Advancement of interest and knowledge is greatly improved by drawing upon the experience of others.
Why not start by Joining Buglife and get a day out with a Bug Expert!
1. JOIN AN ENTOMOLOGICAL/INVERTEBRATE SOCIETY, or at least a naturalists or conservation society with people who know more about the subject than yourself. Most are corporate members of Buglife (see list), offering a range from general to narrower focused societies. The national ones offer a differing mix of services.
INVERTEBRATE SOCIETIES THAT ARE MEMBERS OF BUGLIFE
2. JOIN A RECORDING SCHEME Such schemes cover a wide range of invertebrates so there is bound to be one that suits your interests.
National Recording Schemes are run by national specialists or specialist societies. They provide advice and help: some have newsletters, field meetings and identification workshops. In some cases there are county recording projects.
NBN website or BRC for list of schemes.
3. OTHER SCOURCES OF HELP
Some county Wildlife Trusts run bug days or more focused training days. See what your local or neighbouring Wildlife Trusts have to offer.
The Field Studies Council runs many courses on invertebrates at several of its field centres.
Liverpool Museum runs workshops on various invertebrate groups.
Several universities and colleges of education offer courses on identification of invertebrates (often also ecology). The Natural History Museum (London) now accords its stamp of approval via its own diploma. In Scotland and Northern Ireland there are now bursaries for training in taxonomy.
BTCV will be running the Natural Talent Training Bursary Scheme, thanks to a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Twenty apprentices will go on placements with partner organisations in Scotland and Northern Ireland. A wide range of vital specialist skills will be covered, ranging from studying and recording invertebrates, lower plants and fungi to developing skills in the conservation of specialist habitats.
Local Record Centres seek to gain data on all types of wildlife in their area. Inevitably the few people running such data banks cannot have specialist knowledge of everything but they may know of a suitable mentor to help get you going. It will usually be the national recording schemes that are best equipped to advise beyond ‘entry’ level.
