New survey reveals the mysterious creatures living in Merseyside gardens

Grass snake

A new survey has revealed the continued decline in sightings of some of our most familiar and favourite garden wildlife, with the RSPB calling on people across Merseyside to take up the Wild Challenge this summer to uncover the mysterious creatures living in their garden.

More than 100,000 wildlife enthusiasts around the UK, including over 2600 in Merseyside took part in the survey. Results from the county showed that hedgehogs were seen in around 60 per cent of gardens or outdoor spaces. Worryingly the spiny mammals were absent from almost a quarter of Merseyside gardens.

Moles spend most of their lives alone, digging tunnels and hunting for food only occasionally coming to the surface. They remained elusive to the majority of Merseyside gardens that recorded wildlife, with both the creatures themselves and their more familiar molehills going unseen in over 60 percent of outdoor spaces. Great crested newts also went unseen to the majority of people throughout the county, as the secretive reptile wasn’t spotted in around two-thirds of gardens.

For the second year running participants were asked to keep an eye out for foxes and stoats. The results showed that foxes were seen in over 50 per cent of Merseyside gardens that took part in the survey.

Daniel Hayhow, RSPB Conservation Scientists, said: “Often the wildlife we see in our garden is the first experience we have with nature – whether it’s a robin perched on the fence or a hedgehog snuffling around looking for its next meal. Unfortunately, the sights and sounds of wildlife that was once common to us are sadly becoming more mysterious to people.

“There are simple things we can all do to make our gardens perfect of wildlife. From creating a feeding station for birds or hedgehogs to digging a small pond to help amphibians, these easy activities can help turn your garden into a wildlife haven.”

With the wildlife on people’s doorsteps becoming increasingly mysterious to them, the RSPB is calling on Merseyside families to spend more time outside this summer and reconnect with the nature that surrounds them by taking on the Wild Challenge.

By completing fun and engaging activities ranging from minibeast safaris and rock pooling to creating a hedgehog cafe and planting for wildlife, families can take their first steps on their own wild adventure. There are 24 activities to choose from that will take you from your own back garden to exploring towns, cities, woodlands and even the coast.

Emma Reed, RSPB Education, Families and Youth Manager in Northern England, said:  “Studies have shown how getting outside and discovering nature is really important for children’s mental and physical well being and it also provides memorable, fun family time. Every child should have the opportunity to connect with nature so the RSPB’s Wild Challenge is a great way to take your family on a wild adventure.”

The RSPB’s ambition is for the Wild Challenge to help more families across the country reap the benefits of spending time outside in nature. Research has shown that children who have a healthy connection to nature are more likely to benefit from higher achievement at school, better mental and physical health, and develop stronger social skills.

To learn more about the RSPB Wild Challenge and to see how you can take your firsts steps on your own wildlife adventure, visit rspb.org.uk/wildchallenge

 

 

     2675 participants provided information about other wildlife that visits their garden when they took part in the Big Garden Birdwatch in Merseyside. The overall county results are:

 

2017	At least monthly %	Ever this year %	Never %	Don’t know %
Fox	24	55	32	14
Grass snake	0.2	1	77	22
Great crested newt	0.1	2	66	32
Hedgehog	23	62	22	16
Mole	14	21	62	17
Slow worm	5	8	64	28
Stag beetle	2	9	49	42
Stoat	1	6	74	20

 

     109,697 Big Garden Birdwatch participants provided information about other wildlife that visits their garden. The overall UK results are:

 

2017	At least monthly %	Ever this year %	Never %	Don’t know %
Fox	41	70	20	10
Grass snake	1	12	65	23
Great crested newt	1	5	67	29
Hedgehog	24	61	24	15
Mole	29	40	48	12
Slow worm	6	22	53	25
Stag beetle	4	21	41	38
Stoat	2	13	67	20

 

% change 2016-17	At least monthly %	Ever this year %	Never %	Don’t know %
Fox	1	-2	-2	20
Grass snake	-22	-11	-6	33
Hedgehog	-5	-4	3	13
Slow worm	-4	-8	-6	26
Stoat	6	13	-11	55

 

     The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch other wildlife survey is a partnership between the RSPB, Amphibian and Reptile Trust, The Mammal Society and the People’s Trust for Endangered Species.

 

   Merseyside families might like to explore the RSPB’s Burton Mere Wetlands nature reserve on the Dee Estuary. With den building, seasonal quiz trails and explorer backpacks available every day, they have plenty of opportunities for families to kick start their Wild Challenge. Visit rspb.org.uk/burtonmerewetlands for details.

 

Families might also like to explore the RSPB’s Marshside nature reserve near Southport. With a rich variety of wonderful wildlife to spot throughout the seasons, families can kick start their Wild Challenge. Visitrspb.org.uk/marshside for details.

Calling all wildlife explorers- it's time to bioblitz Port Sunlight River Park

Looking over mersey estuary from park

Wildlife experts say Port Sunlight River Park, converted from a landfill site and opened to the public in August 2014, is now ready for its first official biological recording.

The 70-acre park perched on the banks of the Mersey is owned by national land management charity the Land Trust and managed by Wirral charity Autism Together. It boasts panoramic views of the iconic Liverpool skyline, woodlands, wildflower meadows and a lake.

There are several opportunities for community members to be involved with bioblitz activities and learn about the wildlife at the park:

river park pond

• On Friday 26 May official wildlife recorders will be checking the park for all signs of mammals, birds, bugs and plant life. Community members are welcome to work alongside them. Anyone interested should contact the park ranger.
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• That evening from 9pm the park will host a bat walk. Families will be given hand-held bat detectors which capture the calls made by different species of bats swooping around their heads and convert them into sounds humans can hear. This event costs £3 and must be booked in advance.
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• On Saturday 27 May wildlife walks will take place as part of May's month-long Wirral Walking Festival. A bird-themed walk at 9.30am will be followed by a wildflower walk at 10.30am, then a family fun nature walk from 1.30pm to 3pm. Wildlife experts will be on hand all day to teach community members about the species now living at the site and there will be family wildlife-themed activities from 10am to 4pm.
• All staff and volunteers are all trained in autism awareness.
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Autism Together park ranger, Anne Litherland, said, "In the early days of the park, when it was still finding its feet, it was hard to believe it could ever be an environmental success. But these days we regularly spot foxes, voles, shrews and rabbits living here amongst the lovely oxeye daisies and deciduous woods, dozens of species of birds around the lake and many different butterflies, moths and mini-beasts.

"Our bioblitz weekend will be a big step forward for us. We want to prove that, given care, even an old rubbish tip can become a beautiful wildlife haven. RECORD (Cheshire's biological recording service) will be collecting all the biological data and we look forward to sharing the results with the community. Our thanks Merseyside Environmental Trust for helping to fund the weekend's activities."

View of Liverpool's cathedrals from top of river park hill

Autism Together's bioblitz partners also include Wirral Wildlife, Cheshire Wildlife Trust, Chester Zoo and Friends of Ness Gardens.

Community members wanting to book places on the bat walk or find out more about the weekend's events should contact Anne on 07587 550060 or anne.litherland@autismtogether.co.uk.