Budding naturalists of all ages are being invited to join plant and animal experts to help identify the wildlife found around the Campus, during the Southampton BioBlitz.
This free event on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 June will see local people join wildlife groups and university scientists in a race against the clock to find as many species of plants and animals as possible in 24 hours.
Dr Marcus Grace, Senior Lecturer in Science Education at the University, is one of the academics leading the event. He said:
“This is a rare opportunity to see and learn about the plants and animals that live in our area. Southampton is actually a very green city and is home to a wide range of mammals, birds, reptiles, butterflies and bees. The rare Tree Bee has recently been found in the university grounds, making it only the second place that the bee has ever been recorded in the UK.”
The data collected during BioBlitz will be added to a vast database at the Hampshire Biological Information Centre, to compare Southampton’s biodiversity with other places in the county. This information will then be used to see how wildlife populations might change in the future.
Southampton BioBlitz is a joint initiative between the University, SUSU, the City Council and the Natural History Society. It is also part of a national campaign, with similar events happening up and down the country.
If you are interested in helping out on the day, please sign up here
More information can be found here