Identifying wildlife is so much fun and great for our health and wellbeing. Understanding different species is also crucial for education and biodiversity projects.
Wildlife guides from the Field Studies Council are used by hundreds of thousands of people each year. Here are some ideas of what you can do, either on your own or with your family, friends, colleagues, or community group.
Out n’ about
- Walk down the street – pavements are remarkably lively. Look out lichens, mosses, trees, and wildflowers.
- Explore you garden or local park
- Have an adventure to a local nature reserve
- Walk a mile in the countryside – stop every few minutes to spot
- Look under a rock… Loosen a compost heap… Move a small log… Peer into water…
Your challenge
- The 20 minute challenge. Hurry! Identify as many different plants as you can…
- Share your wins! What have you spotted? Please tag your photos and videos using the hashtag #WildID #FieldStudiesCouncil
- Get down low – lie on the ground to see nature from a whole new perspective. Spot animal tracks, small plants, rocks, and seashells.
- Get a bundle box – you never quite know what you’ll find, so carry a few Wild ID guides. This is particularly good with children as they’ll have a better time when they identify more species (so more likely to join you another time)
- Take a daily 5 minute well being break and see how many things you can spot around you
Get creative
- Back to back sketching. For two people. One person describes the shape of the leaves. The other person can’t see the leaves, but tries to draw them from the description.
- Make a wildlife garden – spot what comes up in the first few months!
- Start a poster showing what you see – add to it everytime you go out.
- Do a habitat survey – is nature doing well or struggling to see much? Make notes about what you find each week…
- Spot the difference. Make a short video to tell apart two different species, like Oak and Ash.
Download our spotters sheet for easy peasy insect spotting
Be safe– explore areas where you have permission and it’s safe to do so. Take a phone a let someone know where you’ll be and expected time back. Wear suitable clothing.
