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

Following days of torrential rain, we set off on Monday morning for the annual Year 13 A-Level Biology Field Trip expecting it to be a very soggy time indeed. As we arrived at our destination, we were proven correct and started to realise just why the Lake District has a reputation for being one of the wettest parts of the UK – hence the Lakes, obviously.

Despite this, our 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 although, with the weather seemingly against us, we weren’t hopeful of finding many. But, surprisingly, the smaller animals were out and about in force and we had a record haul of mice and voles. We concluded that, as the overnight temperature was quite warm, this was more of a factor than the rain and that the rodents were content with a nice meal and a dry warm bed for the night, before being carefully released back where they had been found. The pupils also 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!

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

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! However, we also discovered the second weather issue of a very long dry summer and the resulting low water levels made some areas quite difficult to sample from. Despite this challenge, several chose to collect this data for their final assessed practical work.

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 Lane