Naturalist Chris Packham to be at island’s first BioBlitz

Islanders will have the opportunity to meet the TV presenter and naturalist, who is also due to put on two performances at St James during his stay. Guernsey’s first BioBlitz will take place on Tuesday 14 May.

The event aims to record as many species as possible from a site in a single day.

The BioBlitz is intended to help islanders better understand nature reserves and provide an opportunity for schools and the wider public to interact with local wildlife.

Expert recorders will investigate everything from birds and bats to flowers and seaweed, with the public welcome to drop in any time to help with the search and learn more about Guernsey’s flora and fauna.

Mr Packham launched the BioBlitz campaign in July when he and his team visited 50 sites across the UK to study wildlife and create a ‘biodiversity audit’ of the British countryside.

Biodiversity education officer at Environment Guernsey Julia Henney said she was excited about the upcoming event.

‘The BioBlitz is a great opportunity for the public and local schools to help us study our natural environment. It will also allow us to create a benchmark of the wildlife found in a site to help us better understand how Guernsey’s wildlife is faring.’

The event will be held as a partnership between local organisations, including the Guernsey Biological Records Centre and La Societe Guernesiaise.

Mr Packham said: ‘La Societe plays a vital part in protecting and enhancing Guernsey’s natural environment and its biodiversity.

‘I would encourage all islanders to join up as a member to enable this important work to continue.’

Mr Packham, also a prolific writer and respected photographer, has scheduled two performances of his one-man show ‘Pictures from the Edge of the World’ at St James on 13 and 14 May.

The show gives audiences an insight into Chris’s personal experience of travelling the world to photograph and campaign for the protection of wildlife.

President of La Societe Yvonne Burford said: ‘Chris is one of the UK’s leading naturalists and wildlife champions.

‘Chris has a passionate love of nature and the courage, determination and ability to campaign for and protect our wildlife.’

n For more information about the event and how to get involved, follow @BiodiversityPartnership on Facebook.