Wildlife Conservation Day - Reptiles, butterflies and bees! - Volunteers wanted!
We will be joining The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) at one of their local sites to help them carry out surveys on reptiles, bees and butterflies!
The site comprises predominantly species-rich grassland, with areas of scrub and young woodland around the edges. It supports a range of notable wildlife, including adders, common lizards, harvest mice, a diversity of bees and butterflies, and a variety of bird species such as kestrels.
What will you be doing?
During the spring/summer, TCV are focused on surveying and invasive species removal. Volunteers will be helping to carry out the reptile, bee's, and butterfly surveys. This is important work to monitor population growth/decline and helps adjust the management plan over the coming years. Transect will be provided which are mapped out for the site that we follow. The results are written down and then uploaded to nationwide sites such as UKBMS. They also have a goat's rue problem, which is an invasive plant species and if left alone would take over our wildflower meadow and destroy the biodiversity on site. Because of this volunteers may also be involved in digging it up and removing as much of it as possible. It is then bagged up and disposed of properly.
Date: 28/05/2026
Times: 10am - 3pm (including travel time). Transport from Colchester campus provided by VTeam.
Sign up here!!
What to wear: Equipment and tools will be provided for these tasks, for example, gloves. However, it's important that the you wear appropriate clothing for the task/weather e.g. waterproofs, sturdy shoes/boots, sun cream, hates etc. Please also wear clothes that you do not mind getting dirty. We will be outside for the entire session.
A safety briefing and 'tools talk' will happen at the beginning of the session.
Packed lunch: Please ensure you bring a packed lunch with you, as there is nowhere on site from which you can purchase food. VTeam can reimburse you up to £5 for lunch, providing you have photos of receipts. Teas and coffees will be provided onsite.