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.
Even though the events are free, we need you to register your interest in each event so that we get an idea of numbers.
Friday 10 June | Time | |
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EVENING BIRD & BAT WALK Led by Mike Cooke from Ambios nature conservation. 15 adult places. There is a maximum of 3 accompanying children per adult. |
8.40pm-10.15pm |
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MOTH TRAPPING |
8.40pm-10.15pm |
Saturday 11 June | Time | |
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MOTH REVEAL Study the moths we trapped last night! With Phil Wilson. 15 adult places. There is a maximum of 3 accompanying children per adult. |
8.15am - 9am |
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BIRDS - led by expert birder Mike Langman. 15 adult places on each session. There is a maximum of 3 accompanying children per |
8.15am - 9am |
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WILDFLOWERS - led by Mike Cooke/Simon Roper. 15 adult places on each session. There is a maximum of 3 accompanying children per adult. |
9.30am - 11.45am |
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BEETLES, BUGS & BUTTERFLIES - led by esteemed entomologist John Walters: 15 adult places on each session. There is a maximum of 3 accompanying children per adult. |
9.30am - 11.45am |
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MAMMAL TRACKS & SIGNS - led by Mike Cooke/Simon Roper. 15 adult places on each session. There is a maximum of 3 accompanying children per adult. |
9.30am - 12.30pm |
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BIRDS - led by expert birder Mike Langman. 15 adult places on each session. There is a maximum of 3 accompanying children per |
12.45pm - 2.45pm |
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BEETLES, BUGS & BUTTERFLIES - led by esteemed entomologist John Walters: 15 adult places on each session. There is a maximum of 3 accompanying children per adult. |
12.45pm - 2.45pm |
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WILDLIFE/REWILDING TOUR - explore the work we're doing to rewilding the landscape at Sharpham. led by Mike Cooke/Simon Roper of Ambios. | 12.45pm - 2.00pm |
Ring us or email us on [email protected] if you've got any questions.
Please click here to see our booking and cancellations policy.
Do check our Calendar to see and book for our events - or join our mailing list by clicking here to be kept in touch about Sharpham Trust news, retreats & events.
Click here for directions and how to find The Sharpham Trust.
If you're driving, parking is in different places on each day.
PARKING ON FRIDAY
You'll need to park in the green bays beside the middle road off the Three Way Junction:
PARKING ON SATURDAY
Parking is in a field at the top of Sharpham Drive with a 10 minute walk down to the rewilding meadows.
Please arrive 20 minutes before your session starts to allow walking time. The route will be signposted.
The return walk is uphill and the sessions are in meadows with long, tussocky grass, so unfortunately the event is not accessible for those with impaired mobility.
Thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Funding, this event is FREE for adults and children.
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, although routes are inaccessible for pushchairs.
Children must be accompanied by adults at all times.
This event is part of our Wild for People rewilding projectthat has been supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
See the Schedule tab for timings of each event.
Ring us or email us on [email protected] if you've got any questions.
Please click here to see our booking and cancellations policy.
Do check our Calendar to see and book for our events - or join our mailing list by clicking here to be kept in touch about Sharpham Trust news, retreats & events.