Join like-minded people with an interest in field recording for a day identifying and surveying invertebrates in an informal environment at Tolworth Court Farm.
At over 50 hectares, its size and location along the chalk stream of the Hogsmill River in Kingston mean it is an important place for nature. A haven for Brown Hairstreak butterflies and other butterfly species, this site has not been well recorded for other invertebrate groups.
Naturalists of all levels (from beginner to expert) will be able to share their experiences with peers and help one another improve knowledge and build confidence in biological recording.
The day will involve using a range of techniques to survey for and collect a variety of invertebrate specimens, some of which will be preserved on the day for identification at subsequent Volunteer ID Days. These specimens will help us to build up a species list for the site, before becoming part of a teaching collection used for our other courses and volunteer days.
Expert tutors in Centipedes, Millipedes & Woodlice, Earthworms, and Slugs & Snails – Steve Gregory, Keiron Brown – will lead the day and participants can select which of these groups they would like to work on. You are welcome to survey a different invertebrate group on the day, but without direct tutor support.
All records collected will be added to iRecord in order to share our findings with the site managers, Local Environmental Record Centre and relevant national recording schemes and societies.
This course is aimed at adults only and course attendees must be at least 18 years old in order to attend.
For more information, and to book, please visit the Field Studies Council website.