Make your nature count! I've been so busy telling everyone else about this new summer survey that I've not found time to do it myself. Until now.
I've been rummaging trying to find a toad that I know I've got in the garden somewhere. I appear to have mislaid him. Hopefully the fox cubs from the end of the garden haven't found him already and gobbled him up.
He was helping to keep the slugs down. I've got grey squirrels by the bucketload, three cats that visit and a host of other critters. Bird wise, there are swifts overhead, the usual garden mix plus yellowhammer, jays, magpies and nesting great and blue tits.
Sadly no birds of prey. I saw a peregrine flying overhead as I cycled past St James's tube station - Picketed by fluorescent-yellow-jacketed staff standing guard over the closed entrance grills.
You don't need to be an expert to take part in our survey, but if you are. Let us know about your harlequin ladybirds and wasp spiders or your Japanese knotweed or triticale.
I know it's asking a lot, but after completing your survey and amazing yourself with the sheer variety of things living on your doorstep, why not spare a thought for our coastline and all that lives in the sea.
We've worked hard to get a Marine Bill written. It's not law yet, so we need to make sure MP's are aware of the strength of feeling for safeguarding our sealife. Use our links to email your MP to remind them about this important piece of legislation.
If you're amazed by what's in your garden, you'd be blown-away by life in the seas. It's all amazing, let's keep it that way together.