Saturday 5th October | 9:00am - 12:00pm

Citizen Science: How to Conduct a Small Mammal Survey

What is citizen science?

We monitor the biodiversity across the Bore Place estate throughout the year, and we are looking for volunteers to help. Citizen science is when the public contributes to scientific research - you could be a species expert, or just someone with an interest. In 2024 we are offering is a series of FREE training sessions to learn to survey for our six key indicator species in a friendly and relaxed group setting. From there, you can then look to take on regular or ad-hoc voluntary surveys at Bore Place, to contribute meaningful data to our work.

Why have we got six key indicator species?

We are focusing our surveying efforts on a few species (or groups of species) to create a replicable and manageable way to monitor biodiversity at Bore Place. Indicator species give us clues about the condition of their environment, for example pollution or climate change, and monitoring populations of these species helps us to understand the wider health of the ecosystem.

No prior experience or knowledge is necessary. By undertaking our training sessions, you will be creating a team of trained and enthusiastic citizen scientists to help monitor and record the biodiversity at Bore Place - and hopefully beyond!

This event is fully booked

If you would like to join the waiting list, please email hello@boreplace.org with the event, your name and the number of tickets you would like.

Key information

18+ only 18+ only

Free Event

How to conduct a small mammal survey

Why are dormice a useful indicator species?
Our small mammal focus is on dormice as they are slow breeders and depend on well-connected habitat to disperse. They can be negatively impacted by changes in woodland management, agricultural practices, and loss of hedgerows. They are usually monitored through licenced survey methods, including nest box checks, which means you can only do this if you are a registered licence holder. Whilst these checks are carried out regularly at Bore Place, this session will demonstrate the use of footprint tunnels to monitor these species, which does not require a licence. We will also be undertaking a survey of other small mammal species on site (mice, voles, and shrews) using Longworth traps.

This training session is one of our scheduled surveys - so by the end of the session, you'll already have contributed data to our research. Whilst your time is hugely valuable to us, taking part in any of our trainings and surveys will give you useful experience you can use elsewhere, too.

Places are limited for each training session and must be pre-booked. Please book here to let us know you're coming. 
If the session is fully booked, please join the waiting list as we may be able to offer another training session in response to demand.

Important info

  • Over 18s only.
  • Dress for the weather and in clothes you don't mind getting mucky - all training sessions are practical and will be outside.
  • Wear sturdy, comfortable boots or wellies.
  • Feel free to bring water and snacks with you.
  • Sorry, no dogs are permitted with the exception of service animals.

This event is part of our People and Nature Together project, made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and thanks to National Lottery players. This event is FREE thanks to funding support from the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme.

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