Introduction to British Wildlife

Program Overview

This six-week online course explores the diversity of British wildlife, covering mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles. Through modules on ecology, field signs, and species identification, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of these species and their habitats. The program is led by experienced ecologists and features virtual tours of key wildlife areas, catering to individuals with or without prior knowledge in the field.

Program Outline

Outline:

• Program Content:
• Introduction to the diversity and range of mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles that live in Britain.
• Understanding the reasons for the range of species in Britain and the changes over time with species introduction and extinction.
• Discovery of species distribution and ecology, and learning to identify them in the field.
• Virtual tour of the local area to see rare and endangered species.
• Exploration of species found in fields, hedgerows, and woodland, including dormice, red squirrels, and badgers.
• Focus on the internationally important sand dunes along the north Wales coast, including common and sand lizards, little terns, and natterjack toads.
• Modules:
• Ecology of a range of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians in Britain:
This module covers distribution, habitat requirements, diet, behaviour, and physical/biological characteristics.
• Ecology of a range of plants and trees in Britain: This module explores distribution and habitat requirements.
• Field signs: This module focuses on identifying burrows, latrines, scats, feeding stations, prints, tracks, hair samples, calls, and activities.
• Native and non-native species: This module includes flora and fauna identification and the use of identification keys.
• Basic key terms and ecological definitions: This module covers terms like native, species, population, and community.
• Structure:
• The course is delivered online.
• Students work through the material at their own pace.
• Weekly online sessions include voiced presentations, videos, further reading, and short quizzes.
• Course Schedule:
• Start Date: Wednesday 17th January 2024
• Duration: 6 weeks

Assessment:

• Part A - Multiple choice questions: These questions assess the ecology of flora and fauna, covering topics like field signs, diet, behaviour, habitat requirements, characteristics (physical and behavioural), and distribution.
• Part B - Online practical: Students identify a range of flora and fauna species from images and descriptions of field signs and specimens.

Teaching:

• Faculty:
• Denise Yorke MSc BSc (Hons) FHEA MCIEEM – Senior Lecturer and Ecological Consultant
• Teaching Methods:
• Online sessions
• Voiced presentations
• Videos
• Further reading
• Short quizzes

Other:

• Target Audience: This course is open to anyone interested in the subject, regardless of prior experience.
• Location: Online
• **No previous experience required.

• **Qualified and experienced instructors.

• **Join the Universities ecologists and conservation experts on a virtual tour of the UKs wildlife.