The British public is being asked to keep an eye out for spectacular stag beetles this summer and record any sightings online, as part of a wildlife charity’s national Great Stag Hunt survey.
The Great Stag Hunt, run by People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES), has been running for more than 25 years.
Native stag beetles – with the males’ iconic antler-like jaws – have sadly become extinct in parts of Britain and Europe, where they used to live.
Data from the Great Stag Hunt, collected since 1998, is vital for conservationists to understand where stag beetles remain, where they’re no longer living and what the impact of climate change might be on populations.
Taking part is easy. People in all corners of England, Scotland and Wales are asked to simply look out for these impressive insects and record any sightings online (ptes.org/gsh).
Whether you’re out on a walk, commuting, on the school run, walking your dog or heading to the pub – anyone can take part!
Stag beetles are often found in urban and suburban gardens and parks, as well as woodland edges and the wider countryside.
They’re also often spotted basking on sunlit walls and warm tarmac surfaces, while their larvae (large white grubs) are found underground, among the roots of old tree stumps.
Males are instantly recognisable with their antler-like jaws and are often seen flying on warm sunny evenings in search of females, which are slightly smaller and more conker-coloured.
No prior experience is needed as free online beetle ID guides are available to help volunteers recognise a stag beetle compared to other insects, such as the lesser stag beetle – the stag beetle’s smaller cousin.
But if you aren’t sure what you’ve seen, submit a photo and PTES will verify your sighting.
Stag beetles are mostly found in southern England (except the chalky soils of the North and South Downs), but there are hotspots in the Severn Valley and in coastal parts of the south west.
Last year, an incredible 15,000 records of stag beetles were submitted by thousands of volunteers, with over 2,600 spotted in Hampshire, over 2,100 in Greater London and over 1,700 in Surrey.
PTES would like to hear from people in these areas, but also in all corners of Britain as each year sightings are often recorded in unexpected regions which helps build a national picture of how stag beetles are faring.
David Wembridge, conservation research and strategy officer at People’s Trust for Endangered Species, who runs the Great Stag Hunt said: “Stag beetles are fascinating insects, spending most of their lives – three to five years – underground before emerging as adults in search of a mate.
“Unfortunately, their populations are under threat due to the loss of deadwood habitats from gardens, parks, and woodlands, which are essential habitats for their life cycle.
“In urban areas, stag beetles are vulnerable to traffic and footfall as they bask on warm tarmac surfaces. That’s why it’s so important to ensure we leave space for stag beetles and other wildlife in our towns and cities.
“Taking part in the Great Stag Hunt is a simple but powerful way for people to help us understand and conserve these incredible insects.
“We hope many people will get involved again this summer.”
Nida Al-Fulaij, CEO at People’s Trust for Endangered Species, added: “Data gathered from citizen science surveys such as the Great Stag Hunt are essential for tracking progress towards the government’s legally binding biodiversity targets outlined in the Environmental Act 2021.
“Understanding trends in invertebrate populations is challenging but, with the public’s help, we are able to learn more about the smaller creatures who share our world and target conservation efforts effectively.”
To find out more, visit www.stagbeetles.ptes.org.
If you’re on social media, PTES would love to see your stag beetle snaps using #GreatStagHunt and tagging @ptes_org.
