Episode notes:

Simon, John and Margaret’s theme for today is “Resources and help for Armchair Naturalists” and they take a look at the useful equipment for natural history, but not before discussing the exciting comings and goings of wildlife during the international lockdowns.

Please visit http://www.ffon.co.uk to find out more about our ‘Armchair Naturalists’ project or email thefrightenedfaceofnature@gmail.com with any questions. Thanks for listening and make time and space for nature.

Show notes and links:

For all your garden bird feeding needs visit www.haiths.com and useful garden bird ID page at https://www.haiths.com/shop-by-bird/

Many natural history and biological organisations are providing information, species identification and activities for the unprecedented circumstances of the Coronavirus Lockdown 2020. 

While these are often devised to entertain and educate families, they can be fun and informative regardless of age, ability and location.  Participation in citizen science projects is also rewarding.

Information, identification and activities are available on the following websites and many others.

Linnean Society of London

Indoor and outdoor activities during the coronavirus lockdown

https://www.linnean.org/learning/at-home

Special species competition – invent your own new species and name it!

https://www.linnean.org/learning/special-species-competition

Plantlife

https://www.plantlife.org.uk/

Recording wild flower

https://www.plantlife.org.uk/wildflowerhunt/

Identification sheets to download

https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/spotter-sheets

Butterfly Conservation

https://butterfly-conservation.org

Various participatory surveys and recording

Identify a butterfly

https://butterfly-conservation.org/butterflies/identify-a-butterfly

Identification chart to download

https://butterfly-conservation.org/sites/default/files/garden_butterflies_chart.pdf

British Trust for Ornithology

https://www.bto.org/

Bird identification videos

https://www.bto.org/develop-your-skills/bird-identification

Buglife

https://www.buglife.org.uk/

Identify bugs

https://www.buglife.org.uk/bugs/bug-directory/

bumblebee Conservation Trust

https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/identify-a-bumblebee/

Bee identification

https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/identify-a-bumblebee/

Margaret E Cooper 

24 April 2020