Stag beetles in Hampshire and Portsmouth: Volunteers wanted to help count insects this year

Stag beetles used to be widespread across the UK but due to habitat loss they are in decline – and have become extinct in some parts of Britain.

Wildlife charity the People’s Trust for Endangered Species’ annual ‘Great Stag Hunt’ survey records sightings and this summer wants people to let them know all sightings of stag beetles and their larvae as part of the Gerat Stag Hunt. Last year Hampshire had the highest number of sightings in the country at 2,115.

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PTES conservation officer Laura Bower said: ‘Last year almost 10,000 sightings were recorded by thousands of volunteers, giving us a real insight into where their range is, which is crucial for the species’ long-term survival.