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)
• 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 relevant national recording schemes and societies.
• 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/

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.

Paradise Fields

The event will take place at Paradise Fields on Horsenden Hill in the London Borough of Ealing. This is the site which became nationally (and internationally) famous for hosting an enclosed beaver reintroduction, the first of its sort in the UK. In addition to its furry residents, Paradise Fields also boasts a variety of interesting habitats ranging from wet woodland to wildflower meadows with a rich invertebrate fauna to boot.

This event is delivered by the Biological Recording Company with support from Ealing Wildlife Group, Earthworm Society of Britain and London Natural History Society as part of The Ealing Beaver Project.

The Ealing Beaver Project is a partnership between Ealing Wildlife Group, Citizen Zoo and Friends of Horsenden Hill and Ealing Council.