The Dead Wood Society Saproxylic Workshop

Join us for a day of exploring the fascinating world of saproxylic creatures at The Dead Wood Society Saproxylic Workshop.

About this Event

Are you interested in beetles, heart-rot fungi, woodpeckers or just in trees and their biodiversity in general. Join us for a day of exploring the fascinating world of saproxylic creatures at The Severn Treescapes: Dead Wood Society, Saproxylic Workshop.

The day will be delivered by Keith Alexander, renowned expert on the conservation of terrestrial invertebrates in the UK, with a special interest in saproxylic (decaying wood) invertebrates and veteran trees. He is the Honorary Specialist Adviser to the IUCN on European Saproxylic Beetles and joint author of the 2010 European Red List of Saproxylic Beetles.

Gloucestershire (together with Herefordshire and Worcestershire) has a long history of traditional orchards and a stunning range of ancient trees, making it a stronghold for the beautiful (but rare) Noble chafer beetle and a number of other rare beetles, fungi, birds and other fauna that need dead wood to survive. The aim of this workshop is to develop more interest in the fascinating world of deadwood dependant species. To build awareness of the importance of this often overlooked habitat and build your confidence in recognising the different deadwood habitats and the species that might be using them. If you enjoy this session you might like to consider volunteering with the Dead wood Society project to survey traditional orchards and veteran trees.

At the end of the workshop, we would like the participants to go away with the following knowledge:

• The aims and aspirations of the Dead Wood Society Project.

• Importance of dead wood.

• Noble chafer identification, habitat requirements, life stages, different populations.

• How to use the project tree surveys.
• Basic saproxylic species ID (or know where to go for help) that they would come across surveying in Gloucestershire.

The workshop will be held at Wick Court Farm. Wick Court is an Elizabethan moated manor house with views out over idyllic farmland to the River Severn. Although grand in history, the farm is warm, welcoming and a haven for wildlife. With three historic traditional orchards and two massive oaks (over 600yrs old), the location provides plenty of scope for looking at dead wood habitats on the day.

Wick Court is a working farm and follows strict biosecurity to keep their animals and visiting children safe. You will be required to bring both indoor and outdoor shoes for this event.

Tea, coffee and a buffet lunch will be provided.

Cost £5 to attend (£2 for students). Any under 16s to be accompanied by an adult.

Speakers: Keith Alexander, Dead Wood Society Project staff and GCER staff.

Agenda


🕑: 09:30 AM - 09:50 AM
Arrival- teas and coffes

🕑: 09:50 AM - 10:00 AM
Introductions

Info: Intros including site health and safety as well as biosecurity

🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Dead Wood Society introduction

Info: The story so far and what’s to come

🕑: 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Rotten to the core

Info: Types of dead wood and who lives there

🕑: 11:00 AM - 11:20 AM
Break

🕑: 11:20 AM - 11:50 AM
The Noble Chafer

🕑: 11:50 AM - 12:00 PM
Intro to this afternoon’s workshops and biosecurity reminder

🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
LUNCH buffet supplied by Wick Court Farm

🕑: 01:00 PM - 01:45 PM
WORKSHOP SESSION 1 – Using the different survey forms

🕑: 01:55 PM - 02:40 PM
WORKSHOP SESSION 2 – Saproxylic species

Info: Identification including associated species such as nectar sources

🕑: 02:40 PM - 03:00 PM
Break

🕑: 03:00 PM - 03:45 PM
WORKSHOP SESSION 3 – Guided tour of area

🕑: 03:45 PM - 04:00 PM
Final remarks

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