Spider Study Courses?

[Zygiella]

Hi everyone

Just wondered if anyone knows of any spider study courses going on anywhere? I recently went to a Field Studies Council weekend course but was disappointed that it was mainly spider identification where as I was looking for spider behaviour and general information.

Has anyone else been on one of the FSC courses? I know they do a week long course but I guess it may just be more killing spiders to look at them under a microscope - any suggestions for study of live spiders would be welcome from you spider experts out there! Thanks

[Paul mabbott]

Some here.
British Arachnological Society: Welcome to the New BAS Website
The alternative would be to contact your local natural history society who probably organise field trips &c.

I doubt that you're going to get very far at spider study without identification and thus killing a few but .....

[GRH]

Not sure what you mean by 'general information' but much information on behaviour and ecology can be gleaned from books. Workshops concentrate on identification and field techniques because that is where there is more added value in having a tutor to guide you. You can also learn a lot from simple field observations of spiders.

The collins spider ID guide has a certain amount about behaviour in the introductory chapters, but for more in-depth studies there are books like 'Spiders in Ecological Webs' by Wise and 'the Biology of Spiders' by Foelix. Less technical but still good books include 'Spiders of the World' by R. & K. Preston-Mafham.

The Provisional Atlas of British Spiders is a must for any arachnologist; it doesn't just give maps for the distribution of each species but summarises known ecology and habitats, active periods, status, threats etc, and is my first port-of-call once I've identified a species.

Unfortunately the week-long course organised by the BAS at a FSC centre had to be cancelled owing to lack of interest!

Greg

[Zygiella]

Thanks for the info.

I had a look at the BAS course and it covered behaviour, silk production etc which is what I am interested in - perhaps there'll be another course arranged next year.

Thanks again - I'm learning a lot from this forum - some very knowledgeable folk around!

[jay2]

if you live in greater london try the London Natural History Society. Very many learned and very well informed people.
otherwise your local wildlife trust may help you find other arachnid lovers.

[nightshade]

I have The Country Life Guide to "Spiders of Britain and Northen Europe"
and the Collins Field Guide "Spiders" there is so much involved in ID-ing
Spiders beetles etc. you really need a tutor if you are serious

[Zygiella]

Originally Posted by jay2

if you live in greater london try the London Natural History Society. Very many learned and very well informed people.
otherwise your local wildlife trust may help you find other arachnid lovers.

Hi Jay2

Thanks but I live at the other end of the country, in cumbria! I did email the Natural History Museum for some info as one of the curators is Paul Hillyard who has written several spider books, but no reply from them as yet - no doubt he's a busy man!

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by jay2

if you live in greater london try the London Natural History Society. Very many learned and very well informed people.
otherwise your local wildlife trust may help you find other arachnid lovers.

Yes the LNHS have a spider meeting on Nov 25th. Details on their web-site.

[Paul mabbott]

I think that Paul may have retired and therefore his BM(NH) e-address doesn't work? Certainly when he was working there he was a very busy man but always prompt in his responses.

Originally Posted by Zygiella

...... I did email the Natural History Museum for some info as one of the curators is Paul Hillyard who has written several spider books, but no reply from them as yet - no doubt he's a busy man!

[Zygiella]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

I think that Paul may have retired and therefore his BM(NH) e-address doesn't work? Certainly when he was working there he was a very busy man but always prompt in his responses.

Thanks Paul

He was still listed among the staff of the Entymology Dept. but it may need updating??

I watched a talk he gave to the Darwin Centre via the internet and it was very good - I also just received his book 'The Private Life of Spiders' which has some beautiful photos in - he really seems to appreciate spiders and not in a purely scientific capacity.