Every year, members of the Wildscreen team pull together to help out at our local BioBlitz. BioBlitz events take place all over the UK, and are a race against the clock to seek, identify and record as many species as possible in a natural space.
Scientists with different areas of expertise set off to explore the surroundings with school kids and members of the public. From spiders to sparrows, foxes to fungi and bats to buttercups, the team has it covered!
Pete, the "Bug Man" sweeping for bugs
What a perfect opportunity to learn more about nature on our doorstep. This year we were at Arnos Vale Cemetery in Bristol, and the weather was spectacular! From 9am on Friday 25th to 3pm on Saturday 26th May, the experts were seeking out species from across the site.
Wildscreen Bristol BioBlitz 2012 Team
So, how did Wildscreen help?
Media Team
Recording everything that’s going on, from the best moments of the event to the latest species tally, was the Wildscreen Media Team. You can catch up with all of the action on the Bristol BioBlitz Blog, watch one minute interviews with some of the naturalists and have a look at the highlights of the event captured in the BioBlitz Bristol Flickr page.
Hannah and Ben from the Wildscreen Media Team
Guides
Some of the Wildscreen team volunteered as guides to help out the naturalists. A few of the activities included sweeping for insects, listening to bird song, identifying plants and completing the all important recording sheets to keep track of what’s been found.
Lauren helping kids collect insects
A few of our favourite photos from the event:
Pretty in pink
Harlequin ladybirds
Taking a closer look
Funniest photo
Total species identified so far = 454!
8 species have never been recorded in Bristol before and 1 species was a new record for Avon. The total is set to rise as specialists confirm unidentified species.
Savita Custead and Matt Harcourt from the BNHC revealing the species total
A big thank you to Arnos Vale for hosting this year’s BioBlitz and to everyone else who was involved!
If you missed the Bristol BioBlitz, why not check to see where your local BioBlitz is.
Wildscreen Bristol BioBlitz 2012 Team
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