2017 Bioblitz

THIS is your chance to go wild in Parkhurst Forest with a free family day and night wildlife event! Go Wild in Parkhurst Forest is a free family event look-ing at the Island's wildlife both during the day and at night.

The event starts on the evening of Thursday 1st June with Bat Detecting and continues with the main event on Friday 2nd June around Parkhurst Forest from 10am to 4pm.

The Isle of Wight Bioblitz is organised by the Forestry Commission with help from the Isle of Wight Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership in co-operation with the Biodiversity Action Plan Partnership (BAP).

This year the Bioblitz focuses on wildlife in an area that is a mix of ancient woodland, heath/and and Forestry Commission plantation woodland.

There are red squirrels in the forest as well as many other important species, including: the pearl-bordered fritillary butterfly, great crest-ed newt and sparrow hawks.

The BioBlitz needs the public's help to find all the brilliant wildlife in Parkhurst Forest. There will be experts onsite from 10am to help identify all the bugs and beastles found, and they will be recording the many different plants and animals found during the day No experience is needed and people of all ages are welcome to come along and help the experts look for the plants and animals that make this area so special. A number of organisations will be leading activities throughout the day ranging from walks and talks about flowers, bees and other hidden creatures to arts activities and wildlife displays by the Forestry Commission, AONB, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Wight Squirrel Project, Gift to Nature and many more. Joel Bateman