Working with Crayfish Stage 1: Ecology, Survey and Conservation
Sunday 10 (eve) – Tuesday 12 August 2008
Location: Malham Tarn Field Centre, North Yorkshire
Participant Standard: Beginner – Intermediate
Tutor(s): Paul Bradley MIEEM
White-clawed crayfish are rapidly disappearing throughout much of the country. This residential workshop provides a field-based introduction to working with crayfish in a range of situations. An authoritative review of crayfish ecology and field methods is presented, including fieldwork at a variety of standing and flowing water sites. A packed itinerary also includes conservation issues, licensing, biosecurity and welfare. The workshop fee includes two nights full-board accommodation, at a classic field centre location, and transport to field sites throughout the Yorkshire Dales.
Further details about the workshop
This popular workshop, located within a classic karst landscape, is now in its 7th year. We have again prepared what should be an interesting and varied field-based itinerary, with new content being added every year. The situation is constantly changing, but we still expect to have a range of local sites for white-claws during 2008. In brief, we’ll be spending the first evening/day on conservation issues, survey methods and white-claws, and the second evening/day on ecology, non-natives and monitoring.
White-clawed crayfish are rapidly disappearing throughout much of the country. This residential workshop provides an introduction to working with both indigenous and non-indigenous crayfish in a range of situations. An authoritative review of crayfish ecology and field methods is presented, with an emphasis on field-based learning. A packed itinerary also includes conservation issues, licensing, biosecurity and health & safety.
The course includes two nights full-board accommodation at FSC Malham Tarn Field Centre, plus workshop sessions and minibus travel to field sites throughout the Yorkshire Dales. A 4x4 will also accompany the minibus, to carry field gear.
Whilst we would benefit from dry weather for lotic sites, we also have standing water sites to help ensure that fieldwork continues in all but the wettest conditions. Unless we experience truly exceptional weather, all participants should have the opportunity to become familiar with handling and recording crayfish in the field.
Who should attend this workshop?
This Stage I course will particularly suit those who wish to carry out licensed survey work with crayfish. The training provider will provide a thorough introduction to the skills required to carry out both strategic and reactive surveys of indigenous and non-indigenous crayfish in a range of situations. Previous workshops have almost invariably been fully booked, and past participants have included consultants, statutory agencies, conservation bodies and academics. Numbers are limited to ensure a good ratio of participants during this largely field-based workshop.
Anything participants need to know/read before coming on the training event, or need to have with them?
Before attending the workshop, participants would benefit from reviewing readily available background information, such as:
http://www.english-nature.org.uk/LifeInUKRivers/species/crayfish.pdf
http://www.english-nature.org.uk/LifeInUKRivers/species/crayfish_monitoring.pdf
http://www.defra.gov.uk/fish/freshwater/crayfish.htm
http://www.field-studies-council.org/publications/pubsinfo.aspx?Code=181
Bring along relevant literature, reports, topical items, and be equipped for fieldwork, including wading in rivers etc. Waders would be good, but wellies would be sufficient. These should be free of all mud, and suitable for disinfection. If the weather's cool and wet, then waterproofs would certainly be needed. Drying rooms are available at the field centre. A waterproof clipboard, sandwich box, flask, small rucksack, suncream and insect repellent might also be useful. A range of sampling gear will be demonstrated during the workshop. Dial callipers will also be provided for the workshop, and can be purchased from http://www.alanaecology.com/acatalog/Dial_Calipers.html.
The field centre is located several miles from the nearest shop. A small tuck shop will be open for confectionery etc. after breakfast each morning, wine is usually available for purchase at dinner, and High Stables bar will be open from 9pm each evening.
What will participants learn from the workshop (learning outcomes)?
Participants at this workshop will receive a largely field-based introduction to white-clawed crayfish and signal crayfish (-the most widespread non-indigenous species). All participants will gain a basic familiarity with crayfish handling, identification and biometrics. A range of field sampling techniques will be demonstrated, and participants are expected to develop a critical appreciation of the different sampling methods, the timing and conditions for effective survey, and approaches to monitoring crayfish. A packed itinerary also includes ecological considerations, conservation issues, licensing, biosecurity and health & safety.
Participants will gain an authoritative introduction to the skills required to carry out both strategic and reactive surveys of indigenous and non-indigenous crayfish in a range of situations. Participants will be advised to consolidate their skills following this workshop, typically as supervised ‘assistants’ or independent ‘accredited agents’ under existing licence-holders, before hopefully applying for their own white-clawed crayfish survey licence. The training provider will offer ongoing mentor support to participants of these workshops.
Programme:
Arrivals/intro sessions
16.00-17.30 Arrivals (Tarn House reception).
17.30-18.00 Disinfecting setup in courtyard.
18.00-19.00 Dinner -Tarn House.
19.00-19.30 Coffee & FSC intro to Malham Tarn Field Centre - common room.
19.30-20.30 Crayfish intro session - seminar room.
21.00 Bar at High Stables.
Day 1
08.00-09.00 Make packup lunch.
08.30-09.00 Cooked breakfast (cereals from 08.15).
09.30-10.00 Intro to fieldwork & equipt - seminar room.
10.15 Depart for field sites.
10.45-12.45 White-clawed crayfish - tarn site.
13.00-13.10 Disinfection.
13.15-13.45 Lunch in village (conveniences, cafe, pub).
14.15-15.45 White-clawed crayfish - river site (conveniences, cafe).
16.00-16.15 White-clawed crayfish - beck site.
17.00-18.00 Disinfect field gear, tea/cake
18.00-19.00 Dinner - Tarn House.
19.00-19.30 Coffee/ field centre & grounds.
19.30-20.30 Field data, ecology, non-natives - seminar room.
21.00-23.00 Bar at High Stables.
Day 2
08.00-09.00 Make packup lunch.
08.30-09.00 Cooked breakfast (cereals from 08.15).
09.15-09.30 FSC publications (main office); tuck shop (North Wing); pack luggage.
09.30-10.00 Intro to fieldwork - seminar room.
10.15 Depart for field sites (no toilets). Please leave valuables & luggage at the field centre.
10.45-11.30 Intro to signal crayfish - headwater beck.
12.00-12.15 Picnic lunch (on hill overlooking beck).
12.30-14.30 Monitoring, signals invasion of white-claws.
14.30-15.00 Field results & depart field site.
15.30-15.45 Disinfect field gear, tea/cake.
15.45-16.30 Field Centre Veranda - discussion and departures.
NOTE: In case of very wet weather and high flows, additional seminar sessions and alternative field sites are available.
Cost: £250 IEEM members, £370 non-members.