spotter sheets

8/19/2019 Spotter Sheets

1/20

Winter twigsWinter twigsWinter twigsWinter twigs

nnnnaaaattttuuuurrrreeeeddddeeeetttteeeeccccttttiiiiv vv veeeessss....oooorrrrgggg....uuuuk kk kplease copy and share this for personal and educational use - there’s loads more stuff to download on our website

© made in 2007 by Shaun Nixon in the learning team at the Woodland Trust (registered charity no 294344) wwwweeeebbbbssssiiiitttteeee naturedetectives.org.uk pppphhhhoooonnnneeee 0800 026 9650 eeeemmmmaaaaiiiillll [email protected]

Ash Field maple Birch Alder Elder Hazel Beech Horse chestnut Rowan

Oak Lime Lilac Hawthorn Blackthorn Larch Sycamore Dog rose Elm


2/20

Fruits and seeds

ddddiiiissssccccoooov vv veeeerrrr and iiiinnnnv vv veeeessssttttiiiiggggaaaatttteeeePlease copy and share for personal an d educational use. More materials c an be downloaded free from our website

Resource made by Shaun Nixon © Woodland Trust, the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity no 294344 WWWWeeeebbbbssssiiiitttteeee www.naturedetectives.org.uk PPPPhhhhoooonnnneeee 01476 584878 EEEEmmmmaaaaiiiillll [email protected]

B r a m b l e

D o g r o s e

S i l v e r b i r c h

O a

k

B e e c h

R o w a n

F i e l d m a p l e

A s h

H o r s e c h e s t n u t

E l d e r

A l d e r

H a w t h o r n

I v y

H a z e l

B l a c k t h o r n

H o l l y

S y c a m o r e

E u r o p e a n l a r c h


3/20

What have you spotted?What have you spotted?What have you spotted?What have you spotted?

learning through the seasons www.naturedetectives.org.uk www.naturedetectives.org.uk www.naturedetectives.org.uk www.naturedetectives.org.ukrun by the Woodland Trust (charity 294344) Autumn Park, Grantham NG31 6LL 0800 026 9650

fungusfungusfungusfungus

bracket fungus or bright jelly

fungus on dead branches

budsbudsbudsbuds

long ones, clusters, opposite

pairs and big sticky ones!

poopoopoopoo

shiny oval-shaped droppings

from roe deer

nestnestnestnest

can you see an old bird’s nestin the bare tree branches?

dreydreydreydrey

an untidy, twiggy squirrel nestabout the size of a football

nutsnutsnutsnuts

can you see any squirrels orays looking for their stores?

mossmossmossmoss

cushion moss in beech woodsunder oaks or conifers

birdsbirdsbirdsbirds

look for food - red berries onhawthorn, dog rose and holly

mistletoemistletoemistletoemistletoe

balls of mistletoe growing inthe tree tops

noisenoisenoisenoisewoodpeckers drumming

catkinscatkinscatkinscatkinshazel catkins in February

peoplepeoplepeoplepeople

winterwinterwinterwinter


4/20

What have yoWhat have yoWhat have yoWhat have yo

Start yourFun stuff for kids, families and schools by

© 2009 You may print and copy this sheet, in its

SummerSummerSummerSummer

mothsmothsmothsmoths can you see a hummingbirdhawk moth?

ladybirdsladybirdsladybirdsladybirdscount the spots and look fordifferent species

noisenoisenoisenoisehow many sounds can you

hear? frogs, birds, bees…

damagedamagedamagedamage look for trees that have beendamaged by deer antlers

uuuu sssspottedpottedpottedpotted????

wn adventure at naturedetectives.org.u

the Woodland Trust, a charity registered in England & Wales (294344) and Scotland (SC038885) at Autumn Park, Grantham N entirety, for non-commercial purposes. Do not put this pdf on ot her websites - please link to our download page. Questions?

birdsbirdsbirdsbirdsfledged blue tits, great titsand woodpeckers

loofloo

butterfliesbutterfliesbutterfliesbutterfliesfind them on flowers uncurlingtheir proboscis to drink

beehov

aphidsaphidsaphidsaphids find aphids and their sticky

honeydew on leaves

da

can

squirrelssquirrelssquirrelssquirrels grey squirrels feeding ongreen hazelnuts

canof a

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feathersfeathersfeathersfeathers for feathers on ther from summer moults

pollinatorspollinatorspollinatorspollinators, butterflies andrflies visiting flowers

pondpondpondpond selflies and dragonflies

be found near ponds

smellsmellsmellsmell you smell the rotten scentstinkhorn mushroom?


5/20

what have you seen?what have you seen?what have you seen?what have you seen?


butterfliesbutterfliesbutterfliesbutterflies

red admirals, speckled woodand brimstone butterflies

gallsgallsgallsgalls

knopper galls, spangle galls,marble galls or cola nut galls

ivyivyivyivy

watch bees and butterflies visiting ivy flowers

harvestmenharvestmenharvestmenharvestmen

8 legs with 1 body part,look for them on oak bark

squirrelssquirrelssquirrelssquirrels

watch for them gatheringacorns and other seeds

webswebswebswebs

spider webs glisteningwith morning dew

owlsowlsowlsowlslisten for tawny owlshooting in the evening

skeletonsskeletonsskeletonsskeletons look for leaf skeletonson the woodland floor

birdsbirdsbirdsbirds visiting rowan trees

for a berry feast

lookoutlookoutlookoutlookout be still and quiet –what can you spot?

mushroomsmushroomsmushroomsmushrooms can you find a mushroomthat has been nibbled?

badgersbadgersbadgersbadgerslook for old badger bedding

left outside the sett

autumnautumnautumnautumn


6/20

Leaf bingoLeaf bingoLeaf bingoLeaf bingo



greengreengreengreen

smallsmallsmallsmall

lobedlobedlobedlobed

nibblednibblednibblednibbled



flatflatflatflat

spikyspikyspikyspiky

yellow yellow yellow yellow

ovalovalovaloval

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longlonglonglong

urledurledurledurled

largelargelargelarge

rownrownrownrown


7/20

LadybirdsLadybirdsLadybirdsLadybirds


7-spot

2-spot

11-spot

Adonis’

10-spot

Hieroglyphic

Water

Pine

Kidney-spot

Heather

Striped

Cream-streaked

Cream-spot

18-spot

Eyed

Larch

Orange

22-spot

14-spot

Bryony

24-spot

5-spot


8/20

Ladybird factsLadybird factsLadybird factsLadybird facts

learning through the seasons www.naturedetectives.org.uwww.naturedetectives.org.uwww.naturedetectives.org.uwww.naturedetectives.org.uk kk krun by the Woodland Trust (charity 294344) Autumn Park, Grantham NG31 6LL 0800 026 9650

7 77 7----spot ladybirdspot ladybirdspot ladybirdspot ladybirdThis is the most common British ladybirddespite a massive reduction in numbers since1998. It eats aphids (greenfly, blackfly etc) andat 6-8mm long it is one of the largest British

ladybirds.

2222----spot ladybirdspot ladybirdspot ladybirdspot ladybirdOf the most common British ladybirds, the 2-spot is especially common in urban areas.Typically it is red with two black spots, and isconsiderably smaller than the 7-spot. It is also

very variable in pattern unlike the 7-spot,commonly black with four or six red patches.

11111111----spot ladybirdspot ladybirdspot ladybirdspot ladybirdNot a common species, but seen regularly in theThames Valley where it’s abundance is due

largely to the climate and weather. It preferswarm and moist places so its population doesdecrease after a hard winter. Usually thisspecies has eleven quite large black spots onred elytra and always has black legs.

Adonis' ladybirdAdonis' ladybirdAdonis' ladybirdAdonis' ladybirdThis ladybird is seen often in ‘weedy’ situationssuch as derelict sites and watersides where itmay be present in quite large numbers. Itprefers warm positions preferably with sand orgravel with sparse vegetation: it is very commonnear the Mediterranean. Normally it has sixspots to the rear of the hind-body and has a

longer scutellar marking (in the middle of thefore edge) than other species. Its legs arelargely black but brown towards their ends.

10101010----spot ladybirdspot ladybirdspot ladybirdspot ladybirdThe 10-spot is a ladybird that does not have aconsistent pattern – but it is consistent in otherways. They have a lot of white on their fore-bodies and have pale legs/undersides. 10 spotsare common but they prefer trees to gardens,and are less likely to be seen in gardens than 2-spots or 7-spots.

Hieroglyphic ladybirdHieroglyphic ladybirdHieroglyphic ladybirdHieroglyphic ladybirdThis species is relatively uncommon and isconfined to Calluna heather but sometimes canbe found away from heaths. Its name derivesfrom the distinctive black mark at the front ofthe hindbody. In this individual illustrated the'hieroglyphic' mark is joining up with the spotsbehind. This process can extend to produceindividuals with virtually all-black elytra.

Water ladybirdWater ladybirdWater ladybirdWater ladybirdThe water ladybird feeds on aphids on rushesat watersides. It changes colour in the autumnfrom red to ochre.

Pine ladybirdPine ladybirdPine ladybirdPine ladybirdThe pine ladybird is another of the mainly blackladybirds which live on scale insects. Over thelast decade or so it may have become the mostnumerous ladybird in Britain since it has

adapted to preying on the large, invasivechestnut scale - often seen on urban lime andsycamore trees. Unlike most ladybirds, whenattacked (by ants or by humans) it does not flyaway but clamps down on to the surface of thetree, or whatever it is resting on.

KidneyKidneyKidneyKidney----spot ladybirdspot ladybirdspot ladybirdspot ladybirdThe kidney-spot ladybird is one of a group ofladybirds which prey on scale insects and thusare found mainly on trees. They are somewhattortoise-shaped with a flange around the rim.

Heather ladybirdHeather ladybirdHeather ladybirdHeather ladybirdThis is also a black animal, similar in shape tothe pine and kidney-spot ladybirds. It has anarrow, linear red stripe running across eachelytron which may be broken into two or threethin spots. In Britain it is only found on heather(Calluna) heath or on conifers nearby but willalso eat scales on many other plants elsewherein Europe.

Striped ladybirdStriped ladybirdStriped ladybirdStriped ladybirdAnother tree-dwelling ladybird. This large (7-8mm) species is found only on Scots pine. Itmay have up to 15 stripes/spots.

CreamCreamCreamCream----streaked ladybirdstreaked ladybirdstreaked ladybirdstreaked ladybirdAnother large species (about 7mm) which liveson pine trees – but is more common than thestriped ladybird. It is quite variable and mayhave no spots or up to sixteen (with four spotsit may resemble a form of the 10-spot but thelatter is much smaller).

CreamCreamCreamCream----spot ladybirdspot ladybirdspot ladybirdspot ladybirdA relatively common species which has adistinctive chestnut brown background colour.The similar 18-spot ladybird has a star-shaped

scutellar spot (on the midline at the front of thehindbody). This is an aphid-eater with anapparent attachment to ash trees in Surrey butit is also often found on umbellifers such ashemlock and cow parsley.

18181818----spot ladybirdspot ladybirdspot ladybirdspot ladybirdThe 18-spot ladybird is relatively uncommonbeing only found on conifers. It is rather apleasant brown colour and identified by thestar-shaped scutellar marking.

Eyed ladybirdEyed ladybirdEyed ladybirdEyed ladybirdThe eyed is the largest British ladybird (around

8-9 mms) and is only found on pine trees whereit eats adelgids (pine aphids). Its name comesfrom the yellow markings around its spots(although these are not always present...)

Larch ladybirdLarch ladybirdLarch ladybirdLarch ladybirdAnother tree-dwelling species which, unusually,lives up to its name: it is most commonly foundon larch (Larix spp) trees, and on otherconifers. It is often completely unmarked but

usually has stripes, at least along the mid-line.However, rarely individuals may have between 2-6 spots.

Orange ladybirdOrange ladybirdOrange ladybirdOrange ladybirdLike the 22-spot, this species is mycetophagous(fungus eating) and lives on the mildews of

various trees. It was once an inhabitant of old,particularly oak, woodland. Formerly uncommonit was observed more frequently over the lastdecades of the 20th century when it was notedon conifers and sycamore. Amongst Britishladybirds, the species is unusual insofar as itmay overwinter as pupae. It can be confusedwith no species except immature cream-spots.

22222222----spot ladybirdspot ladybirdspot ladybirdspot ladybirdThis is the brightest of the yellow Britishladybirds. It always has twenty-two spots.These may vary in size but only rarely join up(as in the individual illustrated). The 22-spot isunusual amongst ladybirds in that it eats fungi(mildew) on the soil surface or on low plants.

14141414----spot ladybirdspot ladybirdspot ladybirdspot ladybirdThe 14-spot (it may have fewer than 14 spotswhich are rather rectangular) is one of the

three most common species in gardens (alongwith 2- and 7-spots) and, in the Midlands, maybe the most common. It is one of three British

yellow ladybirds.

BryonyBryonyBryonyBryony ladybirdladybirdladybirdladybird The bryony is the latest of large ladybirds toestablish in Britain: being first found less thanten years ago in Molesey, Surrey from where itis spreading quite rapidly. It is a vegetarianand, so far, in Britain has only been foundfeeding on white bryony. In France it is knownas the "melon beetle".

24242424----spot ladybirdspot ladybirdspot ladybirdspot ladybirdThe 24-spot ladybird is famous for having thelongest proper name of all British ladybirds(Subcoccinella vigintiquattuorpunctata). It is

vegetarian, living on grass and some weeds. Thenumber of spots varies but it always has a redforebody and, unlike most ladybirds, it is hairyand thus appears dull.

5555----spot ladybirspot ladybirspot ladybirspot ladybirddddThis species is (probably) not seen in south-east England. In Britain it is only found on theshingle edges of some Welsh and Scottish river

estuaries; however, in Europe it is morewidespread (this specimen from the Camargue).


9/20

InInInIn ththththe woode woode woode wood





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10/20

InInInIn the woodthe woodthe woodthe wood





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11/20

Winter wondWinter wondWinter wondWinter wond

Start yourFun stuff for kids, families and schools by t


Tick off these chilly spots as you s

fresh snowfresh snowfresh snowfresh snow

ffffrostrostrostrost

frozenfrozenfrozenfrozen streamstreamstreamstream

rland huntrland huntrland huntrland hunt


he Woodland Trust, a charity registered in England & Wales (294344) and Scotland (SC038885) at Kempton Way, Grantham, N entirety, for non-commercial purposes. Do not put this pdf on ot her websites - please link to our download page. Questions?

ee them in a winter wonderland :O)

iciclesiciclesiciclesicicles

icy ‘jewels’icy ‘jewels’icy ‘jewels’icy ‘jewels’

footprintsfootprintsfootprintsfootprints

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‘spray on’ look ‘spray on’ look ‘spray on’ look ‘spray on’ look

snowflakesnowflakesnowflakesnowflake

melting snow :O( melting snow :O( melting snow :O( melting snow :O(


12/20

Tracks huntTracks huntTracks huntTracks hunt



badgerbadgerbadgerbadger

duck duck duck duck

otterotterotterotter

sheet sheet sheet sheet



deerdeerdeerdeer

foxfoxfoxfox

squirrelsquirrelsquirrelsquirrel

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dogdogdogdog

heronheronheronheron

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _


13/20

SSSSoundoundoundound ssssafarafarafarafar



Ssshhhh, what sounds can you hear

tweetingtweetingtweetingtweeting

sssshufflinghufflinghufflinghuffling

………………………………………

iiii



around you? Tick them off as you hear t

splashingsplashingsplashingsplashing

rustlingrustlingrustlingrustling

………………………………………

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em and add your own!

chirpingchirpingchirpingchirping

buzzingbuzzingbuzzingbuzzing

………………………………………


14/20

LeafLeafLeafLeaf hunthunthunthunt



alderalderalderalder aaaa

elderelderelderelder ffff

hollyhollyhollyholly

Have yo

sycamoresycamoresycamoresycamore _ _ _ _



shshshsh beechbeechbeechbeech

ield mapleield mapleield mapleield maple hawthornhawthornhawthornhawthorn

orse chestnutorse chestnutorse chestnutorse chestnut oak oak oak oak

u found any other leaves? Draw or stick them he

____ ____ ____ ____ ______ ______ ______ ______

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birchbirchbirchbirch

hazelhazelhazelhazel

rowanrowanrowanrowan

re and find out their names:

______ ______ ______ ______


15/20

Fungi huntFungi huntFungi huntFungi hunt



Candlesnuff fungus

Fly agaric

Shaggy ink caps



Chicken of the woods

Jelly ear K

Stinkhorn

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ommon puffball

ng Alfred’s cakes

Yellow brain


16/20


17/20

Hedgerow hHedgerow hHedgerow hHedgerow h



What can you find lurking in t

berriesberriesberriesberries

butterflybutterflybutterflybutterfly

thornsthornsthornsthorns

ntntntnt



e bramble bushes?

beebeebeebee

ggggreenreenreenreen leavesleavesleavesleaves

spiderspiderspiderspider

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flowersflowersflowersflowers

bbbbirdirdirdird

rrrredededed leavesleavesleavesleaves


18/20


19/20

olour bingo

Start your own adventure at naturedetectives.org.uk Fun stuff for kids, families and schools by the Woodland Trust, a charity registered in England & Wales (294344) and Scotland (SC038885) at Kempton Way, Grantham, NG31 6LL

© 2013 You may print and copy this sheet, in its entirety, for non-commercial purposes. Do not put this pdf on other websites - please li nk to our download page. Questions? 0800 026 9650

Can you find all of these colours in nature?

When you’ve found a colour match, write it in the box.

red

green

blue

yellow brown black

white

orange

pink


20/20

Colour bingoColour bingoColour bingoColour bingo

Can you find all these colours in na

orangeorangeorangeorange cccc

redredredredllllgggg

y yy y

lilaclilaclilaclilacllll

bbbb

blueblueblueblue

ture?

eameameameam brownbrownbrownbrown

ightightightightreenreenreenreen

magentamagentamagentamagenta

llowllowllowllow greygreygreygrey

ightightightightrownrownrownrown

black black black black

pink pink pink pink

whitewhitewhitewhite

greengreengreengreen

lightlightlightlightblueblueblueblue

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