Do you have an interest in identifying and recording riverflies? Join our expert tutor and take time to look at specimens, access ID resources and gain confidence in your skills.
We’ll be working through a collection to identify and log specimens collected from the West Midlands and beyond. Volunteers are also encouraged to bring their own specimens to get their identification verified.
An expert tutor and BioLinks project team member will be on hand to verify species determinations, answer volunteer questions and provide identification guidance.
What’s included in this event?
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- Support and guidance from an expert tutor and member of the FSC BioLinks project team.
- Practical experience of identifying riverflies
- Access to our entomological library, microscopes and lab equipment
- A chance to meet fellow minded people from a range of different disciplines
- Please email [email protected] if you have any questions
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.
You’ll have access to our tea and coffee making facilities but please bring your own lunch and any other refreshments you may require!
Tutor: Craig Macadam
Craig Macadam has been studying and recording freshwater invertebrates for over 25 years. His particular specialism is mayflies, stoneflies and caddisflies, collectively known as 'riverflies'. Craig is the national recorder for mayflies and stoneflies and a founder member of the Riverfly Partnership. He co-authored the Field Studies Council pictorial key to mayflies and the fold out chart for stonefly families.
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 for the course to start promptly at 10:00 am.
- Refreshments will be available from 9.45 am.
- Access will end at 4:00 pm.
What's Included
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Expert Tuition -
Hot and Cold Drinks
- Support and guidance from an expert tutor and member of the FSC BioLinks project team
- Practical experience of identifying riverflies
- Access to our entomological library, microscopes and lab equipment
- A chance to meet fellow minded people from a range of different disciplines
- Please email [email protected] if you have any questions
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 FSC Bishops Wood
FSC Bishops Wood, Crossway Green, Stourport-on-Severn DY13 9SE
- By car from Kidderminster: (M5, A38, A449 southbound) On the M5 heading southbound coming off at junction 5, taking the third exit on the roundabout to get onto the A38. at the first roundabout take the third exit onto Kidderminster Road going straight over the next roundabout sticking to Kidderminster Road. At the second left turn to follow Doverdale Lane. Once you have come to a sign turning right onto the A449 take it until you get to the Mitre Oak pub on your left. Take the first exit on the roundabout onto Bishops Wood Lane, finally taking the first left on you will arrive at Bishops Wood Field Centre.
- By car from Worcester: (M5, A449 northbound) On the M5 heading northbound, take Junction 6 to Worcester/ Kidderminster taking the second exit heading for the A449 northbound, continuing for 9 miles. At the roundabout with the Mitre Oak pub take the first exit onto Stourport Road. Take the first left onto Bishops Wood Lane, finally taking the first left on you will arrive at Bishops Wood Field Centre.
- By train: The nearest station to the centre is Hartlebury. From here, it is a two-mile walk to FSC Bishops Wood, or a short taxi ride.
What to bring
- Notebook and pencil
- Lunch
- Any study materials including any specimens and relevant literature you may have
Please note that this day will involve using specimens that have been killed and preserved.
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
