Structuring insect field observations

  • Updated
    12/10/18
  • Read time
    2 minutes

Suggestions for structuring field observations of insect pollinators.

  • Choose a time of day that is not to windy or dry.
  • Each member of the group chooses a small area (2mX2m) to carefully observe for a limited time (10 minutes)
  • Create an 'observation frame' by cutting a 1cm X 1cm square in the centre of a card. Hold the card at arm’s length to frame the area to be observed.
  • One team member observes just one insect and reports its activities at 10 second intervals, or as action changes (i.e flying landing on a flower – describe flower colour scent, shape and insect).
  • One member of the team records observations, swap role after 3 minutes.