The Big Reset – part 1 – autumn’s preparations for winter
As a child I used to dread the autumn. After the vibrancy and abundance of spring and summer, life seemed to stall as the slow decline toward a cold dark winter started. The closing down of endless summer days of freedom on the return to school, and the drawing in of September evenings marked the […]
October wildlife – listen out for the roar of rutting deer and help hedgehogs prepare for hibernation
Misted up windowpanes and the rich smell of damp earth all attest that autumn is well and truly taking its hold. Mention of this season seems to elicit two diametrically opposed reactions; some mourn the loss of summer, longing for its warmth and lengthy evenings, others, however, embrace autumn relishing its vibrant colours and the […]
September wildlife – how nature adapts to the onset of autumn
There’s a crisp freshness to the air on some mornings now, a kind of restlessness in nature with lots going on behind the scenes. Autumn is fast approaching and the lack of water over recent months means trees have already begun to shake off their leaves, swirls of golden yellows, reds and oranges dancing in […]
August wildlife – a month to enjoy butterflies and bats
Like so many of us, butterflies love the warm summer sun and can be seen in gardens spreading their wings to absorb some of its welcome rays. There are a total of 59 species in the UK, all a dazzling array of different sizes, shapes, and colours. Nowadays, however, as a result of habitat loss […]
July Wildlife – a great time of year to spot baby hedgehogs
July is a great month to get glimpses of owls as they search longer and harder for food for their ever-demanding, growing chicks. Listen out for the ‘twit twoo’ of the tawny owl or scan the skies for the translucent glow of the barn owl, sometimes known as the ‘ghost bird’. Insects are out in […]
June wildlife – summer is now in full swing
The summer is now in full swing, nights are shorter, dawn is breaking earlier, and the sky is full of bird song. Listen out for the Song Thrush’s repeated refrain, its speckled breast inflating with every few notes. June also marks the height of the breeding season for the infamous cuckoo, a bird that has […]
We asked Terry “How can we make spring and summer flowers look even better?”
“In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.”— Margaret Atwood What a glorious time of year spring is, with new life bursting forth in bewildering shades of green, early flowers abuzz with insects, and hedges and woodlands lifted with song. These sights and sounds prick our senses and push us […]
May wildlife – what to expect to see in the warmer weather
With the warmth of May comes an increase in vibrant colours as flowers bare their leaves and petals to the sun. In woodlands you may be fortunate to witness swathes of bluebells, undulating in the breeze. Stop and breathe in deeply to enjoy their delicate scent. Meanwhile, the deceptively named red campion, with its small […]
April wildlife – waking up from hibernation
April showers there may be but spring is full steam ahead now. There’s a flourish of green buds in the hedgerows, cherry blossoms are in bloom, the mornings are lighter and with them come the greetings of a multitude of birds, marking the start of a new day. Keep your eyes peeled for brimstone butterflies […]
March wildlife – what to watch for and ways to help
March is often a month when we just want to snuggle up in front of a warm fire with a hot cup of cocoa, away from the blustery showers. Do your best to resist that comfort until the evening and get out into the fresh air! There’s so much going on….and after all it is […]