Hoverfly workshop - SW Exeter - Winter 2011

MattPrince · #1 (**permalink**) 01-06-2011, 11:36 AM

Hello,

Just checking if there are any budding dipterists that would be interested in a hoverfly workshop over the winter 2011/2012 - possibly March 2012 in time for the 2012 season.

Course would be over a weekend, likely to be in Exeter, and current thoughts are a cost of circa £30 + (cost of venue hire / attendees). All microscopes, specimens and literature provided. I'm looking for 12 people in total, ideal ability level would be those who are interested in this group of insects, probably have Stubbs & Falk, might be struggling with its keys (squama anyone?) and are looking to progess things further.

Topics covered to include :-
keying specimens to tribes
keying specimens to species
preserving specimens
finding hoverflies
the hoverfly recording scheme

The course is that as advertised by Roger Morris via the Dipterists Forum.

MattPrince · #2 (**permalink**) 20-06-2011, 05:58 PM

I now have more interested parties, currently 8-10, and have a couple of prospective venues which aren't going to charge an arm and a leg, so I'm hoping this will be a go. Still room for a couple more if any Devon WAB'rs are interested.

Geoff F · #3 (**permalink**) 20-06-2011, 09:03 PM

I shan't commit myself now, but see if there are any spaces left nearer the time.

MattPrince · #4 (**permalink**) 04-07-2011, 11:52 AM

Currently we are looking at the weekend of 10th/11th March 2012.

I've got 6-10 takers so far.

Waiting for confirmation of venue - couple of possibilities, will post further details, including expected cost, soon as available.

Geoff - you'd be most welcome.

Chas · #5 (**permalink**) 04-07-2011, 12:35 PM

I live in Exeter. I am def interested. I have been recording the Hoverflies in my garden for the last few years, so far up I am up to 29 all photographed, need to do better! may I ask who is conducting the workshop and what level of expertise that person may have?

MattPrince · #6 (**permalink**) 05-07-2011, 06:24 AM

Chas,

The course is run by Roger Morris, of the dipterists forum, and hoverfly recording scheme, author of 'hoverflies of surrey' and co-author (with Stuart Ball) of the provisional atlas of hoverflies.

I'll PM you - the dipterists are in town and its an excellent opportunity to pop in to an evening lab session or tag along to a field session.

Cheers,
Matt

MattPrince · #7 (**permalink**) 25-07-2011, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattPrince

Currently we are looking at the weekend of 10th/11th March 2012.

I've got 6-10 takers so far.

Waiting for confirmation of venue - couple of possibilities, will post further details, including expected cost, soon as available.

Geoff - you'd be most welcome.

Yarner Wood have offered to provide their new classroom at a competitive rate. So the cost is now going to be around the £30~35 mark for a two day course (depending on number of participants and including a donation towards electricity, plus money for coffee/tea and biscuits throughout)

Still places available.

Regards,
Matt

MattPrince · #8 (**permalink**) 26-10-2011, 11:58 AM

Ok with the current season starting to peter out, now is a good time to get ready for 2012!

So the details so far:-

The Course
Introduction to identifying hoverflies. Including use of microscopes.

The Dates
Saturday 10th March 2012
Sunday 11th March 2012

The Venue
Yarner Wood, Woodland Classroom
(should be possible to lift share from Exeter, etc)

Costs
£30~40 depending on number of participants (yarner is gratiously providing the venue for free, i've included a donation for electric, and a small fund for tea/coffee/biscuits)

I think that is pretty good value for a two day course, including handouts and hire of all equipment.

I've got the minimum required - still several places open and always the chance of a drop out, so PM me if you would like to take part or want a pdf covering the course and cost breakdown in more detail.

MattPrince · #9 (**permalink**) 19-12-2011, 11:31 AM

This course is now fully booked - and with a small number on a waiting list.

I'll post if spaces come up, but hopefully the next post on this will be a review on a succesful and useful course.

Cheers,
Matt

MattPrince · #10 (**permalink**) 12-03-2012, 01:22 PM

I am pleased to report that the workshop was a success over the weekend. It is an excellent course for those that are interested in hoverflies and want to improve their identification skills. Run by Roger Morris and Stuart Ball of the Dipterists Forum it was a well balanced blend of presentation and practical microsope work.

Due to the generosity of these friendly experts, and that of Natural England (providing the venue for free), the 2 day "at cost" course came to £30 per head, unbelievably good value.

As this was my first go at organising a course, and the first event of this kind to be run at the new woodland classroom, it wasn't without the odd teething problem, heating was an issue on the first day and getting things dark enough for the projected usb microscope images was a problem.

Despite these issues, all participants seemed to enjoy themselves and reported positive results, either with new information and skills, or a useful pre-season brush up.

Personally I scribbled notes frantically, annotated my copy of Stubbs with many useful warnings, tips and pointers and generally benefitted from the wealth of experience to hand. We've also got many suggestions for field work that can be done, both with the adult flies, and the larvae.

So ..if you are thinking of attending or even organising one of these courses ~ go for it.

Best Regards,
Matt Prince