Equipment

Recording ferns in the field doesn't require too much equipment. Principally a notebook, field guide, hand lens, camera and method of recording your location.

hand lens

A x10 magnification should prove adequate for most field use. An inbuilt light is useful but far from essential. Learning how to use a lens is much more useful.

To use a hand lens, hold it close to your eye, and then bring the object closer to the lens until it comes into sharp focus. To keep the lens steady, hold it against your cheek with one hand and use your other hand to move the object. Ideally keep your face pointing upwards to ensure good light for viewing.

field guides

The Fern Guide: A Field Guide to the Ferns, Clubmosses, Quillworts and Horsetails of the British Isles is probably the best place to start. A thin paperback, it is easy to carry in the field and the well illustrated key helps greatly with identification.

As a field key this is perfect, but the only thing pteridologists love as much as ferns are fern books, and there are plenty of other publications that can help with identification.

See the keys page and ID guides page for more information.

cameras and phones

For general purposes a phone with a good camera is suitable for general fern photography, allowing you to capture details of habitat, fern habit and general frond details.

Close-up details are a lot trickier, and require a tripod or very steady hand. A dedicated macro lens, or camera (such as the Olympus Tough series) capable of macro work is invaluable.

still unsure!

Have a go at trying to identify your fern, but if you are still not sure we are happy to try and help.

Please email clear images to identification@britishfernsociety.org.uk along with details of when are where it was found.