Join like-minded people with an interest in field recording for a day of identifying and surveying in an informal environment. Naturalists of all levels (from beginner to expert) will be able to share their knowledge with peers and help each other improve knowledge and build confidence in biological recording.
Join us at the Knapp and Papermill in Worcestershire for an evening surveying for glow worms. We will be carrying out an evening survey in the hope of seeing glowing females- hopefully we will have the right condiitions. We will also run moth traps during the evening and these will be identified to species where possible.
All records collected will be added to iRecord in order to share our findings with the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust site managers, Local Environmental Record Centre and relevant national recording schemes and societies.
What will the day involve?
- Practical experience surveying for glow worms
- Practical experience of moth trapping
- Practical experience in field identification of some moth species
- A chance to meet fellow minded people from a range of different disciplines
- Access to field equipment with support and guidance from a member of the FSC BioLinks project team
It’s free to join in, however, you must be at least 18 years of age and study space is limited so booking is essential.
Please any refreshments you may require!
Tutor: Rachel Davies
Rachel first became interested in invertebrates whilst working on a dragonfly reintroduction project in Cheshire. This included carrying out larval sampling, exuviae searches and adult transects. She later went on to work with mosquitoes for scientific research at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. Rachel previously worked for the FSC BioLinks project as the West Midlands Project Officer.
In her spare time, she is an active biological recorder with a fondness for moths.
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 to start promptly at 7.00 pm.
- The Field Recorder Day will end at 12 pm. Participants are welcome to join for a few hours and leave earlier.
What's Included
- Practical experience surveying for glow worms
- Practical experience of moth trapping
- Practical experience in field identification of some moth species
- A chance to meet fellow minded people from a range of different disciplines
- Access to field equipment with support and guidance from a member of the FSC BioLinks project team
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 the site
Knapp and Papermill, Worcestershire
Details of the meeting location and how to get there will be sent to those that have booked ahead of the event.
What to bring
- Notebook and pencil
- Lunch and refreshments
- Suitable clothing for the weather (waterproofs) and suitable footwear (walking boots or wellies)
- As we may be sat on the floor outside during the evening, we suggest wearing waterproof trousers or bringing a seat pad to sit on. A camping chair would be even better!
- Any personal field equipment you have, such as a hand lens (equipment will be provided for those that need it).
Please note that this event may involve individuals collecting, preserving and killing invertebrate specimens for identification purposes in order to assist us in generating a site species list.
This BioLinks course has aspects that will be taught outdoors with walking to field sites over uneven ground. No special preparation is required providing you are used to gentle exercise. If you have any concerns or questions about access or the activities involved, please get in touch.
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 has ended