A-Level Biology Field Trip to FSC Castle Head, Grange-over-Sands

With the weather forecast predicting three days of torrential rain, we set off on Monday morning for the annual Year 13 A-Level Biology Field Trip. Overall, the weather was not as bad as predicted and there were even a few sunglasses moments amongst the showers.

The Year 13 Biologists spent a fantastic three days learning about and performing many ecological sampling techniques in wonderfully scenic surroundings of FSC Castle Head in Grange-over-Sands, using their new skills to complete two of the A-Level required practicals with the assistance of the excellent FSC tutors.

The techniques they practised included methods of sampling and studying both motile and non-motile organisms. Random sampling using quadrats and grids along with systematic sampling using belt transects were both employed to study the plants in the grounds around the site. To investigate the nocturnal wildlife, students used electronic bat detectors to listen to the ultrasonic sounds which the bats use to locate their prey in the darkness.

Overnight, small mammal traps were placed by students in locations which they thought maybe home to small rodents. Unfortunately, with the weather against us, the smaller animals remained elusive and we were disappointingly unable to catch anything. However, in the absence of actual animals, the pupils consulted secondary data from owl pellets and spent some time picking through he remains of a variety of small animals, identifying them from their skeletons. Gruesome but fascinating work! Moth traps were also set and these did provide a good selection of the smaller winged fauna of the region.

Students also sampled aquatic organisms in streams and ponds and were surprised by the diversity of different organisms and how big some of them were! Several chose to collect this data for their final assed practical work.

Woodlice were also gathered for one of the practicals and observed to identify their response to stimuli and draw conclusions about their preferred habitats.

The students conducted themselves excellently and were brilliant ambassadors for the school, the centre staff commented on the exceptional behaviour and how efficient Wellington pupils were at designing their own investigations and gathering their data.

Next year’s trip is already booked, so watch this space.

Mr Crabbe, Miss Tyrer and Dr Glass