We ran a series of ecology training courses in 2014 details of which can be found below. We are also running a series of similar ecology training courses in 2020.
Plant Identification for Beginners – May 12th 2014
The Plant Identification course will be an introduction into the morphology of flowering plants and how to identify the more common families and the most frequently encountered species from these families. The course will involve both indoor and outdoor sessions and will be taught by Mark Duffell.
Bird Identification – 31st May 2014
This course introduces the morphology of birds, demonstrating the differing adaptations found in the avian world and how these are utilized. It will then cover the common field signs that birds leave behind along with the key identifying features of British birds. The outdoor session will involve walking around Bute Park and using field guides to identify what we see. The course will be taught by Neville Davies, an experienced bird surveyor.
Sedge Identification Course – 14th July 2014
Aimed at the keen beginner and improver this course will provide an introduction to the commoner sedges. By the end of the course participants will be able to recognize the commoner sedges and have learned skills to enable keying out of those that they do not recognize. The course will involve both indoor and outdoor sessions and will be taught by Mark Duffell. The course will be be held at Kenfig National Nature Reserve
Phase 1 Habitat Surveys – 12th September 2014
The Phase 1 Habitat Survey course will introduce learners to the methodology of classifying habitats according to the phase 1 methodology. There will be both indoor and outdoor sessions where we will undertake a phase 1 survey of Bute Park. The course will be taught by Mark Duffell.
Winter Tree Identification – 19th November 2014
This one-day winter tree identification course aims to introduce you to the key characters used in the identification of deciduous trees and shrubs. Emphasis will be placed on key characters to distinguish each species from similar looking trees. The course will involve both an indoor and outdoor sessions and will be taught by Mark Duffell, a botanist who splits his time between undertaking botanical surveys and teaching botanical identification courses.
Tree Survey and Inspection for Beginners – 28th November 2014
This one-day course will provide tree survey and inspection training at a basic level for people with limited arboricultural knowledge. Learners will be taught to identify obvious defects from ground level. The course will be taught by arboricultural expert Bettina Broadway-Mann.
