Blogs

Want to know more about the diverse world of lichens? Learn directly from the experts at one of this year’s Introducing Lichens courses, run by the British Lichen Society (BLS) and Field Studies Council (FSC).

Courses are taking place across England, and each one includes a field excursion to get hands-on experience of identifying common lichens.

Introducing Lichens 1 is aimed at beginners, while Introducing Lichens 2 is for those who have some prior experience, or have already attended the first course.

Each course lasts a full day, from 10.00 to 16.30 and costs £35. You can book through your local FSC centre.

Kick start your lichen knowledge with an OPAL air survey
Before you go on a course, why not look for some common lichens on an OPAL air survey? It’s simple, fun and a great way to learn about common species.
 

OPAL South West has launched a new photography competition open to all ages and abilities. You can even enter using your mobile phone camera.

The challenge is simple - we’re looking for photos that capture the diverse range of wildlife and nature in Plymouth.

There are four competition categories: close-up images, landscape, urban wildlife, and mobile phone. There are also three age groups – Under 14s, 14-18, and over 18s.

Winners will receive a high quality canvas print of their winning photograph, which will also be displayed at a Plymouth University exhibition.

The deadline for entries is 30 March 2012.

So if you live in Plymouth, or will be visiting over the next couple of months, don’t forget to keep a camera close at hand.

For more information on the competition and how to enter, see our competition page below.

Hello everyone, and a happy new year to you!  Sorry for the cheesy title - but it is relevant to my blog post today.

I've been sorting through all the images that you lovely people have been entering onto the website with your Bugs Count Species Quest records.  Over the next few days and weeks I'll post some of the photos on here for you - there are some really fantastic ones!!  And I must admit a few blurry ones too

I just came across this one and wanted to share it.  At first you focus on the slugs and only when you look carefully do you notice there are also two newts and a beetle in the picture too - I've circled the newts in the second photo to help you see them as they are quite well camouflaged. 

This photo was submitted with a record of leopard slugs, but the slugs you see are actually a different species - Limacus I think, which has a yellowy tinge to it (Leopard slugs are more grey/brown).  However this is still a really useful record as the photo allows our slug experts at the Conchological Society to identfy the species and store it as a biological record - that's why photos are so important!

More piccies to follow soon...

Become an OPAL Explorer and you'll receive a free Explorers Pack when you complete three or more surveys.

OPAL surveys are a fun way to learn about the environment and contribute to valuable research. Our scientists are keen to receive as many of your survey results as possible before publishing their findings later this year.

So if you've tried digging for earthworms, why not test the health of your pond? Or hunt for bugs in your garden? As an added incentive we're offering a free Explorers Pack to anyone who completes three or more different surveys.

The pack consists of a notepad, pencil and magnifier to help you record local wildlife, and a few other goodies including a certificate and stickers for each survey you complete.

How to become an OPAL Explorer
To get started you'll need to register an OPAL account (if you haven't done so already).

Once registered, simply take part in three surveys and submit your results online. Make sure you log in first so we can credit the surveys to your account.

You can easily keep track of the surveys you’ve completed on your My Account page. Once you've completed three or more surveys, simply email us to claim your reward.

Happy surveying!

Always freezing when your best friend’s boiling? Still wearing that summer dress in December? OPAL climate scientists want to hear how you cope with the cold.

The temperature one person is comfortable at may differ widely from another, but it is also affected by the climate and environment you are used to.

Take part in our thermal comfort activity and you'll help the OPAL climate team learn more about our perception of warmth and how sensitive we might be to climate change.

Simply print out the card below, spend 15 minutes or more outside, and then answer the few short questions. A freepost address is already printed on the card, so just fold it in half and pop it in the post box when you are done.

Request a set of printed activity cards
If you are organising a group or class activity, we have a limited number of printed activity cards that we can provide. Let us know your address and the number you would like using our contact us form.

This activity is part of the OPAL climate survey, but can be completed separately. Take part in the full survey to enjoy three more activities and help scientists learn more about how we affect our climate.

Planning a group OPAL activity? Why not add a bit of creative fun and make a film of the day?

It could be a news report, a documentary, or a 'how to' video like the ones below - made by Vale Youth Green Action in Birmingham.

Send us your videos and we'll put our favourites on the OPAL website. Just upload your film to a video-sharing site such as YouTube and let us know the link using our contact us form or comments below.

 Andrew introduces the Bugs Count survey

Charlotte introduces the water survey

Erica introduces the biodiversity survey

For more videos see the OPAL YouTube channel.
 

This week is National Tree Week - the UK’s largest tree celebration. Organisations, community groups and schools are getting together to run inspiring activities, and plant thousands of new trees.

Interested in getting involved? Join in one of the many regional events, or even organise one of your own.

For more information and a list of events see the Tree Council website.
 

Other things to try in Tree Week!

Join in the OPAL air survey
Look for lichens on trees and discover more about local air quality.

Take part in the Natural History Museum’s urban tree survey
The Natural History Museum need your help in recording trees across the country – in parks, gardens, and even in your garden.

The Earthworm Society of Britain, set up with OPAL’s help to support the soil and earthworm survey, has launched its first book.

Published in partnership with the Amateur Entomologists’ Society and written by Sonia Copeland Bloom, Eddie the Earthworm saves the day! is a children’s book combining fact and fiction.

Part of the Tales and Truths series, the book encourages a more direct and fun involvement in the natural world.

The story follows a group of earthworms who try to throw a party for Grandfather worm. However, the day looks set to become a disaster, until a brave earthworm called Eddie comes to the rescue.

The book is available from the Amateur Entomologists' Society website and a number of online retailers for just £5.50 (including postage). It’s a great Christmas present for children aged 4-7 years and all proceeds go to the Earthworm Society of Britain and Amateur Entomologists’ Society.

It’s adventure but not as you know it. Mission:Explore is a new online game, where you can take part in a variety of challenges, discover more about the world, and earn rewards as you go.

Mission:Explore has been designed by The Geography Collective as a novel way of exploring the world.

By completing challenges or missions, you’ll earn badges and climb the online leaderboard.

OPAL is one of many organisations to set challenges or missions. Other challengers include National Geographic and Venus Transit Expedition.

Check them all out and start your adventure today.

Look at this fantastic video of the Vale Youth Green Action Group carrying out the Bugs Count survey - fantastic job guys!