Global Bug Hunt Challenge Coming to Hull This Weekend

Ever wonder what’s scurrying, buzzing, or blooming in your own backyard? Well, from the 24th to the 27th of April, the city of Hull is turning into a massive playground for nature detectives. A huge global event, the City Nature Challenge, is back for its fourth year, and it’s all about getting out and spotting as much wildlife as possible. Think of it as a city-wide scavenger hunt, but instead of looking for clues, people are looking for creatures and plants.

This isn't just a bit of fun; it’s a brilliant way for local citizens to get involved in some real-life science, contributing to conservation efforts just by using their phones. With a whole host of activities planned, including a special bug hunt series, it’s set to be a fantastic weekend for families, children, and anyone with a curious mind.

So, what’s this global challenge all about?

Picture this: cities all over the world are in a bit of a friendly competition. The goal? To see which city can record the most wildlife in four days. It’s a massive global event designed to celebrate urban biodiversity. And when people say wildlife, it doesn’t just mean big, flashy animals. The challenge covers everything. That weird-looking mushroom growing on a tree trunk in the park? That counts. The blackbird singing on the fence? That counts too. The tiny spider spinning a web in a window frame? Absolutely. From wild animals and birds to the smallest insects and plants, every single spot is an important observation.

Getting involved couldn't be simpler. All it takes is a smartphone and a free app called the iNaturalist app. Nobody needs to be a wildlife expert. Someone could see a beetle they’ve never seen before, snap a photo, and the app’s clever tools will help identify what species it is. It’s like having a nature guide right there in your pocket. The app helps people learn, and at the same time, every photo uploaded becomes a valuable piece of data. These observations help build a better picture of the biodiversity living alongside us in our urban green spaces. This city nature challenge is a chance for everyone to contribute to something big.

Hull’s part in the big nature count

This isn’t Hull’s first rodeo. The city has taken part in this challenge for four years, with the local effort organised by the North & East Yorkshire Ecological Data Centre. They get a lot of help from brilliant partners, including the famous aquarium, The Deep, and an army of dedicated volunteers. The real aim is to get people to see the nature that’s right on their doorstep. It’s easy to think of cities as concrete jungles, but there’s so much life thriving in our parks, gardens, and even along the pavements.

Every single photo taken during the challenge weekend becomes a proper biological record. Think of these biological records as dots on a map that show where different species live. This information is gold dust for local conservation efforts. It helps experts understand which areas are important for wildlife and how to best protect them. So, while it feels like a game, every observation made by the citizens of Hull directly helps look after the city’s native wildlife. The information gathered supports real-world projects that maintain and improve our precious green spaces for both people and nature. It’s a brilliant example of how a community can come together to make a real difference for the environment.

Ready for a bug hunt and other events?

To really get everyone excited, there are some fantastic events happening across the city. These are perfect opportunities for families and children to get stuck in. Here’s what’s on:

• The Big Bug Hunt: On Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th April, The Deep is partnering with the East Park Animal Education Centre for a weekend dedicated to creepy crawlies. There will be a special bug hunt and self-guided trails, making it a perfect family day out. It’s a great, hands-on way for children to get involved in the City Nature Challenge.

• Community Nature Day: The Friends of Alderman Kneeshaw Park are hosting a brilliant community event. It will be packed with nature-based activities, including, you guessed it, another fantastic bug hunt! It’s all about bringing the community together to celebrate local wildlife. This is more than just an event; it's a community get-together.

• Mammal Spotting Mission: For something a bit different, the Hull Mammal Group is hosting a free small mammal recording event. This event ties in with National Mammal Week, which happens at the same time as the challenge. They’ll be using special equipment called footprint tunnels. These are clever little tunnels with ink and paper inside, so when a small creature like a shrew or a vole runs through, it leaves its footprints behind, creating a valuable biological record without disturbing the animal.

Can Hull beat its own record?

Now for the competitive part. In 2025, the people of Hull did an amazing job. Over the four days of the challenge, they made a whopping 7,050 observations, identifying an incredible 1,292 different species. That fantastic effort landed Hull in 7th place on the UK leaderboard, a seriously impressive achievement. It showed just how rich the city's biodiversity is.

This year, the challenge is on to do even better. The Deep is calling on all local citizens to download the iNaturalist app and get spotting between the 24th and 27th of April. Every single observation adds to the city’s total. Can Hull find more species this year? Can the city climb higher up that UK leaderboard? It’s a bit of friendly competition, but it all comes down to how many people get out there. Every person who takes part, whether they spot one pigeon or fifty different insects, is helping put Hull on the global nature map and supporting vital conservation efforts. Let the challenge begin!