Hedgehog populations have declined by a quarter in the last decade, so the People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) has joined forces with the British Hedgehog Preservation Society to tackle the problem.

As part of a three year project, PTES and the British Hedgehog Preservation Society are launching Hedgehog Street on 1st June 2011. This national campaign aims to help local communities, through volunteer Hedgehog Champions, to take small steps to improve their neighbourhood for hedgehogs.

Hedgehogs travel up to one mile each night within suburban habitat and so whilst improving individual gardens is great for wildlife, Hedgehog Street advises gardeners to work with their neighbours to create links between gardens so they can roam freely. More details here

There is growing concern that our once widespread amphibian species – frogs and toads -are in national decline. This is due to a reduction in the quality and quantity of ponds mainly through pollution, infilling for development and the spread of alien invasive species of plants and animals.

Estimates show that pond numbers in the UK could be as much as 70% less than in the 1880s.

Our native common frog and common toad are similar in size and shape but you can tell them apart by certain distinguishing features. The common toad has drier bumpier skin, shorter hind legs and a more rounded head and body. The common frog moves in short jumps, whereas the common toad tends to move by walking or hopping. Both species may vary in colour but common toad has striking coppery eyes.

Wight Wildlife would like to know about any frogs or toads you see in 2008. Please send your record and contact details to: Lucy Temple Wight Wildlife, Forest Office, Parkhurst Forest, Newport, Isle of Wight PO30 5UL (01983) 533180 or e-mail: lucyt@hwt.org.uk

Graham Street, who runs the Island Bat Hospital,was called to Freshwater parish hall where a bat had been found in the hall. To his great surprise, it proved to be a Part-coloured Bat, one of the rarest bats in the country. Parti-coloured bats are considered to be a migrant species. There have been fewer than ten ever recorded in this country but, remarkably, this is the second for the bat hospital; one was found in Ryde in May 2000. The Freshwater bat is seriously under-weight and is being cared for at the hospital.

Link: http://www.iwight.com/countryside

The Ecology Service provides specialist advice and information on a wide variety of matters relating to nature conservation on the Isle of Wight with the aim of securing the protection and enhancement of the Island?s biodiversity. We seek to raise the profile and standard of wildlife conservation in the Island through our dealings with public, voluntary and private sector bodies.

Our services are used by members of the public, the Council, as well as land managers and grant awarding bodies (such as The Forestry Commission and English Nature) and consultants. We liaise with statutory bodies including English Nature, the Environment Agency and the Forestry Commission.

We provide advice on the ecological impact of development proposals, including advice on site safeguard and mitigation measures and evaluation of Environmental Impact Assessments.

We provide advice on international and national legislation and planning guidance relating to wildlife and nature conservation, including protected species.

Wall lizard, Ventnor

We maintain the Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) system of sites considered to be of at least local importance for habitats, species, geological or geomorphological features they support.

We offer advice on land management which will benefit wildlife.

We work closely with many partner organisations in developing and implementing local Biodiversity Action Plans and we act as co-ordinators for the Isle of Wight Biodiversity Action Plan Steering Group.

We maintain information in paper and electronic forms relating to the presence and distribution of habitats and species throughout the county.