As Britain went to the polls yesterday, I was spending a very pleasant afternoon up at RSPB The Lodge, meeting with ed-in-chief Mark to do final checks on the next issue of Nature’s Home, and sign it off for print. We also couldn’t resist a tiny nature walk, to see how the resident family of greylag geese is doing (very well, as it happens!) and spot some interesting bees, micro-moths and beetles. 

Back to Nature’s Home, though. Now that the magazine is signed off and on its way to the printers, I’m delighted to be able to offer you a sneak peek of next issue’s front cover!  

The autumn issue will reach RSPB members next month. 

In this issue we’ll be exploring a very special habitat - lowland heath, and the wildlife that depends on it, along with urban waterways, the atmospheric and archaeology-rich habitats of Dungeness, and the marshlands of Frampton. We’re covering a lot of ground this issue! 

Families can get ready for the RSPB Big Wild Sleepout, the ultimate child-friendly nature-by-night experience - while birders looking to meet, mingle and expand their skills have Birdfair to look forward to. 

We also reveal an inspiring garden created from a bare concrete yard, which proves that even a garden planted entirely in pots and containers can give nature a home

There’s much more besides - including fantastic photos from our readers, field skills and the latest RSPB successes and news. So click here to join the RSPB and get your hands on these 100 wildlife-packed pages - delivered free through your door!

Well, it’s been a long and exciting night and there’s plenty going on today, so I won’t take up any more of your time. 

I hope you enjoy the next issue as much as we’ve enjoyed putting it together… and find tranquility and joy in all the glorious wildlife that’s carrying on as usual all around us.