Wildlife watchers needed this spring for survey

A wildlife charity is looking for volunteers to record garden wildlife for a survey.

This spring, volunteers across the UK are being asked to record sightings of mammals spotted in their gardens, local parks and other green spaces, in a bid to understand changing environments and encourage urban wildlife to flourish. 

The annual ‘Living with Mammals’ survey is run by wildlife charity, People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES). 

It is a nationwide survey that records how wild mammals are faring in all corners of the country and helps to identify areas where conservation action is most needed. 

Volunteers need to record sightings of any wild mammal each week online.

Sightings could be from a garden, allotment, or public green spaces including parks, playing fields and cemeteries. PTES offers free advice online to help volunteers identify species and recognise tell-tale signs, so anyone can take part.

David Wembridge, mammal surveys coordinator at PTES said: “Recording which mammals you see is vital to conservation.

“We’re lucky to have so many volunteers that take part every year, but more help is always needed.”

Since Living with Mammals began in 2002, thousands of dedicated volunteers have surveyed almost six thousand sites across the UK, and have submitted over a third of a million sightings or signs of wild mammals to PTES. 

Last year rabbits were only recorded at one in ten sites nationally, a third of the number being seen when the survey first began. 

In contrast, bats were reported at a larger number of sites than seen in the past five years, and hedgehogs had their best year yet. 

To take part in Living with Mammals 2023 visit: ptes.org/lwm.

Pictured top: A wild rabbit (Picture: Paul Bunyard)