The Chordata are those species, like ourselves, that have a backbone or more accurately a notochord. There are several other distinctive characteristics that define Chordates but the presence of a backbone is the best known. Although the largest of animals located in the garden, they are often difficult to take a photograph of.

Due to the relative few species found in the Garden associated with this phylum we have put all the Classes together below.

The Amphibians (Class Amphibia): In our garden this includes three species. The Common Frog, The Common Toad and either a Smooth or Palmate newt. We are yet to add the Newt species to the Garden species list as the photograph we took has been lost and we are uncertain of the species.

Rana temporaria – Common Frog – Family: Ranidae
Bufo bufo – Common Toad – Family: Bufonidae

The Birds (Class Aves): The most numerous chordates recorded in the garden, on account of their obvious mobility. Species such a Heron have only been recorded once (attempting to steal our goldfish).

Columba palumbus – Wood Pigeon – Order: Columbiformes – Family: Columba
Aegithalos caudatus – Long-tailed Tit – Order: Passeriformes – Family: Aegithalidae
Corvus corone – Carrion Crow – Order: Passiformes – Family: Corvidae
Pica Pica – Magpie – Order: Passiformes – Family: Corvidae
Carduelis carduelis – Gold Finch – Order: Passiformes – Family: Fringillidae
Motacilla alba – Pied Wagtail – Order: Passiformes – Family: Motacillidae
Robin
Erithacus rubecula – Robin – Order: Passiformes – Family: Muscicapidae
Cyanistes caeruleus – Blue Tit – Order: Passiformes – Family: Paridae
Parus major – Great Tit – Order: Passiformes – Family: Paridae
Periparus ater – Coal Tit – Order: Passiformes – Family: Paridae
Passer domesticus – House Sparrow – Order: Passiformes – Family: Passeridae
Prunella modularis – Dunnock – Order: Passiformes – Family: Prunellidae
starling
Sturnus vulgaris – Starling – Order: Passiformes – Family: Sturnidae
Sylvia atricapilla – Black Cap – Order: Passiformes – Family: Sylviidae
Troglodytes troglodytes – Wren – Order: Passiformes – Family: Troglodytidae
Turdus merula – Black Bird – Order: Passiformes – Family: Turdidae
Turdus philomelos – Song Thrush – Order: Passiformes – Family: Turdidae
Ardea cinerea – Grey Heron – Order: Pelecaniformes – Family: Ardeidae

The Mammals (Class Mammalia): Excluding ourselves as humans we have listed 7 species of mammal, including cats and dogs. This is because whilst these two species are domestic animals, they have a significant impact (negative) on wildlife in general. Pipistrelle and Noctule bats, recorded using a bat detector, have been seen flying over the garden. We have recorded shrews before but failed to record the species. The only other confirmed species include the Hedgehog, Wood Mouse (we do have a photograph but its a little grizzly) and Brown Rat.

The Reptiles (Class: Reptilia): We debated adding Grass Snake to our species list on account of it only ever being spotted once during 2003. However the local nature reserve does have good records of this species and there is a chance (albeit a small one) that we may one day see it again.