Terrestrial Invertebrates for Beginners

How do you tell a beetle from a bug? Or a spider from a harvestmen? Or a bee from a hoverfly?

Terrestrial Invertebrates for Beginners is a one-day introduction to the fascinating diversity of Britain’s land-dwelling invertebrates. Designed for those with little or no prior experience, this hands-on course will guide you through the fundamentals of finding, observing, and identifying invertebrates in the field.

Through a blend of classroom learning and outdoor exploration, you’ll develop the skills to recognise key morphological features and classify specimens to order level. You’ll gain confidence using identification keys and deepen your understanding of the principles of taxonomy.

The day includes practical exercises, group activities, and a guided field session at a local green space, where you’ll apply new knowledge to real-world specimens.

This course is ideal for those with an interest in natural history that are looking to develop their invertebrate identification and recording skills.

What will be covered during this course?

• Invertebrates Taxonomy: Explore how different groups of terrestrial invertebrate are classified and learn how taxonomic classification works.
• Identification Keys: Learn how to use dichotomous keys effectively to classify specimens and navigate identification guides with confidence.
• Invertebrate Fieldwork: Learn techniques for locating and collecting invertebrates safely and ethically in a range of habitats.
• Specimen Identification: Examine preserved and live specimens to develop recognition of key morphological features used in identification to order level.
• Invertebrate Monitoring and Conservation: Discover how invertebrate recording contributes to biodiversity monitoring and supports conservation efforts.

Fees and refund policy

Non-professional Course Ticket (Free): Select this option if you are a non-professional (e.g. amateur naturalist, local group volunteer, undergraduate student or biological recorder). Tickets subsidised by Barnet Council .

Professional Course Ticket (£50): Select this option if you are a professional (e.g. ecologist, graduate student, researcher or are attending in relation to your vocation).

Ticket fees include an administrative fee of 20% that is non-refundable. This consists of approximately 10% for Eventbrite fees and 10% for time spent by the Biological Recording Company processing the order.

Further cancellation charges will also be incurred for the following:

• 20% admin fee + 10% cancellation fee for cancellations made over 90 days in advance of the date of the course.
• 20% admin fee + 30% cancellation fee for cancellations made within between 30 and 90 days of the date of the course.
• 20% admin fee + 80% cancellation fee for cancellations made within 30 days of the date of the course.

Invertebrate Specialists: Joss Carr and Keiron Brown

Joss Carr is a passionate entomologist and biological recorder with an MSc in Biodiversity and Conservation from Queen Mary University of London and a BA in Geography from the University of Oxford. He specialises in UK invertebrates, particularly leafhoppers and allies (Auchenorrhyncha), and is an experienced iNaturalist contributor and verifier on iRecord. At the Biological Recording Company, he leads entoLIVE and Field Recorder Days, sharing his expertise and inspiring others to develop their identification and recording skills. Joss brings extensive practical experience and a deep enthusiasm for helping participants confidently observe, identify, and record invertebrates.

Keiron Derek Brown is a dedicated advocate for biological recording and invertebrate education. Since 2014, he has led the National Earthworm Recording Scheme, delivering over 100 training courses and events to inspire and equip wildlife enthusiasts. As the developer and manager of the BioLinks project for the Field Studies Council, Keiron spearheaded the delivery of more than 200 in-person and virtual training sessions, supporting both new and experienced invertebrate recorders. Keiron’s expertise extends to his role on the advisory council for the National Forum for Biological Recording. In 2023, he founded the Biological Recording Company to further promote and support biological recording initiatives.

Golders Green Meeting House

The Golders Green Meeting House is located in London's Hampstead Garden Suburb. It serves as a place for Quaker worship and is also available for hire by local community groups for various activities. Field activities will take place at Big Wood or Hampstead Heath Extension.

The meeting house is in the north-east corner of Central Square in Hampstead Garden Suburb. The nearest tube is Golders Green (a 21-minute walk) then H2 bus to North Square. Free street parking is available nearby.

This event is being run as a collaboration between the Biological Recording Company and Barnet Council.