With July having already brought pleasant weather, plenty of events and countless fluttering and buzzing bugs, it has also brought the fruition of a wee idea… citizen science and outdoor exercise; pair them up, it’s a doddle!
Easterhouse Green Gym has been getting involved in citizen science by having a go at invertebrate surveying. By splitting the session down the middle this give the volunteers the opportunity to partake in the usual practical work task of a green gym session, as well as a survey activity where records can be generated.
Week 1 was the week of the ‘Meadow’. For the first half of the session, wildflowers were planted to enhance the meadow in Auchinlea Park (as part of the Glasgow’s Buzzing Project). The second half of the session was spent using sweep nets and FSC guides to identify species residing within that meadow. (Without trampling the newly planted plugs of course). This, not only gives the chance to gather a good number of records, but gives the volunteers a chance to try something new and see their local green spaces in more depth.
Through this session a variety of inverts were found; 7-spot ladybirds, common-blue damselfly, ringlets, silver ground carpet-moth. Just as important as this however, was that the volunteers gained a greater insight into their local environment and enjoyed a new and interesting activity.
Visit our blogs to find out more http://blogs.tcv.org.uk/natural-communities/2013/08/13/green-gyms-and-citizen-science-2/
Join in, feel good
