• Garnock Connections

    Connecting people and places within the Landscape

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Network Knowledge

Go Wild in Garnock

Have you ever popped out to walk the dog and spotted a mystery bird flitting from tree to tree? Or wondered what that butterfly was as you were out doing a spot of gardening? Well, this is what Go Wild in Garnock was all about. Go Wild in Garnock was all about giving you the skills and tools necessary to become a ‘citizen scientist’ and contribute to our understanding of wildlife in the Garnock Connections landscape. 

We worked with the South and West Scotland Environmental Information Centre (SWSEIC) to make it as easy as possible for everyone in the landscape to get involved in wildlife recording.

Not sure where to start? Check out our guides to...
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You don’t need binoculars or lots of ID knowledge to record birds in your local area! You can watch birds anywhere – your garden, a local park or green space, while you’re taking a walk or using an accessible trail, or at a nature reserve.
This is your chance to become a nature detective! Many mammals are shy and difficult to find – but they leave plenty of signs behind, like footprints, tufts of hair and burrows. You can use these clues to find out which species are visiting your local area.
Scientifically, 'bugs' only refers to particular insects - things like shield bugs and aphids. But if you go on a bug quest, you'll find a huge diversity of invertebrates! Even a small garden is home to minibeasts like caterpillars, ladybirds, worms, woodlice, millipedes, and spiders.
The Bat Conservation Trust's sunset survey is ideal if you've never done any bat recording before - you don't even need a bat detector!
You can record butterflies anywhere - in your garden or local green space, on a walk or at a nature reserve. Most are large and easy to identify, so they're a great place to start if you haven't done much wildlife recording before.

We have our own wildlife recording system set up (you can find this on the I-Record website) where everyone's records from the Garnock Valley can be seen in one place. We also have lots of wildlife recording kit that is totally free to borrow via Countryside Ranger Service (email: eglintoncountrypark@north-ayrshire.gov.uk), so anyone can get out and do some wildlife watching - if you're not sure where to get started browse our Guides to Wildlife Recording for inspiration. If you're not sure where to get started browse our our wildlife guides above. 

The series of  wildlife identification training courses that were delivered throughout the project hopefully gave you the skills to tell a blue tit from a coal tit, or a field mouse from a bank vole. These events were the perfect introduction if you wanted to get involved in wildlife recording, or just for learning a little more about the world around you. 

This project was also funded by the Green Infrastructure Community Engagement Fund as well as the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

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Outputs achieved

19097 biological records

32 wildlife recording training events

9 wildlife recording events

1576 different species recorded

Recorded by 359 recorders

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Did you know?

Whether you have a balcony, garden, or window view, there are many wildlife surveys you can do at home. From birds to beetles, and butterflies to bats, check out our page on Citizen Science Surveys to find out more.