BioBlitz Timed Activities
What to expect
Morning
Bird song walk in Histon Wood 07:00 – 08:00
A guided walk looking and listening out for all the species using this wood and adjacent fields. We expect to find summer migrants like Chiffchaff as well as those species using this wood all year round like Magpies.
Small mammals – release of animals caught overnight, Community Orchard 08:00 – 09:00
Cambridgeshire Mammal Group experts will have set traps locally on the Friday night. You will be able to see all the animals just before they are carefully released. The aim is to survey the small nocturnal mammals – mice, shrews and voles.
Bird ringing demonstration at Croft Close Nature Reserve 08:30 – 11:00
See birds close up as our expert ringing team ring, weigh, measure and release birds as part of the national recording scheme. Learn how this information is used to protect wildlife.
Moth trapping demonstration, Community Orchard 09:00 – 10:30
Our moth traps will be operating on Friday night. The moths will be released at intervals so that you can see them close up, maybe even on your hand.
Guided flora identification, starts from the Community Orchard 11:00 – 12:00
There are dozens of kinds of plants in the Orchard and Manor Park Field. Our experts will point out the most interesting/important/concerning species among the many wildflowers, grasses, shrubs and trees.
Bug hunting – guided sweep netting, start from the Community Orchard 11:15 – 12:00
Help us collect samples of all the insects in and around the Orchard. You will have the chance to use a sweep net and pot up your catch. The experts will identify your catch there and then if they can.
Butterfly count starts from the Community Orchard 12:00 – 12:30
A guided activity using Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count method. We will provide you with butterfly identification sheets, clipboards and recording forms. No expertise needed to join in, just have fun.
Afternoon
Meet the Experts at St Audrey’s Close Community Centre 12:30 – 13:30
Bring along your questions about the natural world and ask our experts. If possible, please bring along a sample or a photograph to show as this will definitely help with identification.
Butterfly count + day-flying moths starts from the St Audrey’s Community Centre 14:15 – 15:30
A guided activity using Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count method. We will provide you with butterfly identification sheets, clipboards and recording forms. No expertise needed to join in. This afternoon we also have our moth expert on hand to help identify any day-flying moths.
Bug hunting – guided sweep netting, meet at the St Audrey’s Community Centre 14:15 – 15:30
We need your help collecting samples of all the insects in the Long Meadow. You will have the chance to use a sweep net and pot up your catch. The experts will identify your catch there and then if they can.
Guided flora identification, starts from the St Audrey’s Community Centre 15:30 – 16:30
Learn about the flora species present in Long Meadow. Our experts will point out the most interesting/important/concerning species among the many wildflowers, grasses, shrubs and trees.
Bat walk in and around Long Meadow 21:30 – 22:30
A guided walk using instruments to listen out for bats using Long Meadow and adjacent woods, fields and gardens. You will see different instruments perform and see sonograms on a mobile phone. Please bring a torch.