Hoverfly ID course – anyone interested?

We have recently been in touch with one of the organisers of the Hoverfly Recording Scheme (HRS) about the possibility of running a training course in SW Scotland on this under-recorded insect group. Hoverflies include some of the most striking and fascinating members of the order Diptera – the true flies. However national recording scheme records show that SW Scotland is comparatively poorly recorded for this group, and has very few regular recorders.

We would therefore like to find out if there is sufficient interest to run a course next autumn/winter in the region. The course would be aimed at recorders with little or no previous experience in hoverfly ID and take place during a weekend. Through a mixture of talks and practical exercises, national experts and HRS organisers Stuart Ball and Roger Morris (authors of Britain’s Hoverflies: A Field Guide) will teach about the natural history of hoverflies. Using microscopes, keys and specimens participants will be able to learn the necessary skills which will help them to identify and record hoverflies. We estimate that the cost would be in the region of £50 per person, which we think is excellent value for a two-day course in the company of two leading national experts in their field.

We can only consider running the course if there is sufficient interest locally to make it worthwhile. So before HRS and SWSEIC commit to spending our time in organising an event, please can you let us know if you would be interested in attending by clicking the link below and completing the form. It doesn’t commit you to coming, it’s just a way of seeing if there’s sufficient interest to make running a course viable. Assuming enough people respond, using the information gathered we’ll work out a suitable venue.

Those who register an interest will receive priority notification about the event if it goes ahead.

Register your interest here

 

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SUP is registered in Scotland as a company limited by guarantee with charitable status. Registered address: The Southern Uplands Partnership, Studio 2, Lindean Mill, Galashiels, TD1 3PE. Company No. SC200827 / Charity No. SCO29475

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