Seaford Natural History Society (SNHS)and On the Verge invite you to join a timed flower insect count.
Many wild and cultivated plants depend on insects to pollinate their flowers, with successful pollination leading to successful seed or fruit production. There are concerns that numbers of pollinating insects such as bees and flies may be declining, but we need more data to be able to track changes in insect abundance across the country.
The Flower-Insect Timed Count (FIT Count) is designed to collect new data on numbers of flower-visiting insects, as part of a wider set of surveys under the UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme (PoMS).
We will meet at the car park at High and Over and head into one of the nearby fields where you will be shown how to undertake this insect count.
This will be quite different from our normal Outdoor Programme Walks as the purpose of this session is to learn how to do the Flower-Insect Timed Count (FIT Count). The FIT Count is a Citizen Science project designed to collect data on numbers of flower-visiting insects, and it is part of a wider set of surveys under the UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme (PoMS).
We will be looking at specific flowers and counting the number and type of insects that visit them. On Saturday April 27th we will learn how to collect data as part of this Citizen Science project. Then, if you are interested in doing more, you can go off in your own time to do the survey in a location of your choice and submit your records which will then become part of the national data base.
We will only be walking a hundred metres or so from the car park so it won’t be a strenuous activity, however when we start to count the insects, you might like to sit down as you will be observing the flowers for 10mns – a mat or small stool might be useful.
You will also need to bring your phone, something to write with, a hand lens (if you have one) and even a small ruler as we have to distinguish between insects more than or less than 3mm! The FIT Count will be explained on the day, but if you want to find out more in advance click here
I would also encourage you to download the FIT Count APP before you come, though this is not essential.
The Wonderful Wildlife of Seaford is aiming to attract people who are unable to attend our normal weekday meetings, so if you know of anyone who might be interested in attending this Saturday event, please pass the information on to them.
This event is free. Children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult. You do need to book on eventbrite here
