Blogs

Brownfield land refers to those places that humans have developed but then left to ruin. While they might look far from ideal habitat, many species thrive here in people’s absence. There are examples everywhere and I’m sure you can think of a derelict building nearby with weeds and fast...

I was reminded by a soft splash in my garden pond that the spring is here for our aquatic wildlife too. Frogs, toads and fish like these minnows ( Phoxinus phoxinus ) are all using our fresh water habitats to breed, although probably not in the same places, frog spawn tends to get eaten when there...

They're back! Yes, that's right, cuckoos are definitely back in the UK - I heard at least three over the weekend. Did you hear any? Why not let me know by leaving a comment below... So to celebrate the arrival of cuckoos, spring and a whole host of other migrant birds this weekend, here's...

I think (hope?) I'm safe to say that spring is finally here, and as I alluded to last month one thing is for certain - whatever the weather, birds are building nests and pairing up. And while some of those birds have weathered winter with us, some are only now just landing on our shore. And...

'Yeah, yeah,' I hear you say, 'this spring will never arrive.' But it's true that our summer migrant birds are on their way - I've seen them with my own eyes! Just before Easter I was lucky enough to spend a week at the Strait of Gibraltar Bird Observatory , which is run by...

It's taken a while this year, but I've finally seen my first butterfly of the year - a smashing brimstone which hurtled past on Saturday afternoon. With a chiffchaff singing nearby, it's finally started to feel like spring may be here (but don't hold your breath...). This lovely photo...

Over the Easter weekend I got a chance to talk to the people who man the brand new watch tower - Rossall Point - on Fleetwood promenade. The whole of my life this site has been taken up by an uninspired lump of concrete going through bouts of dereliction, so it was really fantastic to see it knocked...

I've seen two of these summer migrants recently, one near Brighton, looking very sorry to have made the trip. It was perched next to a brackish pond on a freezing blustery day. The other, was near Blackpool in a bit of sunshine a week later. What are the chances it's the same one? These...

Yesterday I think I managed to experience all the seasons in one day - there was a bit of snow, some very persistent rain, patchy fog, and the sun even shone through for a couple of glorious hours! It was hard to know whether to wrap up warm, or be thinking about putting away my winter coat for the year...

At the local dam the other day, we saw a small group of both male and female goldeneyes. I've never seen these here before, so happy! Especially to see the males displaying, throwing their heads back and quacking and everything, it was really good. Also recently the garden has had 7 robins and Mum...

Lovely to see some early signs of Spring yesterday (between showers!): All under the watchful eye of Mum: Please note: all of the above shots are crops from photos taken with a long lens. At no time were the ducklings disturbed or the parents distressed. Enjoy! RoyC

Had sand martins over the Lodge on Tuesday (3 April) and first swallow of the year at Fowlmere last Thursday (29 March). Still waiting for house martins of the hirundines...Willow warbler singing at Marston Moretaine county park on Sunday (1 April) Don't forget to report them via Birdtrack , Natures...

With spring bursting into life all around us at the moment I thought it would be an opportune moment to show you some of the ways to record the sightings you are making whilst out and about enjoying this brilliant season! Spring Alive - This website run by the Birdlife International in partnership...

Have you seen them yet? If not, get out and about and have a look, there are some great blooms already in many parks and gardens so the woodland sites known for snowdrops would be well worth checking out soon. If you have them in your garden then we would love to see them, please post your pictures...

Hopefully if we do get a harsh spell it won't catch too many amphibians out, although the mild winter is likely to encourage early spawning. If you do spy some early spawn, report it via the Natures Calendar site linked here . Just had a look at this yeards records for frog spawn and there are...

St Marks flies seem to be a favourite for blackbirds at the moment having just seen a female gathering a beak full before heading off to feed some hungry chicks. With the dry ground, worms must be pretty much off the menu at the moment so the dangly legged St Marks flies are most welcome from that point...

Just a quick pic post to show one of the bees enjoying the shrubby honeysuckle last week!

since the last post i saw two female blackbirds in my garden so it looks like i have two pairs of backbird here the same as last year today i have frog spawn in my remade pond the one nearest to my house more activeties from the magpies going to and fro to last years nest i can see from my house back...

Planted the tulips (mauve and orange) and Allium last year so first flowering and so pleased as they pick up the Ceanothis and chive flower colours around the garden.

Spring 2010. Taken in my urban garden in Wistaston, Crewe this goldfinch was doing a good job of preventing the dandelion seeds from spreading and taking root.

Regular visitor who perches on the large feeding station, (unused rotary clothes line), and surveys his estate.

Taken at the RSPB Newtport Wetlands.

These were so colourful in early spring, when we were ready for something to brighten our days and see the end of winter.