We are excited about how much wildlife we can see around Granton - from big flocks of starlings on the roofs, to dolphins and seals in the forth, to grand elm trees along the streets, to hedgehogs, badgers and foxes in the parks, we've got more than many urban communities. Our nature project aims to celebrate and support our local wildlife, whilst coming up with collective projects that can make our area better for nature and humans.
Have you been keeping an eye on the nature around you? Do birds come to your garden? Do you look for insects or fungi on your walks? Do you know the local trees and wildflowers?
We need your help to understand who lives in our patch. Please submit your sightings using our online form, or email them to katie@grantoncommunitygardeners.org
You might like to go our exploring with a nature-recognition app to see what you can find! Perhaps try iNaturalist and ObsIdentify for photos and Merlin for bird song.
There's lots of opportunities to get involved with nature around Granton.
Watch this space for upcoming wildflower and spring bulb planting, bird / hedgehog box making, wildlife survey walks and visits, and a fungi walk.
If you'd like to hear about these things as soon as they are announced, please join our mailing list.
Know who your neighbours are?
Have you been rubbing shoulders with common batman flies, hummingbird hawk moths, viper's bugloss, petty spurge, minute pirate bugs, or bladderwrack?
See who you recognise and help us grow our list!
These glorious summer residents of Granton can fly 800km a day, drink raindrops and eat tiny insects high up in the air. The rest of the year, they never land, sleeping while they fly.
Find out about the challenges they face and how we can help.
Have you seen a hedgehog in Granton? Keep your eyes peeled just after dusk, especially around Granton Crescent Park and let us know if you see one.
If you'd like to get involved in helping hedgehogs, please fill in our contact form and write Hedgehogs in the interest section.
We are so lucky to live by the sea and there is a lot we could do to help our local marine life.
We hope to be turning our attention to the forth over the winter and exploring species and projects in the water.
If you'd like to keep up to date with this please fill in our contact form and write Coast in the interest section.
You can also help by filling in this survey for Edinburgh Shoreline Project
Have your say on which trees should be planted in Granton and where! Fancy an orchard in your front garden? A hedge instead of a fence? We are partnering with the council to make it happen!
Get in touch with Fiona to share your ideas: Fiona.Underhill@edinburgh.gov.uk
In the late-winter and spring we're planning to add some wildflower seeds and bulbs to patches around Granton to help our local minibeasts. If you'd like to be involved check our events page.
Fancy a DIY meadow patch? Check our the guidance here.
To keep in touch with our nature project, please sign up to our nature newsletter for events and updates.