COVENTRY counted more than double the amount of wildlife compared to last year in the 2023 city nature challenge, it has been revealed.
Coventry was one of over 400 cities around the globe to take part earlier last month, with the task being to record as much wildlife as possible over a three-day weekend.
There were 2,649 observations made in the city compared to 1053 in 2022.
There were 700 species identified over the weekend by individual recorders across the city as well as those attending organised events.
Species found included plants, mammals, birds, insects, amphibians and more.
The recordings were made using the iNaturalist app, a mobile-friendly biodiversity mapping tool for naturalists and citizen scientists.
There were several training events for the app throughout the weekend, with experts and conservationist groups joining the new nature lovers.
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust said the fact the biodiversity count doubled in a year was more reflective of the increase in people invested in nature than the current state of ecosystems.
Its CEO Ed Green said: “It’s amazing to see double the counts in 2023 compared to last year and to have such a huge turnout from people in Coventry coming together to spot the city’s wildlife and record the presence of so many species.
“It just goes to show that while we go about our busy lives nature is all around us, just beyond our doorsteps if only we stop to look and listen.
“I hope these newly trained citizen scientists carry on with their observations and help build up an even better picture of Coventry’s wildlife.
“Knowing what is present is the first step in working out how we can all help in looking after our environment for the future.”
