Saturday 27/06/2020
Beetlemania! Coleoptera
Wyre Estuary Country Park
The features that identify this diverse and successful group of insects, examples of life cycles and species likely to be encountered within the area of the Wyre Estuary Country Park. Beetle collection will include the use of pooters and sweep nets followed by identification, photography and recording specimens in the appropriate databases.
Picture provided by Dr Alan Bedford
Ecology For All 2020
Picture provided by Dr Alan Bedford
Following the success of the 2019 ecology courses exploring the habitats around the Wyre estuary, our 2020 courses will take a look at the miniature life of invertebrates living in those habitats. The courses will help people to survey, identify and record seven groups of invertebrates including beetles, plankton, butterflies and caddis flies.
In recent years researchers have highlighted global declines in invertebrates, with one report recording a decline of more than 75% in flying insects in protected areas over 27 years. Insects specifically and invertebrates in general don’t attract the interest or concern of the general public that is shown to mammals, birds and amphibians (84% of all animal records on the National Biodiversity Network Atlas are for birds). Those that do attract interest are the larger “showy” species such as dragonflies, butterflies and hoverflies. This
Introduction To Invertebrates, Saturday 2/05/2020, Riverside Room, Wyre Estuary Country Park
This course will be a general introduction to the taxonomic groups of invertebrates likely to be encountered during the Ecology for All days. The relevance of recording and the authorities who require such data will be discussed. The day will also cover methods to be used in the collection of specimens and the ‘tools’ that will be used for identification, such as dichotomous keys and photography. Instruction in the appropriate use of microscopes, macroscopes and visualiser will be given.
Thursday 16/07/2020
Freshwater invertebrate II: Order Odonata
Singleton
Explore a farm wetland created by the Wyre Rivers Trust and record the dragonflies and damselflies living there by undertaking a transect survey. The day will also include looking for larvae within the watercourse and seeing if you can find any exuviae (remains from moults). This will contribute to long term monitoring of the site.
All Courses run from 10am-3pm and are free. Please book with Wyre Coast and Countryside at countryside@wyre.gov.uk or telephone 07976650803 to speak to the Duty Ranger. RSB members should make their booking with Karen Patel, karen.patel@rsb.org.uk . No ecological knowledge is needed but an interest in the environment essential.
Monday 08/06/2020
World Oceans Day: Phylum Arthropoda
RLNI Fleetwood
The features that identify the main species within the Classes and Orders within the Phylum Arthropoda, invertebrates with jointed limbs. Inspection and identification of the specimens both and adult and juvenile, collected using a zooplankton net, beam trawl net and kreel pots in the Wyre Channel at Fleetwood.
Watch our video to find out more about what went on during the 2019 Ecology for All courses!
Order Diptera: True FLies
Saturday 16/05/2020
Riverside Room, Wyre Estuary Country Park
Introduction to the Order Diptera, where and how to collect the specimens, identification, photographing and recording. Collection of specimens in and around Wyre Estuary Country Park.
Picture provided by Dr Alan Bedford
Unfortunately due to COVID-19 we have cancelled all our events until future notice. We'll work hard to re-arrange as soon as it is safe to do so!
Picture provided by Dr Alan Bedford
Saturday 04/07/2020
Orders lepidoptera and hymenotera: Butterflies, moths, wasps and bees
Wyre Estuary Country Park
This course will cover the features that identify these insects bearing two pairs of wings, examples of life cycles and species likely to be encountered in the area in and around Wyre Estuary Country Park. The use of sweep nets and moth traps, techniques in photographing the specimens and adding records to national databases will also be covered.
Wyre Rivers Trust, The Royal Society of Biology and Wyre Council Offer...
leads to a lack of comparative information for most invertebrates in the UK. For the North West in particular groups such as true flies are very poorly recorded. Accurate knowledge of changes in the status of invertebrates needs regular surveys and reliable identification of the individuals caught.
This suite of free courses will give you the skills to carry out surveys, identify different invertebrate groups and record what you find. Take a look below to see what is on offer...
Thursday 02/07/2020
Freshwater invertebrates: Plecoptera, Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera
Springfield House, Scorton
Learn how to survey and identify aquatic invertebrates using kick sampling in river habitats.
Learn more about stonefly, mayfly and caddisfly larvae and the role these orders play as an indicator of river health.