I am a first year Biology student with Cardiff university and over the summer I have created a Citizen Science engagement project in the form of the Bute Park Science Trail.

The Bute-y-Full Bute Park Science Trail is a scenic species hunt around Cardiff city centres very own Bute Park.

Throughout the Summer Seren the Scientist is looking for keen young Scientists to take part in her trail, recording any of the selected species at the specified locations and noting them down on the Trail guide. Upon completion of the trail please follow the directions for returning the results to us.

These will then be sorted by Seren and other Scientists at Cardiff university to see how popular these species are within the park.

The aim of this project is to both encourage people to become more interested in the nature around them and also for us to gain some data about various species populations within Bute Park.

 

The five species that have been selected for the trail are the grey squirrel, the garden bumble bee, the harlequin ladybird, the common blue damselfly and the small white butterfly.

Some of these species are harder to find than others but they are all very important to the ecosystem of the park.

The trail is very easy to follow, simply pick up one of our trail maps and follow the route around the park. At each of the 5 markers you come across on the map just stop for 3 minutes and tally each of the species you can see. Then please fill out the results slip on the trail guide, and once completed either hand in to the education centre, email your results to buteparksciencetrail@gmail.com or post to Bute Park Science Trail. Sustainable Places Research Institute. 33 Park Place. Cathays Cardiff CF10 3BA.

 

The trail map is available to collect from the Bute Park education centre and Pettigrew Tea rooms. You can also print off your own copy from this website .

 

Please send us any of your photos, interesting stories and feedback by email or to the Facebook or Twitter accounts. 

The Bute Park Science Trail will run until Sunday 20th September, after which all the collected data will be compiled and made available on this website.

 

Thank you to everyone who has taken part so far, I hope you have enjoyed the trail.