2016 is the 30th anniversary of the National Forum for Biological Recording and the 20th anniversary of the Biological Recording courses run by Manchester Metropolitan University and the Field Studies Council. We are organising an event to celebrate and hope you can join us!
Where, when and costs
Venue: Preston Montford Field Studies Centre, Shropshire
Dates: 22nd to 24th July 2016
Price: £165 for a single room
£145 for a shared room
£72.50 for non-residents
Resident fee includes full board accommodation for 2 days and nights. Non-resident fee includes lunch and dinner for 2 days.
Programme
Friday 22nd July:
Dinner and drinks at Preston Montford – welcome and introductions.
Saturday 23rd July:
Choice of field trips to:-
Llanymynech Hill – leaders Sue Townsend and Rich Burkmar
A rich and colourful calcicole flora, including bee orchids and common rock-rose, lies at the base of dramatic limestone cliffs that provide a perch for jackdaws, sparrowhawks, buzzards and even peregrine falcons. This site is also excellent for invertebrates including glow worms and the recently reintroduced pearl-bordered fritillaries.
Meres and Mosses – leaders Sarah Whild and Dan Wrench
An internationally important wetland area comprising a vast mosaic of pools and raised peat bogs formed by retreating glaciers during the last Ice Age. Designated an Important Plant Area for species including slender green feather moss, least water lily, cowbane and floating water-plantain. The diverse wetland habitats support an iconic invertebrate fauna including white face darter dragonflies, raft spiders, bog bush crickets and large heath butterflies.
Dinner at Preston Montford, followed by an after-dinner talk.
Sunday 24th July:
Choice of field trips to:-
Long Mynd – leaders (tbc) and Charlie Bell
A heath and moorland plateau, considered the most important habitat in the West Midlands for upland bird species such as merlin, hen harrier, golden plover, raven, curlew, skylark and wheatear. The freshwater streams of the steep valleys are rich in invertebrate fauna despite their acidity. Marshy areas and stream banks support an interesting flora including the insectivorous butterwort and sundew.
Devil’s Dingle – leaders Pete Boardman and Richard Comont
An outstanding site for invertebrates, particularly aculeate Hymenoptera. This restored former ash landfill site contains grasslands, lagoons, woodland, scrub, open mosaic habitats and standing dead wood. Areas of exposed ash and clay soils are particularly valuable for ground nesting bees and wasps, including several Nationally Scarce species.
Dinner at Preston Montford
Transport to sites will be provided by minibus or car sharing. Preston Montford FSC will provide classroom facilities with microscopes, keys and identification guides, and participants are also welcome to bring their own. Records can be entered via the FSC’s online recording system or submitted to the recording scheme of the participant’s choice.
Booking
For bookings via a booking form or online please visit the NFBR website