Transition Town Wellington’s two day Bio-Blitz on Fox’s Field is under way.
Today (Saturday), TTW’s leaders Helen Gillingham and Anita Roy introduced the early responders to the aims of the Bio-Blitz – to record the range of species, including plants, butterflies, pond life, earthworms, small mammals and moths.
TTW’s intention is to follow ‘Citizen Science’ – the surveying practices that provide data for national research organisations such as The Environmental Records Centre.
The Bio-Blitz of 2025 recorded 271 different species on Fox’s Field and so the challenge of this year’s event will be to exceed that number.
TTW said: “Throughout the day we’ll be joined by a number of different experts, ecologists and keen amateurs who will guide us through where to look for the creatures we share our world with and share their knowledge and interesting facts about wildlife.
“We will aim to add as many sightings to the app “iNaturalist”, which you can use too if you have a smart phone or digital camera and computer.”
The event continues throughout today, ending at 9pm with a ‘Bat Walk’; tomorrow morning begins with a ‘Dawn Chorus Walk’ at 6am and ends with a picnic breakfast.
Here’s the programme for the rest of the weekend:
Sunday
6am Dawn Chorus Walk
7am Moths
8-9am Picnic Breakfast and a look at the species recorded.
TTW said: “Everyone is welcome, especially families with small children, and you can dip in and out when it suits.
“It’s free to attend and there’s no need to book.
“It will be a really fun weekend, connecting us to the nature in our green spaces and opening up young minds to the wonder of all the wildlife around us, as well as being a really important and practical way we can help monitor and survey any increases or decreases in species, to help protect them and build on their habitat.
“Please walk or cycle if you can but if you have to drive the nearest car park is behind One Stop. More detail available here https://ttw.org.uk/calendar/bioblitz-part-one-13-06-2026/”
Transition Town Wellington’s volunteers are committed to ensuring that the natural spaces so valuable to the community both now and in the future are preserved and enhanced as habitats.
They would welcome anyone interested in joining the group as greater numbers mean that more work can be accomplished, at Fox’s Field and the other environmentally valuable sites around the town.
More information cn be found on ttw.org.uk.
