Hedgehogs are named the UK’s favourite wild animal

The UK is blessed with an array of wonderful wildlife which can be spotted in woodland, forests, hedgerows or even your own back garden. There’s something extra special about catching sight of mammals such as hedgehogs, seals, otters and red squirrels in their natural environment but many of these favourite British animals need special protection to help them survive.

To celebrate and educate, Gorgeous Cottages have illustrated these ten beautiful mammals in beautiful stamps that show each animal’s approximate population, whether they are remaining stable or decreasing and their conservation status. You can also find out some of the best places to spot the nation’s favourite wildlife in regions throughout the UK:

1. Hedgehog

UK population: 1,000,000 and decreasing
Conservation status: Priority Species
Three places to spot hedgehogs: Hedgehog Street Garden at RHS Harlow Carr, Hedgerows, Your garden.
2. Otter

UK population: 10,000 and increasing
Conservation status: Protected
Three places to spot otters: Staveley in Yorkshire, Magor Marsh in Wales, Loch of the Lowes in Scotland.
3. Red Deer

UK population: 350,000 and remaining steady
Conservation status: Protected
Three places to spot red deer: Galloway Forest Park in Scotland, Ennerdale Valley in The Lake District, Exmoor in Somerset.
4. Brown Hares

UK Population: 800,000 and decreasing
Conservation status: Priority species
Three places to spot brown hares: Willow Tree Fen in Lincolnshire, Meeth Quarry in Devon, Upton Broad and the marshes in Norfolk.
5. Red Squirrels

UK population: 140,000 and decreasing
Conservation status: Priority species
Three places to spot red squirrels: Scottish Highlands, Hauxley Nature Reserve in Northumberland, Snaizeholme in the Yorkshire Dales National Park
6. Badgers

UK population: 300,000 and increasing
Conversation status: Protected
Three places to spot badgers: Tewin Orchard in Hertfordshire, Rutland Water, Knutsford Heath.
7. Grey Seals

UK population: 120,000 and increasing
Conservation status: Protected
Three places to spot grey seals: Blakeney in Norfolk, Ravenscar in Yorkshire, Farne Islands in Northumberland
8. Roe Deer

UK population: 500,000 and increasing
Conservation status: Protected
Three places to spot doe deer: Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire, The New Forest, Lyme Park in Cheshire
9. Water Vole

UK population: 132,000 and decreasing
Conservation status: Priority species
Three places to spot water voles: Norfolk Broads, Brecon Beacons, UK rivers
10. Pine Marten

UK population: 4000 and decreasing
Conservation status: Priority species
Three places to spot pine martens: Glenloy Lodge in Fort William, Galloway Forest Park in Dumfries and Galloway, County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland