TCV EBAT: Bioblitz & Species Recording at Orchard Park

Join The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) for a focused Bioblitz and species recording session at Orchard Park.

This session forms part of the Edinburgh Biodiversity Action Team (EBAT) programme, contributing to the Edinburgh Nature Network and wider Urban Biodiversity Enhancement Strategy.

🌿 Nature isn’t just for wildlife—it’s for people too.
Through TCV’s Nature for All approach, we aim to connect people with nature while building meaningful skills and contributing to real ecological outcomes.

This session contributes to our growing focus on ecological monitoring and survey work, helping to:

• Build a clearer understanding of biodiversity across EBAT sites
• Support future habitat management decisions
• Contribute to wider citizen science and recording initiatives

👉 We’ll be supporting a local school and community group, so this is a collaborative and supportive session rather than a full independent bioblitz.

We aim to deliver sessions Tuesday–Thursday each week, although this may vary depending on weather or site requirements.

• Sessions typically run from 10:00 onwards
• Flexible attendance is welcome

🌿 That’s the nature of working outdoors.

📅 Date: Wednesday 3 June
🕙 Start time: 10:00
⏱ Duration: ~3–4 hours
📍 Location: Orchard Park South
📍 What3Words: ///target.slip.loves

This is a species recording session focused on identifying and documenting wildlife across Orchard Park.

Activities will include:

• Observing and identifying plants, insects, and other wildlife
• Recording species using iNaturalist
• Supporting participants in developing identification skills
• Exploring different habitats across the site

We will have:

• Basic ID resources available on the day
• Guidance and support for recording observations

📱 Access to a smartphone is strongly recommended, as we’ll be using iNaturalist for recording.

This session is particularly suited to people who:

• Have some experience or interest in species identification
• Enjoy plants, insects, birds, or ecological recording
• Want to get more involved in citizen science
• Are looking to build survey and monitoring skills

👉 Beginners are still welcome, but an interest in observation and identification will help you get the most out of the day.

Recording species is a key part of understanding and improving urban ecosystems.

This work helps to:

• Establish baseline biodiversity data
• Identify changes in species presence over time
• Inform future habitat management
• Support evidence-based conservation

Using tools like iNaturalist also:

• Contributes to shared biodiversity datasets
• Connects local observations to wider ecological knowledge
• Encourages ongoing engagement beyond the session

👉 Management and monitoring go hand-in-hand—helping us understand how nature is responding to the work we do.

Directly:

• A relaxed, exploratory session
• Opportunities to observe and identify species
• Guidance on recording and using iNaturalist

Indirectly:

• Build confidence in species identification
• Develop survey skills
• Connect with others interested in ecology
• Spend time outdoors in a meaningful way

• Smartphone (recommended for iNaturalist)
• Sturdy footwear
• Weather-appropriate clothing
• Water/snacks

📚 Some ID resources will be available on the day.

If this is your first session, please contact me after booking with:

• Emergency contact details
• Any relevant medical information

We aim to make sessions as accessible as possible and can provide limited transport support where needed.

👉 Book your place and come get involved

👉 Develop your survey skills and contribute to real ecological data

👉 Be part of Edinburgh’s Nature Network in action

👉 Nature for All starts here

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Orchard Park South, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

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