Making it count for wildlife

In yesterday's blog I referred to Bill Oddie's toast to the good side of human nature.  I've been pondering the ways we can tap into our good side.  Here's a suggestion. 

While I was away, my colleague Richard Gregory blogged about the gap in our knowledge of how the UK's most vulnerable plans and animals were faring, and the concern that some of these priceless gems could slip away without us knowing. We are hoping to work with like-minded NGOs and governments across the UK to ensure better monitoring and reporting of these species.  But this can't be done without people on the ground looking out for our special flora and fauna and contributing to the schemes monitoring their fortunes. The RSPB is fortunate that an army of dedicated amateur ornithologists (ably steered by the BTO) ensure that the UK's birds are possibly the best-monitored in the world, but the same is not true for some other branches of our natural history.

Fortunately recent years have seen an exciting explosion of new surveys intended to help keep a closer eye on the UK's wildlife. Some of these require expert knowledge. If you're the sort of person that can tell your spreading-leaved beardless-moss from your small four-tooth moss, then the you're probably already involved (or if not, you really should be).

But, if like most of us, you are not an hot-shot bryologist (moss expert!), but can recognise common and everyday wildlife, and would like the chance to know more, there's a range of ways you can contribute to monitoring while getting closer to wildlife and learning along the way.

There's a lot going for butterfly surveying, not least as it's best done on warm sunny days. If this sounds good to you, then click here to find out about the simple surveys that help Butterfly Conservation keep tracks on the UK's butterflies. Also for sun-lovers, the British Dragonfly Society is seeking records as they enter the final year of an ambitious new atlas for the UK's dragonflies - can you help? If you'd get a buzz from reporting bees, then the Bumblebee Conservation Trust has a number of surveys that you can help with. By submitting digital photos, you can contribute even if you're not sure which bee is which.

If you'd rather wait until the day's cooled down, you could consider helping the Bat Conservation Trust by surveying bats as they leave roost sites (or, if you're an early riser, as they return in the morning).  Another beast that emerges in summer evenings is the remarkable stag beetle, and if you're lucky enough to encounter one why not head for the People's Trust for Endangered Species' Great Stag Hunt pages to report it. The PTES also run surveys of some of our most charismatic mammals, such as hedgehogs, dormice and otters - have a look.

If plants are your thing, then how about taking part in Plantlife's 'Wildflowers Count'? Even botanical novices can take part as guidance on flower identification is provided in the free survey pack.  I like this one - particularly as I had a small part to play in its development more than a decade ago.  Elsewhere online, you can find details on how to contribute to surveying  reptiles and amphibians, a variety of the UK's fascinating insects, or the occupants of your garden pond.

If, while exploring the wildlife in your garden or further afield, you encounter something that baffles you, try to get a digital picture and post it online at iSpot. This innovative website brings together a community of experts willing to identify virtually anything that grows, swim, crawls, hops or flies, and there's bound to be someone online who'll be able to solve your puzzle.

Of course, you shouldn't forget the RSPB's own Make Your Nature Count survey, which runs from 2-10 June this year and will not only ask about the birds that fly to your garden, but the deer that bound, hedgehogs that snuffle and slow worms that slither their way in.

So go on, tap in to your good side and get stuck in to these wildlife surveys.