Islanders are being encouraged to record sightings of wild mammals such as foxes, hedgehogs and squirrels across the Isle of Wight this Autumn to help conservationists monitor their populations.
People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) is asking residents to log mammals seen in gardens, local parks, allotments, churchyards and other green spaces during October and November.
Sightings of species such as hedgehogs, foxes and squirrels can all be submitted as part of the charity’s ongoing Living with Mammals survey.
The project helps conservationists monitor changes in wild mammal populations and identify species that may be most in need of conservation support.
Those taking part are asked to spend a little time each week watching for mammals, as well as signs such as footprints or droppings, before recording their findings online.
David Wembridge, Conservation Research and Strategy Officer at People’s Trust for Endangered Species, said:
“The autumn months are a great time to spot mammals as juveniles disperse and individuals prepare for winter by building up fat reserves and caching nuts and seeds underground.
“This year, too, is a great opportunity to understand how different species have been affected by this year’s extremely hot, dry summer.”
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PTES says anyone can take part, with identification guides available for those unsure which species they have spotted.
The charity is also encouraging people to make gardens and other urban spaces more wildlife-friendly by providing shallow dishes of water, retaining grass lawns instead of artificial turf, planting flowers attractive to moths and bats and removing potentially harmful litter from parks.
Islanders can submit sightings and find further information at ptes.org/lwm.
