Invertebrates Workshop with Nick Patel

Join expert wildlife guide Nick Patel this September at Heal Somerset for a fascinating hands-on workshop celebrating the small but mighty world of invertebrates.

As summer gives way to autumn, the landscape is still teeming with life — from late-flying butterflies and moths to beetles, spiders, grasshoppers and other essential bugs. This is the perfect time to slow down and explore the vital role these creatures play in our ecosystems, from pollination and decomposition to soil health and food chains.

During this interactive session, Nick will guide you through techniques for spotting and identifying some of our native invertebrates. You’ll learn how to observe important features up close and how different species can tell us about the health of the environment.

The workshop will begin in our farmhouse before heading out to explore a range of habitats on site — including grasslands, hedgerows, and pond edges — where rewilding is helping invertebrate populations to thrive.

We’ll finish with time back at the farmhouse for light refreshments, a discussion about what we’ve found, and tips on how you can support invertebrates in your own garden or local green spaces.

What you might see: shield bugs, ladybirds, dragonflies, grasshoppers, solitary bees, orb-weaver spiders, ground beetles

About your workshop leader, Nick Patel:

Nick is a tour guide, conservationist, naturalist and birder and is passionate about helping to protect, create and maintain British wildlife. A lifelong birdwatcher, and former nature reserve warden, Nick has devoted his life to shouting about how amazing our native biodiversity is and just why we should care for it.

Nick says “I am really pleased and super excited to be working with Heal and looking forward to showcasing some of the amazing work they are doing at the Heal Somerset site. It’s truly inspiring and you can already feel an abundance of nature, which I am excited to share with people though my tours”.

LOCATION

Heal Somerset is in a very rural location, a few miles from Bruton, Frome, the A303 and the Wiltshire border, at Lower West Barn Farm, Bindon Lane, Witham Friary, BA11 5HH. Directions will be sent in a confirmation email.

TIMINGS

10am: Meet at Heal Somerset farmhouse for welcome and refreshments

12pm: Walk around site to put learning into practice

1pm: Workshop ends

CLOTHING AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

It may to be wet underfoot so we recommend that you wear wellingtons or sturdy waterproof shoes or walking boots suitable for rough, uneven ground. If the forecast is wet, bring a waterproof jacket and a hat and dress warmly.

[We give this level of detail to encourage wider participation in our events by people who may be unfamiliar with being out in nature and we hope this is useful for them as well as a reminder to those already aware.]

ACCESSIBILITY

The site is not yet wheelchair-accessible, but we do have one all-terrain mobility scooter available. If you would like to use this, please let us know ahead of the event.

If you use an assistance dog, your dog will be welcome.

If you have any additional questions about accessibility please email events@healrewilding.org.uk.

OTHER THINGS

Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel this workshop and either refund you or book you into an alternative date. This would be due to a very poor weather forecast or illness and will be avoided unless absolutely necessary.

Please note, tickets are non-refundable unless the event is cancelled.

Children and babies

Children over 14 are welcome at the workshop as are babies in slings (the site is not pushchair-friendly in a lot of areas). Please contact events@healrewilding.org.uk for more information about bringing children.

Dogs

We welcome assistance dogs but you can't bring a pet dog or any other pets to the site.

Supporting Heal

Please note, up to 50% of your ticket price will go towards supporting the work of Heal.

You'll also have the chance to become a Friend of Heal and to donate to support our work.

Special ticketing

If you are unwaged, a student or living on a very low income and the cost of attending is prohibitive, please email events@healrewilding.org.uk as we may be able to support your attendance. Please note this may not always be possible.

Local accommodation

We can't offer accommodation yet at Heal Somerset. There are lots of places to stay in and around Frome and Bruton.

Transport

The remote rural location means that travelling here by car is the most practical option and there will be car parking available for all tour participants. We do have a minibus for station pick ups where needed so contact events@healrewilding.org.uk for more information about that.

Photo credit: All insect images by Jen Vickers