‘Wildlife needs you’: Your chance to take part in Great Yorkshire Creature Count

WILD: A fox photographed by Jon Hawkins / Surrey Hills Photography

By Simon Bristow

The Great Yorkshire Creature Count returns this weekend as people are invited to spot, count and record local wildlife.

Held on June 24 and 25, the annual wildlife survey is now in its fourth year and begins with a list of 30 creatures, big and small, to look out for.

Those who sign up receive a checklist, wildlife gardening advice, children’s activities, and an invitation to an online evening event with Yorkshire-based garden designer Jack Wallington, author of A Greener Life.

FRESHENING UP: A house sparrow bathing. Picture by Margaret Holland

Taking part is “fun, free and easy to do”, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust said. You can sign up here and submit your findings via the trust’s website here.

Rachael Bice, chief executive of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, said: “The Great Yorkshire Creature Count is back – get the date in your diary! From back yards to local parks, you’ll be surprised by what creatures you see when you start looking.

“We’re delighted that the count is growing in popularity, we want to inspire even more people to discover the beauty and the surprises on their doorstep, to care and take action because wildlife really needs our help.”

BUSY: A white-tailed bumblebee. Picture by Nick Upton

The annual count helps people find out more about the difference they have made in their gardens. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust recently launched a Wildlife Gardening Award, with over 250 gardens across Yorkshire already having received an award for their wildlife-friendly space, ranging from small backyards to community green spaces, schools and care homes.

Last year, more than 3,000 people headed outside to stealthily spot, count and record wildlife, reporting more than15,000 Yorkshire creatures.

The Great Yorkshire Creature Count takes place during 30 Days Wild, the UK’s biggest nature challenge run by The Wildlife Trusts, which encourages and helps people to do something wild every day of the month.