Pollinator Field Recorder Day

Join like-minded people with an interest in recording wildlife observations for a day identifying and recording pollinators (specifically bees and flies) in an informal environment. Naturalists of all levels (from beginner to expert) will be able to share their experiences with peers and help one another improve their knowledge and build confidence in biological recording, all under the guidance of an experienced entomologist.

This event is aimed at adults only. It’s free to attend and botany recorders of all abilities are welcome, but booking is essential.

All identification will be completed in the field where possible, though please note that this event will involve some experienced individuals collecting botanical specimens for further investigation.

What will the day involve?

• Practical experience in finding and identifying bees and flies in the field.
• Access to an experienced entomologist and the opportunity to discuss field entomology.
• A chance to meet fellow like-minded people from a range of different disciplines.

Pollinator Specialist: Dr Tony Madgwick

Tony Madgwick is the London Natural History Society’s Recorder for Bees and Wasps. Tony’s mission is to support the appreciation, study and recording of London’s wild bee and wasp populations. To this end, he runs a number of events on sites across the capital, leading both formal surveys and informal “bee walks”. Tony has a number of other specialist interests linked to bees, pollination and pollinators, including insect cleptoparasites and parasitoids of bees, Hoverflies and Tachinid flies. Tony is a verifier on iRecord for Bee-fly Watch and the Bees, Wasps and Ants Recording Society (BWARS).

Recording London's wildlife

All records collected will be added to the LNHS iRecord activity in order to share our findings with the site managers, Greenspace Information for Greater London (GiGL), London Natural History Society (LNHS) and relevant national recording schemes and societies.

Grove Farm Nature Reserve

Grove Farm is a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) and a Statutory Local Nature Reserve (LNR). It is a hidden urban gem which provides a biodiverse natural space in North Greenford (Ealing). The deciduous woodland on Grove Farm contains broadleaf trees such as oak, ash, elm, hazel and blackthorn. Grove Farm has a particularly magnificent display of wood anemones in spring as well as native bluebells. It has rare trees including many wild service trees. All these species are indicators of ancient woodland. A stream runs along a valley through the site adding to its nature conservation interest.

This event is delivered by the Biological Recording Company in partnership with the Earthworm Society of Britain, Friends of Grove Farm and the London Natural History Society as part of the Empowering Community Conservation at Grove Farm project (supported by the Mayor of London via the Rewild London Fund).