Each January in recent years, I have chaired the Sussex Ornithological Society's Annual Conference, and so I get to meet all sorts of interesting speakers.
The highlight for me this year was a talk about a project that is trying to find out where some of our migrant birds go to in Africa. Birds such as Cuckoos, Spotted Flycatchers and Turtle Doves are declining alarmingly, and if we are to look after them we have to understand their needs not only here in the UK but in their passage and wintering quarters too.
The speaker was Dr Danae Stevens, who heads up this project for the RSPB. I'd really recommend that you check out what she and her team are up to - it's such vital work. And thank you for your RSPB membership which helps support projects like this.
But I was extra delighted to find out that Danae is a keen gardener. And she has been kind enough to send me a little piece about her garden, and the inspiration she gets from it.
"I moved in last spring when the garden was just all mown grass. The difference in a year is so exciting - it just shows you what you can achieve in a short space of time.
"The pond has been there a year and a week. Here it is in June 2010...
"and a year later...
"Construction of the bog garden only started this April...
"...and here it is by June.
"Yesterday, I had my second species of newt when I saw some young Great Crested Newts for the first time. "The amount of wildlife visiting the garden has just rocketed – there are masses of birds (there was a Turtle Dove calling in the field behind the garden when I took these pictures on 19 June), but also lots of other wildlife, including loads of invertebrates."The insects just love the wild flowers and the self-seeded Purple Toadflax and Borage that is all over the place. "Later in the summer the long grass is alive with crickets and grasshoppers – a lovely sound on a warm summer evening!"
What can I say, Danae? I love it love it love it!