Ian Wallace has co-ordinated the UK National Caddisfly Recording Group for over 40 years. He is the co-author of a new AIDGAP guide to the adult caddis of Britain and Ireland. The caddisflies (Trichoptera) are a cosmopolitan group of insects whose aquatic larvae are perhaps better known than the moth-like adults. Currently 202 species are known from Britain and Ireland, out of around 1400 species in Europe and over 12,000 worldwide. Why this guide has been produced Unfortunately adult caddis have a reputation for being difficult to identify. Although excellent reliable identification g ..read more

  Fancy a free weekend out to delve into history, wildlife and traditional crafts? Then join us as we open the doors to our Worcestershire centre, Bishops Wood. On Saturday the 11th of June 2022, we have an exciting mix of activities, local businesses and stands to explore - a family fun day for all! On Sunday, the 12th of June 2022, BioLinks will be hosting a BioBlitz to try and identify as many species of flora and fauna as possible. So, whether you are interested in plants, mammals, invertebrates, birds or all of the above - we need your help! This is an event for adults to meet like ..read more

Are you aged 16-25? Do you spend your free time immersed in the natural world? Have you ever wondered if this hobby or love affair with nature could lead to a career in the long run? Do you wish you could meet other young people who share this interest who are asking similar questions and be inspired by environmental professionals already working in the green sector? Well, look no further! The Field Studies Council is delighted to announce that applications for its 2022 Young Darwin Scholarship are open.   The application process is short and sweet, and it is your chance to share your e ..read more

The BioLinks project is working to increase invertebrate recording in the UK by providing subsidised training courses, learning opportunities and digital tools, focusing on invertebrate groups that may be underappreciated and under-recorded. Recently, BioLinks have teamed up with the Cranefly Recording Scheme to help out one particular group of invertebrates. Our newly developed initiative aims to increase cranefly records in the UK and learn more about the species that are attracted to light. What Are Craneflies? Craneflies belong to the order Diptera, meaning they are one of the 'true flie ..read more

  It's always great to hear from our course participants, and we love to share knowledge and experiences with others. Recently, one of our fantastic higher education placement students, Chelsea, took part in the NVC Winter Habitat Survey course at Slapton Ley. Chelsea is an Environmental Science student who is broadening and building on her wildlife knowledge during her placement, and she has kindly shared some of her experiences with us. So join Chelsea as she walks us through an NVC Habitat Survey course, covering what the day involved, some of the things she's learnt and a selection o ..read more

If you love wildlife and want to know how species observations can be used, this conference will showcase some of the fantastic projects and biological recording initiatives happening across the UK. The National Forum for Biological Recording is an independant voice for those involved with biological recording in the UK. They promote and influence the development, use, management and dissemination of biodiversity information and biological records. And in the process, they bring together recorders, schemes, societies, data managers, record centres and biodiversity data users. The Field Studi ..read more

In the Cretaceous period, when dinosaurs rumbled over the earth and plants first began to bloom, the first ants emerged. They had evolved from Parasialids (insects most like sawflies dating back to the Permian) and would have had to develop parasitoidism, a wasp-waist, a sting, and eusocial societies before anything recognisable to us as an ant could be found 200 million years later. Since then, ants have traversed the globe and made their homes on every continent apart from Antarctica. With an estimated 13,000 to 16,000 living species described and 30,000 predicted to be found, they are a h ..read more

Explore the why and how of freshwater invertebrate recording with our FSC BioLinks tutor, Rachel Davies – and join us on a course to stay curious! Pond dipping is an activity enjoyed and experienced by many, especially as young children. It opens up the mysterious underwater world and captures our curiosity. Many of us adults will know that finding these underwater inhabitants can still spark the same joy and that pond dipping is not the only method used to find them. Plus, surveying is typically done for research or water quality assessments – not just for fun. Freshwater invertebrates are ..read more

During the unpredictable Scottish summers, the thought of walking in the dark late at night, in remote places without the aid of a torch, is not everyone’s cup of tea. But get a glimpse of a female Lampyris noctiluca, commonly known as the common glow-worm, displaying her bioluminescence, and I guarantee you would be filled with wonder and awe and possibly not believing your own eyes. ‘Fireflies? In Scotland? Aye right!’ I can hear the resounding shouts from here. But it’s true, Scotland is home to a charismatic downright enchanting beetle that does indeed glow, well at least the female does ..read more

Habitat management is a vast, varied subject and should not be approached as ‘one size fits all’, though unfortunatley this can often be the case. This blog includes an introduction to why management is needed for wildlife and a talk by Pete Boardman that delves into some specific examples of habitat management in the UK, primarily focused on invertebrates species. Why do we need to manage sites for wildlife? For centuries humans have managed land seeking a desired outcome. It is often used for agriculture, residency, commercial gain, and recreation. However, we are becoming increasingly awa ..read more