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I headed out to explore our snowy reserve on Friday (25th), a cold, crisp day. The cloud levels were gradually increasing, forewarning of the heavy snowfall that was forecast through the afternoon and evening. I was alone, it was blissfully quiet and I was able just to spend my time exploring with a...

Frosty days are one of my favourite winter spectacles. Bright, clear mornings are a wonder to behold, as the sun rises slowly in the red sky of the east, casting a weak glow over the white landscape. On one such morning, as we wandered across Clough Meadow, the sun was just coming up above the trees...

The amazing insight that we got into the lives of our barn owl family inspired me to see how I could find out what was happening deep in the night. Otters have been seen in recent years on the River Churnet so who knows what I might find?! To investigate, I have placed a small camera trap that is triggered...

Sit at the valley viewpoint on a bright October day, and you will be blown away. Not by the fresh autumn breeze, but by the magnificent autumnal landscape stretching before your eyes. Autumn is a beautiful season, especially in woodlands. Particularly in this woodland, as the many viewpoints provide...

I was extremely excited earlier in the year, when I had several sightings of adult argent and sable moths. We have been managing areas of the reserve specifically for these nationally scarce moths, and to be rewarded with their presence is magnificent! The adults’ flight season has since...

Common spotted orchids are visible in larger numbers than I've seen before. Look out for these charming blooms on your way to the Valley Viewpoint. If you hurry you can still catch our greater butterfly orchids before they go to seed. The best place to see orchids is below the Valley Viewpoint...

The Coombes team are bringing the night alive with our Creatures of the Night 'Date with Nature'. We're exploring what exactly is out and about on the reserve when most of us are heading for 8 hours of slumber. We have marvellous night flying moths, which we're bringing up close for...

Volunteer Adam Machin goes barmy over the prospect of our Beautiful Butterflies Walk, happening this Saturday, 14 July. One not to miss! You might not have guessed it, but this is the middle of our summer! This means our butterfly species should be peaking in numbers around about now. If you catch...

Fifty years ago the RSPB stepped up for sparrowhawks by buying the home of the last remaining pair in the Midlands. The fortunes of sparrowhawks have taken a turn for the better and many of us can now enjoy the amazing speed, power and agility of these top predators from our kitchen windows. Hopefully...

Tomorrow, Saturday 9th June, you're invited to come and celebrate with us, in this our 50th anniversary year. We already know what a wonderful, inspiring place Coombes Valley Nature Reserve is, and we'd like you to come along and share in its magic at our Open Day. We have lots of brilliant...