My World Of Wildlife

Its halfway through an even busier week for me, full of revision and end of year exams, but I have managed to squeeze in #30dayswild everyday! On Sunday I visited Old Lodge Nature Reserve in Ashdown Forest. Entering the reserve, we spotted the group of ponies that are allowed to roam across it, surprisingly it was actually the first time we had seen them! Also in amongst the heather was lots of spider webs, some of them holding lots of tiny, young spiders. One of the group of ponies that are allowed to roam free across the reserve It was quite quiet in the way of birds until we reached around half-way around the reserve where a tree pipit called at the top of its voice whilst perched precariously on the very top of a tree. Then I spotted an unusual-looking bird flitting from tree to tree and catching flies! This was indeed a spotted flycatcher. A bird that I have been trying to see for ages and my second lifer (elegant tern was my first) of 30 days wild! Spo...

After another day of great weather it's time to update you on how I've been doing for the second week of #30dayswild! Although it's been tricky to fit in because I've been busy once again, I have found it surprisingly relaxing to de-stress in nature after a hectic day at school for example. Just five minutes in the garden listening to bird song or a walk around my local park can really help! Day 9: A wonderful walk around Tilgate Park with a particuarly buzzy bee making an appearance! Day 10: A visit to the shops doesn't always mean no wildlife, lots of starlings chattered away in the trees and, my not so favourite birds, pigeons fed on food that had been dropped. Day 11: My most favourite day of 30 days wild so far and surprisingly my first ever twitch! We travelled down to Pagham Habour, West Sussex to try and see the elegant tern that had been reported there. After a long drive and walk I eventually managed to see it thanks to one of 100s of birders down...

Just a quick update on what I have been up to for 30 days wild, although I have been busy this week I have managed to fit time in for nature every day so far! Day 2- An afternoon walk around my local park, Buchan country park. I also took time to stop for a minute and listen to the melody of nature which is bird song! Day 3- A rather close encounter with a red admiral which kept on dive bombing me and then decided to land on my shoulder for photo! Day 4- I visited my nearest RSPB Pulborough Brooks with fellow young birder James McCulloch. It was quiet in the way of birds although there was plenty of insects around and therefore lots of swifts, house and sand martins on the wing. RSPB Pulborough Brooks Day 5- Having lots of homework to do doesn't always have to draw you away from nature as I found out the other day. Currently I have been studying Lucienne Day, who's work was inspired by nature, especially plants. For homework I had to create a do...

A bit of a delayed blog post about a visit to Rye Harbour Nature Reserve a couple of weeks ago, which is about an 2 hour drive. The first bird I saw was a dunnock singing from the hedges in the car park. Walking down the path, a couple of common terns flew over my head, one with a fish in its beak. Reaching the first hide I spotted quite a few avocets, one right in front of me and one with a chick in the distance. As you can see from the second photo there is heat gaze due to it being so hot! Avocet Avocet with chick Further along the path we stopped off in another hide where starlings foraged in amongst the grass.  I could also see little terns and oystercatchers in the distance that were sitting on nests. As I scanned the landscape with my binoculars I spotted a small, fluffy bird running around the edge of the water, this was a ringed plover chick! This was followed by the parent making an appearance as well. A rather cute ringed plover chick Ringed plove...

Today marks the 1st of June and of course the first day of 30 days wild, a challenge run by the Wildlife Trusts. For every day of the month you need to do something wild! This can range from a simple task of taking a 5 minute break out of school or work to listen to bird song or a trip to a nature reserve around you. This is a great idea because it reminds you to stay connected with nature even on busy days! I have decided to take part this year and I am looking forward to keeping you updated with photos, blogs and tweets (@MyaBambrick1)! Although it will be difficult due to school work I am hoping to blog at the end of each week to show you what I have been up to. Day 1 Today I started the challenge at home, checking out my garden to see how my plants are getting on. I have a rather compact garden but have managed to squeeze in more plants that ever this year. This shows that whatever size outside space you have you can always grow something and do your bit for nature! ...