Discovering Wildlife Tracks and Signs 2 Day Course

This beginner course is a great place to start for those looking to improve their ability to identify a range of wildlife tracks and signs encountered in rural and urban areas and even gardens. Learn this valuable skill for anyone with an interest in natural history and conservation.

Wildlife tracking is an ancient science and art – one that humans once relied upon for survival. Learning to read the clues that animals leave behind helps us to understand more about the animals around us and even find the animal itself.

This course will cover:

– Introduction to mammal and bird foot morphology and how that relates to the tracks we find in the field and helps us identify the trackmaker.
– The value of learning to read animal tracks and signs.
– How to recognise some of the more frequently encountered animal tracks and signs.
– The tools and methods of analysis that will enable you to continue learning about animal tracks and signs

During this course, you will learn skills to confidently identify a variety of mammal and bird activities and some of the fundamentals of reading them. We will cover some of the key categories of tracks and signs, including footprints, feeding signs, homes, droppings and many more. There will be some classroom presentations and opportunities to take a closer look at examples of various signs.

You will also have plenty of time to explore outdoors to put your newfound knowledge into practice, leaving you with a solid introduction to the world of tracking. Tracks and signs can help us become aware of the presence of animals that might otherwise be hard to spot. With practice, these skills can also help anyone to provide valuable biological records, which are important for wildlife conservation. They can also help enrich our understanding and enjoyment of the wildlife around us and its place within the wider ecosystem.

Please Note: There is no accommodation with this course.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

– Understand the role tracking has played, past and present.
– Describe mammalian and bird foot morphology and identify some common tracks.
– Identify and recognise the main kinds of track and signs.
– Understand some of the key techniques for identifying and interpreting tracks and signs including master listing.
– Share this knowledge with friends, family, and fellow volunteers

Who Should Attend?
Nature enthusiasts, Students, Early career ecologists, Citizen scientists, Volunteer surveyors, Land managers

Knowledge Level – Beginner.

Prior Knowledge – No prior knowledge is required, though those with previous experience would still benefit as the tutor is open to answering a range of questions at different levels.

https://www.facebook.com/events/6224724720889406/