Last weekend the Upper Sixth Biologists took the train to Juniper Hall, in the leafy Surrey Hills near Dorking, for a busy three days of ecology fieldwork with the Field Studies Council.

We estimated the size of a snail population with the aid of nail varnish (non-toxic, of course!), learned how to tell the difference between mice and voles, conducted an experiment on the behaviour of woodlice and studied the effect of trampling by tourists on the growth of dandelions on Box Hill. It was a welcome opportunity for this cohort, after several years of Covid disruption, to experience a residential trip and to have the chance to study living organisms in their natural environment.

Having learnt so much, we returned on Sunday exhausted and ready for a relaxing rest of the weekend.

Dr Marshall, Teacher of Biology