November brings a change in seasons, a further turning of the Earth’s axis. From blue skies to golden sunlight and stretched shadows. From lush foliage to berry studded hedgerows and forest fungi. As the nights draw in and the air is crisp, it can feel comforting to curl up at home. But November, and Winter,…
Have you ever stopped to admire the beauty of a delicate spiderweb lined with dew? Or the bright yellow of the first daffodil of the year? What about stopping to listen to the silvery song of a robin on your way home? Scientists are increasingly studying the beneficial effects that nature can have on us,…
Each year in May I spend a significant amount of time looking up at the sky. Not only do the warming temperatures trigger the formation of impressive cumulonimbus clouds (the huge fluffy ones), but we’re treated to the return of Swifts to our skies. These birds undertake one of the world’s longest migrations of any…
I’ve been reflecting on the purpose of our Urban Nature garden, particularly as Spring awakens. It is a series of 10 plots on St Ann’s Allotments, established nearly 20 years ago as a space to be managed for wildlife. What does that really mean? Of course, the whole site is beneficial for nature as…
During my local lockdown walks last year, I started learning how to recognise birds by their song and call, and it’s much easier than you might think. Winter is absolutely the best time to start because we only have our winter residents around. Once we get into Spring, our migratory birds will start to return,…
Autumn is a great time to see birds. We’re lucky to get an influx of different species at this time of year from Scandinavia. This means that you don’t have to look too far from your house to see and hear some unusual wildlife right outside your doorstep. So if you’re out for a walk,…