Wildlife Watching: The Do’s and the Don’ts

As we approach the peak of summer, we encounter one of the most active periods in the animal calendar. Fledglings take flight, reptiles bask in the summer’s heat, and hedgehogs and deer bear new life. With this surge of activity – June is undoubtedly one of the most rewarding times of year for wildlife watching.

In this blog, we will explore how to make the most of your wildlife encounters, from where to visit, to the best times of day to spot different species. We will also consider the ‘do’s and the don’ts’ of wildlife watching, explaining how you can enjoy yourself as an observer, whilst also respecting the animals you find and their varied habitats.

Mammals

Hedgehog:

Hedgehogs are primarily nocturnal animals, meaning you are unlikely to see them out in the daytime. At this time of year, most of their energy is spent on foraging, in an effort to replenish fat reserves after hibernation to feed their young. For your best chances of seeing a hedgehog, consider installing a ‘hedgehog house’ in your garden. Hedgehog houses provide shelter and protection from predators, especially in urban and suburban areas with few natural nesting spots. In the summer, it is important to place the house in a north-facing direction to prevent overheating. For more information on where to position your hedgehog house, check out this article from The British Hedgehog Preservation Society.

DID YOU KNOW?! Baby hedgehogs are called ‘hoglets’

Another great way to encourage hedgehogs to your garden is to plant insect friendly flowers or leave out supplementary food. Wet poultry flavoured cat food is a could source of food, however, ensure not to leave it inside the hedgehog house, as this can discourage nesting. Instead, place food in a shallow dish in a quiet, sheltered spot or in a feeding station.

Try these steps and if you’re lucky, you might soon welcome some hedgehog residents to your garden!

DO: Place hedgehog houses in a quiet, shaded area.

DO: Feed hedgehogs moderate amounts of wet cat food.

DO: Contact your local wildlife rescue if you find a baby hedgehog alone, or see a

hedgehog out in the daytime, which could indicate illness or injury.

DON’T: Disturb sleeping hedgehogs. Instead, observe quietly at a safe distance.

For more information about helping hedgehogs visit our hog-blog

Deer:

Deer are most commonly found in woodlands and open pastures. Whilst widespread in the wild throughout the southeast of England, for your best chances of spotting one, visit a National Trust park, like the picturesque Petworth Park. Familiar with the footfalls and voices of walkers, park deer are often more tolerant of humans. While many of these parks welcome dogs, for the purpose of deer scouting - it is best to leave them at home. If you are keen to observe deer behaviour, try visiting these habitats at dawn and dusk, when deer are most active. To avoid spooking deer, ensure to wear muted colours, keep voices low, and most importantly, keep your distance (at least 150m). For a closer view, bring binoculars or long-lens cameras.

At this time of year, many deer will be raising their young. During the first few days of their lives, the babies are very unsteady - so the mothers will leave them hidden in vegetation as they go off to feed. As the young deer give off practically no scent, they are safe from predators as they await their mother’s return. If you happen to spot a young deer alone, do not immediately call for help. If they appear healthy and safe from harm, it is likely that the mother is close by and will return shortly. If you are concerned about a young deer, contact your local wildlife hospital for advice.

DO: Wear muted colours and keep your voices low.

DO: stay at least 150m from deer. If you sense any signs of fear or aggression, slowly move further away.

DON’T: Bring dogs with you deer-watching.

DON’T: Assume a lone baby deer is in trouble. In most cases, the mother is close by.

Deer-spotting suggestions:

●     Arundel Park, West Sussex

●     Petworth Park, West Sussex

Birds

June is a peak month for fledgling garden birds like robins, blackbirds and goldfinches. However, it also presents a great opportunity to spot some more elusive species.

Cuckoo: Perhaps heard more often than they are seen, Cuckoo’s are known for their distinct ‘cuckoo’ call. Known as ‘brood parasites’, they dislodge woodland birds from their nests, then lay their own eggs to be raised by the host. Unlike many young birds, cuckoos only leave the nest when they’re fully fledged - which normally occurs when they migrate to Africa in late June. Cuckoos are mostly found in wetland and heathland habitats, where there are healthy populations of meadow pipits and reed warblers. To spot a cuckoo, start by listening for their call. With patience, you may catch a glimpse of one perched quietly, waiting for an opportunity to invade the nest of an unsuspecting host.

DO: Visit a wetlands centre. Whilst cuckoos can be found throughout the southeast of England, their numbers are sadly in decline. These centres are managed to support their habitats and help the species to thrive.

DON’T: Disturb a cuckoo’s nesting attempts. Whilst unpleasant, it is important not to interfere with the course of nature.

Cuckoo-spotting suggestions:

●     Pulborough Brooks, West Sussex

●     Chobham Common, Surrey

Firecrest: One of the UK’s smallest birds, the firecrest is closely related to the goldcrest. Like their cousin, the firecrest is adorned with a dazzling golden crest at the top of their head. They are most densely populated in Hampshire and the New Forest, where they have been recorded breeding since the 1960s. They are largely found in coniferous forests in the mid-to-upper canopy. To spot one, keep an eye out for a flickering movement among the branches.

DO: Bring binoculars - firecrests are tiny!

DO: Keep dogs leashed in known birding areas.

DON’T: Make any loud or sudden noises. Like most, these birds are used to a quiet habitat.

Firecrest-spotting suggestions:

●     The New Forest, Hampshire

●     Ashdown Forest, East Sussex

Reptiles

Whilst feared by some, reptiles are most visible in the summer months. As cold-blooded animals, they rely on external heat sources like the sun to regulate their body temperatures. If you’re a reptile enthusiast, follow these steps for your best chances of spotting these scaly creatures.

Adder: In a country where most animals pose very minimal threat to humans, adders stand out as the UK’s only native venomous snake. They are most commonly found in dry habitats, such as heathlands, forest edges, and grasslands. To spot one in action, venture out to these habitats at mid-morning, where you may see one soaking up the sun along sunny path edges. Later in the day, males will tend to retreat to sheltered spots such as heather or in bushes to avoid overheating, whereas females are likely to continue basking to support embryo development.

DO: Maintain a safe distance. Whilst adders are not generally aggressors, if spooked, they may strike.

DO: Keep dogs on leads. Although most adder bites are mild, you cannot be sure until checked out by a vet.

DON’T: Make loud noises or fast movements. Snakes are shy animals and this will only reduce your chances of spotting one.

DON’T: Attempt to touch or handle adders. Instead, admire them from afar.

Adder-spotting suggestions:

●     The Devil’s Punch Bowl, Surrey

●     Petworth Park, West Sussex

Common Lizard: As their name suggests, these Ireland natives are the most widespread reptiles in the UK. Common lizards are found across various habitats, from heathlands and moorlands, to woodlands and grasslands. Like snakes, they are often found basking in sunny areas. To spot one, walk slowly and scan the borders between paths and vegetation. As shy creatures known for their speed, they will dart away quickly if disturbed. However, they tend to return to the same basking spots, so patience is key.

Common lizards are the fastest reptiles in the UK— blink and you’ll miss them!

DO: Move quietly and keep your eyes low along sunlit borders.

DON’T: Disturb or attempt to touch them.

Common lizard spotting suggestions:

●     Thursley Common, Surrey

●     Ashdown Forest, East Sussex

Undoubtedly, the abundance of wildlife is one of the most beguiling aspects of the UK in the summertime. However, with greater abundance comes greater casualties. Luckily, wildlife centres like Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital are dedicated to rehabilitating animals and nursing them back to health. With your support, Brent Lodge treated 2,884 patients in 2024. Whether through volunteering, donating funds, or providing items from our wishlist, every contribution helps us continue our mission to help UK wildlife to thrive.

Let us know if you manage to spot any of these beautiful creatures!