Survey results reveal creatures we encounter most

Red foxes were spotted by the most people during their daily lives, according to a new survey

The red fox and the white-lipped snail were among the most-recorded species during an environmental charity's big count.

More than 800 people took part in Somerset's challenge to record the species they encounter over a 10-day period in June.

The count, which is a joint initiative between Somerset Wildlife Trust and the Somerset Environmental Records Centre (SERC), collected information about 150 species and monitored changes in wildlife throughout the county.

Ellen Phillpot, SERC manager, said: "This year's count has helped us get ever closer to a long-term data set that we can begin to draw trends from."

The trust also conducts an annual Somerset State Nature report which analyses data from wildlife records, habitat surveys, and national datasets.

Ms Phillpot added: "The last Somerset State of Nature report stated an average of 14 rabbits and 22 red foxes were recorded a year between 2010-19. In just ten days, 15 rabbits and 44 red foxes have been recorded through The Big Count 2025."

This was the fourth year the organisations hosted the count, which has now generated more than 3,000 species records for Somerset since its launch in 2022, including over 630 new records in this year's count.

Nearly 100 different species were identified in this year's count, but the most-recorded species were the white-lipped snail with 46 observations, the red fox with 44, the garden snail with 41, and common bird's-foot trefoil with 39.

Becky Fisher, head of engagement at the trust, said: "Citizen science is such a quick and easy way of helping wildlife at home - or from anywhere across the county.

"Taking part in time-sensitive projects like this is particularly helpful for us."