Mollusc Field Recorder Day

Molluscs are an ecologically important and often overlooked part of the UK’s terrestrial invertebrate fauna. Slugs and snails play key roles as decomposers, herbivores, prey, and even soil engineers, helping to break down organic matter, recycle nutrients, and support food webs. Many species are sensitive to microclimate, soil chemistry, and vegetation structure, making them also highly informative indicators of habitat condition. From a conservation perspective, recording molluscs on a site provides valuable insight into ecosystem health, and long-term environmental change. Because several species have narrow ecological tolerances or are nationally scarce, documenting their presence can help identify high-quality or threatened habitats and support evidence-based site management.

Join like-minded nature enthusiasts for a day of finding, identifying and recording slugs and snails. Naturalists of all levels (from total 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. Mollusc specialist Imogen Cavadino-Phillips will be leading the day and providing guidance throughout.

What will the day involve?

• Hands-on experience using different methods to find and record slugs and snails.
• Guidance on identifying mollusc species in the field where possible, and understanding which specimens require further examination under a microscope.
• A chance to connect with like-minded individuals from diverse backgrounds who share an interest in entomology and wildlife recording.

What do I need to know in advance?

• This event is aimed at adults only.
• Attendance is free, but booking is essential as spaces are limited.
• Recorders of all abilities are welcome.
• Identification will take place in the field whenever possible, but some specimens may need to be collected to be observed in more detail and identified at a later date.
• We'll be outside for the whole day so please bring suitable clothing for the weather.
• Please bring food for the day with you (i.e. lunch)
• Check out our ‘Info for Field Recorder Day Attendees’ website page for more info (including instructions for setting up on iRecord): https://biologicalrecording.co.uk/info-for-field-recorder-day-attendees/

Recording London's Wildlife

All records generated 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 the Conchological Society of Britain and Ireland (who verify records mollusc records on iRecord).

Mollusc specialist: Imogen Cavadino-Phillips

Imogen is an Entomologist at Forest Research with a PhD from Newcastle University which focused on understanding slug species diversity in UK gardens using a citizen science approach. She is a committee member for the Conchological Society of Britain and Ireland, council member for National Forum for Biological Recording and acts as a verifier for terrestrial mollusc records on iRecord. She is a keen advocate for this often unloved and overlooked yet fascinating group of terrestrial invertebrates.

Lesnes Abbey Wood

This course will take place at Lesnes Abbey Wood. Situated in South East London, this unique site offers 88 hectares of ancient woodland, a park and a ruined abbey.

The nearest railway station is Abbey Wood Station and Lesnes Abbey Lodge is a roughly 10 minutes walk from the station. there is no parking on site. Details for getting to the site can be found on the Lesnes Abbey wood website: https://www.lesnesabbeywoods.org/plan-your-visit/directions-contact/

This event is being run as a collaboration between the Biological Recording Company and Lesnes Abbey Woods as part of the Lesnes 500 project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.