Description
Join botanist, James Common, for a new field course exploring the identification of plants associated with Northumberland's older woodlands.
About This Course
Course tutor: James Common
Course length: 6x trips, March-June. Please check the program below.
Course structure: Six field sessions at different locations.
Course cost: £75 NHSN Members / £100 Non-Members
When you think of ancient woodland, your mind might picture an oak forest in Southern England, carpeted with vast swathes of Bluebells. But ancient woods across the UK take many different forms, from the remnants of Scotland’s native pinewoods to the oak and hazel forests of the Western coast. These habitats have been centuries in the making and support a far richer diversity of plants than younger woods, including many species now rare or highly localised. This richness makes ancient woodland an irreplaceable habitat.
Ancient woodlands can often be recognised by the presence of certain species known as Ancient Woodland Indicators (AWIs). These plants vary from region to region, but across the UK, they provide vital clues that help us distinguish old woods from new. As a rule of thumb, the more AWIs you spot, the richer and more valuable the woodland is likely to be.
On this field course, we will explore some of Northumberland’s ancient woodlands (there are plenty to choose from in our area), learning how to identify AWI species alongside other plants strongly associated with long-established woods. Together, we’ll follow the unfolding of spring into early summer, observing wildflowers, ferns, woodland grasses and more, all while attempting to track down some of our region’s rarest woodland plants.
This course will include:
• Key identification features of woodland plants
• An introduction to AWI species, with a focus on Northumberland
• How to distinguish prominent woodland grasses, rushes, and ferns
• Guidance on using a range of keys and other identification guides
• Hands-on development of practical botanical skills in the field
A full course programme, including meeting points for specific trips, will be provided ahead of the first session.
In the event of poor weather, every effort will be taken to reschedule missed sessions.
Course Programme
- Watersmeet, Acomb - Saturday 14 March, 10am-1pm
- Scotch Gill Wood, Morpeth - Saturday 28 March, 10am-1pm
- Throckley Dene, Newcastle - Saturday 18 April, 10am-1pm
- Allen Banks, Hadon Bridge - Saturday 16 May, 10am-2pm
- Hareshaw Linn, Bellingham - Saturday 30 May, 10am-2pm
- Plessy Woods, Bedlington - Saturday 20 June, 10am-1pm
Accessibility
Most trips are planned to include areas of flat, even walking. However, some visits may involve uneven ground, rough terrain, or steps. On certain days, we may cover up to 1–2 miles in a single session. While several sites are accessible by public transport, many will require personal transport. Parking is available at or close to all sites.
These field courses are designed to be chatty, friendly, and informal. They should suit both intermediate botanists keen to develop their skills and explore new locations, as well as enthusiasts looking to deepen their understanding of the region’s flora.
Additional Information
Questions (and identification queries) are welcome at any time by emailing james.common@newcastle.ac.uk.
Please read the terms and conditions for NHSN education courses before booking.
Recommended Equipment:
If you have one, please do bring a hand lens. If you have a favourite ID guide, please bring it. I would recommend either the New Flora of the British Isles, by Clive Stace, or the Collin’s Wildflower Guide, but any guide will help. Please wear decent walking boots, pack waterproofs and do bring snacks/lunch for longer trips.
About the tutor:
James works as Senior Naturalist at NHSN. Outside of work, he is a passionate wildlife recorder with a focus on botany and invertebrates. As a botanist, he is a joint BSBI Vice-County Recorder for North Northumberland and an iRecord verifier for South Northumberland.