Earthworm Sampling Day

Join us on a sampling day to collect earthworm specimens at Tolworth Court Farm to contribute to ongoing ecological monitoring. Come along for a hands-on day of earthworm surveying with fellow nature enthusiasts! You'll help search for and collect earthworm specimens, contributing valuable data to build a species list for the sites. Our survey methods include exploring different microhabitats and hand-sorting soil samples to gather specimens, which will later be identified by trained earthworm recorders. All records will be added to the National Earthworm Recording Scheme, helping to expand our understanding of these important soil creatures. No experience is necessary – just bring your curiosity and a keen eye for wildlife! What will the day involve? • Fieldwork experience in undertaking soil pit sampling surveys to assess soil-dwelling earthworm species. • Hands-on experience of undertaking microhabitat searches to find above-ground earthworm species. • Practical experience in collecting and preserving earthworm specimens. • Recording environmental and ecological data required for the generation of earthworm species occurrence data. • A chance to meet fellow like-minded people from a range of different disciplines. What do I need to know in advance? • This event is aimed at adults only. • It’s free to attend and no previous experience is required as earthworm sampling methods will be taught to all attendees on the day. • Attendance is free, but booking is essential as spaces are limited. • This event will involve the collection, preservation and killing of earthworm specimens for identification purposes. • We'll be outside for the whole day so please bring suitable clothing for all types of weather and please bring your lunch and any snacks you will require with you on the day. • All records collected will be submitted to iRecord in order to share our findings with the site managers, Local Environmental Record Centre and the National Earthworm Recording Scheme. Earthworm Specialist: Keiron Derek Brown Keiron has been running the National Earthworm Recording Scheme since it was launched in 2014. He has run over 100 earthworm training courses and events since 2014, covering a wide range of subjects including biology, ecology, surveying, identification and recording. He is currently authoring a Provisional Earthworm Conservation Status Assessment for the UK on behalf of Natural England. Tolworth Court Farm Nature Reserve At over 50 ha, the large size and location of this urban nature reserve along the chalk stream of the Hogsmill River in Kingston mean it is an important place for nature. A haven for Brown Hairstreak and other butterfly species, the Wild Tolworth project aims to improve the quality of the site for wildlife. Following a range of invertebrate-focused events with the FSC BioLinks project, we’re revisiting the site to record the wildlife and update the species list for the site. This event is delivered by the Biological Recording Company in partnership with Citizen Zoo and Kingston Council as part of the Wild Tolworth project (supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund).