Planning the fieldwork

Even if it does not feel like spring at the moment we still have to start planning our fieldwork for this year. So last week the project teams gathered in Bristol to discuss the busy field season which will start in April this year. 

Apart from racking our brains over the flower meadow sampling (which we will do for the first time this year) we also discussed our urban habitat sampling which we will continue from last year. Plans were made for regaining permissions for our urban field sites and sharing news, events and fieldwork adventures on our website, blog and via our twitter accounts (have a look now and again to keep up to date with our work).

Admiring the crocuses

For some much needed fresh air to revive our brains we had a little field trip to the perennial project meadow near Stoke Bishops Halls of Residence, University of Bristol on Thursday last week. The sun was shining, birds were singing and the crocuses had opened their flowers to wait for pollinators. We even spotted a little fly in one of the crocus flowers, but it was probably too cold for bees. 

A pollinator!

Searching for perennial plant species

The perennial meadow was still in its winter slumber but we could find an amazing amount of different perennial species which will start to flower from May onwards. After a bit of searching we could even spot a cowslip (Primula veris) which is pretty rare in our meadows so far and will flower in April. 

We found a cowslip (Primula veris)!

Discussing perennial meadow maintenance this year

Now we are back for the final fieldwork preparations and wait for the spring to finally arrive to bring the flowers and pollinators out.