This in-person tracks and signs workshop is designed to both introduce a prospective new tracker to the general concepts involved in interpreting tracks and signs and add to the knowledge of the more experienced naturalist.

We will focus on the recognition of the tracks and signs left behind by the passing of mammals.

Although the programme is aimed at anyone new to tracking or those wanting to know more about wildlife it is taught to a deep level with some real and very useful information imparted, with this in mind even those with some experience of the subject will benefit from the course.

The workshop mixes theory and practical covering:

• Foot morphology in relation to track families

• Print identification

• Scat identification

• Beds, homes and nests

• Feeding signs

• Kill sites

• Gaits and track patterns

Trainer:

John Rhyder is an author, naturalist, wildlife tracker, ethnobotanist and bushcraft expert. He is certified through CyberTracker Conservation as Senior tracker having scored 100% on both track and sign identification and trailing or following the animal at the highest level of specialist. John is the only Senior Tracker in Northern Europe therefore the highest qualified in our region. John is also qualified as both an evaluator and external evaluator assessing the CyberTracker system in Europe.

To expand his knowledge John has also been certificated in Germany, Holland, and Spain. He has also worked on several tracking evaluations as second evaluator in the pacific north west of the USA. He also holds a university certificate in Species Identification and Biological Recording specialising in mammals, reptiles, bats, fungi and woodland plants and trees.

As a writer John has contributed many articles for various publications and has authored three books, Track and sign a guide to the tracks and signs of UK mammals and birds, and Woodcraft a guide to using trees and timber, published by the History press. Additionally, he has produced The Animal Tracks Field Guide, which contains life sized drawings of Britain’s mammals and birds. John has been teaching since 1994 and runs his own training company Woodcraft School.

Accessibility:
We are committed to ensuring the accessibility of our training courses. If you require accommodations or have any accessibility concerns, please contact Fiona (training@themammalsociety.org) in advance, and we will be happy to assist you.

For booking terms and conditions click here.

*Please note - If not enough delegates book on to this course it may be postponed with two weeks notice, this is because we are a small charity and need to make sure our events are viable.