Wildlife watch

This weekend - 16-17 December - we want you to record which species you see in your garden, your local park or out in the countryside. You can e-mail your written records or photographs to [email protected]

This will be the first of four surveys - supported by the Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) - which The Scotsman will carry out over the next year, one in each of the seasons. The results will be passed on to the SWT: although the records won't be hard science, they will help to give illustrative examples of how Scotland's wildlife is adapting to its changing climate.

How to get involved with our wildlife survey:

What do i have to do?

Go outside this weekend and make a record of the wildlife you see. Either take photographs or make written notes and e-mail them to [email protected] or post to: Wildlife Watch, The Scotsman, 108 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh, EH8 8AS.

What notes should I take?

You should note down: the name of the species; the date you saw it; where you saw it; and your own name. The records will be collected by The Scotsman and passed to the Scottish Wildlife Trust, which may use them in its work.

Which creatures should I look for?

Winter can be a quiet time for wildlife in some areas, but Scotland is visited by many migrant species during the colder months.

What should I take with me?

Take a pen and paper to note sightings. If you have binoculars take them with you because it is important that you correctly identify the creatures you see. Take your camera too because photographs can be useful for identifying which species you have seen.

Where should I go?

We are interested in wildlife sightings from towns and cities, through to the countryside and coast. Sightings on Scottish Wildlife Trust reserves are also welcome: for more details about reserves, have a look at www.swt.org.uk

How can I tell what species it is?

Books to help you identify wildlife are often available in libraries. The SWT and RSPB websites have plenty of information: www.swt.org.uk and www.rspb.org.uk