Wildlife charity needs as many citizen scientists as possible to record mammal sightings in gardens, parks, riverbanks and churchyards.
Hundreds of volunteers across the UK will be looking in their gardens, local green spaces or riverbanks over the next few months and recording their sightings of mammals in a bid to help endangered wildlife.
Leading wildlife conservation charity People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) is calling for nature enthusiasts, families and individuals to take part in two of their key annual surveys – Living with Mammals and the National Water Vole Monitoring Programme. These record wild mammals in gardens or other urban green spaces, and along riverbanks, in streams or canals. PTES is particularly keen for more records from more unusual green spaces such as churchyards, cemeteries and allotments which are often teeming with wildlife and making it possible for everyone to take part.
David Wembridge, Conservation Research and Strategy Officer at People’s Trust for Endangered Species said: ‘Taking part in surveys like Living with Mammals and recording the wildlife around you makes a huge contribution to conservation. We want as many people as possible to take part, whether in a garden or local park and especially so if they can record wildlife in cemeteries or allotments. It’s such a mindful activity too and the perfect time of year to connect with nature and enjoy the, hopefully, better weather. Sign up and help PTES learn more about the wildlife on your doorstep.’
Living with Mammals (early April-onwards)
Taking part in this survey couldn’t be easier – simply record online any wild mammals spotted in your garden, local park, or other shared green spaces such as allotments, churchyards and commons. You might spot a hedgehog, fox or badger, or even signs they’ve left behind such as footprints or droppings. The survey is open to everyone, and PTES’ website has lots of advice to help you identify different mammals.
In the last couple of years, almost a thousand sites were surveyed across the UK. The top five most frequently seen mammals in 2025 were hedgehogs, grey squirrels, foxes, mice and bats, but there were also 16 records of red squirrels (rare in England with only a few strongholds remaining). Last year’s data also showed that rabbit sightings continue to decline, echoing the decline seen in the countryside.
National Water Vole Monitoring Programme (15 April – 15 June 2026)
Water voles have experienced one of the most serious declines of any native wild mammal in the UK, thanks to habitat loss, fragmentation, and predation from non-native American mink. Thankfully, anyone in England, Scotland and Wales can help these well-loved mammals by visiting a nearby stream, river, ditch or canal from 15 April – 15 June in search of water voles (or their signs such as burrows in the riverbank, tic-tac sized droppings, or footprints) and record their findings online. This survey requires no previous experience, and PTES offers free ID guides and online training to get started. The data produced are a vital contribution to the ongoing knowledge of this species and allow conservationists at PTES, and other organisations, to implement targeted conservation efforts to prevent further decline.
Last year, 123 waterway sites were surveyed across England, Scotland and Wales, with water voles found at 71 of them. The counties where most water voles were detected were Hampshire, Essex and Suffolk. A general increase in water vole activity was recorded across the east of England, which is encouraging and likely linked to ongoing landscape-scale American mink eradication in the region. Even where sites have showed no signs of water voles, this information is still incredibly valuable to PTES, helping us understand which areas are still suffering from the decline of what should be a widespread species.
Emily Luck, Water Vole Officer at People’s Trust for Endangered Species, explains: ‘Water voles should be a common sight along our waterways, but you are considered lucky to catch a glimpse of one these days. Their population as a whole is still in trouble, and we need as much data as possible so that we can target recovery efforts effectively. Without our citizen scientists, our understanding of the current picture would not be as complete. Please take part if you can – your data could make a huge difference to the wildlife in your local area.’
Nida Al-Fulaij, Chief Executive at People’s Trust for Endangered Species added: ‘Spring is a great time to get involved with nature and we are excited to be launching these surveys for 2026. The data collected with the help of the public are vital to our work. This information on the distribution, abundance and conservation status of many much-loved species helps PTES support direct conservation efforts by ensuring we target the right actions in the places that need them most.’
To take part in both of these surveys or to find out more about PTES, visit ptes.org/surveys.
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For high-res images and footage, or to arrange interviews, contact the Culture Communications Collective:
Alison Byard on alison@culturecommscollective.com or 07773 769915
Morag Wood on morag@culturecommscollective.com or 07976 081044
Notes to Editors:
- David Wembridge, Conservation Research and Strategy Officer, People’s Trust for Endangered Species
- Emily Luck, Water Vole Officer, People’s Trust for Endangered Species
About People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES)
PTES, a UK conservation charity created in 1977, is ensuring a future for endangered species throughout the world. We protect some of our most threatened wildlife species and habitats, and provide practical conservation support through research, grant-aid, educational programmes, wildlife surveys, publications and public events.
PTES’ current priority species and habitats include hazel dormice, hedgehogs, water voles, noble chafers, stag beetles, traditional orchards, native woodlands, wood pasture and parkland and hedgerows.
Visit www.ptes.org and PTES on Facebook, Bluesky, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
In text image credit Shutterstock
14th April, 2026