This one-day workshop will examine the boar’s history, behaviour, ecology, field signs, impacts, public perception and management.
With the re-emergence of Wild Boar in recent years, its impact is increasingly felt in some parts of England, yet the animals themselves remain largely elusive and much still remains to be learnt about them.
This one-day workshop will start by examining the boar’s history, behaviour, ecology, impacts, public perception and management.
Our expert trainer will lead an afternoon walk in the Forest of Dean to show you field signs linked with this elusive mammal. Finally the day will finish with an evening walk using thermal scopes on the search for wild boar and other nocturnal mammals.
The day will be structured as follows:
11am: Welcome and Introduction (The meeting room is above the cafe area. Walk toward the main buildings and head up the stairs on your left.)
11.30am-2pm: Classroom sessiom.
2-3pm: Lunch break (lunch is not provided).
3-6.30pm: Tracks and signs walk - we'll head out into the forest and identify signs of this elusive mammal.
6.30-7pm: Short break and travel to new location.
7-9pm: Evening walk, with thermal scopes, on the lookout for wild boar and other mammals.
Please be aware, cars will need to be moved to a different car park between 5-6pm as you will explore a new location on the evening walk.
Location: Dean Heritage Centre, Camp Mill, Soudley, Forest of Dean, GL14 2UB
Trainer: Alastair Hughes-Roden
Alastair graduated from the University of Wolverhampton in 2018 with a Masters in Wildlife Conservation. His interest in mammals stemmed from his childhood days in the Forest of Dean, where he used to follow the tracks of deer and boar through the woods. Since then he has undertaken many surveys of large terrestrial mammals throughout the UK and parts of Europe. Having successfully led many large mammal tracking walks for the RSPB, university groups and numerous mammal societies, Alastair is now focusing and running a group (called Tracker Al), which aims to help graduates and nature lovers gain more practical experience with field signs and tracks, of UK mammals. He is also one of the three members who runs a group called The Boaring Truth, which aims to educate, and provide information regarding wild boar in the Forest of Dean. Alastair also leads the Mammal Society's 'Wild Boar and Large Mammal Survey Techniques' course, in the Scottish Highlands. Now, he works on Cannock Chase, assisting the ranger team with deer and other fauna surveys, alongside his full time job, in visitor engagement.
A CPD certificate will be available on completion of the course.
Concession tickets: available for those in eduction or those on a low income/in receipt of universal credit.
Accessibility:
We are committed to ensuring the accessibility of our training courses. If you require accommodations or have any accessibility concerns, please contact training@themammalsociety.org in advance, and we will be happy to assist you.
Please note there will be uneven terrain on walks and the indoor part of this course will take place in a classroom which is up a flight of stairs - there is no lift.
For booking terms and conditions click here.
*Please note - If not enough delegates book on to this course it may be postponed with two weeks notice, this is because we are a small charity and need to make sure our events are viable.