02

Saturday 6th
March

Small mammals: identification, recording and surveying     
Using classroom studies, field trapping techniques and field signs to learn to identify and handle small mammals. 

Wildwood Trust, Herne
Hazel Ryan
Wildwood Trust Conservation Officer  

 03

Tuesday 16th March

NEW 

An Introduction to the Identification of Dragonfly Exuviae
A beginners’ course on the identification of the final larval cast skins left behind after the emergence of the dragonflies and damselflies.

Tyland Barn 
John and Gill Brook County Recorders for Odonata

 04

Wednesday 24th March

NEW

Churchyard Lichens: 20 common species
A beginners’ look at a few of the most common lichen species found in churchyards in Kent.  Classroom studies and field work. 

Tyland Barn and Boxley church 
Joyce Pitt
Botanist

 05

Friday 26th  March

Woodland & Wetland Birds
An opportunity to spend a day birdwatching with experts …. in woodland and at Oare Marshes and to learn more about the birds of prey of the North Downs.

East Kent Reserves 
Tony Swandale, Warden
with  Rob Clements, Ornithologist

 06

Wednesday 14th April

NEW 

Beginners’ introduction  to Mosses and Liverworts: 20 common woodland species
An introduction to common woodland moss and liverwort species in West Kent. Classroom studies and field work. 

Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve and Oldbury Hill
Joyce Pitt,
Botanist

 07

Saturday 17th April

NEW 

Farmland Birds
Farmland birds have suffered serious decline over the past 30 years. This study day will help you identify and monitor the species under threat and enable you to provide helpful information to the relevant authorities to inform their policies for improving farmland habitats to benefit our Farmland wildlife. 

Tyland Barn and local sites 
Geoff Orton,
Naturalist

 08

Sunday
25th April

NEW

Geology and Landscape of  the Coast around  Dover  
An introduction to the fossils flints ,fractures and falls of this, Kent’s most famous coastline.

Langdon Cliffs and other sites in Dover 
Peter Golding,
Geologist

 09

Saturday 8th May 

NEW  

Identifying Woodland Ferns and Flowers
Bluebells and primroses are synonymous with English woodlands in spring, but there are very many other attractive flowers and unfurling ferns to get to know.   

Tyland Barn and Quarry Wood 
Ros Bennett,
Botanist

 10

Saturday 8th
May  

Birds of Woodland in Spring
Study of the songs and calls of birds of mixed woodland and how the woods are managed for wildlife.   

Tudeley Woods RSPB Reserve 
Martin Allison
Area Manager

 11

Saturday 15th  May 

Introduction to Orchids
Find out about wild orchids. Life cycles, pollination techniques, mycorrhizal associations, habitats and aids to identification. Distribution, rarity and protection. The day will include field visits to orchid sites in mid Kent.

Tyland Barn and visits to sites in Mid Kent 
Fred Booth, Naturalist with David Johnson, Naturalist

 12

Monday 24th May

An introduction to Kent’s shores
A beginners’ guide to the life found between the tides.  Indoor session and shore visit.

Reculver 
Bryony Chapman,  KWT
Marine Conservation Officer,
Fred Booth,  Kent Shoresearch,
Julie Thomsett, Community Education Officer (East)

 13

Friday 28th May

NEW

How to improve your Garden for Wildlife
A friendly workshop suitable for gardeners of all abilities.  Whatever the size of your garden- from a Balcony to a country Estate.  Bring plans and photos of your garden and we will give you ideas to make it really come alive!  Includes a Tour of our new demonstration gardens

Romney March Visitor Centre 
Maureen Rainey
Runs Kent Wildlife Gardening Awards
Sheena Moss
Wildlife Gardening Advisor
Paul Pearce
Allotment Expert
Steve Humphries
Responsible for the Romney Marsh demonstration

14 

Wednesday 2nd June 

Orchids in East Kent
Visiting important sites for orchids in East Kent there will be opportunities to find out about life cycles, pollination techniques, mycorrhizal associations, habitats and aids to identification. Distribution, rarity and protection 

Visits to Reserves in East Kent
Fred Booth, Naturalist with
David Johnson, Naturalist

 15

Friday 4th  June – Sunday 6th June

NEW  

The Geology of the White Peak
A weekend studying the Carboniferous rocks, fossils and minerals around  Castleton in the Derbyshire Peak District

Various sites around the town of Castleton 
Peter Golding,
Geologist 

 16

Saturday 5th June 
 

Wildlife Digital Photography for Beginners
A study day for Beginners wishing to learn more about the type of wildlife they can successfully capture with basic equipment. Classroom studies and practical demonstration.
 

Tyland Barn 
Ian Andrews
Professional Photographer and Photographic Journalist

 17

Sunday 6th June 

Kentish Butterflies
Learn more about the butterflies and their habitats from an expert  

Tyland Barn and Local Reserves
Steve Weeks,
Warden

18 

Tuesday 8th June
 

Grasses for beginners
There are over 150 species of native grasses in Britain and they dominate many of our landscapes – wet, dry, acid, alkaline, cultivated and wild.  It seems a pity, therefore, not to get to know them better. 

Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve
Ros Bennett, Botanist 

 19

Wednesday 9th June

Sedges and Rushes for Beginners
Sedges and rushes feature significantly in many of our wilder, unimproved habitats.    For species which are often unfairly dismissed or overlooked, it seems a pity not to get to know them better. 

Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve
Ros Bennett,
Botanist 

 20

Saturday 12th June 

Introduction to spiders
This course will provide an overview of spiders; probably the most unpopular, misunderstood and fascinating group of organisms on Earth. Emphasis will be on the British spider fauna, and time will be spent identifying the spiders found in and around Tyland Barn. 

Tyland Barn
Greg Hitchcock
Entomologist and Arachnologist

 21

 Saturday 19th June 

Birdwatching for Beginners
Develop skills to identify bird species seen in Kent and spend time watching wetland, woodland and parkland birds in the nature reserve at Sevenoaks. 

Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve  
Geoff Orton,
Naturalist 

 22

Tuesday 22nd June

Dragonflies
Their life cycles, habitats, and aids to identification.  Presentations in the centre and field studies of adults.

Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve
John and Gill Brook County Recorders for Odonata

 23

Wednesday 30th June

Introduction to Wild Flowers
An introduction to flower families and groups for beginners. Plant features and use of keys. 

Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve
Joyce Pitt,
Botanist
 

 24

Saturday 3rd July 

Introduction to Terrestrial Insects
Insects are arguably the most important group of organisms on the planet. This course is designed to provide an overview of terrestrial insects, with an emphasis on British groups. Selected groups will be covered in greater detail and advice will be provided on identification, with time spent looking at the insects we find in the grounds of Tyland Barn.

Tyland Barn
Greg Hitchcock,
Entomologist and Arachnologist

25 

Saturday 10th July

NEW  

An introduction to the folklore of plants
Learn how important our wild plants were as food, in healing, superstition and the fascinating part they have played in our culture, much of which is evident in their delightful wealth of common names.  

Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve
Sue Buckingham Botanist 

 26

Saturday 24th July 

Identifying Bumblebees
Learn to identify these attractive insects and practise your skills in the field. Suitable for beginners and intermediates. 

Tyland Barn and Holborough Marshes
Geoff Allen Entomologist and Richard Moyse Senior Conservation Officer, Kent Wildlife Trust   

 27

Saturday 31st  July

NEW 

Galls and leaf mines
From tent mines to galleries, oak apples to spangles, discover more about leaf miners and galls.  Experience “live” some of the more distinctive and even sometimes grotesque forms and put your new ID skills to the test

Tyland Barn and Quarry Wood
Keith Palmer, Entomologist 

 28

Monday 2nd August

NEW 

A journey through Living landscapes
Find out how green spaces around our towns can be managed to create corridors for wildlife and see some of these in action.  Making space for wildlife can be good for us and good for the planet.

Tyland Barn and local nature reserves
Alison Ruyter, Warden and Paul Pearce, Living Landscape Green Infrastructure
Development Officer

 29

Saturday 7th August

Dandelions,  Daisies and Thistles
Sort out the look-alikes in this, the largest family of flowering plants. 

Tyland Barn and Mid Kent
Ros Bennett,
Botanist 

30 

Saturday 21st August

NEW 

Flowers of Saltmarshes
Plants that live on coastal mudflats are highly specialised to cope with grim conditions –they are not only a beautiful addition to the scene but have some fascinating stories to tell.  They deserve knowing better. 

Tyland Barn and Oare Marshes Nature Reserve
Ros Bennett,
Botanist 

 31

Saturday 4th  September

Introduction to Moths
Life cycles, food plants, habits, habitats and tips on observation, identification and trapping techniques.  Classroom studies with live moths, followed by examination of moths caught in light trap operated during the previous night.

Tyland Barn
Keith Palmer, Lepidopterist

 32

Friday 10th September

Autumn Migration in North Kent
A new study day to coincide with one of the higher ‘Spring’ tides when the maximum number of waders roost on the floods and scrapes and passage migrants will be stopping off en route to their wintering grounds.   Also observe and learn about birds of prey at one of the best sites in the UK.  Beginners welcome. 

Elmley RSPB Reserve and Oare Marshes Nature Reserve
Tony Swandale, Warden
with  Rob Clements, Ornithologist 

 33

Saturday 25th September

Identification of Fungi I
An introduction to fungi of broad-leaved woodlands. Learn about their lifecycle, host-associations, distribution and field identification features.

Tudeley Woods, RSPB Reserve
Martin Allison,
Area Manager 

 34

Wednesday 6th October

Beginners’ guide and introduction to fungi
An important first step to understanding this fascinating group.  Classroom studies and some field work. (Also valuable - but not essential - for those attending other fungus study days). 

Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve
Joyce Pitt,
Botanist

 35

Saturday 16th October

Identification of Fungi II
Helpful tips on identification of larger fungi and their habitats in the field.  

East Blean Wood, KWT reserve
Joyce Pitt,
Botanist

 36

Saturday16th October

Board-leaved Trees in Autumn
An irresistible season to turn our attention to the broad-leaved trees. Using autumn foliage and fruits to identify these important members of our natural heritage.

Tyland Barn 
Ros, Bennett,
Botanist
 

37 

Saturday 23rd October

Veteran Trees
Veteran trees are a wonderful feature of our landscape and we are only just beginning to understand their contribution to biodiversity.  This study day discusses the important characteristics of veteran trees and how to recognise and record them. 

Tyland Barn and local sites
Neil Coombs,
Land Management Advisor 

 38

Saturday 6th November

Identification of Fungi III
Helpful tips on identification of larger fungi and their habitats in the field.  

Southborough Common
Joyce Pitt,
Botanist

 39

Saturday 6th November 

Small mammals: identification, recording and surveying
Using classroom studies, field trapping techniques and field signs to learn to identify and handle small mammals.

Wildwood
Hazel Ryan,
Wildwood Trust Conservation Officer 

 40

Saturday 27th November 

Getting to know Conifers
Pine, spruce, larch, fir, cedar, redwood…. an introduction to identification in the classroom through foliage and cones. Linked to day 41. 

Tyland Barn
Ros Bennett,
Botanist 

 41

Sunday 28th November 

Conifers at Bedgebury Pinetum
Field studies amongst the largest collection of conifers in the UK. Linked to day 40. 

Bedgebury Pinetum
Ros Bennett¸
Botanist 

 42

Friday 3rd December 

Birds of Prey of the North Kent Marshes
Spend a day observing birds of prey.  Learn how to identify different species and more about their characteristics, habitats and behaviour. Tony Swandale, Warden
with   

Elmley RSPB Reserve
Rob Clements, Ornithologist