As part of our Biodiversity Action Plan, the Sustainability team contacted the Wildlife Information Centre to better understand what wildlife shared our green areas with us.
The data provided by Wildlife Information Centre showed that there have been 1,036 wildlife sightings of 192 different species. The most common species recorded were birds and butterflies but spiders and centipedes were also on the lists. It also showed that our green areas are home to many protected and vulnerable animals such as badgers, barn owls, hedgehogs, swifts, common toads and grayling butterflies. There were also several wild plants including the short-lived Hairy Rock Cress.
Ian Mackenzie, from the NHS Lothian Charity said: “The list from the Wildlife Information Centre gives us a good starting point to build up our understanding of biodiversity on our estate, but these are only the species that have been recorded. There will be many more not yet recorded.”
Jane Hopton NHS Lothian Sustainability Lead said: “This is a great reminder that our sites are home to a wide range of wildlife and can make a positive contribution to the natural environment and our health and wellbeing. Wildlife in hospitals and health care areas can connect people with nature in places they don’t often notice.”
To find out more about NHS Lothian’s work on biodiversity visit https://greenhealth.nhslothiancharity.org/ and sign up to our Green Health Network
