About the event

The ability to identify wildflowers, orchids and grasses in the field opens up a whole world of discovery, transforming any trip outdoors. This workshop aims to introduce and inspire you to quickly and confidently identify a range of wildflowers, orchids, and grasses. It will focus on the more common species you are likely to encounter on any walk in the countryside, whilst also touching on a few interesting rarities we have at Kingcombe Meadows.

Kingcombe Meadows National Nature Reserve, which surrounds Kingcombe Centre, is famed for its wide-ranging habitats and species and was designated a National Nature Reserve in 2021.

Suitable for any level of experience from beginner upwards. There will be some walking on rough ground during the workshop and time in the field.

Leif Bersweden has had a lifelong interest in nature, born in 1994 and growing up exploring rural Wiltshire looking for wild plants. Leif is the author of The Orchid Hunter (2017) and most recently Where the Wildflowers Grow (2022) and regularly helps to lead plant identification courses for The Species Recovery Trust. Leif graduated from Oxford University where he read Biological Sciences and has just completed a PhD at Kew Gardens, with a research focus on orchid genetics.

DAY 1

Neutral grassland teaching in the field (AM)

Chalk grassland teaching in the field (PM)

DAY 2

Neutral grassland revision in the field (AM)

Chalk grassland revision in the field (PM)