Urban Wild

In my garden today 🙂

Wet bluebells in the woods, and a beautiful robin singing in the rain today.

International Day of Forests was established by the United Nations General Assembly, and is observed annually on March 21st as a global celebration aimed at raising awareness about the importance of forests and trees to people and the planet.

This is a picture of Sulham Woods situated South West of Reading, a site I've always perceived as a forest due to its size. Intrigued, I decided to explore the criteria used to distinguish between woods and forests."

According to Webster's New World Dictionary, a forest is a thick growth of trees and underbrush covering an extensive tract of land whereas a wood is defined as a thick grove of trees.

The word "forest" dates back to the 13th century and originates from the French word "Foret" which means hunting land. These areas would be large and often used by royalty and might include heathland and farmland as well as wooded areas. They would be large enough to support species such as deer and wolves.

Whatever you choose to call it, Sulham, with its beautiful trees, is a wonderful place to explore!

Seeing as it's a leap day, here's some frogtography 😄

Beautiful snowdrops bringing a touch of spring to an urban cemetery. They're often the first flowers to bloom at the end of winter signaling the arrival of spring, and despite their delicate appearance they are tough enough to push through frost and snow.

Took a walk around the Rookery at Prospect Park today. The tips of bluebell leaves are starting to poke through the ground, the squirrels were out in force, and the birds were singing loudly.

So nice to have a rain free day and some time to get out and enjoy the sunshine this afternoon. This little Chaffinch was enjoying the sunshine too.

High in the tree tops watching my every move as I walked past below. Saw a lot of kites today in Southcote.

Kingfisher photographed in Reading today!

Friday I walked to the Kennet and Avon Canal. The waterlogged path from Southcote had frozen overnight, but cars on route to and from the mill had broken most of the ice so I didn't have to skate! Met a fellow nature lover and on the walk home we shared our stories of local wildlife encounters. I'd just packed my camera away as the light was fading, and as is always the way when it's not in my hand, a photo opportunity arose! This heron was owning the path until an approaching vehicle scared him. Managed to get one decent shot before he flew away.

Midweek I was standing near a tree in Linear Park, Calcot, hoping to get a shot of a berry-eating bird, when on the frozen ground beneath the tree this little Grey Wagtail appeared. He stood out against the ice with his grey feathers and pop of bright yellow.

The path to Southcote Lock at sunset. Wellies were needed this week! Always a beautiful walk or wade.

This week I took these pictures of the floodplains beside Southcote in Reading. They act as natural sponges helping to filter and store water which reduces the impact of flooding. Floodplains are vital to river systems, and you can see from the pictures how these are helping with the current run off from the River Kennet, the Kennet and Avon Canal and The Holy Brook. These urban wild spaces also have a rich biodiversity and provide a great habitat for wildlife.

Big Garden Birdwatch is only a few weeks away, so we've created a guide of the top 10 birds you're most likely to see, whether you're watching from a balcony or a garden!

Sign up for so you can tell us which ones you see: https://bit.ly/488srm4

Happy new year fellow nature lovers! Thank you for following this page. I hope you are enjoying the short films and pictures I’ve taken in our precious pockets of green – I’ve plenty more to share with you.

As we step into a brand-new year of urban exploration together, may 2024 bring moments of awe, discovery, and connection with the wild side of our towns. Here's to shared adventures, appreciation for the beauty that surrounds us, and opportunities to make a positive impact on our urban ecosystems.

Most active at dawn and dusk you'll likely spot wild rabbits in meadows, fields, heaths, woodland and parks. This rabbit was photographed enjoying some late afternoon sunshine in a local park.

Beautiful English bluebells looking magical in the last light of day. Picture taken in Sulham Woods as the sun was setting behind the trees.

Happy Monday, and it's a bank holiday! If you're lucky enough to have the day off but you're stuck indoors; if you are able to, then take a walk around your local wild area or park. There are so many beautiful things to see, hear and smell right now as spring is in full swing and summer is just around the corner. Have a wonderful day!

Female Orange-tip butterfly on the long grass at Linear Park Southcote.

Bluebells and Greater Stitchwort. What a beautiful colour combination.

Throwback Thursday. Same place four months apart. Isn't nature amazing!

My favourite kind of path!

Happy Monday everyone! Here are some recent pictures taken on a windy day at Prospect Park Reading. The blossom fell in and around the pond like pink confetti.

I was resting on a log in a forest on the outskirts of Reading; listening to the peaceful sounds of nature, when I heard a rustle! About thirty feet away from me this beautiful roe deer was cautiously watching me through the trees. I sat as still as I could, only moving my arms very slowly to raise my camera. We watched each other for a while until she turned and wandered away into the shadows. Moments like these are so special.

Last weekend I visited a relative in Swindon for the day and we discovered a hidden gem completely surrounded by an industrial park, the M4 and the A3102. Hagbourne Copse is a Wiltshire Wildlife Reserve and although it's only a little over five acres, it was quite dense in places offering a refuge for birds and other wildlife. We followed the path that meandered through the woods and found a small stream and also a pond teeming with tadpoles. There were carpets of bluebells which had passed their peak when we visited but still looked very pretty.

Where there are wild places, the wildlife will come. This urban fox currently resides at the end of a friends very overgrown garden. Picture taken through a kitchen window.