Events | 4 August 10am – 12noon Citizen Science Sunday

“From so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved.”
Charles Darwin (1809-1882), ‘The Origin of Species’

Have you ever wondered what that wildflower in bloom is, what insect was visiting it, or what the bird is singing in the tree? Join us this Sunday between 10am – 12noon for our first citizen science session. The wardens and trustees will be on hand to share all they know about making positive identifications using both modern tech and traditional means, as well as where and how to submit your sightings.

You won’t need any special equipment, just a smart phone with some signal if you have one. (We have identification guides too, so don’t worry if you don’t have a smart phone.)

We hope we can set you on the path to using a wealth of apps and digital tools to making positive identifications, how to work through the books to use dichotomous keys (a tool that can be used to identify organisms or objects in the natural world, such as plants, animals, or rocks). We may also have guest specialists to share with the group how they record their work. Maybe you could teach us a thing or two as well and share your knowledge with the group!

The reserve is open all day until 5pm, and we have lots of birds, bugs and bounteous plant life to discover, which means plenty of opportunities to practise your new skills as you get to know the reserve in a new light.

All ages are welcome. See you on Sunday!

1st image: Stag beetle, image credit: anonymous
2nd image: Privet hawkmoth (Sphinx ligustri) Caterpillar, image credit: PsamatheM, CC BY-SA 4.0