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Spring has finally sprung! Well okay, maybe it hasn’t fully arrived, but it is most certainly on its way, and what better indication than the sudden burst of colour in our gardens, woodlands, and even roadside verges? The snowdrops started lifting their delicate heads a few weeks ago, and now it’s...

Well, we certainly got our fair share of ice and snow this year, and I’m sure we’re all looking forward to the warm days of spring. However, the cold weather of winter also brings with it a flurry of migrants from the continent, travelling to warmer climates in search of food. Amongst these...

Well, it seems that our mild autumn has come to an end, and the chill of winter has firmly settled upon us. At this time of year plenty of garden birds can be seen rummaging around looking for food, both on the ground and in the bare branched trees. Blackbirds ( Turdus merula ) are one the most familiar...

The Flatford Wildlife Garden gets more than its share of colourful and interesting insects, and with a shady, overgrown ditch at the bottom of the slope, it’s no surprise that we regularly see dragonflies and damselflies hunting in the garden during warm weather. What is surprising is the abundance...

This Saturday and Sunday are your chance to contribute to the official Big Garden Birdwatch - and a great opportunity to observe the birds in your garden, park, or other open space. It's also a great time to come down to Flatford Wildlife Garden and get involved. We had great fun last weekend...

Snowdrops emerge, brushing away the memory of Autumn This week's work-party gave me a chance to see the very first snowdrops emerging in the garden. Being an Antipodean who frequently struggles with the long dark winter here, I always feel a moment of disproportionate wild joy when the first...

From Jacob Hunter (Garden Intern) I thought that the rest provided by the festive period might have proved a good moment for our indefatigable volunteers to write something in reflection on a great year's work. Alas... most of them were too busy enjoying themselves. And so, although I have only...

Without the leaves on the trees, the river is visible from the garden. This week has been national tree week : the annual celebration of trees and a marker of the beginning of the tree planting season. I will admit that although I know the trees at Flatford are integral to the garden's wildlife...

In winter, plant growth slows as low light levels and cold temperatures enclose them. Many lose their leaves or die back to survive the harsh conditions and at this time, inevitably, the mind of many a gardener turns to spring. Not being so different ourselves, we’ve been planting many...