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I noticed some odd marking on the seat by the pond..... this wasp was the cause! Martin K

I was sitting on the seat by the pond when this pied flycatcher flew over and perched in the tree right behind the seat - nice and close for the photo! Martin K

I have been growing ever more curious about the occasional deer sightings on the reserve. We know that we have three species moving around and through Coombes and Churnet valleys, but it's very rarely that they're actually seen. The carpet of snow deposited in recent weeks gave me new insight...

During the chilly Easter that we're experiencing, the dawn chorus that we've been delighted with has been relatively subdued. It's not only the lack of song that's been noticable; when the snow started falling and the winds picked up, a bird wasn't seen on the feeders for a good few...

Visitors joining us on Saturday 9th March got the chance to take part in an informative guided walk on the subject of bryophytes . The word bryophytes is used as a collective term for mosses and liverworts that have no internal vessels. They extract all they need from the atmosphere, so generally...

Despite the snow and chilly temperatures over the past week keeping most of our visitors at bay, there has been plenty to see as we move (slowly!) into Spring. There are still many fungal fruiting bodies hanging on through the cold though, in the forms of turkey tail and birch polypore, of which I have...

Woodland requires continued active management to retain the desired condition, and the species that depend on this environment. During the last 50 or so years, there has been a country-wide decline in many woodland species, such as the argent and sable moth and the pearl-bordered fritillary. This can...

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...

As this week is National Tree Week, let us take a closer look at some of our wonderful trees! Winter is almost upon us, and most of the trees are now bare, having lost their colourful assemblage of autumn leaves. Leaves are very distinctive characteristics of trees, and are thus one of the easiest...

Yesterday we had to endure howling gales and torrential rain. Okay, maybe a bit of dramatic licence used there but it wasn't nice was it? Inspecting the damage it was clear that quite a few trees had fallen over or lost branches. But it’s not all bad news. Dead wood provides great habitat...

Our residential volunteer Audrey Duckworth tells about the wonderful variety of fungi species found on our Fungal Foray last Sunday! One of the highlights of autumn is the sight of the weird and wonderful fruit bodies of fungi in the woods and meadows. But it’s not all about mushrooms and...

9pm on Wed 11th July. Taken over the hay meadow. Was great to see!

I suspect that the next time I visit, this chick will be gone! Video here.. a bit wobbly , sorry... https://vimeo.com/43381343 More photos here.... http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3275771256356.2131308.1329718438&type=1&l=74affab812 Martin K

You don't have to fly very far to find food if you are a Pied at Coombes! Taken 4th June 2012

I went this morning to video the woodpeckers ( great to see them down by the bridge) but found quite a few other interesting subjects! The woodpecker video is here.... https://vimeo.com/42916036 Martin K

A small part of the wonderful view from Buzzard bank at Coombes valley.