Getting Started Summary

If you started this series with no prior knowledge of ecology or habitat classification, you have now built a  foundation knowledge in how we categorise and protect the natural world.

Here are the ten fundamental "takeaways" you have learned:

1. Don’t Rely Solely on Pictures

Identification is more than just matching a photo in a book. You must combine visuals with text to check for specific features, geographical distribution, and habitat preferences. Nature is diverse, and real-life specimens rarely look exactly like their “perfect” portraits in a guide.

2. Physical Field Guides are Essential

While apps are helpful, a physical field guide is a necessary companion for accurate identification. When choosing one, always try to see it in person before buying and verify that its geographical scope matches your local area (e.g., a guide for “Northern Europe” may include species not found in Britain).

3. Use the “MERRING” Method

To identify wildlife like a professional, look at the biological systems driving an animal’s behavior using the acronym MERRING:

3. 1. Movement (Musculoskeletal)

   2. Excretion (Excretory)

   3. Respiration (Respiratory)

   4. Reproduction (Reproductive)

   5. Irritability (Sensory/Nervous)

   6. Nutrition (Digestive)

   7. Growth (Development)

4. Think Probabilistically

Statistically, you are much more likely to encounter a common species than a rare one. Unless you are absolutely certain, it is safer to opt for the more common identification. Always exhaust all common possibilities before claiming you have found a rarity.

5. AI is a Suggestion, Not Fact

Smartphone tools like Google Lens or iPhone’s Visual Look Up can speed up the process by providing instant suggestions. However, these results must always be verified with a reliable secondary source, such as a physical book, because the AI can be biased toward species from other countries.

6. Location and Timing Matter

The “where” and “when” are often as important as the “what”. Check if the habitat matches (e.g., a woodland bird is unlikely to be in a salt marsh) and if the season is correct for that species to be in bloom or active.

7. Scientific Names Provide Clarity

Common names like “Bluebell” or “Robin” can be confusing because they vary by region or language. Using the Linnaean System (Scientific Nomenclature) ensures that every species has one unique, internationally recognized name based on its biological relationships.

8. Leverage Digital Communities

If your book and phone app fail, online platforms like iSpot and iNaturalist connect you with real experts . iSpot is excellent for beginners who want to learn why an identification is correct , while iNaturalist helps you contribute sightings to global scientific maps.

9. Carry a “Naturalist’s Toolkit”

A few simple tools can transform your ability to see “micro-details”:

9. 1. Hand Lens: Hold it to your eye and bring the object toward you to see tiny hairs or wing patterns.

   2. Close-Focus Binoculars: These allow you to see insects just two meters away without scaring them.

   3. Notebook and 2B Pencil: Pencils work even if the paper gets damp from mist or rain.

10. You Can Be a “Citizen Scientist”

Your sightings are valuable data points for researchers tracking climate change, habitat health, and species range. By recording and verifying your findings on official platforms like iRecord or iNaturalist, you become an active guardian of the natural world.

Congratulations on completing the series! If you would like to delve deeper into this subject then why not head to the studio to further your learning?