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.

Stoately Stupendous!

Stoat

A week off, and I can’t tell you how good it was to be off from work, and what a good choice. The weather was glorious.

Needless to say that meant we had no reason to stay indoors and do tedious household chores. It was boots, cap and sun cream on, and ‘where are we going next?!

Up the M62, 20 minutes later and we’re at Clock face Country Park. Opened in the late 1990s, this was formerly a colliery site and is linked to ‘The dream’ statue at Sutton Manor. Fifty seven acres of meadows, woodlands, wetland, intersected by footpaths and a popular fishing pond. 

Last time we'd visited it was winter, some snow still on the ground.

 

Fishing pond

Adjacent is Maypole Wood, in 2003 the Forestry Commission planted thousands of trees to form the young woodland, a new section of the expanding Mersey Forest.

http://www.suttonbeauty.org.uk/beauty/clockfacepark/

http://www.discoverthemerseyforest.co.uk/

Toposcope

The park gives extensive views from its highest point and has a toposcope to guide your eye (probably best viewed from in winter, when the woodland foliage doesn’t obscure some of the vista).

Fiddlers Ferry power station

It was a windy day and I must admit birds were mainly heard rather than seen, the usual summer migrants were prevalent, Chiff chaff, willow warbler, black cap, and whitethroat accompanied by familiar home birds, finches, tits, robins, jays and thrushes.

The meadows were now in bloom, patches of wildflowers flourished such as orchid, birdsfoot trefoil, buttercup  and ragged robin

Ragged robin

Buttercup 

However the highlight of out trip was about to occur, a most unexpected encounter with a rather attractive stoat and an unfortunate bunny.

As I said a windy day  and at first I thought the form flying across the path was a piece of cardboard, however the sudden dash back across the path of a red and white furry thing with a black tail tip, led me to inspect the said  ‘cardboard’, only to find a dead although still warm Rabbit! This was exciting just like Springwatch on the telly. We backed off a way and watched, sure enough the stoat returned to retrieve her (Admittedly I can’t say I know whether it was a she or a he) dinner.  How vigorous these little mammals must be, carrying home a quarry at least twice it’s size.

Stoat in meadow

Through the buttercup meadow she bounced, occasionally stopping for a rest? Or more likely a watchful lookout for any bigger predators about intent on stealing her dinner; certainly we had seen buzzard and kestrel hunting overhead. Finally she reached the edge of the woodland and disappeared into the tree line, back to the den and maybe her kits?

What a treat, to observe this formidable little predator. It's beauty, amazing strength and perseverance. Yes sad for the bunny but this is the natural world all in order, in blood and claw.

Watch!

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dc_P78qx0QES

Laura