RESIDENTS in East Renfrewshire are being urged to record sightings of the UK’s “big five” wild mammals help experts see how wildlife is faring.

Last year’s results of the ‘Living with Mammals’ survey revealed the most commonly spotted animals were grey squirrels, then foxes, mice, hedgehogs and bats.

And they may not quite be the big five of the African savanna, but experts want the public’s help tracking their fortunes to identify where conservation work is needed most in the UK.

Barrhead News:

From April 1, the People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) is asking people to look out for these common animals, along with any other mammals they see or signs of them in their local green space.

Volunteers can spend anything from 10 minutes a week from April to June to report the mammals in their chosen green space- from a garden or allotment to a park or other open area within 200 metres of a building.

David Wembridge, surveys officer at PTES, said: “Green spaces, and the wildlife they support, are important – they provide food, clean air and water, and make us healthier and happier.

“Counting our wild neighbours, and knowing how their populations are changing, is a health-check on our towns and cities.”

Along with the big five, other common species that people are likely to spot include rabbits, badgers and moles.

Depending on where volunteers live, they may also see rarer mammals such as otters, red squirrels, pine martens, dormice, fallow deer, water voles, stoats and brown hares.

To take part in the survey people can register here.