WHICH wild creatures live in your garden? The RSPB is calling on families to find out this summer by taking part in the Wild Challenge.

Hedgehogs were only spotted in more than half of UK gardens last year, although people in the county were lucky enough to find slow worms, great crested newts and stoats living next door. Foxes were the most common garden visitor, spotted in 70 per cent of the 100,000 wildlife enthusiasts nationwide who joined the survey.

Now the RSPB wants to update the 2016 results, which found hedgehogs were absent from a quarter of gardens. This pattern was apparent across all four countries, with the figure rising to close to 30 per cent in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Morwenna Alldis, spokesman for RSPB Wiltshire said: “The results in Wiltshire highlight how vital it is that we all take steps towards giving nature a home in our own gardens and green spaces.

With an increasing loss of natural habitats, food and water, and changes to our climate, many of our local wildlife species are increasingly relying on our urban gardens and we need to do more to welcome them. No matter the size of your outdoor space – a window box, a paved courtyard or a lush lawn – with a few simple steps you can help your local wildlife to survive and thrive.

"Last year, stealing joint number one top spot and seen in 33 per cent of our Wiltshire gardens are the fantastic fox and the secretive mole. In second place, hedgehogs snuffled into 26 per cent of our gardens. The slow worm slithered into third place, reported in seven per cent of Wiltshire’s gardens. And fourth place was claimed by the stag beetle – four per cent of Wiltshire gardens played host to them at least once a month during the year.”

Daniel Hayhow, RSPB conservation scientists, said: “Often the wildlife we see in our garden is the first experience we have with nature – whether it’s a robin perched on the fence or a hedgehog snuffling around looking for its next meal. Unfortunately, the sights and sounds of wildlife that was once common to us are sadly becoming more mysterious to people.

“There are simple things we can all do to make our gardens perfect for wildlife. From creating a feeding station for birds or hedgehogs to digging a small pond to help amphibians, these easy activities can help turn your garden into a wildlife haven.”

The RSPB is calling on families to spend more time outside this summer and reconnect with the nature that surrounds them by taking on the Wild Challenge.

By completing fun and engaging activities ranging from minibeast safaris and rock pooling to creating a hedgehog cafe and planting for wildlife, families can take their first steps on their own wild adventure. There are 24 activities to choose from that will take you from your own back garden to exploring towns, cities, woodlands and even the coast.

Paul Birmingham, RSPB families manager, said: “Getting outside and discovering nature is important whether your motivation is happy healthy children, memorable family time or to see our towns and countryside richer in nature. The opportunity to connect with nature should be a part of every child’s life and the RSPB’s Wild Challenge is here to help every family go on their own wild adventure.”

The RSPB’s ambition is for the Wild Challenge to help more families across the country reap the benefits of spending time outside in nature. Research has shown that children who have a healthy connection to nature are more likely to benefit from higher achievement at school, better mental and physical health, and develop stronger social skills.

To learn more about the RSPB Wild Challenge visit www.rspb.org.uk/wildchallenge