West Somerset residents are being asked to look out for and record any sightings or signs of wild mammals they spot in their gardens or local green spaces online, as part of wildlife charity People’s Trust for Endangered Species’ annual Living with Mammals survey.

For the first time in its 18-year history, the survey will run all year. It follows huge success last year, as more people were at home and had the time to watch wildlife.

The result was a huge increase in the number of mammal sightings, from hazel dormice on bird-feeders to hedgehogs snuffling in gardens after dark, and a newfound appreciation of nature for many.

Over 2,000 people took part in 2020, which resulted in 2,400 surveys being submitted – two and a half times more than in any other year.

The top five species most commonly recorded were grey squirrels, hedgehogs, foxes, mice and bats.

David Wembridge, mammal surveys co-ordinator at PTES, said: “Despite the challenges of 2020, one positive was the number of people seeing wild mammals more frequently, some for the first time.

“Connections with nature are so important – not only do we gain a unique insight into the lives of our wild neighbours, which is hugely beneficial for conservation, but wildlife watching and being close to nature is known to have a positive impact on our mental health too, which is needed now perhaps more than ever.”

Despite being in the top five, hedgehog sightings slightly dropped, to 41 per cent compared with 44 per cent in 2019.

However, PTES revealed the most striking result is the continued fall in reports of rabbits. In 2020 only 8.5 per cent of sites surveyed saw a rabbit, compared with 13 per cent in 2019 and about 25 per cent a decade ago.

David said: “We launched Living with Mammals 18 years ago. The data gathered enables us to better understand how mammal populations are faring across the UK and where conservation action is needed.

“With access to this unique long-term database of population trends, we can spot when a species is in trouble and act.”

To take part in Living with Mammals 2021 and find out how to identify different mammals, visi  livingwithmammals.ptes.org. PTES would love to see participants’ mammal photos using #LivingWithMammals.