Botany Field Recorder Day

Botanical recording – the practice of finding, identifying and recording plant species at a site – is an essential way of tracking the diversity and distribution of plant species across space, tracking environmental changes over time, and informing conservation efforts. In London, where green spaces span the full spectrum from highly-managed parks, to semi-managed nature reserves, to unmanaged brownfield sites, an impressive diversity of plant species can be found. Understanding the state of this diversity helps site managers make informed decisions about habitat restoration, invasive species control, and sustainable landscaping, ensuring that urban environments continue to support wildlife, improve air quality, and provide enriching green spaces for people.

At this Field Recorder Day, we invite you to join like-minded nature enthusiasts for a day of finding, identifying and recording plants in an informal setting. Naturalists of all levels (from beginner to expert) are encouraged to attend, share their experiences with peers and help one another improve their knowledge and build confidence in biological recording. Botany specialist Mark Spencer will be leading the day and providing guidance throughout.

What will the day involve?

• Practical experience of finding, identifying and recording plants in the field.
• Access to a specialist botanist and the opportunity to discuss field botany.
• A chance to meet like-minded nature enthusiasts.

What do I need to know in advance?

• This event is aimed at adults only.
• Attendance is free but booking is essential.
• Botany recorders of all abilities are welcome.
• All identification will be completed in the field where possible, but please note that this event may involve some experienced individuals collecting botanical specimens for further investigation.
• We'll be outside for the whole day so please bring suitable clothing for the weather
• Please bring food for the day (i.e. a packed lunch).
• All records collected will be added to iRecord in order to share our findings with the site managers, Greenspace Information for Greater London (GiGL), London Natural History Society (LNHS) and relevant national recording schemes and societies.
• Check out our Info for Field Recorder Day Attendees page for more info (including instructions for getting set up iRecord): https://biologicalrecording.co.uk/info-for-field-recorder-day-attendees/

Botany Specialist: Dr Mark Spencer

This Field Recorder Day will be led by Dr Mark Spencer. Mark is an experienced and internationally respected botanist, with expertise covering many disciplines including forensic botany, the plants of North-west Europe, invasive species and the history of botanical science. Mark also works globally as a seasoned writer, public speaker and television presenter. As a forensic botanist, Mark has worked on various missing person enquiries, murders and other serious crimes.

Ravenscourt Park

This Field Recorder Day will take place at Ravenscourt Park, one of the flagship green spaces of the borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. The 13-hectare park is well used and loved by local residents and visitors, and has a storied history going back to medieval times, when the lake in the centre of the park was part of the moat that surrounded Paddenswick Manor. In terms of biodiversity, the primary habitats of interest are the wilder areas at the north of the park, the lake and its margins, and the small walled garden.

More info about the site including details for getting there can be found here: https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/sports-and-parks/parks-and-open-spaces/ravenscourt-park.

This event is being delivered by the Biological Recording Company in partnership with Hammersmith and Fulham Council and the London Natural History Society (LNHS).