Heathland, Acid Grassland and Bogs - Vegetation Survey and Assessment 2022

• the skills and confidence to identify the key grasses and flowers of several different heathland communities.
• the ability to recognise heathland/bog community types 
• a chance to do quadrat sampling and share ideas with colleagues

Heathlands support a wide range of different plant communities, from dry acid grassland, through to heath, wet heath, acid seepages and bog communities. All of these support a range of key plant species, many of which are at their peak in late summer/autumn.

This course will teach easy ways to identify these species, including several types of grass, sedge and yellow composite (Hawkbits etc.). We will also look at quadrat based survey technique, with a chance to carry this out with other attendees, both to refresh knowledge of the species and teach recording techniques.

We shall be using the area of heath and valley mire around the High Corner Inn at Linwood. We shall have lunch at the pub, and while this is not compulsory, please consider doing so to allow us to use their facilities! (they are also happy for people to use the loos on arrival in the morning). There are a good range of affordable options available on the menu, and it gives us a chance to escape the elements if they are unfavourable.

During the day we will look at a combination of typical and common species of these habitats, as well as some of the rather more spectacular rarities.

Tutor: Dominic Price

Dominic Price is a highly regarded botanical tutor and has been running courses for all levels of ecologists since 2007. He is director of The Species Recovery Trust and specialises in the conservation of endangered species. He is the author of A Field Guide to Grasses, Sedges and Rushes and co-author of The Photographic Guide to Winter Trees and Shrubs. 

• Notebook/clipboard
• Hand lens (there will be some to purchase in the ticket options, or on the day)
• Footwear appropriate for wet bogs in the afternoon

The recommended text for the grasses part of the course is 'A Field Guide to Grasses, Sedges and Rushes' by Dominic Price. Available to purchase on the day, in the ticketing options, or in advance here. Any general flower guide should suffice.

We will be eating lunch in the pub on the day, if you do not want to eat in the pub it is ok to eat your lunch in the car park then join us afterwards.

Any problems on the day please call Dominic Price on 07968 786390. 

Please inform us of any relevant medical requirements/conditions we should be aware of prior to the course. 

Lifts available from Salisbury station on request.

Follow signs to the High Corner Inn and then pull into the High Corner car park on the left, before driving down the hill to the pub. If this car park is full, or you wish to use the loos, continue down to the pub car park and you can walk back up (about 400m distance).

Google map link here

what3words: risk.engine.dispenser

'Useful and practical ID tips, chances to re-affirm what has been taught, not overloaded with information, small group size, pub lunch!'

'It was all on site and not full of complicated botanical terms.'

'I liked the level it was aimed at, felt I learnt a lot but it was not to simple or to hard.'

'Great combination of grasses and plants, field-based methods of identification rather than keys'

'Informal style with useful hints and tips'

Host or Publisher The Species Recovery Trust