Thanks to funding received from Natural England, Berkshire Nature Conservation worked with Thames Valley Environmental Record Centre to encourage recording of some declining species. A postcard was been produced asking for your sightings of the following species: Greater Stag Beetle, Bullfinch, Hedgehog and Slow-worm.

Even though the official survey has now finished you can still send in your records. The postcard survey form can be downloaded from the bottom of this page, so if you have seen any of the species featured you can print out the form, fill in the details and then return to the address provided. Alternatively you can email the details of you records to kellythomas@bbowt.org.uk  

Here is some information about each of the species...

Greater Stag-beetle: The Greater Stag-beetle is Britain's largest native ground-dwelling beetle.  The adult females can be up to 5cm long, but adult males can reach an impressive 7cm. These males will fly to look for a mate at dusk on humid, thundery evenings between May and August. Although the females can also fly, they rarely do. Instead they release pheromones to attract the males. Their larvae are really good for your garden. They do not eat living plants, instead they feed on rotting wood, returning important minerals to the soil.

Bullfinch: Both the male and the female are shown in the images opposite. The male has a bright pinkish-red breast, but the female is less brightly coloured, but they both have a distinctive white rump. They can be seen all year round, particularly along woodland edges. For further information see the RPSB bird guide.

Hedgehog: Hedgehogs are a distinctive British mammal with their rounded bodies covered in spines. In the summer they spend most of the day sheltering in a nest of leaves, moss and grass. They come out at night and can be heard snuffling and grunting as they forage for food. In the autumn they find a sheltered spot, often under a hedgerow, to hibernate. Hedgehogs are under-recorded in Berkshire and so we are appealing for your sightings to improve our knowledge of this species. Even if you come across a hedgehog which has been killed on the road, please do fill in the details on the postcard survey form, noting 'road kill' in the comments box.

Slow-worm: These harmless creatures may look like small snakes, but they are in fact legless lizards. Slow worms like humid conditions and emerge from their hiding places at dusk or after rain to hunt for food. They feed on insects, snails, slugs, spiders, earthworms.They spend the winter hibernating under piles of leaves or within tree roots. So, the best time to see them is in early spring through to the autumn. They can be seen in grassy meadows, farmland, woodland margins, or hiding under rocks or logs in your garden!  

Click here for further information on recording wildlife.