{"title":"Ecology","description":"\u003cp\u003eA selection of field studies collecting equipment and folding guides produced by the Field Studies Council (FSC).\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"pond-net","title":"Telescopic Pond Nets","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eA safe and durable pond net with telescopic aluminium handle. Features a knotless fine mesh which will not harm specimens and is guaranteed not to run if holed.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eAvailable individually or as a great value pack of 5.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHandle extends from 50cm to 1m.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNet opening: 20cm x 20cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Darwin Biological","offers":[{"title":"1","offer_id":40589295583407,"sku":"EC-010-1","price":11.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"5 - Save 15%","offer_id":40589590626479,"sku":"EC-010-5","price":50.78,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0071\/5030\/5343\/products\/EC-010PondNet91.jpg?v=1600778949"},{"product_id":"aquarium-net","title":"Aquarium Net","description":"\u003cp\u003eFine mesh net, small enough to catch Daphnia. High quality metal handle with plastic coating.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOpening is 120 x 150mm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvailable individually or in a great value pack of 5.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Darwin Biological","offers":[{"title":"1","offer_id":40589289488559,"sku":"EC-020-1","price":4.15,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"5 - Save 30%","offer_id":40589586890927,"sku":"EC-020-5","price":14.53,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0071\/5030\/5343\/products\/EC-020_Nets_313-2.jpg?v=1571710901"},{"product_id":"pooters","title":"Pooters","description":"\u003cp\u003ePerry's pooters, or bug hunters, are clear plastic chambers designed to make catching insects easy, fun and safe. Place the clear tube directly above the small invertebrate you wish to collect and suck on the green tube. There is a fine mesh to prevent the insect from entering your mouth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvailable individually or as a great value pack of 5.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Darwin Biological","offers":[{"title":"1","offer_id":40589287227567,"sku":"EC-030-1","price":4.85,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"5 - Save 20%","offer_id":40589590659247,"sku":"EC-030-5","price":19.4,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0071\/5030\/5343\/products\/EC-030Pooters77.jpg?v=1600778798"},{"product_id":"owl-pellets","title":"Owl Pellets","description":"\u003cp\u003eOwl Pellets are undigested parts of an owl's food which are regurgitated, their contents varies depending upon the owl's diet, often containing bones, hair, feathers and even complete skulls. Owl pellets have virtually no smell and are ideal for students to dissect, giving a fascinating insight into the diet of a bird of prey. This practical can be tied to habitat, adaptation and food chain studies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo help enable students to identify the bones found in the pellets we recommend this \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.darwinbiological.co.uk\/collections\/field-studies\/products\/owl-folding-guide\" title=\"Field Studies Council Owl Pellet Folding Guide\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eField Studies Council folding guide\u003c\/a\u003e which also features a comprehensive guide to British Owls including their habitats.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCollected from wild owls in Shropshire to ensure varied contents - owls kept in captivity are likely to have a far less varied diet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.mammal.org.uk\/bird-of-prey-pellets\/\" title=\"Mammal Society Owl Pellet Resources\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eMammal Society have great owl pellet resources\u003c\/a\u003e including a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.mammal.org.uk\/volunteering\/mammal-mapper\/\" title=\"Mammal Society Mammal Mapper\" target=\"_blank\"\u003emammal mapper\u003c\/a\u003e that students can use to record their findings. The society are particularly interested in the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.mammal.org.uk\/searching-for-shrews\/\" title=\"Mammal Society greater white-toothed Shrew (GWTS)\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eGreater White Toothed Shrew\u003c\/a\u003e, an invasive species that have now been found in the UK.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach pellet is individually wrapped in foil and heat sterilised at 120°C (250°F) for 4 hours. As a natural product, size will vary between 3 and 8cm long.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eStore at room temperature. Shelf life is indefinite provided the pellets are kept out of direct sunlight and dry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvailable individually or in a great value pack of 10 or 50. For a more affordable option we also sell packs of \u003ca title=\"Broken Owl Pellets\" href=\"https:\/\/www.darwinbiological.co.uk\/products\/broken-owl-pellets\"\u003ebroken owl pellets\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Darwin Biological","offers":[{"title":"1","offer_id":40589298761903,"sku":"PZ-900-1","price":5.4,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"10 - Save 10%","offer_id":41278311563439,"sku":"PZ-900-10","price":48.6,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"50 - Save 15%","offer_id":41622105817263,"sku":"PZ-900-50","price":229.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0071\/5030\/5343\/products\/PZ-900_Owl_Pellets_30.jpg?v=1580387920"},{"product_id":"owl-folding-guide","title":"Owl \u0026 Owl Pellet Folding Guide","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThis high quality FSC Owls and owl pellets guide is two guides in one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eA field guide to adult owls\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eA guide to investigating \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.darwinbiological.co.uk\/products\/owl-pellets\" title=\"owl pellets\"\u003eowl pellets\u003c\/a\u003e (available to purchase separately)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eIt features beautiful colour paintings of the 5 owls living in the wild in Britain and Ireland, both perched and in flight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eOwls are birds of prey. They hunt for a variety of prey such as small mammals, birds, frogs, worms and insects. Generally they swallow their prey whole – bones, fur and all. Later they regurgitate the indigestible parts as a pellet. The pellet’s contents help show what the owl has been eating. Altogether there are five species of owl resident in Britain. The snowy owl is not a permanent resident, and there have been no British breeding records for several years. All owls belong to the order Strigiformes which consists of two families – Tytonidae (the barn owls) and Strigidae (the true owls).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eOf course owls are not the only birds which produce pellets. So as well as illustrations and descriptions of the pellets produced by each species of owl, the guide shows how to distinguish pellets produced by other birds (kestrel, sparrowhawk, gull and corvids). There is a systematic identification key to the contents of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.darwinbiological.co.uk\/products\/owl-pellets\" title=\"owl pellets\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/www.darwinbiological.co.uk\/products\/owl-pellets\"\u003eowl pellets\u003c\/a\u003e. Within a pellet you might find complete skulls, jaws, teeth and other smaller bones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAccompanying text on the reverse side covers taxonomy of owls, their adaptations for hunting, food chains and conservation status. A summary table gives further useful identification hints for each species, including body length, wingspan, call, habitat, UK breeding range, main prey and conservation status. The authors have suggested where to look for pellets and how they can be prepared and dissected.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe FSC Owls guide was produced in partnership with the \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.hawkandowl.org\/\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-href=\"http:\/\/www.hawkandowl.org\/\" target=\"blank\"\u003eHawk and Owl Trust\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Darwin Biological","offers":[{"title":"Single Guide","offer_id":41509707612335,"sku":"EC-500-1","price":4.75,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pack of 10 Guides - Save 10%","offer_id":41509707645103,"sku":"EC-500-10","price":42.75,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0071\/5030\/5343\/products\/EC-500OwlsFoldingGuide6.jpg?v=1652453078"},{"product_id":"woodlouse-folding-guide","title":"Woodlouse Folding Guide","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis high quality FSC Woodlouse name trail features the 9 commonest species found in gardens and around buildings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSimple yes\/no questions will quickly guide you to the colour photographs of each woodlouse. Accompanying text on the reverse side covers the features of each woodlouse. This includes body length, colour and distribution in Britain and Ireland.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIdeal to use when purchasing our packs of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.darwinbiological.co.uk\/products\/woodlice\" title=\"Live Woodlice\"\u003elive woodlice\u003c\/a\u003e for use in choice chambers or mazes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWoodlice have an ill-deserved reputation as pests. But they are rarely more than a nuisance. In fact woodlice play an essential role in the garden ecosystem. By chewing up large amounts of dead leaves, they speed up decomposition, helping to return nutrients essential for plant growth to the soil. In the classroom, woodlice are easy to keep on a diet of leaf litter and shredded carrot. They are excellent models for illustrating the reactions of moisture-loving animals to light and humidity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis guide is an introduction to the species of woodlice which are most common in gardens and near buildings. Obvious places to look for woodlice are under logs, bricks and stones and in piles of leaf litter. However, not all woodlice are confined to damp situations. In southwest England, for example, all three species of pill woodlouse in this guide crawl over exposed stones on hot sunny days. The key will only work with live specimens. With a little experience all nine species can be identified with the naked eye. They do not bite or sting!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease return all live woodlice to where you found them or a similarly suitable habitat once you have finished your investigations.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Darwin Biological","offers":[{"title":"Single Guide","offer_id":41509715181743,"sku":"EC-505-1","price":4.75,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pack of 10 Guides - Save 10%","offer_id":41509715214511,"sku":"EC-505-10","price":42.75,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0071\/5030\/5343\/products\/EC-505WoodlouseFoldingGuide0.jpg?v=1652453251"},{"product_id":"bugs-folding-guide","title":"Garden Bugs \u0026 Beasties Folding Guide","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHead down your garden and peer among the flowers, grasses and plant pots. You will find an amazing range of little creatures. From shield-bugs to spiders, from froghoppers to flower beetles, this high quality FSC Garden bugs and beasties fold-out guide features the commonest mini-beasts you will find in a garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese minibeasts are invertebrates, animals without a backbone. Some invertebrates like slugs are soft bodied. Others have a hard exoskeleton and three or more pairs of legs. These are the arthropods, a very diverse large and diverse group of animals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can find minibeasts just about anywhere in the garden. Check long grass and bushes for spider webs. Shieldbugs may be perched among the leaves, and froghopper nymphs hidden in frothy piles of cuckoo spit. Examine the vegetable garden for tell tale signs of slugs and snails – shiny dried mucus trails to show where they were travelling. Holes in plant leaves show that something has been feeding. Have a look and see if you can find the culprit. Look on young plant stems and under leaves for aphids. Butterflies, bees and hoverflies can all be seen visiting flowers. If you look closely at the flower heads you may find earwigs and small flower beetles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLift pots and stones to find minibeasts sheltering underneath like slugs, earthworms and woodlice. The compost heap will be home to the recyclers – animals feeding on decaying plant material. You will also find predators like centipedes and rove beetles out hunting for a meal. Also don’t forget to look among the short grass in the lawn. You might find beetles scurrying through or earthworms wriggling, especially after rain.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Darwin Biological","offers":[{"title":"Single Guide","offer_id":41509723570351,"sku":"EC-510-1","price":4.75,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pack of 10 Guides - Save 10%","offer_id":41509723603119,"sku":"EC-510-10","price":42.75,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0071\/5030\/5343\/products\/EC-510Bugs_BeastiesFoldingGuide1.jpg?v=1652452911"},{"product_id":"birds-folding-guide-1","title":"Park \u0026 Garden Birds Folding Guide","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis newly updated FSC fold-out guide covers the top 50 birds of gardens and parks, including ponds and rivers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGardens and parks are wonderful places for bird watching. Making a list of garden birds is a great first step into wildlife identification. Some species are present throughout the year, while others are summer or winter visitors only.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf course a few species, like Blackbird and Robin, are instantly recognisable. But for others you might need to take a closer look. Is that a Greenfinch or a Siskin at the bird feeder? Can you tell apart a Blue Tit from a Great Tit? How about a Bullfinch from a Chaffinch? This FSC guide can help!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDesigned for speedy bird identification with living birds in the garden, the guide features beautiful colour paintings by Chris Shields. Accompanying tect on the reverse side covers body size, food, key identification notes and conservation status.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBird tables and feeders are a great way to attract more birds to your garden. There’s now a wide range of bird food available. Some birds eat seeds and berries, and will benefit from seed heads left over the winter. Hawthorn, rowan, crab apple, blackberries and windfall fruit provide an autumn feast for thrushes. Birds will also need water for drinking and bathing. So saucers od water and bird baths are useful duting winter frosts and hot summers. Nest boxes and roosting perches provide shelter.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Darwin Biological","offers":[{"title":"Single Guide","offer_id":41509728354479,"sku":"EC-515-1","price":4.75,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pack of 10 Guides - Save 10%","offer_id":41509728387247,"sku":"EC-515-10","price":42.75,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0071\/5030\/5343\/products\/EC-515BirdsFoldingGuide51.jpg?v=1652453168"},{"product_id":"butterflies-folding-guide","title":"Butterflies Folding Guide","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis high quality FSC Butterflies guide features all 60 wild butterflies found in Britain and Ireland.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s designed for speedy butterfly identification in the field, with beautiful colour life-size paintings of each butterfly by acclaimed artist Richard Lewington. We have shown both upper wings and under wings, so you can identify butterflies in flight and at rest. Similar looking butterflies are close to each other for easy comparison.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaking a butterfly list is a great first step into wildlife identification. Some are easy to identify. But for others you might need to take a closer look. Is that a Small White or a Large White eating your cabbages? Is that a Common Blue or a Holly Blue fluttering along the hedge? With experience you can guess Ringlet or Speckled Wood from flight pattern alone. The FSC Butterflies guide can help!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs well as the paintings, the reverse side of the Butterflies guide includes concise identification notes for each species. This text covers the key characters to look out for, plus flight period, habitat and range. Also indicated are those species which now have legal protection in the UK.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEven beginners should find 5-10 butterflies in a typical garden in the summer. But if you visit woodland, grassy meadows or limestone hills, you could find many more. From Comma to Clouded Yellow, from Painted Lady to Purple Emperor, how many butterfly species can you identify with the guide this year?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur butterfly identification guide covers all 60 species that you are likely to see. Another 10 or so species occur, but they are very scarce, so you are not likely to see them. This is a Second Edition of the FSC’s British Butterflies fold-out guide, with more species and text than the First Edition from 1994.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Darwin Biological","offers":[{"title":"Single Guide","offer_id":41509732876463,"sku":"EC-520-1","price":4.75,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pack of 10 Guides - Save 10%","offer_id":41509732909231,"sku":"EC-520-10","price":42.75,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0071\/5030\/5343\/products\/EC-520ButterfliesFoldingGuide5.jpg?v=1652452762"},{"product_id":"insects-folding-guide","title":"Insects Folding Guide","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis high quality FSC Insects of the British Isles fold out guide is a fast reference to the main insect groups on land and water. The guide was written and illustrated by renowned natural history artist Richard Lewington\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoiding technical jargon, this guide shows you precisely what to look out for. The insect orders include mayflies, dragonflies, stoneflies, alderflies, snakeflies, scorpionflies and true flies. Plus earwigs, cockroaches, grasshoppers, crickets, bees, wasps, ants, butterflies, moths and lacewings. Also included are antlions, silverfish, firebrats, bristletails, thrips, barklice and many others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInsects are the most successful animals on earth. They live virtually everywhere, from the highest mountains to the hottest deserts. More than a million insect species have been described worldwide, and possibly more than five times that number are still waiting for discovery. We know there are around 24,000 insect species in Britain, with probably many more. We could not survive without insects, as they perform many essential roles. These include recycling organic matter, pollinating plants and in providing food for countless other animals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInsects have evolved to live in many habitats. They live on and in water, inside houses, and below ground, and of course they are masters of flight. However, despite this diversity they conform to the same successful basic design, with a head, thorax and abdomen, and a tough external skeleton or exoskeleton, and external mouthparts. Most insects begin life as eggs laid singly or in batches, but some insects like aphids are born as young nymphs, often without the female having mated beforehand. As they feed and grow young insects moult their skins often 10 or more times, with each stage known as an instar.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Darwin Biological","offers":[{"title":"Single Guide","offer_id":41509737070767,"sku":"EC-525-1","price":4.75,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pack of 10 Guides - Save 10%","offer_id":41509737103535,"sku":"EC-525-10","price":42.75,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0071\/5030\/5343\/products\/EC-525InsectsFoldingGuide57.jpg?v=1652453003"},{"product_id":"bees-folding-guide","title":"Bees Folding Guide","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis high quality FSC Bees guide features 28 species of bees found in gardens in Britain and Ireland. As well as the ‘Big Six’ bumblebees, the guide includes mining bees, cavity-nesting bees and cuckoo bees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeautiful colour paintings by Chris Shields highlight key identification features. Silhouettes next to each image show typical life size for each species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reverse side includes concise identification notes for each species. This text covers key characters to look out for, plus flight period, habitat and range. Also included are useful pointers to help distinguish between similar-looking species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are over 250 species of bee in Britain and Ireland. Bumblebees and honeybees are social bees, living in in colonies. But 90% of British species are solitary, with each nest the work of a single female. Mining bees excavate nest tunnels and cells in the ground. Cavity-nesting bees (including mason bees and leafcutters) use pre-existing cavities such as hollow plant stems, or a bee hotel. Cuckoo bees have a similar nesting strategy to the cuckoo bird. A female cuckoo bee will seek out the nest of another bee to lay her eggs. The Sharp-tailed Bee is a cuckoo bee frequent in gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can easily increase the number of bee species in your garden. Plant a mix of shallow open flowers for short-tongued bees and deeper tubular flowers for long-tongued species. Providing flowers for as long as possible through the year from early spring to late autumn will help the greatest number of bees. Undisturbed compost heaps and log piles are useful nesting and hibernation sites for bumblebees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe FSC bees guide was produced in partnership with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.buglife.org.uk\/\"\u003eBuglife\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Darwin Biological","offers":[{"title":"Single Guide","offer_id":41509744083119,"sku":"EC-530-1","price":4.75,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pack of 10 Guides - Save 10%","offer_id":41509744115887,"sku":"EC-530-10","price":42.75,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0071\/5030\/5343\/products\/EC-530BeesFoldingGuide54.jpg?v=1652452640"},{"product_id":"freshwater-folding-guide","title":"Freshwater Folding Guide","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNeed to identify minibeasts in ponds and streams? This high-quality FSC Freshwater name trail fold-out guide has been used by generations of students and enthusiasts alike to identify the invertebrates found when pond dipping.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe simple flow chart on this guide shows representatives of the main groups found in ponds and streams. These include animals with no legs, such as hydra, flatworms, true worms, leeches and molluscs. Plus the animals with jointed legs, such as crustaceans, insects, spiders and mites. Freshwater insects include those with nymphs (such as mayflies, dragonflies and damselflies, stoneflies and water bugs) and those with larvae (such as caddis flies, beetles, alderflies and true flies).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs well as making a simple list of minibeasts, the Freshwater Name Trail supports many different investigations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHow do minibeasts breathe underwater? Different animals obtain oxygen in different ways. For example, flatworms, leeches and snails can absorb oxygen through their skin. Other animals, like mayfly nymphs, have gills. These gills are easily to see moving on the live animal. Mosquito larvae, water scorpions and rat-tailed maggots use a ‘snorkel’. And a few animals, like water spiders, collect air bubbles from the surface.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHow are minibeasts move through water in ponds and streams? Some animals, like leeches, flatworms and flattened mayfly nymphs, are streamlined. Are the animals that live in moving water shaped differently to those that live in still water? Can you compare the deep and shallow parts of the same pond?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHow clean is the water? Since different animals tolerate different levels of pollution, you can use the list of minibeasts you have made. The guide features a simple biotic index.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Darwin Biological","offers":[{"title":"Single Guide","offer_id":41509747228847,"sku":"EC-535-1","price":4.75,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pack of 10 Guides - Save 10%","offer_id":41509747261615,"sku":"EC-535-10","price":42.75,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0071\/5030\/5343\/products\/EC-535FreshwaterFoldingGuide62.jpg?v=1652452807"},{"product_id":"broken-owl-pellets","title":"Broken Owl Pellets","description":"\u003cp\u003eOwl Pellets are undigested parts of an owl's food which are regurgitated, their contents varies depending upon the owl's diet, often containing bones, hair, feathers and even complete skulls. Owl pellets have virtually no smell and are ideal for students to dissect, giving a fascinating insight into the diet of a bird of prey. This practical can be tied to habitat, adaptation and food chain studies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe offer both \u003ca title=\"Owl Pellets\" href=\"https:\/\/www.darwinbiological.co.uk\/products\/owl-pellets?\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ewhole owl pellets\u003c\/a\u003e and this great value alternative of 1 litre, or 0.5 litre, of broken pellets. 1 litre of broken pellets is the equivalent to approximately 40 whole pellets which is \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eenough material for an entire class.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo help enable students to identify the bones found in the pellets we recommend this \u003ca title=\"Field Studies Council Owl Pellet Folding Guide\" href=\"https:\/\/www.darwinbiological.co.uk\/collections\/field-studies\/products\/owl-folding-guide\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eField Studies Council folding guide\u003c\/a\u003e which also features a comprehensive guide to British Owls including their habitats.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCollected from wild owls in Shropshire to ensure varied contents - owls kept in captivity are likely to have a far less varied diet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Mammal Society Owl Pellet Resources\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mammal.org.uk\/bird-of-prey-pellets\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/www.mammal.org.uk\/bird-of-prey-pellets\/\"\u003eMammal Society have great owl pellet resources\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eincluding a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Mammal Society Mammal Mapper\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mammal.org.uk\/volunteering\/mammal-mapper\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/www.mammal.org.uk\/volunteering\/mammal-mapper\/\"\u003emammal mapper\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ethat students can use to record their findings. The society are particularly interested in the \u003ca title=\"Mammal Society greater white-toothed Shrew (GWTS)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mammal.org.uk\/searching-for-shrews\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/www.mammal.org.uk\/searching-for-shrews\/\"\u003eGreater White Toothed Shrew\u003c\/a\u003e, an invasive species that has now been found in the UK.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSupplied wrapped in foil and heat sterilised at 120°C (250°F) for 4 hours.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Darwin Biological","offers":[{"title":"1 Litre","offer_id":43190503538863,"sku":"PZ-950-1","price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Half Litre","offer_id":43190503571631,"sku":"PZ-950-2","price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0071\/5030\/5343\/products\/PZ-900_Owl_Pellets_42_0f62e84f-7d43-4c74-b74b-16e81b71c979.jpg?v=1664294330"},{"product_id":"minibeast-blocks","title":"Wooden Minibeast Blocks","description":"\u003cp\u003eChunky and lightweight birch plywood picture blocks, colour printed on both sides with real images of fifteen insects and minibeasts. Perfect for young children to engage in imaginative play and develop their descriptive language skills. The robust wooden blocks are smooth to touch and easy for small children to handle, stand upright and stack. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe realistic images will enable younger children to learn the names and characteristics of the different minibeasts from around the world, and will encourage older children to understand more about these fascinating animals, visualise them for storytelling or creative writing, and discuss environmental issues. Includes colour identification guide in 8 languages. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis product is made from FSC® certified wood \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003ePack of 15. Size - Caterpillar L116mm x W48mm x D14mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Darwin Biological","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55560734769528,"sku":"EC-600","price":19.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}]},{"product_id":"bug-viewer","title":"Bug Viewer","description":"\u003cp\u003eClear plastic bug viewer with a magnifying easy push-on lid and measuring grid in the base. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sturdy material allows crystal clear viewing from all angles. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eViewer 3x magnification.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSize - \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eH65mm x 75mm lid dia.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvailable singularly or as a great value set of 12.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Darwin Biological","offers":[{"title":"1","offer_id":55560735097208,"sku":"EC-040-1","price":3.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"12 - Save 20%","offer_id":55560735129976,"sku":"EC-040-12","price":37.92,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}]},{"product_id":"magnifiers","title":"Magnifiers","description":"\u003cp\u003eGood quality, hard wearing magnifier set with dual magnification.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMain lens 45mm dia. 3x magnification. Detail lens 6x magnification.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eL110mm x Ø45mm lens\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePack of 10\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Darwin Biological","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55560735228280,"sku":"EC-050-10","price":9.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}]},{"product_id":"quadrat","title":"Quadrat","description":"\u003cp\u003eThese durable quadrat grids are essential tools for teaching ecological sampling within the UK secondary school biology curriculum. Available in both 25-square and 100-square formats, they provide flexibility for a range of fieldwork activities, helping students develop practical investigation and data analysis skills.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDesigned for use in habitats such as school grounds, gardens, and local field sites, quadrats allow students to sample plant distribution, estimate abundance, and calculate percentage cover - key components of GCSE and A-level ecology studies. The different grid densities enable differentiation: the 25-square quadrat is ideal for introductory sampling and quicker surveys, while the 100-square quadrat supports more detailed, higher-resolution data collection and advanced analysis. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConstructed for repeated use, these grids are lightweight, easy to handle, and suitable for both indoor demonstrations and outdoor fieldwork. Their clear grid structure helps students apply systematic sampling techniques such as random sampling and transects, supporting understanding of biodiversity, ecosystems, and environmental change.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor science teachers and technicians, these quadrats are a reliable, curriculum-aligned resource that enhances practical learning, supports accurate data collection, and helps students build confidence in core ecological fieldwork methods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e500 x 500mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePowder coated steel\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Darwin Biological","offers":[{"title":"25 Square \/ 1","offer_id":55576138908024,"sku":"EC-070-1","price":14.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"25 Square \/ 5 - Save 10%","offer_id":55576409538936,"sku":"EC-070-5","price":67.27,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"100 Square \/ 1","offer_id":55576138940792,"sku":"EC-072-1","price":20.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"100 Square \/ 5 - Save 10%","offer_id":55576409571704,"sku":"EC-072-5","price":94.27,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}]}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0071\/5030\/5343\/collections\/EC-510_Bugs_Beasties_Folding_Guide_2.jpg?v=1746629386","url":"https:\/\/www.darwinbiological.co.uk\/collections\/ecology.oembed","provider":"Darwin Biological","version":"1.0","type":"link"}