Dear Birdclub Members,
I’m working with WWT to help create some awareness around their nationwide wildlife survey, which is looking at the effects wetlands may have on the range of wildlife found nearby.
The WWT are asking wildlife lovers across the UK to spend some time in their garden or nearest open space, followed by a few minutes of recording the wildlife they see.
The survey takes place between Friday 21st and Monday 31st May and marks the International Year of Biodiversity. Feedback will help to paint a picture of what habitats are like across the country, supporting the work that WWT do to protect wetlands and wildlife.
To find out more about how to take part, and to download a survey guide:
http://bit.ly/wwt_hideandseek (Or copies can be picked up at local Wetland centres)
I’ve also attached a press release below for your information.
As dedicated bird-watchers we’d love your support
Please feel free to contact me if you need any further info.
Regards,
Alexei
alexeibadlands at googlemail.com or 0773 330 6142
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The Wildest Hide & Seek – help the WWT track your local wildlifeFriday 21st May – Monday 31st May 2010 The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) is asking people across the UK to help with their ‘Wildest Hide & Seek’ study, which is looking at the effects wetlands may have on the range of wildlife found nearby.
In true ‘Hide & Seek’ fashion, participants will need to spend some time hiding quietly in their garden or nearest open space, followed by a few minutes of seeking and recording the wildlife they see.
The UK-wide study is investigating whether having a pond or other wetland in gardens, local parks, school grounds and allotments affects the range of animals found there. The survey takes place between Friday 21st and Monday 31st May and marks the International Year of Biodiversity.
As a big ‘Thank You’, those who take part will also receive a 2 for 1 voucher for entry to their local WWT centre.
Martin Spray, CEO of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, explains:
“We’re asking people to spend one hour looking for fourteen species such as hedgehogs, foxes, kingfishers, frogs and dragonflies which will give us a guide to the health of wildlife habitats. Some animals might be spotted relatively easily, however some may hide under rocks or logs so we do encourage people to be inquisitive!â€
The feedback will help to paint a picture of what habitats are like across the country and will be very useful to our research work as well as the work we do to protect wetlands and wildlife worldwide.â€
To find out more about how to take part, and to download a survey guide:
http://bit.ly/wwt_hideandseek (Or you can picked up a copy at your local Wetland centre)
YouTube videos available:
In support of the ‘Wildest Hide & Seek’ survey wildlife enthusiasts have also been submitting their own YouTube videos to the WWT ‘Be Your Favourite TV Presenter’ competition.
You can check out some of the best (& funniest!) entries here:
http://bit.ly/hideandseekvideos For more information and wildlife images contact Alexei Lee on 0773 330 6142 or email
alexeibadlands@googlemail.com *****************************************************************************
The Wildest Hide & Seek – help the WWT track your local wildlifeFriday 21st May – Monday 31st May 2010 The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) is asking people across the UK to help with their ‘Wildest Hide & Seek’ study, which is looking at the effects wetlands may have on the range of wildlife found nearby.
In true ‘Hide & Seek’ fashion, participants will need to spend some time hiding quietly in their garden or nearest open space, followed by a few minutes of seeking and recording the wildlife they see.
The UK-wide study is investigating whether having a pond or other wetland in gardens, local parks, school grounds and allotments affects the range of animals found there. The survey takes place between Friday 21st and Monday 31st May and marks the International Year of Biodiversity.
As a big ‘Thank You’, those who take part will also receive a 2 for 1 voucher for entry to their local WWT centre.
Martin Spray, CEO of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, explains:
“We’re asking people to spend one hour looking for fourteen species such as hedgehogs, foxes, kingfishers, frogs and dragonflies which will give us a guide to the health of wildlife habitats. Some animals might be spotted relatively easily, however some may hide under rocks or logs so we do encourage people to be inquisitive!â€
The feedback will help to paint a picture of what habitats are like across the country and will be very useful to our research work as well as the work we do to protect wetlands and wildlife worldwide.â€
To find out more about how to take part, and to download a survey guide:
http://bit.ly/wwt_hideandseek (Or you can picked up a copy at your local Wetland centre)
YouTube videos available:
In support of the ‘Wildest Hide & Seek’ survey wildlife enthusiasts have also been submitting their own YouTube videos to the WWT ‘Be Your Favourite TV Presenter’ competition.
You can check out some of the best (& funniest!) entries here:
http://bit.ly/hideandseekvideos For more information and wildlife images contact Alexei Lee on 0773 330 6142 or email
alexeibadlands@googlemail.com *****************************************************************************
OUR TOP WILDLIFE-WATCHING TIPS:Swallow The swallow is to daytime what the bat is to night – a superb aeronaut with a taste for flying insects. They fly far and wide but are most often seen near watery areas – where their favourite foods hatch and where there’s mud for nest-building.
TIP Easily mistaken for a bat but a more fluid flyer and rarely out after dusk. Note its distinctive tail streamers and deep red chin. It may perch on telephone wires.
Bat Nearly all UK bats survive by eating flying insects, which they catch on the wing over wetlands. Bats are a conservation priority in the UK so it is important to know how much difference gardens, parks and their ponds, make to their numbers.
TIP Evening is the best time to see bats. Look above for their distinctive silhouette.
Grass snake Not everyone realises that grass snakes are just about semi-aquatic. They swim well, and like dining on frogs and newts or, if young, tadpoles. They can be identified by their distinctive yellow neck collar.
TIP Grass snakes are incredibly timid and highly sensitive to noise and movement so stay very still and keep very quiet.
Song thrush The Song Thrush is a classic garden bird which has declined dramatically in the past 40-odd years. Research shows it does best in areas that stay damp throughout summer, rather than places which are dry by mid-year (like much farmland).
TIP Keep still and well hidden. Listen out for the song thrush’s loud and varied musical calls to pinpoint the bird’s location. See if you can spot one taking an earthworm or a snail from the ground.
Badger Loves to eat earthworms and needs a good drink, so quite likely to forage around gardens in the summer when much of the farmed countryside is too dry.
TIP Badgers are very shy. You’ll have to hide very quietly to have a chance of spotting one.
Hedgehog Hedgehogs rely on various creepy-crawlies for food. And, in general, creepy-crawlies like damp areas, with native plants and assorted nooks and crannies – in fact, the conditions supplied by most garden ponds.
TIP Turn the light levels low and listen out for the shuffling and snuffling noises which tell that a hedgehog is out for the night.
Fox A fox in a back garden!?! It’s a more common sight around dawn and dusk than some may imagine, even in the middle of a city. This year’s new cubs will now be out of the den and hungry, increasing the frequency of food forays
TIP Don’t be alarmed if you see a fox which seems to have traded its burnished auburn fur for a coat that’s patchier and scruffier; it’s probably just undergoing its summer moult.
Heron A large, tall, elegant bird and surprisingly common in towns and cities, as well as in the countryside. Herons are usually seen standing stock still in water, waiting to spear a frog or a fish with its long beak.
TIP Watch the sky for the distinctive silhouette of a heron flying overhead or, watch close to larger ponds, streams and rivers
Kingfisher A real eye catcher and almost only ever seen streaking speedily close to freshwater.
TIP Stay very still and quiet. Listen out for shrill-whistled calls and watch for the distinctive flash of blue
Frog, toad, newt Amphibians are many people’s favourite pond inhabitants but it isn’t essential to have a pond to see them – you may well find them in other parts of the garden, or in a damp patch in a local park.
TIP If you can’t watch a pond, seek out the dampest area nearby. Look also under stones and log piles.
Dragonfly & damselfly Dragonflies and damselflies are icons of summer as they patrol near ponds and other wetland, looking for prey. The easiest way to tell the two species apart is by watching their delicate multi-coloured wings when they rest. The bigger, sturdier, dragonfly keeps its wings open while perched; the lighter, elegant, damselfly, however, closes its wings across its back.
TIP Neither dragonflies nor damselflies pay much heed to humans so should be easy to spot if they are in the area. If you can’t see any in the air, check if they are resting on a plant.
Tips for successful wildlife spotting
If you’re new to wildlife surveying, the following tips may help:
1. Many animals have a much keener sense of smell than we do, so try not to use perfumed hair or body products before you go out. And don’t take any strong-smelling foods or drinks with you
2. Try to reduce noise and visibility by wearing soft fabrics in colours which merge with your surroundings.
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