Tracks & Signs: An Introduction to Wildlife Tracking

Tracks & Signs: An Introduction to Wildlife Tracking for 16-25 year olds

Join The Birch Collective and Youngwilders for an afternoon learning how to read the signs animals leave behind.

We’ll become detectives of the living world — exploring tracks, trails, feeding signs and other clues that can help us find wildlife, understand animal behaviour and notice more of what is happening in the ecosystems around us.

Tracking is an ancient skill and a brilliant way to slow down, look more closely and develop a deeper connection with the natural world.

No previous wildlife, ecology or tracking experience is needed.
-Free to attend 
-For 16–25 year olds only
-15 spaces available
-⏰ Please arrive at 1pm

This session is offered as part of our Fresh Air Thursday programme

We’ll start at Strawberry Lane Community Garden, around five minutes from St George Park.

From 1–1.15pm, there’ll be a relaxed welcome, a quick introduction to Fresh Air Thursdays and a chance to get settled.

At around 1.30pm, the tracking workshop will begin and we’ll walk together up to Troopers Hill woodland.

During the afternoon, we’ll explore:

-the different types of evidence animals leave behind
-tracks, trails, feeding signs and other clues
-techniques for finding and following wildlife evidence
-what these signs can tell us about animal behaviour
-how tracking can help us understand the wider ecosystem
-how paying closer attention can deepen our connection with nature

The session will involve walking through woodland and exploring some areas away from the main paths.

When? Thursday 15th October @ 1–4.30pm

Fresh Air Thursdays is normally a drop-in group, but for this workshop you need to arrive at the start, as we’ll be leaving the garden together. For anyone not wanting to join the tracking, there will be normal Fresh Air Thursday activities in the garden as well.

Where? Strawberry Lane Community Garden St George, Bristol, BS5 8JF

The garden is tucked away down a narrow lane, so it can be a little tricky to find the first time.

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/gxbNkUfY54TE95X28

What3Words entrance: https://w3w.co/loser.reward.faces

Accessibility: 

This workshop involves walking on uneven and rocky woodland ground, including some slopes and sections away from established paths. Depending on the weather, the ground may also be muddy or slippery. Unfortunately, this session is not wheelchair accessible.

There is a compost toilet at Strawberry Lane Community Garden, but there won’t be toilet access while we are out in the woodland.

If you have an access need, reduced mobility, or you're unsure whether the session will work for you, please email [email protected] and we’ll be happy to talk it through with you.

We’ll be outdoors whatever the weather, so please come prepared for the forecast.

We recommend: Sturdy shoes or walking boots Warm and waterproof layers Clothes you don't mind getting muddy

We have some spare wellies and coats available at Strawberry Lane if you need them.

We’ll provide snacks, tea and water. You’re welcome to bring your own food and water bottle too.

PLEASE NOTE: To attend this workshop, you also need to sign up to Fresh Air Thursdays through The Birch Collective.

Please complete the short sign-up form here: https://www.thebirchcollective.co.uk/fresh

The form takes around 5 minutes. As we’ll be outdoors and heading away from our main site, we need a few details from everyone attending so that we can support you and keep the group safe.

Please make sure you have completed the Fresh sign-up form before coming to the workshop.

There are only 15 spaces, so if you can no longer attend, please let us know so we can offer your place to someone else.

About the trainer:
Rhys is an ecologist interested in tackling the biodiversity crisis by changing the way people relate to the ecosystems around them. His professional experience includes work with the RSPB, Forestry Commission and ecological consultancy CSA Environmental. He now works as Ecology Officer (West) for Youngwilders, helping young people get involved in conservation and nature recovery. He also shares ecology and nature content online as Rhys Touring Nature.

Youngwilders was started in 2020 by a group of friends passionate about helping nature recover.

They work with landowners and partner organisations to deliver youth-led nature recovery projects across the UK, with an emphasis on allowing natural ecological processes to lead wherever possible.

Instagram: @youngwilders_  https://www.instagram.com/youngwilders_/

Fresh Air Thursdays is The Birch Collective's free weekly outdoor group for 16–25 year olds.

Every Thursday from 1–4.30pm, we come together at Strawberry Lane Community Garden for relaxed outdoor activities including food growing, gardening, craft, nature-based skills and looking after the land.

There’s no pressure to know anyone, have previous experience or jump straight into an activity. You can take things at your own pace and choose what you want to get involved with.

Find out more: https://www.thebirchcollective.co.uk/fresh 

If you have any questions about the workshop, accessibility or whether the session is right for you, please email: [email protected]

We’d love to have you join us. Entry Requirements: 16+