Join us at FSC Bishops Wood for an afternoon of natural history.
The event will start at 2pm with biological recording on site, ‘Bioblitz’ style. Participants can choose to explore alone or in groups, or they can join our tutor Richard Comont for guidance on sampling and help with identification.
At 4pm, we will meet back at the center for refreshments, before sitting down for our natural history talk at 4.30pm. The talk is titled: What do bugs do in the winter?
Event Fees
Subsidised Price: £5 Subsidised by the FSC BioLinks project for non-professionals eg. volunteers, biological recorders, wildlife gardeners, amateur naturalists and students. Available to UK residents only. Select ‘Attendee Subsidised: In Person’
Tutor: Richard Comont
Richard is a naturalist, entomologist and enthusiastic biological recorder. He specialises in many invertebrate groups. His PhD examined the impact of the alien invasive Harlequin ladybird on native species and he now works for the Bumblebee Conservation Trust leading their science programme. In 2016 he won the Gilbert White Award for terrestrial and freshwater biological recording. He also spends his time writing about wildlife, his books include the Naturalists’ Handbook to Ladybirds; Bumblebees, An Introduction; Spotlight Bumblebees; and The Nature of Malvern. He is currently working on a field guide covering the non-insect invertebrates of Britain.
Covid Measures
In order to keep our customers and staff safe we ask that anyone attending our centres:
- wears a face covering when in shared indoor space (unless exempt).
- maintains social distancing.
- cleans their hands regularly.
- takes a Covid-19 test before they arrive.
Example Timetable
- Please arrive in time for the course to start promptly at 2pm
- Refreshments will be available at 4pm
- The talk will begin at 4.30pm
- The event will finish at 5.30pm
What's Included
-
Expert Tuition -
Hot and Cold Drinks
- Biological recording experience, with identification help from our tutor Richard Comont
- Refreshments
- A natural history talk
Bursaries and Subsidies
FSC BioLinks
FSC BioLinks is an exciting project for FSC in the South East and West Midlands, bringing together existing volunteers with skills in biological recording and identification, and new volunteers.
This project provides subsidised training courses, learning opportunities and digital tools focussed on invertebrate identification for anyone involved or interested in biological recording, to build and strengthen the community.
Invertebrates provide us with many useful ecosystem services, like pollination and decomposition, which we cannot survive without but their numbers are declining. Few people know how to identify or record invertebrates meaning there is a lack of data.
We are delighted to have been awarded a grant of £1.23 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for this project.
Before You Attend
Getting to FSC Bishops Wood
FSC Bishops Wood, Crossway Green, Stourport-on-Severn DY13 9SE
- By car from Kidderminster: (M5, A38, A449 southbound) On the M5 heading southbound coming off at junction 5, taking the third exit on the roundabout to get onto the A38. at the first roundabout take the third exit onto Kidderminster Road going straight over the next roundabout sticking to Kidderminster Road. At the second left turn to follow Doverdale Lane. Once you have come to a sign turning right onto the A449 take it until you get to the Mitre Oak pub on your left. Take the first exit on the roundabout onto Bishops Wood Lane, finally taking the first left on you will arrive at Bishops Wood Field Centre.
- By car from Worcester: (M5, A449 northbound) On the M5 heading northbound, take Junction 6 to Worcester/ Kidderminster taking the second exit heading for the A449 northbound, continuing for 9 miles. At the roundabout with the Mitre Oak pub take the first exit onto Stourport Road. Take the first left onto Bishops Wood Lane, finally taking the first left on you will arrive at Bishops Wood Field Centre.
- By train: The nearest station to the centre is Hartlebury. From here, it is a two-mile walk to FSC Bishops Wood, or a short taxi ride.
What to bring
- Notebook and pencil
- Suitable clothing for outdoor field recording
- A hand lens or any other equipment you might like (we will have equipment for people to borrow)
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 requirements please let us know as soon as possible so we can plan the course.
Sorry this course booking is closed
