Bioblitz 2023
Saturday 10 June, various times.
FREE but advance booking required.
IMPORTANT: £5 +booking fee parking charge applies if you are driving.
Advance parking booking via Eventbrite required - click here to book parking
All fees support the work of the The Sharpham Trust.
A free shuttle minibus service will be running from Totnes to Sharpham, but with limited capacity.
You are welcome to walk/cycle to Sharpham too.
See our Summer Celebration day page here
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!
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You'll be
- Searching for and recording birds, wildflowers, butterflies, beetles, grasshoppers & 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 a fun, wildlife event for all ages 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...and our Summer Celebration on the same day
Our Bioblitz has various events that you can join in with.
There will be the option to help record wildlife finds for us on your phones via the iNaturalist app. This is entirely optional but but download the free iNaturalist app in advance and bring your phone if you would like to do this - we'll give you instructions on this on the day.
IMPORTANT INFO: Our free Summer Celebration Day, 10.30am - 4pm, in the gardens of Sharpham House will be taking place on the same day as the BioBlitz. You will be able to move between both events as you please, to make a full day of Sharpham fun! A cafe will be located in the gardens of Sharpham House. Drinks will be available to buy at the Bioblitz basecamp area too.
Bioblitz participants will be able to use the free minibus shuttle from Totnes (click here to see the Celebration day listing for the timetable). Timings for these buses cannot be guaranteed - people may have to queue and also wait for another bus if the first one fills up - there will be 3 minibuses on the shuttle run.
If coming by car, Bioblitz participants will have to pay in advance for a car park space (£5 plus booking fee via Eventbrite), just the same as Celebration day visitors. Limited spaces available. Please book your parking in advance - click here to book
Children and families
There is no age limit for the children, but 6 years and up is advised for the 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.
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 drink and a healthy snack (picnics also welcome, please take your rubbish home). Food & drink will be available to buy at Sharpham House, as part of the Summer Celebration Day happening on the same day from 10.30am-4pm
- Waterproofs
- Good comfy shoes or wellies
- Paper and pen if you want to take notes
- Binoculars if you have your own
- A sun hat & sun cream if hot and sunny
Refreshments & facilities
Hot and cold drinks will be available to buy at the BioBlitz basecamp. Drinks,cakes and light lunches will be available to buy from the pop up cafe at Sharpham House from 10.30am on Saturday, as the Sharpham Summer Celebration Day (10.30am - 4pm) is running concurrently with the BioBlitz.
There are portaloos on site and nearby.
Even though the events are free, we need you to book your places in advance as we have limited space.
| Saturday 10 June | Time | |
|---|---|---|
 |
BIRDS - led by expert birder Mike Langman. 15 adult places on each session. There is a maximum of 3 accompanying children per |
9.45am - 11am & 11.45am - 1pm |
 |
WILDFLOWERS - led by Mike Cooke/Simon Roper. 15 adult places on each session. There is a maximum of 3 accompanying children per adult. |
10.30am - 11.45am & 12.15pm - 1.30pm |
 |
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. |
10.30am - 11.45am & 12.45pm - 2.15pm |
 |
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. |
9.45am - 11am & 11.45am - 1pm |
 |
WILDLIFE/REWILDING TOUR - led by Jack Skuse/Simon Roper. Explore the work we're doing to rewild the landscape at Sharpham. There is a maximum of 3 accompanying children per adult | 11.15am - 12.15pm & 2pm-3pm |
 |
CHILDRENS AWESOME MEADOW MINIBEAST ACTIVITY - Age 6 yrs and upwards. 20 children’s places. Children must be accompanied by an adult. | 12pm - 12.45pm |
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.
PARKING
FOR ALL BIOBLITZ SESSIONS: Parking is in a field at the top of Sharpham Drive with a 8/10 minute walk down to the rewilding meadows. THERE IS A £5 PLUS BOOKING FEE CHARGE FOR CAR PARKING (to help support The Sharpham Trust). Limited spaces available. Please book in advance - click here
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.
SHUTTLE BUS
There will be a free, shuttle minibus service from Totnes to Sharpham (and return) starting from 10.15am and running until 2.30 pm (from Totnes) and 4pm (from Sharpham). See the Summer Celebration event page for further details. You may have to wait 20 to 30 mins before you get a place on the minibus (continuous shuttle running - 3 minibuses).
WALKING OR CYCLING
There is also a lovely walking route from Totnes to Sharpham (3 km):Click here view and download walking/cycling directions to Sharpham House
Thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Funding, this event is FREE for adults and children.
You MUST book parking in advance if you are coming by car: £5 plus booking fee, per car. Advance booking for car park space via Eventbrite is essential. Limited spaces available. Click here to book parking.
There is no age limit for the children, but 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. There is a maximum of 3 accompanying children per adult.
Adults can attend unaccompanied by children.
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.
