The Manx Biological Recording Partnership (MBRP) has been able to buy microscopes and spotlights following a grant of nearly £2,500 from the Manx Lottery Trust.

The MBRP, a partnership of wildlife conservation-focused organisations and individuals in the Isle of Man - led by Manx National Heritage, the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, and the Manx Wildlife Trust, collates terrestrial and marine data from across the island.

The equipment will be held by Manx National Heritage for use by MBRP members for wildlife identification courses and training.

The partnership has bought six microscopes, one with a camera, which can be linked via to a computer or large screen, for group teachings, four microscopes with a magnification of x80 so that small invertebrates such as spiders and beetles can be examined plus one hand-held Dino-lite microscope for demonstrations.

Laura McCoy, curator of natural history at Manx National Heritage, said: ’The MBRP aims to encourage the public to learn to identify wildlife and make records of sightings.

’Based on the training courses and classroom visits we currently organise we estimate nearly 300 people every year, of all ages, will benefit directly - over 20 years that’s more than 5,000 people.

She added it was vital to have an understanding of the wild species in our natural landscape because without that knowledge we could not say what species were being lost with habitat degradation and climate change.

’Teaching the public and schoolchildren to identify wild species not only improves their understanding and wonder of the natural world but it also gives them the skills to do nature spotting and become involved in citizen science projects,’ Miss McCoy told the Courier.

’We are very grateful to the Manx Lottery Trust for the support to buy these robust microscopes specially designed for teaching. ’

Manx Lottery Trust chairman Sarah Kelly added: ’We were happy to help with the purchase of this equipment to enable the MBRP to continue and expand its important educational wildlife work across the island.’