In pictures: Garden wildlife
A quarter of Lancashire gardens are home to hedgehogs and almost half have resident frogs, according to participants in the RSPB’s first summer wildlife survey
The results of the Make Your Nature Count survey also revealed that one in four of participants reported seeing foxes in their gardens with 10% seeing them regularly
More than 62,000 people took part. The new wildlife stock-take is the first time the RSPB has asked for information about wildlife other than birds visiting gardens in summer. Participants were also asked to record garden visitors such as toads and badgers
Richard Bashford, project manager, said: "We’ve been surprised at the diversity of wildlife Britain’s gardens support. Many people are seeing foxes and hedgehogs on a regular basis, species perhaps more associated with the wider countryside."
"For 30 years, Big Garden Birdwatch has provided the RSPB with information of winter bird numbers, but this survey will start to build an even bigger picture of garden wildlife throughout the year."
The survey took place in June and revealed that gardens in Lancashire have on average 10 different species of birds present at that time of year. The blackbird is the most frequent visitor
Because of the time of year, the survey also asked people to look out for some of our breeding birds and summer migrants. Baby blackbirds, young robins and song thrushes were all seen
Of the summer migrants, swifts were seen in one in five of Lancashire gardens, a good sign they are breeding nearby
Richard added: "As more and more people realise the importance of feeding and gardening for wildlife they are delighted by the variety of species visiting their garden."
For more information on gardening for wildlife, log onto www.rspb.org.uk/hfw
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