#30DaysWild – Day 14 – Burbage Common

I haven’t been to Burbage Common for quite a while, so today it was really nice to visit an old familiar wild site.

I walked through the peaceful gorgeous woodland, surrounded by lush vegetation and birdsong. I spotted a miniscule spider spinning a new web on a small sapling. I was of course delighted to see the obligatory squirrels that come with such a beautiful woodland.

As I wandered a little further I came to a gateway that open onto a meadow, full of buttercups and ox eye daisies. Butterflies that danced above the wildflowers and grasses. The beetles and bees were more busy, flying directly from flower to flower, but taking the time to drink from the colourful blooms.

National Meadows Day

In honour of National Meadows Day, I visited my favourite meadow at golden hour. It is beautiful place anytime of the day, but the light this evening made the wild flowers shine!

 

 

 

#30DaysWild – Day 30 – Visited an old wild haunt!

Today I visited a nature reserve I hadn’t been for a few years, Avon Meadows Community Wetlands at the edge of Pershore. It was I place I use to regularly visit, so I wondered what changes I would see.

I have seen so many wild patches turned into housing estates. A small field becoming a cramped area of brick, mortar and tarmac. Nothing wild left or even welcome. So I was worried I would arrive to see this lovely wetlands gone. A forgotten memory of something green and good.

But I needn’t have worried. Not only was the place still there, but clearly there have been great efforts to enhance the area for wildlife. There was an area with no public access, a bird hide and a sculpture of a heron.

I was thrilled to see that this beautiful place had been embraced and was clearly cared about!

 

My photograph of the month for December

December has been a month of cold harsh weather. Between snow, ice, rain and fog it is those little moments of colour that really shine. Like the little Blue Tit I photographed foraging in the monochromatic landscape.

You can have a peek at my photograph for last month here.

All that remains is for me to wish you all the very best for 2018. Happy New Year!

My photograph of the month for November

The winter nights are drawing in, the weather is getting colder and times are getting harder for our wildlife. Mealworms, sunflower hearts, fat balls can all be an important lifeline to our precious feathered friends.
That is why this hungry Great Tit I caught on camera, is my November pick!

You can have a peek at my photograph for last month here.

My photograph of the month for July

Here is my photograph for July,  a female Beautiful Demoiselle seen in my local nature reserve.

You can have a peek at my photograph for last month here.

#30DaysWild day 21 – a beautiful butterfly

After a full day in the office, I escaped outside to enjoy the nature reserve at work. I was greeted with a real treat, a Marbled White. Not only is it the first time I’ve seen one there, but when I checked the records I found it was our first recorded sighting of this beautiful species!

#30DaysWild day 17, 18, 19 and 20

After a few busy days, I’m playing catch up with my 30 Days Wild blog.

Day 17 – Bradgate Park, Wildlife Weekend

I knew Saturday was going to be a good ‘wild’ day when I heard my first cuckoo of the year right at the very beginning.

I managed to get myself to Bradgate Park again. This time to help out on the stand for my local bat group who were attending the park’s Wild Weekend. There were lots of other wildlife organisations there and I enjoyed having a little nosey at their stands too.

The last few hours of the day I spent walking through the park and despite the blistering heat, the wildlife was really active in the summer sun.

Day 18 – A little Leafcutter Bee

While being given a lift I had an encounter with a lovely little Leafcutter Bee. It came through the window as the car was moving at a little speed. It landed in my lap stunned, so I held it in my hands for a few minutes as it gained its bearings. As we slowed for a junction the wee mite found its wings and was back out through the open window into the world!

Day 19 – Moths

Today I found some rather beautiful moths in places you wouldn’t normally look!

Day 20 – A country drive

While driving through the countryside my friend and I stopped to enjoy the grand oaks that lined the narrow lanes. The gentle breeze was a cool welcome sensation on the skin. A simple moment of peace and serenity.

#30DaysWild day 10 & 11

Day 10 – Starlings

A blustery day at work ended with a few magical moments watching a small group of Starlings, all foraging in a windswept patch of grass.

Day 11 – Beetles, bees & blooms

Today I took the opportunity to appreciated beetles and bees revel in the nectar and pollen provided by beautiful wildflowers.

#30DaysWild day 6 – a wild moment at work!

Today’s mission was to carry out some wildlife surveys for work in the beautiful nature reserve we have on site.

A blustery wet day didn’t dampen my spirits as the lush greens and bright colours of the wild flowers glistened in the rain. The birds were out too – bullfinches, whitethroats and reed buntings sang merrily away.

There’s no place I’d rather be.