Derbyshire Wildlife Trust is hoping to record at least 500 species at Woodside Nature Reserve over two days in June.
The Trust is holding a BioBlitz wildlife recording event as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations at the nature reserve on 16th and 17th June. The event will be attended by various local wildlife experts and groups and there will be plenty of ways for the public to get involved.
Organising the event is the Trust’s Local Wildlife Sites Officer Nick Law. He explains: “A BioBlitz like this is a great way for everyone to have a go at identifying and recording wildlife. We’ve got lots for people to join in with, from a bat walk to moth watching, wildflower and bird walks and pond dipping plus lots of fun activities for children. There is also a digital photography workshop, which we expect to be really popular. The event is also important for the Trust as it will enable us to find out as much as we can about the wildlife on the reserve. We’re hoping we will easily smash the 500 species target as we know there are lots of birds, wildflowers and insects on the site.”
Derbyshire Wildlife Trust bought the nature reserve, adjacent to Shipley Country Park, last year. It is on land once owned by the American Adventure theme park. At 74 hectares it is the biggest nature reserve in the county outside the Peak District National Park.
The BioBlitz starts at 2pm on Saturday 16th and runs through until the early hours of Sunday. It then starts again at 11am on Sunday 17th and finishes at 5pm. Entrance will be via Pit Lane, off Hassock Lane between Ilkeston and Heanor. A full programme is available on the Trust’s website, www.derbyshirewildlifetrust.org.uk.
Please note that some of the activities will require pre-booking, but all are free.
