The RSPB UK’s ‘Make Your Nature Count’ wildlife survey has shown a number of unexpected results since it kicked off. This nationwide stock take allows the RSPB to tap in to the British public’s findings about the creatures that visit their gardens across the UK at this time of year. The most surprising statistic of all is that more than half of the people who have participated have seen bats in their garden, which is a new occurrence.
Also high in numbers this year were frogs, who were spotted in a massive 54% of participants gardens, and 30% off all those surveyed saw toads. Thankfully I didn’t as I would have run a mile! I have no fear of spiders like a lot of people, yet if I see a frog or a toad, I’m off. Work that one out if you can!
Richard Bashford, RSPB Make Your Nature Count Manager, said –
Many people probably don’t even realise how much wildlife they have in their gardens – and now is a great time of year to sit back and discover who’s visiting your patch. Of course we know that lots of people regularly see frogs and bats, but it’s great that more than half of those taking part in the survey get to enjoy them and we didn’t anticipate the numbers being that high. It just goes to show how vital gardens are for our wildlife, and that you never know what you might get in your own backyard.
This study come off the back of the Big Garden Birdwatch in January, which saw some 500,000 people take part across the UK to monitor the action their garden provides for our feathered friends. This year’s Make Nature Count has thrown up some pretty astounding figures, and with the survey continuing until Sunday, check back on the blog for some final figures once they are tallied. Let’s just hope there’s not too many frogs, for my sake!
Help Raise Funds for RSPB with a Membership
Don’t forget, if you sign up today to an RSPB membership you will also receive –
- Free entry to over 100 beautiful nature reserves
- Free Handbook of British Birds
- Free quarterly Magazine
- Free welcome pack
For every £1 that you provide with your membership fee, 90p of it will go towards current and future conservation projects. Plus with the Big Garden Birdwatch just around the corner, now is the perfect time to ‘join up and join in’ with all the fun!
