Big Forest Find at Bedgebury gets off to a flying start!
And we’re off!
Big Forest Find activities began this bank holiday weekend and the project has over 500 observations recorded across 263 species. Mallards currently top the list as the most commonly seen. This is not entirely surprising; our Visitor Centre sits on the edge of one of many lakes and waterways at Bedgebury! We’re excited to see that 50 people are contributing to the project records so far. We’ve even spotted the first dragonflies of the season and a sighting of a rare butterfly, the Grizzled Skipper.
Saturday began with the aquatic wildlife walk led by Dean from the South East Rivers Trust. Highlights included the toad rush a tiny plant that grows on bare, moist soil and is common on pond margins, a four spotted chaser dragonfly and a small copper butterfly . Plants included reeds, rushes, grasses and clover. The large silver Y day moth and a thick legged flower beetle were also found in the pond margin habitats explored.
In the pond life safari activity with the Kent High Weald Partnership and Kentish Stour Countryside Partnership lots of damselfly and dragonfly larvae surfaced. We recorded tiny newts, some great diving beetles and larvae plus water boatmen (greater and lesser). Lots of families stopped by to try out pond dipping and a leech attracted a lot of attention.
Dragonflies, damselfies and a sialis alderfly were emerging in the latter part of the morning and afternoon as the sun shone.
On Sunday David, a Bedgebury volunteer, led a walk focused on bird song and saw or heard 21 different species. A spotted flycatcher was one of the top finds.
Take a look at the May Half Term activities and walks that you can join to help you get started recording at Bedgebury. You can join in and record at any time using iNaturalist.
May Half Term special Big Forest Find walks and activities available:
🐦 Early morning bird walk, Tuesday 28 May 6am – 8am
🐦 Family bird walk Tuesday 28 May 9am – 10am
🦋 Moth ID (drop in) Tuesday 28 May 8am – 11am
🐭 Small mammal walk Wednesday 29 May 8am – 10am
🦋 Butterflies and day moths walk Wednesday 29 May 10.30am – 12.30pm
🌸 Wildflowers walk Wednesday 29 May 1pm – 3pm
🐜🐞 Spot that bug (drop in) Thursday 30 and Friday 31 May 10am – 4pm
🦋 Butterflies, hoverflies and bees walk Thursday 30 May 10.30am – 12.30pm
🦇 Family bat walk at sunset (approx. 9pm) Friday 31 May
🐸🦐 The secret life of ponds (Drop in) Friday 31 May 10am – 4pm
🌱🌲Tree-mendous nursery tour Sunday 2 June 11am – 1pm
All expert-led timed walks (not drop in) are bookable and are £3 per person.
You can also join on the day depending on availability.
Check availability and book your places at the Bedgebury Visitor Centre Information Office (open 9.30am – 4.30pm daily, book by calling 01580 879 820).
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