AROUND 100 people stepped up for nature and took part in the RSPB’s first ever Big Wild Stocktake Challenge at Weymouth Wetlands.

They joined experts and roving volunteer wardens to help them find out exactly what creatures live on the Radipole Lake nature reserve in the middle of town.

Between them, they identified more than 120 species, from plants and birds, to butterflies and other insects, mammals, amphibians and reptiles. The stocktake was such a success that it will now be held as an annual event.

“This was an incredibly useful event for us and we’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who stepped up for nature and helped out,” said Weymouth Wetlands information officer Luke Phillips.

“It’s given us a snapshot of what’s around on the reserve at this time of year and, almost as importantly, what’s not. It’s shown us which birds have arrived safely from their wintering grounds in Africa, which plants are in flower and which insects are emerging, including three different types of bumble bee, 11 species of butterfly and an early hawker dragonfly.”

Visitors also found 37 species of plants and 53 different birds. There were personal highlights for some people, with one family spotting a water vole and others watching the reserve’s marsh harriers and even a red kite flying overhead as well as house martins, sand martins and swallows, a good sign that summer is just around the corner.

Luke added: “Above all, everyone really enjoyed themselves, with lots of people of all ages and levels of interest and knowledge joining in. It was obviously a very popular way to spend an Easter holiday. The Big Wild Stocktake Challenge at Weymouth Wetlands will definitely become an annual event.”

You can find out more about what’s going on at Weymouth Wetlands by following their blog at rspb.org.uk/community/groups/weymouthwetlands or joining them on twitter @RSPBWeymouth