Bioblitz data available now!

Thanks to Liz and Extraverte Community Projects we now have a full list of all that was found during the Kings Weston Bioblitz. You can download your own copy from here: https://skydrive.live.com/redir?resid=620BA4062B4BA348%212066&authkey=%21AEmNlKf9Qn823Os

This is really the starting point for us now and we want to use this information in whatever way we can to improve people’s awareness of the natural history of the estate. The web site will be one way, but we are running a series of free nature walks this summer and a bulb-planting session in September. So don;t miss out and get in touch if you’d like to find out more.

 

Website Developments

After the frantic activity of organizing and having the Bioblitz, there’s been a short relaxtion in the proceedings whilst we all regroup a little bit.

By the end of June we should have the final species count and we can then start to pull all the information into a number of different forms so everyone visiting the park can understand a bit more about it.

So whilst we’re working towards that, we’ve been having a think about all the things we need to do for the next few months.

We’ve spoken to a lovely web developer who is going spruce up the website and help us make it the core of our online presence where people can see what’s going, how they can help and to get as much information about the park as we store here.

Other things we’re going to be doing include:

  • Some nature guides and tree name tags (if possible) so that people can identify the plants and trees they see as they walk around.
  • We’re going to identify some suitable native species that we like to plant in the park, and we’re planning to have a community bulb-planting day.
  • We’re putting together an exhibition panels which will be designed by a local school

So…quite a lot to be going on with so don’t think that it’s all gone quiet here at KWAG-central.  The busy bees are busier than ever.

 

Findings

Today, I managed a little time away from base camp where I was mostly on “site” duty to accompany a walk to find spiders.  I took my camera with me and here are a few pictures of what I saw on the walk (clue:  not all of them are spiders).

DSC_5836 Scorpion Fly DSC_5838 Scorpion Fly   DSC_5848 Spider DSC_5855 Cow Parsley DSC_5856 Spider DSC_5857 Spider DSC_5861 Bluebells     DSC_5871 Harvest Spider

Rain, rain go away

Rain definitely did not stop play today.  We were a little damp this morning but this seemed to encourage more invertebrates to brave the open air.

Eventually, the sun took over and we had a glorious afternoon.

We had walks…

DSC_5886 walk

Spider catching…

DSC_5845 Spider Hunting

…and some new young stars in front of the cameras

DSC_5879 Young Naturalists

If you didn’t make it to the BioBlitz, why not try one of the “Bristol 99” events – there’s probably one near you in the next couple of weeks.

It’s all happening at BioBlitz headquarters

The field lab at Kings Weston House is abuzz with naturalists identifying and verifying the species discoveries from around the site. As well as microscopes to help identify grasses via their minute differences, there is also a range of kit for people to come and borrow.

If you have an unidentified species, or need some help with ID, pop into the field lab!

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What’s on today at BioBlitz 2013

If you fancy a foray into the world of BioBlitzing, take a look at what’s on today. You can hunt down creepy crawlies and, if you’re feeling brave, get up close and personal with spiders! Or play it safe and enjoy one of our guided mammal and woodland walks. We’ve also got naturalists on hand to answer your questions.

And if you feel like exploring under your own steam, come and borrow some equipment from our field lab and see what you can find!

What's on today at BioBlitz 2013

Schools event

Briefing

Phew!

What a day!  Kings Weston was teeming with enthusiastic students today as part of our schools day.

We had a variety of activities – such as bird ringing, pond-dipping, invertebrate hunts, looking for badger setts and investigating a wildflower meadow.

Everyone had a great time and by the time the students left we had identified at least 160 species of flora and fauna.

Big thanks to all school groups for really throwing themselves into the day.

This evening naturalists will be prowling around to see what else they can find – I can’t wait to find out the results of the bat and moth walks.