Bioblitz 2022

Friday 10 to Saturday 11 June. Various times. FREE but booking required

Help us to record the wildlife on the Sharpham Estate, by taking part in a packed programme of events where YOU are the citizen scientists!

You'll be 

• bat-detecting
• moth-trapping
• searching for and recording birds, wildflowers, insects and invertebrates
• seeking out mammal tracks and signs

There'll be expert naturalists and conservationists to assist and enlighten you when you find fascinating flora and fauna on the Sharpham Estate.

The information and data you collect will help us paint a picture of what lives on the rewilded parts of the Sharpham Estate.

This FREE event is part of our Wild for People rewilding project that has been supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

What is a BioBlitz?

A BioBlitz is an event that focuses on finding and identifying as many species as possible in a specific area over a short period of time and scientists and participants work together to get a snapshot of an area’s biodiversity. 

Sharpham's BioBlitz

Our BioBlitz runs from Friday evening through to Saturday, with various events that you can join in with.

On Saturday there will be the option to help record wildlife finds for us on your phones via the iNaturalist app. This is entirely optional but bring your phone if you would like to do this - we'll give you instructions on this on the day. 

Children and families

There is no age limit for the children, but 7 years and up is advised for Friday evening, 6 years and up advised for the Saturday sessions.
Babes in arms are welcome, but routes are NOT accessible for pushchairs.

Children must be accompanied by adults at all times. There is a maximum of 3 accompanying children per adult. 

Adults can attend unaccompanied by children.

Listening for bats

The Sharpham Estate beside the River Dart hosts various bats (we’re one of the few places in the UK and Europe where the Greater Horseshoe Bat can be found). And we are home to Lesser Horseshoes and other types of bat too.

You'll get a chance to use a bat detector that you can tune to the frequency of these incredible animals, eavesdropping on their echo-location sounds as they hunt for food.

Here is the sound of Lesser Horseshoe bats, as they leave their roost behind Sharpham House and head out to forage:

This event is for you if you are:

• Adults and children of any age and experience looking to discover more about our wildlife
• Interested in learning more about the natural world
• A fan of the Great Outdoors
• Looking for a fascinating, family event

What should you bring?

• A healthy snack if you get peckish along the way. Refreshments are available - see below
• A hat
• A torch for the night-time activities
• Waterproofs
• Good comfy shoes or wellies
• Paper and pen if you want to take notes
• Bottle of water
• If you have your own bat detector do bring it along
• Binoculars for the Saturday sessions if you have your own

Refreshments & facilities

Hot and cold drinks and snacks will be available to buy from the Wild Fig Deli between 9.30am and 1pm on Saturday.

There are portaloos on site and nearby.