Welcome to my early emerging butterflies identification guide. By ‘early’ I mean those species that emerge during March/April, although some can be encountered in warm, sunny spells even earlier. Of our nearly 60 species of butterfly, only 6 overwinter as adults emerging with the first warmth of spring sunshine to delight us with their colour…
Large birds of prey seen soaring overhead or glimpsed fleetingly from a passing car can cause a great deal of confusion as to identity. Let’s have a look at three species that can be encountered hereabouts of similar size and basic shape and that often occupy adjacent habitats: marsh harrier, common buzzard and red kite….
Nature, including many of the everyday creatures that surround us, is entwined in our heritage, folklore and culture. In the case of frogs and toads it’s likely that most children will come across these through the pages and illustrations of story books long before they encounter the real thing. Think of the humble frog and…