Fantastic Field Work in the Sunshine for Alleyn's Biologists

Alleyn’s Year 12 biologists visited the beautiful FSC (Field Studies Council) Juniper Hall and Box Hill in the Surrey countryside last week. As an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with many amazing rivers, deciduous woodlands and grasslands found on the doorstep, the area is a prominent site for biological studies, allowing students to engage in a series of activities designed to deepen their understanding of various ecological and biological principles. 

The students were graced with fantastic weather, and the Year 12’s had a great time putting “snail varnish” on snails to carry out mark-release-recapture sampling that would determine their populations in the on-site ponds. The activity provided practical insights into population ecology and the methods used by biologists to study animal populations in their natural habitats. 

Students went up to Mickleham Downs, a scenic area of grass and woodland where they learned that a beautiful grassland clearing in the forest was created by horses galloping and being made race ready for the Epsom races. Here, they carried out systematic sampling to determine how species diversity changes as the grassland transitions into forest. Some groups finished early and had the opportunity to relax and enjoy the weather before they headed back to classrooms to complete the analysis. 

On the final day of field work, our biologists went to the River Tillingbourne, where they captured invertebrates, for the purpose of analysing how different factors affect their populations and distribution.  

Ecology in the sunshine really is a joy and overall, the field work provided students with invaluable practical experience. Thanks for having us, FSC!