The Growing Confidence (GC) Project got off to a good start
at FSC Preston Montford on Sunday 23 October when we spent the day working with
experts seeing how much wildlife we could spot on the estate. We were lucky to have experts Ian
Cheeseborough and John Handley with us to help us understand more about the
plants, insects and habitats on the Preston Montford estate. Rich Burkmar
joined us in the afternoon bringing his knowledge about Spiders and Harvestmen.
How much wildlife can you spot was our first event as part
of the five year project that which aims to give young people the opportunity
to discover more about wildlife and wild places and learn skills in their local
environment. During the day a number of experts shared their knowledge with us
helping us to understand - more about plants and habitats, the difference
between social bees and solitary bees and how use a toothbrush to entice a Laceweaver – Amaurobius sp. out of its web.
The vibration of a battery operated toothbrush on the lacy lines of the web fools the spider and it dashes out to catch its prey.
Despite the distinctly autumnal weather we were surprised at
how many invertebrates we found when ‘beating the bushes’. Looking under the
amphibian mats we spotted two Smooth Newts Lissortriton
vulgaris, and the Devils Coach Horse Beetle Ocypus olens which adopts a scorpion like pose. A sleepy Tree bumblebee Bombus hypnorum was found on the side of a log. We now know which
grass has purple striped pyjama bottoms – Yorkshire Fog Holcus lanatus.
The day gave us all a chance to take time to stop and
observe – making us aware how much wildlife surrounds us and just how much
there is to discover and find out about.
About GC
FSC Preston Montford is working in partnership with the Shropshire Wildlife Trust, Fordhall Community Land Initiative and the Plunkett Foundation. Here at FSC Preston Montford we will be running day and residential courses so that 15-24 year olds will be able to work with experts to learn more about the wildlife of Shropshire and develop specialist skills and knowledge.
Find out more about GC and our future evetns at www.field-studies-council.org/gc
