There are a few days left to get involved with the Royal Parks’ Citizen Science projects in Richmond and Bushy Parks, which are calling for volunteers to help survey the parks’ moths, small mammals and reptiles.

For the moth surveys, The Royal Parks are looking for volunteers to join their teams on moth trap surveys to help with capturing, counting and identifying moth species. Volunteers will learn all about moths, surveying techniques, how to use a Robinson Moth trap (moths will not be harmed), and how to help The Royal Parks collect and record important data.

Many small mammals play an important role in maintaining healthy ecosystems and preserving biodiversity, and they are also a key part of the food chain for birds such as Owls and Kestrels. For the small mammal survey, The Royal Parks will be collecting humane mammal traps set out the night before and identifying, counting, potentially sexing, and releasing the mammals captured. Volunteers will learn all about small mammals, surveying techniques, how to set up a Longworth Trap (mammals will not be harmed!), and how to help The Royal Parks collect and record important data.

Reptiles are highly vulnerable to the climate emergency as they have a very narrow range of optimal climates. For the reptile survey, join a Royal Parks ecologist on a long romp through the park visiting Reptile Refugia sites to see if they are in use. You’ll be carefully checking the refugia and identifying/counting reptiles before leaving them in peace again. The survey will teach volunteers all about reptiles, surveying techniques, how to set up reptile hibernacula and how to help The Royal Parks collect and record important data.

These events, part of The Royal Parks’ Help Nature Thrive programme, are free to attend, thanks to the support of players of the People’s Postcode Lottery. They are aimed at adults with an interest in learning more about the natural world.

The site advertises that the project runs until 27th October, but please note that additional survey slots into October are available once you click through to specific parks and survey types. Find more information and sign up here.