Themes
At a loss for where to begin?
Why not participate in one of the themed events? These are not locally organized excursions, but something that you can do on your own or with friends. Just team up with a friend and participate in a global (well, half global) event.
Friday:
Night Walk.
Take a slow stroll around your garden or nature reserve with a torch and look for night life. There is an entire world that wakes up when we go to sleep. Why not discover it? If you are lucky you might see a Caracal or Porcupine, but you probably wont have time to photograph them. So set your sights a teeny weeny bit smaller and look out for crickets, snails, geckos and other creepy crawlies. And chameleons: night time is best for spotting chameleons too. Discover eyeshine and look out for spiders and other hunters. Or if you have a UV torch, go scorpion blitzing.
Saturday:
Nature Reserve Day
Go and explore your nearest nature reserve. If you have never been there specifically to look for wildlife and wildflowers you are going to be amazed. Make sure that your smartphone is fully charged and has lots of space for photographs, because you are going to run out juice and memory long before you run our of amazing creatures. But you can always visit again on Sunday!!
Moth Night
Saturday Night is officially moth night. You will need a light and a wall or sheet, and you are ready to roll.
Hundreds of different species occur in your back yard, but they are masters of camouflage and you are unlikely to spot them by day. But at night, attracted by light, they are easy to record. Of course, conditions have to be right, but under ideal conditions you may record dozens of species. And all you need is an outside light and a wall - leave the light on and every now and then go and record the moths. Look out too for geckoes and owl flies and praying mantises, and lots of other insects.
Or if you want to be more adventurous, or if you are already devoted to moths, you can use a sheet and a UV light.
Sunday:
Beach day:
Go and explore your shoreline. A beach walk. A tidal pool dip. A rock pool search. All will yield fun seaweeds, goggos, fish, worms, and other sea life. And most are just sitting there waiting for you to go and record them. If you are lucky you might spot a shark or octopus.
Remember a hat and sunscreen. And low tide is the best time of day: consult your tidal charts - or ask a surfer.
Sea Slug Sunday:
If Nudibranchs are your thing then this is the event for you do with some friends or your local dive club and be part of our collaboration 'The Sea Slug Census'. But dont just do Nudies - there is an exciting world underwater for you to enjoy and explore.
Not sure what Nudibranchs are? Here: Seaslugs of southern Africa So what are you waiting for? Grab your snorkel and get swimming.
Monday:
School and Gardens
Not all our wildlife occurs in nature reserves. There is tons in your garden. Dont forget to record the birds and the bees and the butterflies. And the snails and crickets and chameleons. Take the time to get to know your Monkey Beetles, your Woodlice and your aphids. They enjoy your garden as much as you do.
But most of all have fun. If you cannot participate in all of these activities, then team up with your friends and go and bioblitz somewhere exciting. Almost anywhere in our cities and countryside there are lots of living things waiting for you to discover.
