Wildlife Tracks and Signs: An Introduction

This beginner course is a great place to start for those looking to improve their ability to identify a range of wildlife tracks and signs. You will learn skills to confidently identify a variety of mammal and bird activity including the physical appearance and ID features of tracks, feeding signs, homes, and droppings. We will explore the outdoors to find and discuss examples of tracks and signs, leaving you with a solid introduction to the world of tracking. Be inspired and engaged by the expertise of our specialist tutor and enjoy being surrounded by like-minded individuals who share your interests.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Describe the basic types of tracks and signs and identify key features
• Identify examples of specific animals from their tracks and signs
• Recognise a variety of tracks and signs in their natural environments and what they mean
• Share this knowledge with friends, family, and fellow volunteers.

PLEASE NOTE the course fee is for tuition only. There is no accommodation provided with this course.

Who Should Attend? – Nature enthusiasts, Students, Early career ecologists, Citizen scientists, Volunteer surveyors

Knowledge Level – Beginner. Level descriptors can be found on the following web-page: Framework and Course Level Descriptors

Prior Knowledge – No prior knowledge is required, though those with previous experience would still benefit as the tutor is open to answering a range of questions at different levels.

Please email [email protected] if you have any questions.

This course is delivered by more than one expert tutor. Your tutor will depend on the location of the course you book.

David Wege

David helps teach nature tracking with Woodcraft School Ltd in Sussex. He has done this for the last 7 years, alongside a 30-year career in international biodiversity conservation with BirdLife International. David has now left the office behind to focus on reviving the art of tracking – an art that has long been lost in the UK, but which provides endless opportunities to connect with nature, survey and monitor wildlife and increase our understanding, appreciation and knowledge of the animals around us. David is a life-long, passionate birdwatcher, wildlife photographer and all-round naturalist.

Dan Puplett

Dan Puplett is a naturalist, conservationist and environmental educator. He is a certified tracker and teaches a range of naturalist skills to people of all ages. Dan is also the author of the Field Studies Council Guide to British Bird Tracks and Sign and the new Field Studies Council Guide to Mammal Tracks and Signs.

Sam Devine-Turner

Sam, of Scruff Stuff, is passionate about offering opportunities for people to connect with nature. She encourages and enables people to notice and interpret the clues left behind by wildlife that are all around us, waiting to be discovered.

Sarah Towle

With a mixed background in conservation, animal behaviour and even wildlife art, Sarah is a qualified teacher in further and higher education and has taught animal and outdoor based learning to wide and varied audiences from primary school through to university. Sarah’s passion for the natural world is lifelong with a specialist interest in UK wildlife and conservation, and can often be found walking the moors and coastland of North Wales with her two collies and a pocket full of feathers, bones or interesting rocks. Sarah has spent the last 12 years developing a wide skill set to deliver fun and engaging learning experiences that are accessible to all ages and abilities.

Morag Boyd

Morag Boyd is a countryside professional with 30 years experience working in a range of countryside and conservation professions. In a varied career, she has worked in a variety of roles including countryside ranger in various locations, lecturer in countryside management for Elmwood College in Fife, conservation shepherd for the Scottish Wildlife Trust and now she combines a contract with Scottish Badgers, recruiting and training volunteers for the national Get Sett Scottish Badger Survey with freelance work training teachers to take learning outdoors for Learning Through Landscapes. She also runs her own outdoor nature education business, working with schools and community groups to get children outdoors and learning about nature.
Morag has a broad knowledge of many different aspects of ecology and conservation, with particular interests in badgers, of course, trees and woodland management and botany.

Dr Jackie Symmons

Dr Jackie Symmons is an experienced freelance ecologist and conservation land management adviser from Mid Wales. She has an extensive background in delivering conservation field research and training from wild deer impacts to marine and terrestrial environment habitat surveys. She is also currently working in the area of natural resource resilience and climate change mitigation.

Timings of this course vary between locations, so please carefully check the times on the course run (the section where you can add the course to your basket towards the bottom of this page).

There will be a lunch break during the day, the length of the break will vary depending on course location. Lunch is not included so please bring your own food. Refreshments (tea and coffee) will be provided.

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  Expert Tuition

The course has been carefully created by expert tutors and educators to help you continue to build and develop your knowledge and apply it within the field surrounded by like-minded individuals.

The course includes:

• Classroom learning covering the theory of the species
• Field excursions to apply new knowledge
• Expert tuition for which the Field Studies Council is renowned
• Clear objectives and progression
• Refreshments (tea and coffee)

You can rest assured that the absolute best content from an expert in environmental education will be provided. In choosing a Field Studies Council course, you will be joining thousands of people who learn with us each year.

• ★★★★☆

  I loved being in such a knowledgeable and keen group from a wide range of backgrounds.

• ★★★★☆

  It was hands on, along with useful classroom back up

Student Discount

This course is eligible for a student discount. If you are a current student, please use discount code BioStudent20 at checkout for 20% off all Biodiversity courses.

Natural History Bursaries

There are a number of natural history bursaries available to help with the cost of your course. To find out if you and your chosen course are eligible, read more here.

What to Bring:

• Notebook and pencil
• Camera to capture images
• Packed lunch and all refreshments for the day
• Sensible footwear and clothing for being outdoors

Recommended Publications:

When you book this course, you will receive a discount code for the Field Studies Council recommended guides below. You may wish to purchase the following Field Studies Council publications available in our shop to enhance your experience:

• Guide to British Bird Tracks & Signs
• Tracks & Signs of Mammals of Britain & Ireland
• Guide to the Land Mammals of Britain
• Guide to Owls and Owl Pellets

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 or access requirements, please let us know as soon as possible so we can plan the course.