High school students, CE environmentalists embark on bug hunt

  • Published
  • By Janice Tatum
  • 423rd Civil Engineer Squadron
RAF MOLESWORTH, United Kingdom --  On May 10, 2010, the 423rd Natural Resources Flight , Civil Engineer Squadronand the Cambridgeshire Wildlife Trust supported a field day for RAF Alconbury High School science students at the RAF Molesworth county wildlife site.

Dr. Jonathan Guy, the Natural Resources Management chief, spoke to students about the significance of the county wildlife site and provided a uniquely untouched habitat for them to explore various insect, plant and bird life. This area of RAF Molesworth consists of three hectares of land that has not been cultivated in at least the past 70 years.

The students worked on a project that included collecting and identifying invertebrate species by using standard field techniques, such as "sweep netting" and using equipment called "pooters." Students then identified and documented the collected invertebrates by comparing characteristics against standardized field guides. This information will be used by the Alconbury Scout troops, who will be building insect homes on the county wildlife site in late May. The Wildlife Trust staff assisted in properly identifying several unique insect species.

Students were also given the opportunity to observe the Great Crested Newt, a listed endangered species found on RAF Molesworth. Another highlight of the day was spotting a Red Kite, which is a very rare raptor bird that feeds at RAF Molesworth.