Brackenhurst BioBlitz

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Next week, we are holding our Brackenhurst BioBlitz and we'd love as many of you involved as possible. We have put together some information for you to get a better understanding of what's going to happen and what you need to do.

What is a BioBlitz?
A BioBlitz is an organised event with the aim of recording as many living species in a given area within 24 hours. We will be looking for plants, birds, animals and bugs all around Brackenhurst campus.

When is it?
On the evening of Tuesday 21st April we will be holding a nightlife event ahead of the main event which will be running from 9-3 on Wednesday 22nd April.

How does it work?
We will be using iNaturalist to record our species list. Throughout the day, we'd like as many people as possible out and about looking for species and taking part in our organised surveys. We have timetabled sessions throughout the day for you to join in with if you'd like to learn different techniques and work on your ID skills. Or, if you're more confident, you can go around Brack yourself and see what you can find!

Where do we go?
There will be a base outside the library which will be staffed all day. We will be able to answer any of your questions, help with ID, show you how to use iNaturalist, or tell you what we've found so far. All of the organised sessions will be meeting at and leaving from the base. 

What sessions do you have?
Below is a timetable of events. You can attend as many or as few as you would like and these events are all open to anybody who would like to join in so invite friends, flatmates and coursemates!

• Tuesday 21st April 8-10pm- Bats and Moths 
• Wednesday 22nd April 9-10am- Bird Walk
• Wednesday 22nd April 10-11am- Hedgerow Surveying
• Wednesday 22nd April 11am-12pm- Pond Dipping
• Wednesday 22nd April 12-1pm- Butterfly/Invert Walk
• Wednesday 22nd April 1-2pm- Streamside Walk
• Wednesday 22nd April 2-3pm- Garden Surveying

Why should I take part?
The BioBlitz is a great opportunity to get involved in some practical surveying and learn all about UK species ID. We hope to have a range of people with different areas of interest and expertise helping each other so everyone can have fun and learn together. The day is all about having a good time and doing some conservation work in a way that's accessible to everyone. There are also a few prizes available which will be provided by NTSU! 

We're really looking forward to getting the campus buzzing with people helping find as many species as we can. You don't have to stay all day or attend every event but it would be great for everyone to take the opportunity to help with their specialist areas or stretch themselves with areas they aren't so sure of. There's absolutely no pressure to be able to ID anything at all, if all you want to do is get out and learn from other people! Or, if you just want to pop over to our base at the library and see what's been going on, that's great too!

We hope to be joined by Notts Wildlife Trust in the morning of the 22nd so if you have any questions for them, pop along to the base and introduce yourself!

If you have any more questions, please get in touch by email (ntuconsoc@gmail.com) or Instagram (@ntsuconsoc) and it would be helpful if you could spread the word far and wide!
See you all there!