This course is fully booked.
An introduction to reading the tracks and sign left behind by the wildlife around us – the art of the nature tracker. We will explore the sorts of sign that are left on the landscape by our wildlife, what they can tell us about those animals, and how to go about identifying them so we can tell what species are present and what they have been up to. No prior experience is necessary, just an inquisitive mind and the enthusiasm to have a go at being a nature detective.
We will have some classroom-based activities looking at animal foot structures, plaster casts of tracks, and some signs, but the focus of the day will be to be outside seeing what tracks and sign we can find in the field around Amersham Field Centre. We will discuss other commonly seen tracks and sign to complement those that we find.
Course fee includes two FSC fold-out charts: Bird tracks and Signs, and Mammal Tracks and Signs.
Please bring a packed lunch with you. Tea and Coffee will be provided.
Tutor:
Example Timetable
Example Timetable
09.30 - Arrival: tea/ coffee
10:00 - Welcome and introduction. Course outline, aims and objectives.
10:15 - Introduction to track and sign. Track, scat and other sign basics – animal behaviour, morphology and what to look for.
11:30 - Practical tracking in the field 1
12:30 - Lunch break
13:15 - Practical tracking in the field 2
15:15 - Suggestions for further learning activities: becoming a nature detective.
15:45 - Q&A
16:00 - Course ends
What's Included
-
Expert Tuition -
Hot and Cold Drinks
Before You Attend
What to Bring
- Suitable outdoor clothing and footwear
- Packed lunch
- Notebook and pencil
- Hand lens - if you have one
- Camera/ mobile phone camera - if you have one
David will bring some spare hand lenses so there is no need to purchase one especially for the course. David will also bring field guides and identification materials for you to browse.
Sorry this course has ended