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 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.

Herefordshire (together with Gloucestershire 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 to 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 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 you would come across surveying in Herefordshire.

The workshop will be held at the National Trust Brockhampton Estate. Brockhampton is a traditionally farmed estate and medieval manor house and is home to the largest orchard cared for by the National Trust. With plenty of standing and fallen dead wood of various species in both the orchards and parkland, the location provides plenty of scope for looking at dead wood habitats on the day.

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.

To book a place at this event, please register at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-dead-wood-society-saproxylic-workshop-herefordshire-tickets-1975965318459.