THE race is on to count as many different species as possible at a wildlife extravaganza in Pershore.

On Friday, May 22, volunteers can help count all creatures great and small at Avon Meadows Wetlands throughout the day and night.

Liz Etheridge, the Wetlands for All project officer at Wychavon District Council, said: “The main group of volunteers will be up with the larks for the dawn chorus at 5am, identifying and counting the early birds. Throughout the day people are invited to come down to the meadows and do a little pond dipping, bug hunting, butterfly spotting and much more besides.

“Children should bring an adult with them and if you plan to come to the evening or night time activities, please bring a torch and something warm to wear.”

The wildlife count is part of the Wetlands for All project, which is supported through the Heritage Lottery Fund.

During the day, experts from the Worcestershire Recorders will be on hand to help volunteers identify what they find, or people will be able to take themselves off with a map and a spotting sheet and try to identify common species of birds, bugs and plants.

Worcestershire Wildlife Trust will also be running activities for families and schools, with volunteers from the Friends of Avon Meadows leading bird and butterfly walks, hunting in hedgerows and rambling along the river bank, helping people to spot, catch and identify creatures.

Ms Etheridge added: “We’re hoping to set up hidden cameras to spy on bird boxes and mammal runs, lay out reptile basking areas and have spotting scopes trained on the river banks and reed beds. This is our chance to find out as much about the wildlife of Avon Meadows as we can, so we’re inviting everyone to come along, join in and explore its wild side.”

As darkness falls there will be torch-lit underwater wildlife hunting, bat detecting and moth trapping, and for those who can last until midnight there will be an official announcement of the total number of creatures counted during the day and night search.

Anyone interested in taking part at any time on the Friday can go to the Avon Meadows base camp, by the car park next to King George’s Field off King George’s Way in Pershore.

For more information call 01386 565217 or email liz.etheridge@wychavon.gov.uk.