Big Weekend Wildlife Watch

Big Weekend Wildlife Watch

Credit; Tom Marshall

30 Days Wild - Big Wild Weekend

A big thank you to all those who took part in our Big Weekend Wildlife Watch surveyĀ in 2020Ā as part of 30 Days Wild and our Wilder Future campaign.

We hope you will join us next year for more exploring and wildlife spotting!

As part of 30 Days Wild, we are inviting you to take part in the campaign's Big Wild Weekend, on the 20th & 21stĀ June.Ā The Big Wild Weekend is two days where we, along with other Wildlife Trust's across the UK want you to spend time outside (whilst following social distancing government rules) and connect with natureĀ on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st June. The Big Wild Weekend takes place halfway throughĀ 30DaysWild – the UK’s annual nature challenge organised by The Wildlife Trusts andĀ which runs from the 1st -30th June.

For the Big Wild WeekendĀ in Staffordshire, weĀ are encouraging people to head outside to their local green space or garden and get involved in our exciting Big Weekend Wildlife Watch survey! You can even look out your window too at home to spot some of the species.Ā 

30 Days Wild Pack 2019

30 Days Wild 2020 sign ups are now closed!

Thanks to all those who signed up to 30 Days Wild 2020. We had over 3,000 people take part! Sign ups are now closed but we will be back next year and hope you can join us then!

sign up to 30 Days Wild

What is the Big Weekend Wildlife Watch?

Wildlife is in decline across the UK and we are calling on you, Wildlife Explorer,Ā to help us survey the state of Staffordshire's wildlife across the county.Ā  We want youĀ to look out for 30 key species across Staffordshire on Saturday 20th - Sunday 21st June, you can find these in your garden, local outdoor space and even spot some from outside your window at home. We want you to note how many of each species you have seen and send in the results to us. For those of you who are luckily, there are 6 gold star species you canĀ find that are more difficult to spot than the others.Ā 

All ages are encouraged to take part in the survey from kidsĀ to grown upsĀ - we even had schools sign up last year!Ā 

Species we want you to spot range from mammals to moths to bees and birds; so you need to make sure you are looking all around you!

How can I take part?Ā Ā 

To take part in our Big Weekend Wildlife Watch, you will need to fill in theĀ form at the bottom of this pageĀ to register your interest. Once signed up, you'll get a confirmation message with a link to download yourĀ spotting booklet ready for the Big Wild Weekend. You canĀ print andĀ fill it in or if you don't have a printer, view the pages of the booklet on your phone and take a notebook out with you. TheĀ booklet pages includeĀ a checklist of the species we want you to look out for so you can tick them off alongĀ with some facts to help you spot the species.Ā 

Although we are asking you to look out for 30 species, we very much welcome you sending in records of any others you manage to spot. We felt like 30 species was a good number to look out for over the weekend. You can also submit images of species you spot when you send over your results too!

Bird spotting

Why are we doing this?

Last year, The Wildlife Trusts along with otherĀ organisations launched the 'State of Nature' report which through recording, researching and conservation assessesĀ the current state of nature in the UK. 15 % of UK species were found to be threatenedĀ and there were strong or moderate declines since 1970Ā  in 41% of all UK species. Hedgehogs, toads, water voles and turtle doves are just a few species of many whose numbers are declining.Ā 

We need to act to put nature into recovery before it is too late to ensure a Wilder Future for all.Ā By recording species for our Big Weekend Wildlife Watch you will be helpingĀ us further analyse the state of Staffordshire's wildlife by building our record data as we map out the county. Once numbers have been collated, along with other data, we can start to see a picture of which species aren't doing so well and therefore make extra efforts to help these species.Ā 

It is also great fun spotting wildlifeĀ and taking part in the survey isĀ theĀ perfect excuse to get outdoors, learn about local wildlifeĀ and well ... go wild!Ā 

Don't forget to keep us updating with how you are getting on and the cool species you have spotted by tagging us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Best of luck, we are counting on you Wildlife Explorers!Ā 

Sign up

Sign-ups for The Big Weekend Wildlife Watch 2020 are now closed

Sign up to the Big Weekend Wildlife Watch survey by filling in the form belowĀ 

Please note that yourĀ confirmation email might arrive in your junk / spam email folder and can take a few days to arrive

We promise to protect your data in accordance with the Wildlife Trust Privacy Policy 

You can change your contact preferences at any time by e-mailing member@staffs-wildlife.org.ukĀ or calling 01889 880100. We promise to protect your personal data, in accordance with our privacy policy.Ā 

Bug hunting

Credit: Matthew Roberts

Top tips for spotting wildlife

- be quiet otherwise you might scare off the wildlife

- have a good pair of binoculars and aĀ magnifying glass to help identify species

- take snacks and a drink out with you, you need to keep your energy levels up!

- read the facts in your spotting booklet to help you identify certain species

- species like to be active at different times of day so make sure you try and mix up when you go out exploring

- be careful where you go exploring and make sure you always have an adult with you - they can often help with extra clues to help find wildlife!

Wilder Future campaign - calling for personal action

Wilder Staffordshire

Help save wildlife and put nature into recovery in Staffordshire. Find out more about our recent Wilder Future campaign.Ā 

I want to save wildlife