Big Urban Wildlife Watch
4 and 5 June 2011
Click here to download a recording form
Last year with the help of the EDP Norfolk Wildlife Trust invited the public to record wildlife on its nature reserves. In 24 hours during the first weekend of June the public responded brilliantly with more than 500 people submitting wildlife records and an amazing total of 1,200 species recorded.
This year NWT is asking for your help again but this time to tell us how many wildife species make their home in urban areas. Our challenge is to see if the public will help us record 300 species of wildlife in just 24 hours over the weekend of June 4 and June 5.
Very little is known about the wildlife of urban areas in Norfolk, perhaps because naturalists and birdwatchers so often prefer to head for the countryside to visit the many fantastic wilder areas and nature-reserves which Norfolk is famous for.
Of course its well known that urban areas today support foxes, grey squirrels and feral pigeons but many rarer species now thrive in urban areas – this year peregrines have been seen around Norwich Cathedral, otters on the river near the centre of Thetford, the globally threatened European eel in urban Kings Lynn, and the seafront at Great Yarmouth is one of the best places in Norfolk to see uncommon Mediterranean gulls.
What else can we discover with the public’s help about wildlife in urban Norfolk? Which out of Great Yarmouth, Thetford, Kings Lynn and Norwich will have the largest number of wildlife species recorded?
We are sure to have some exciting surprises!
When: Between 12 noon on June 4 and 12 noon on June 5
Where: Norwich, Thetford, Kings Lynn and Great Yarmouth
Who: Anyone living or visiting these four urban areas in that 24 hour period can join in and help – its free to take part, fun and very useful
- Why: To raise public awareness of wildlife in urban areas of Norfolk
- To encourage people to enjoy and observe wildlife in urban areas – in gardens, parks, along river-sides and in the heart of our towns and cities
- To gain a valuable records giving a snapshot of urban wildlife in 2011 – at present urban wildlife is very under-recorded in Norfolk
How: Download this simple recording form or simply email your records to
wild@norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk giving a list of the wildlife you have recorded, along with your name, and the location (post-code or map reference ) of your sightings, plus the date. Records must be in the 24 hour period from 12 noon on June 4 to 12 noon on June 5.
Norfolk Wildlife Trust will be running free events for anyone who would like to learn about urban wildlife in all four urban areas. For further details click here to
download a leaflet (PDF). Alternatively they are listed below:
King's Lynn
Butterflies, Birds and Bees of Harding’s Pits
Date: Saturday June 4
Time: 12.30pm – 2pm
Location: Meet at the Whale Statue, Harding’s Pits, King’s Lynn
Join Nick Acheson as he looks for wildlife on this green space that runs along the River Ouse. Who knows what wildlife gems might be found. No need to book, just turn-up and join in.
Wildlife of The Walks
Date: Saturday June 4
Time: 3 – 4.30pm
Location: Meet at the Cafe in The Walks, King’s Lynn
From eels to mistletoe – you will be amazed at the number of different animals and plants that can be found in this amazing town park. Help us go in search for some of the animals and plants that call this park home. No need to book, just turn-up and join in.
Bats of King’s Lynn Walks
Date: Saturday June 4
Time: 9 – 10pm
Location: Meet at the Red Mount Chapel, The Walks, King’s Lynn
Join Louise Brown from Torc Ecology for an evening bat walk in King’s Lynn using bat detecting equipment we will discover just some of the night time creatures that can be found living in The Walks. No need to book, just turn-up and join in.
Great Yarmouth
Wildlife of Breydon Water
Date: Sunday 5 June
Time: 8 – 9.30am
Location: Meet at Asda Car Park, Acle New Road, Great Yarmouth, NR30 1SF
Rise with the lark and join us as we go in search of wildlife found on and around Breydon Water. No need to book, just turn-up and join in.
In Search of Butterflies and Dragons
Date: Sunday 5 June
Time: 10.30am – 12pm
Location: Meet at Bure Park Car Park, by play area.
Join Pam Taylor from the British Dragonfly Society in Bure Park to go in search for these jewels of the sky. No need to book, just turn-up and join in.
Norwich
Wildlife at the Rosary Cemetery
Date: Saturday 4 June
Time: 2-4pm (guided walk 3pm)
Location: Rosary Cemetery (entrance off Rosary Road)
Collect a recording form and help record the wildlife. Experts will be on hand to help with identification. Light refreshments and soft drinks available from the Chapel. Join our wildlife recording walk around the cemetery. No need to book, just turn-up and join in.
Peregrine Watch
Date: Saturday 4 June
Time: 3-6pm
Location: Norwich Cathedral Lower Close
Meet Hawk and Owl Trust experts at the telescope viewing point. Please note: no parking available within Cathedral grounds. No need to book, just turn-up and join in.
Moths of Mousehold
Date: Saturday 4 June,
Time: 10pm onwards
Location: Details on booking.
Advance booking only - To book phone Norwich Information Centre on 01603 213999
Join a Norwich City Council Mousehold warden and a local moth enthusiast in using a light trap to catch and identify the beautiful and diverse species of moth that are living in our parks and gardens. Please bring a torch and warm outdoor clothing.
Wildlife Watch in Norwich Castle Gardens
Date: Sunday 5 June
Time: 10am-12pm.
Location: Meet at 10am at the Whiffler Theatre area of the gardens or drop in any time up to 12 noon and find us recording wildlife in the Castle gardens area.
We will be walking around the Castle Gardens looking at the plants and smaller creatures that survive in this city centre site. Bring a lens, collecting pot and identification books if you have them.
Thetford
In Search of Urban Wildlife
Date: Saturday 4th June
Time: 4-5.30pm
Location: Meet outside The Guild Hall, Cage Lane, Thetford, IP24 2AP. No need to book, just turn-up and join in
Join Norfolk Wildlife on this gentle stroll around Thetford as we go in search of some of its wilder residents.
Plumes, Pugs and Privets
Date: Saturday 4th June
Time: 8.30-11.30pm
Location: Meet at British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2PU. No need to book, just turn-up and join in. Bring a torch.
Join Norfolk Wildlife Trust and British Trust for Ornithology as we go in search of moths. Using moth traps we will entice them in and give you an insight into the amazing world of these beautiful creatures.
Recording forms
Click here to download a recording form, so you can let us know what you've seen (it's a Word document).