Earthworm Sampling Day

Join like-minded people with an interest in recording wildlife observations for a day surveying earthworms. The specimens collected will help us to build up an earthworm species list for the site and all records will be added to the National Earthworm Recording Scheme database. Sampling earthworms involves conducting microhabitat searches and hand-sorting soil pit samples to collect specimens for identification by our trained earthworm recorders at a later date.

This event is aimed at adults only. It’s free to attend and no previous experience is required as earthworm sampling methods will be taught to all attendees on the day. Spaces are limited so booking is essential.

Please note that this event will involve individuals collecting, preserving and killing earthworm specimens for identification purposes.

What will the day involve?

• Practical experience using a variety of methods to survey and sample earthworms.
• Practical experience in collecting and preserving earthworm specimens.
• A chance to meet fellow like-minded people from a range of different disciplines.

Earthworm Specialist: Keiron Derek Brown

Keiron has been running the National Earthworm Recording Scheme since it was launched in 2014. He has run over 100 earthworm training courses and events since 20214, covering a wide range of subjects including biology, ecology, surveying, identification and recording. He is currently authoring a Provisional Earthworm Conservation Status Assessment for the UK on behalf of Natural England.

Recording London's earthworms

All records collected will be added to the in order to share our findings with the site managers, Greenspace Information for Greater London (GiGL), London Natural History Society (LNHS) and the National Earthworm Recording Scheme.

Cody Dock

The Lower Lea River has long since been associated with industry and being a conveyor for domestic and industrial effluent, shut off to the public for decades and had a reputation of being one of the most polluted river in the UK. Since the late 1960’s when the area’s industry went into steep decline, London’s second river has however become a vital waterways habitat that is now home to an amazing array of wildlife. From 2015 – 2018, GDP opened Cody Dock’s gates to over 50,000 visitors and worked with over 6,000 volunteers on the clean up and restoration of its riverside footpaths, and Cody Dock now runs an impressive programme of events aimed at engaging people with nature, monitoring biodiversity and conserving wildlife and habitats.

This event is delivered by the Biological Recording Company in partnership with Cody Dock, and supported by the Earthworm Society of Britain and London Natural History Society.

Host or Publisher Keiron Derek Brown