Training Workshops
‘Natural Know-How’ 2010
Would you like to get involved with wildlife and develop your natural history skills? Perhaps you would like to learn to identify the wildlife you see around you in the countryside. Would you like to get involved in wildlife surveys and need someone to show you how to do it?
Whatever your interest or previous experience, Cheshire Wildlife Trust has developed an exciting range of training workshops to meet your needs. The workshops cover a wide range of topics from wildlife photography through bumblebee identification, to water vole survey techniques. There will be something here to inspire you and help you to see the natural environment in a new way.
These workshops will suit whether you are a complete beginner, have more experience or hope to gain skills for a career in conservation. They are open to all members of the public as well as CWT members.
February 2010
New Sunday 7th - Introduction to UK Mammals
Location: Bickley Hall Farm
Trainer: Tony Parker
Cost: £20 members / £35 non-members
This course is aimed at anyone with an interest in mammals and their monitoring.
The course will cover basic identification of British mammals including their tracks and signs, recording and fieldwork techniques such as trapping, radio tracking etc, and will also cover current legislation relating to British mammals.There will also be a practical session in the afternoon looking at mammal remains in owl pellets.
New Saturday 13th - Introduction to Conservation Grazing
Location: The Grange Farm, Mickle Trafford
Trainer: Richard Owen (CWT Conservation Grazing Officer)
Cost:£20 members / £35 non-members
Details TBC.
March 2010
New Saturday 27th - Introduction to Phase 1 Habitat Surveys
Location: Bickley Hall Farm
Trainer: Linda Swankie
Cost: £20 members / £50 non-members
This is a one day course designed to provide ecological surveyors with an introduction to the methodology involved in carrying out a Phase One Habitat Survey. The course will consist of an indoor theory session followed by an outdoor practical habitat mapping exercise.
April 2010
Saturday 10th - Woodland Wild Flower ID
Location: Kingsley Community Centre
and Warburtons Wood
Trainer: Shirley Burton
Cost: £20 members / £35 non-members
Learn to identify the spring flowers of Warburton Woods with the help of an expert botanist who will guide you through an initial classroom identification session and then a trip outdoors to see the wildflowers in their natural environment. This identification workshop will be conducted at a level suitable for a Phase I Habitat Survey.
Recorders Saturday 17th - Woodland Flora for recorders
Location: TBC
Cost: free to CWT recorders
A workshop funded by Ineos for Local Wildlife Site recorders to improve their botanical identification skills. Please contact Mark Ambrose at CWT directly to book your place.
Volunteers Saturday 24th - Stock Monitoring Workshop
Location: Dutton Park Farm
Trainer: Richard Owen (CWT Conservation Grazing Officer)
Cost: free to CWT volunters
A workshop funded by Ineos for people interested in volunteering as stock ‘watchers’ to keep an eye on our conservation grazing animals. Please contact CWT reception to book your place.
New Sunday 25th - Raptor Identification Day
Trainer: James Hill
Location: Brookside Farm, Pulford, Chester
Do you have a fascination with birds of prey but sometimes struggle to identify the different British species? This full day Raptor Identification Day is designed just for you, we will look at the different British species, their habits and habitats, then put this into practice in the field.
May 2010
Recorders Sunday 9th - Introduction to Local Wildlife Site Recording
Trainer: Mark Ambrose
Location: Wigg Island, Runcorn
Cost: Free to recorders
A workshop designed for people who are interested in becoming volunteer LWS recorders. Please contact Mark Ambrose directly for more details.
Saturday 22nd - Butterfly Identification and Survey Techniques
Trainer: Stu Burnett
Location: Wigg island, Runcorn
Cost: £20 members / £35 non-members
Learn about the biology, ecology and habitats of the Cheshire species and then learn how to identify and monitor butterflies in the field. The workshop includes both indoor and outdoor sessions.
New Saturday 29th - Identifying birds by their character (beginners)
Trainer: Jeff Clarke
Location: Norton Priory
Cost:
£10 members / £15 non-members
A practical guide to recognising common birds in a variety of habitats. Join Jeff Clarke, one of the regions most experienced bird identification specialists as he shows you how each species has its own special character, (general Impression, size, shape and sound) which helps to improve your chances of making a correct identification.
JUNE 2010
Saturday 5th - Identification of Aquatic Invertebrates
Trainer: Dr Mike Tynen (CWT aquatic invertebrates officer)
Location: Bickley Hall Farm
Cost: £20 members / £35 non-members
This workshop is open to anyone interested in aquatic invertebrates. It provides a basic introduction to the identification of freshwater invertebrates and will include an indoor session and an outdoor session to observe the animals discussed in their natural habitat and to practise basic field identification skills.
New Sunday 6th June - Water Vole Survey Techniques
Trainer: Andrea Powell (CWT Water Vole Officer)
Location: The Grange Farm, Mickle Trafford
Cost: £20 members / £35 non-members
Learn about the biology, ecology and habitats of water voles. Develop the skills to identify the signs of water voles in their natural environment. With both indoor and outdoor sessions this workshop is aimed at beginners or anyone interested in the water vole.
Sunday 20th - Identification of Summer Wildflowers
Trainer: Liz Blackman
Location: Sale Water Park
Cost:£20 members / £35 non-members
This workshop will include both indoor and outdoor sessions. Learn to identify the summer flowers of Sale Water Park. This identification workshop will be conducted at a level suitable for a Phase I Habitat Survey.
JULY 2010
Saturday 24th - Identification and Survey Techniques of Dragonflies and Damselflies
Trainer: Stu Burnett
Location: Sale Water Park
Cost:£20 members / £35 non-members
This workshop is open to anyone interested in entomology. It provides an introduction to the ecology, biology and behaviour of dragonfly and damselfly species and will include an indoor session and an outdoor session to practice survey techniques.
Sunday 25th - Bumble Bee Ecology and Identification
Trainers: Tony Parker & Carl Clee
Location: Norton Priory
Cost:£20 members / £35 non-members
This workshop is open to anyone interested in entomology. It will provide an introduction to the ecology and biology of bumblebee species. The day will include an indoor session with information on bumblebee conservation and the future for bumblebees and an outdoor session to practice basic field identification skills
OCTOBER 2010
Saturday 2nd - Dormouse Ecology & Conservation
Trainer: Sue Tatman (CWT Dormouse Project Officer)
Location: Bickley Hall Farm
Cost:£20 members / £35 non-members
This workshop will provide an introduction to the ecology of the hazel dormouse and the ongoing conservation work taking place in Cheshire. There will be an indoor session in the morning then a visit to the Cheshire dormouse reintroduction site in the afternoon.
Saturday 16th - Hedgehog Ecology, Conservation & Rehabilitation
Trainer: Sarah Bennett (Cheshire Region Biodiversity Manager)
Location: Bickley Hall Farm
Cost: £20 members / £35 non-members
This workshop is open to adults interested in learning more about Cheshire’s hedgehogs. This workshop will be an indoor session that will give an introduction to hedgehogs, their ecology, habitat requirements and conservation issues. |
