracks.
  • Be able to identify different wildlife signs and what they mean.
  • Understand the importance of Master listing.
  • Be able to use master listing to work out which animal left a track or signs

 

Who Should Attend? – Nature enthusiasts, students, rangers, early career ecologists and conservationists.

Knowledge Level – Beginner. Level descriptors can be found on the following web-page: Framework and Course Level Descriptors

Prior Knowledge – No existing knowledge, or experience is needed for this course. Just an enthusiasm for wildlife and a willingness to explore and learn.

 

PLEASE NOTE the course fee is for tuition only. There are no accommodation, refreshment, or evening meal facilities available with this course.

Bookings will close if course capacity is reached.

Please email [email protected] if you have any questions.

Group Bookings Made Easy

If you have a group of 10 or more individuals wanting to complete one of our courses, our team are available to discuss your options – from discounts to private/bespoke team courses. Click here to find out more!

If we are unable reach viable numbers for this course, we will inform you of the course cancellation 14 days prior to the course run. We would recommend when purchasing accommodation and/or travel you should take out your own insurance.

Sorry this course booking is closed