​Mammals: Ecology, Conservation and Surveying- HAU

This course provides an in-depth study of UK land mammals, excluding bats, focusing on identification, habitats, and conservation. Learners will learn to identify various species using key features, understand their behaviour and ecological roles, and assess how habitat management supports their populations. Emphasis is placed on the importance of these mammals to biodiversity and the legal framework protecting them. The course aims to enhance skills in mammal surveying and promote awareness of conservation challenges and strategies. Designed for those interested in wildlife conservation, this module equips learners with the knowledge to contribute to the preservation of the UK’s mammal diversity.

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

• Critically analyse mammal ecology and conservation principles.
• Apply survey techniques that use key morphological features for species identification.
• Evaluate the impact of UK and European legislation on mammal conservation.

Who Should Attend? – Nature enthusiasts, students, rangers, early career consultants and ecologists. This intermediate level course is open to anyone with some existing knowledge of the subject. This course is for those aged 18 and over only.
(You do not need to be a Harper Adams University student to attend this course).

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

Accommodation and meals

There are three booking options which all include course tuition, evening meals and refreshments:

• Non-Resident (Breakfast and lunch not included)
• Resident (Sole Occupancy)
• Resident (Shared room- please email [email protected] to inquire about this option)

If you choose a resident booking, this includes accommodation on Friday night and Saturday night, and meals throughout the course: an evening meal on the Friday and Saturday, and breakfast and packed lunch on Saturday and Sunday.

If you choose a non-resident booking, this includes an evening meal on the Friday and Saturday before the evening session. Please bring your own packed lunch on Saturday and Sunday.

Please note that bathrooms may be shared for accommodation bookings.

If we are unable to reach viable numbers for this course, we will inform you of the course cancellation 4-5 weeks prior to the course run. We would recommend when purchasing accommodation and/or travel you should take out your own insurance.

Bookings will close if course capacity is reached. 

Debbie Alston

Debbie Alston is an experienced natural history tutor and lecturer at the University of Derby. She is the Chair and Recorder for the Derbyshire Mammal Group and co-author of the county atlas, The Mammals of Derbyshire. Debbie has taught many mammal courses for a variety of organisations including the Mammal Society, the Field Studies Council, Chartered Institute for Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) and local Wildlife Trusts.

Interested in becoming a HAU student?

You can find out more about the Biological Recording and Analysis programme here.

Existing HAU Biological Recording and Analysis Students

This 2.5 day course is one of your optional modules. You will be asked to choose your modules through HAU, and then you will book your accommodation and meal options through the Field Studies Council via an online form we will share with HAU.

If are a student and need more information about this course or the booking process, please email [email protected].

The summative assessment for this module will be set by HAU and will be completed and marked after the course.

Example Timetable

Please note that this course is currently being developed for 2025 as part of the Harper Adams University ‘Biological Recording and Analysis’ course, so there may be small changes to the example timetable outlined below. Once a detailed schedule has been produced, this will be shared with participants.

Friday

• 1pm - Course begins. Mixture of classroom and field site visits
• 6pm - Dinner
• 7pm - Evening session to cement learning.

Saturday

• 10am - 5pm Mixture of classroom and field site visits, with a break for lunch.
• 6pm - Dinner
• 7pm - Evening session to cement learning.

Sunday

• 10am - 5pm Mixture of classroom and field site visits, with a break for lunch.

Lunch will likely be in the field, so please make sure you make yourself a packed lunch at the centre if you choose a residential booking, or bring a packed lunch with you if you choose a non-residential booking.

• 
  Expert Tuition
• 
  Free Wi-Fi
• 
  In Course Transport

The course has been carefully created by expert tutors and educators to help you build your knowledge and apply it within the field surrounded by like-minded individuals.

The course includes:

• Classroom learning covering the theory of the topic
• Field excursions to apply new knowledge
• Expert tuition for which the Field Studies Council is renowned
• Clear objectives and progression
• Refreshments (tea/coffee)

If you choose a resident booking, this includes accommodation on Friday night and Saturday night, and meals throughout the course: an evening meal on the Friday and Saturday, and breakfast and packed lunch on Saturday and Sunday.

If you choose a non-resident booking, this includes an evening meal on the Friday and Saturday before the evening session. Please bring your own packed lunch on Saturday and Sunday.

You can rest assured that the absolute best content from an expert in environmental education will be provided. In choosing a Field Studies Council course, you will be joining thousands of people who learn with us each year.

Natural History Bursaries

There are a number of natural history bursaries available to help with the cost of your course. To find out if you and your chosen course are eligible, read more here.

Student Discount

This course is eligible for a student discount. If you are a current student, please use discount code BioStudent20 at checkout for 20% off all Biodiversity courses.

What to Bring

• Notebook and pencil
• Sensible footwear and clothing for being outdoors
• Small bag to carry personal items
• A vacuum flask/drink bottle and a bag or a box for carrying a packed lunch.
• Small plastic bags or pots, if you want to start your own mammal droppings reference collection!
• Laptop/tablet if you want to access the resources and materials in the evenings.
• A x10 hand-lens and camera

Recommended Literature

• Bang, P. & Dahlstrom, P. (1974) Collins Guide to Animal Tracks and Signs Collins, London UK.
• Couzens,D., Swash, A., Still, R. & Dunn, J. (2017) Britain's Mammals: A Field Guide to the Mammals of Britain and Ireland. Wild Guides Princeton University Press Oxford, UK.
• Gurnell, J. and Flowerdew, J.R. (2006) Live Trapping Small Mammals: A Practical Guide 4th Edition. The Mammal Society. London, UK.
• Harris S., and Yalden D.W., (eds) (2008). Mammals of the British Isles: Handbook, 4th Edition. The Mammal Society Southampton, UK.
• Strachan,R. (1995) Mammal Detective. Whittet Books, Suffolk, UK.

There will be a member of staff with first aid training and access to a first aid kit on site. If you have special medical or access requirements, please let us know as soon as possible so we can plan the course.