Sussex Wildlife Trust s1

SUSSEX WILDLIFE TRUST

COURSE INFORMATION SHEET

Course Title: Invertebrates of a Heathland Day/Date/Year: Friday 18 August 2017

Start Time: 10am Finish Time: 4pm

Course Tutor: Graeme Lyons

Course description and subjects A course that teaches the amazing and wonderful world of covered invertebrates on a heathland. Nearly 1500 species have been recorded at Iping and Stedham Commons; over 200 spiders, over 300 beetles and nearly 250 bees, ants and wasps have been recorded there. We will focus on species associated with heathers and other heathland plants, pine specialists, species of bare ground, those found in bogs and water bodies and those associated with dead wood. Techniques of how to find species and how to make valid biological records will also be taught.

We will try to see the scarce Heath Tiger Beetle but other highlights could include a whole range of amazing spiders such as Thomisus onustus (a pink crab spider that sits in the flowers of heathers), Hornet Robber Fly, Slave-making Ants, the brightly purple and metallic green Agonum sexpunctatum and the parasitic Mottled Bee-fly.

Meeting point / Venue address: Meet at Iping Common Car Park off the A272 between Midhurst and Rogate. Take the turning to Elsted (Elsted Road) and the car park is 200 m on your right. SU852220. Nearest Postcode: GU29 0JW

Other sites to be visited: Sussex Wildlife Trust’s Iping and Stedham Common Reserve

What to bring: Packed Lunch Suitable outdoor clothing and footwear for the weather conditions Sun-block and lots of water as this site is hot, dry and exposed Some nets and hand lenses will be available for those who want them

Other Information: Free car park No toilets

Public Transport: PLEASE STATE Bus #92 runs from Midhurst to Petersfield passing through Nearest Train Station, Bus No. Stedham village.

Accessibility: Mostly flat over dry heathland.