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Conversation with Smaug by J.R.R. Tolkien in The Hobbit.

Conversation with Smaug by J.R.R. Tolkien in The Hobbit.

10 Aug

The literary worm

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Whilst Earthworm Watch is keen to promote the value that earthworms have through their activities in the soil and how our scientific data (that you are actively helping us to gather) can improve their populations by better understanding their habitats, references to worms in literature, folklore and mythology is a fascinating one.

A group of citizen scientists in action

26 Jul

Taking research out of the lab

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Citizen science is people powered research. The term describes a broad spectrum of different types of activities which enable ordinary people, often without formal training, to contribute to scientific research in their spare time. This can take a variety of forms, from outdoor activities such as surveys, wildlife observations and collecting samples, to online crowdsourced projects which are designed to allow individuals to help process huge datasets.

A baby European Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus

12 Jul

Earthworm Hunters - The Badger & The Hedgehog

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As Victoria Burton, lead scientist for Earthworm Watch recently reported, earthworms are a vital source of food for many small invertebrates including flies, beetles, slugs and leeches. Without earthworms in our garden soils mammals such as badgers, moles and our beloved hedgehogs would struggle at certain times of the year to find enough food.

Left, Dr. Alan Jones with a family running through the Earthworm Watch survey and right, Kate Mortimer Jones smiling after scoring all 5 earthworms to win in the worm charming

28 Jun

Get A Wriggle On! The earthworms will soon be heading for their summer holidays!

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On Saturday 17th June, myself and Dr. Alan Jones, Earthwatch’s Science Research Manager from the Earthworm Watch team had a brilliant time travelling to the world-class Amgueddfa Genedlaethol Caerdydd - National Museum Cardiff to take part in our ‘Get A Wriggle On!’ event hosted by the museum. The event was also a chance for us to reach out to the people of Wales, engage people in the work of Earthworm Watch and encourage everyone to dig for earthworms to meet our target of 500 unique data points.

Worm Charming in action and examples of marine worms

14 Jun

Come and Get A Wriggle On!

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The Earthworm Watch team has been working with leading worm experts to showcase an event to celebrate the worms of the world on Saturday 17th June (11am - 4pm) at the world-class Amgueddfa Genedlaethol Caerdydd - National Museum Cardiff alongside the Open Air Laboratories (who also run a soil and earthworm survey).This also coincides with the National Museum Cardiff’s highly successful