Entomology Field Recorder Day

Help us record the insects of Stanmore Common. Insects make up the vast majority of animal life on Earth, yet they remain one of the most overlooked and understudied aspects of biodiversity. To protect insects, we must first understand them, and to understand their distribution, seasonality, and ecological niches, we must record them. By generating insect records, we can understand which species are thriving, which are struggling, and how our green spaces can be better managed to support wildlife. Our Entomology Field Recorder Days are a chance to put this theory into practice. On each day we bring together naturalists to informally survey a green space for insects and generate new biological records for the site. Specialist entomologists will be on hand to help with identification and share their knowledge, so whether you're just starting to notice insects or you've been recording for years, you'll be in good company. All records are submitted through iRecord, meaning our observations feed directly into national recording schemes and London's biological records database. So come and join us – we promise you'll learn something new and have a fun day out in the field at the same time! What will the day involve? • Hands-on experience using different surveying methods to collect and record insects • Guidance on identifying insect species in the field where possible • Support for using iRecord to submit biological records • A chance to connect with like-minded individuals who share an interest in entomology and wildlife recording What do I need to know in advance? • This event is for adults only (18+) • Attendance is free, but booking is essential as spaces are limited • Entomologists of all abilities are welcome • Species identification will take place in the field whenever possible, but some invertebrate specimens may need to be collected and preserved for accurate identification under a microscope at a later date • Please bring suitable clothing for the weather – we'll be outside all day • Please bring food for the day with you (i.e. lunch) • All records generated will be added to iRecord in order to share our findings with the site managers, Greenspace Information for Greater London (GiGL) and relevant national recording schemes and societies. • Check out our ‘Info for Field Recorder Day Attendees’ website page for more info (including instructions for setting up on iRecord): https://biologicalrecording.co.uk/info-for-field-recorder-day-attendees/ Stanmore Common (Harrow) This Field Recorder Day will take place at Stanmore Common, a large (122 ha) council-owned Local Nature Reserve and Site of Metropolitan Importance to Wildlife in the London Borough of Harrow. Habitat- wise, the site is largely mature woodland, dotted with small areas of acid grassland and wetland towards the north. This mix of regionally rare habitats – particularly the remnant areas of acid grassland – justifies the site’s importance for nature. The site is maintained and monitored by volunteers for the Harrow Nature Conservation Forum (HNCF). You can find out more about the site and its wildlife on the website here. This Field Recorder Day is being delivered by the Biological Recording Company in collaboration with the London Borough of Harrow.