Donna Zimmer

Swanscombe Peninsula in Kent is one of my favourite green spaces. It’s an urban wilderness with an outstanding mosaic of habitats which attracts some rather special species.

Unfortunately this site is under threat from a Theme Park proposal.

In autumn, whilst I was out getting my daily allowed exercise, I decided to showcase this area. So I put together this short film (below).

Relax and enjoy a virtual…

Jen Chandler

It is not long to go until the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch (29 - 31 January) and we thought we'd feature one of the garden birds you may spot…the tiny wren!

Wren - Finbarr Carroll

This delightful photo was sent in by Nature’s Home magazine reader, Finbarr Carroll and shows the wren’s unmistakable erect, short, narrow tail.

If you've ever seen a wren, you will know that these…

George LeeHarris

In the face of uncertainty, with face-to-face activities suspended and normal routines stopped, our local groups have been putting in extra effort and getting creative to find new ways of engaging with their members! Banding together to support each other in new ways and reach new audiences through amazing online engagement, many have been more active than ever.

Helen Ensor's garden birds talk to B…

Gillian Burke shares her experiences of filming Autumnwatch at RSPB Old Moor

Gillian Burke - image by Sara Humphrey

Explosions and sirens are going off all around me. It’s not your typical experience at an RSPB reserve but this is not your typical reserve. It is Bonfire Night and I am co-hosting Autumnwatch 2020 from RSPB Old Moor in the heart of South Yorkshire’s Dearne Valley. Luckily the commotion does not…

https://youtu.be/2XweJzhWEXk

Join us as we celebrate this year's winning artwork. WildArt is run by the RSPB in partnership with the Cameron Bespolka Trust, and this year we were even bigger - we received thousands of entries for both the 'Real Life' and 'Go Wild' categories.

Since we couldn't celebrate the wonderful wildlife artwork at the gallery due to the current Covid-19 restrictions, we've…

Sara Downes

Nature conservation is a slow job. Growing delicate new habitats, making sure species have just the right conditions to thrive, conducting years of research and campaigning for change, it all takes time. And sometimes work goes on quietly behind the scenes – over months, years or even decades - that culminates in a huge win for wildlife.

We’ve selected just three of these recent successes that wouldn…

https://youtu.be/Syrk9R1Vd1I

In this video we answer the nature questions we most often get asked at this time of year. Is 'reindeer food' safe for birds? Why are those swans on the road? Which 'winter birds' might turn up in the garden? Why do birds need to eat fat in cold weather?

And what's the best way of providing water for birds during winter?

With the RSPB's Jamie Wyver and Molly Brown. …

https://youtu.be/gAywuFMbUV4

This week, your Notes on Nature TV has stunning footage of some fighting kingfishers - you’ll also find out who wins the noisiest owl contest!

As usual, some incredible bird and wildlife photos from you including an oystercatcher that really stands out, mysterious fungi and a dramatic moment over a reedbed.

You can see our previous Notes on Nature TV videos here:

Episode 3 https:/…

Caroline Mead

Fieldfare - Ben Andrew (rspb-images.com)

One in five of the world’s 11,000 bird species migrates. Some migratory birds fly hundreds of thousands of kilometres in a lifetime in order to feed, nest, raise their young and survive.

But these journeys are often perilous. At any stages of their journey they may be at risk of habitat loss, unsustainable levels of hunting, illegal killing, poisoning, collisions…

Jen Chandler

Black-headed gull - Dave Buttery

Our photo of the week is a striking image of a black-headed gull in flight. But, 'where is its black head?' you may exclaim! Well, this image from Nature's Home reader Dave Buttery shows the gull in its winter plumage. For the black-headed gull, this means that its chocolate-brown head feathers, which it has for most of the year, are replaced by white ones, signifying…

https://youtu.be/2fC_I1pEDIE

This week meet some wonderful winter moths and discover why you should put that rake down and leave your leaves for nature.

Plus enjoy some of the best pictures and videos from the RSPB's #BreakfastBirdwatch

Subscribe to this blog: If you enjoy reading the latest news and updates from Nature's Home Magazine Uncovered - click on 'subscribe by email'  on the right.

For more on…

Image by Jayne Kirkby

An unusual sight awaited Nature’s Home reader Jayne Kirkby as she arrived at work one morning. This kingfisher was sitting on a windowsill with its head tucked under its wing. As Jayne approached it fluttered a little but dropped to the ground and couldn’t seem to move any further. It clearly needed help – particularly as it was in a courtyard surrounded by two storey building on all sides…

https://youtu.be/fR5kMp_5NEI

In this short video we look at redwings, bird feeder tips, your wildlife photos and listening out for birds migrating overhead at night!

You can see our previous Notes on Nature video here

We'd love to hear your ideas for future videos. Contact us at natureshome@rspb.org.uk

https://youtu.be/_DjsUUboYwM

In this short video we celebrate autumn, with a look at what you might see in your garden or out and about.

We've also got some great ideas if you're not travelling far at the moment, with nature films to watch and ways you can help your local wildlife.

We'd love to hear your ideas for future videos. Contact us at natureshome@rspb.org.uk

www.youtube.com/watch

Young birder and conservationist Indy Kiemel Greene discusses the bearded vulture that visited the UK this year. Indy describes his own encounter with this brilliant bird and tracks its journey around the country.

Indy has recently joined the RSPB Youth Council

www.youtube.com/watch

Which nestboxes can you put up for birds in your garden? When can you trim hedges without disturbing wildlife? And how can you help your local hedgehogs?

We discuss these questions and more in this short video.

If you'd like to find out more about some of the topics we talk about, here are some handy links:

RSPB nestboxes

Make your own birdbox

Make a nestbox for swifts

Build a hedgehog…

www.youtube.com/watch

Restoring our peatlands is a crucial part of dealing with the climate crisis. On RSPB Scotland’s spectacular Abernethy nature reserve, work is going in the remotest of locations 800 metres up in the Cairngorms to make this a reality. This is also part of our work with partners to help transform the wider Cairngorms landscape.

Together with Cairngorms Connect and funding from Peatland ACT…

Luke Phillips

Bearded tits - image by Nature's Home reader Howard Harrison

One of the most rewarding aspects of watching birds is getting a glimpse of something that’s normally difficult to see. And if you’re a fan of wetland wildlife you’ll know that reedbeds are home to a variety of well-hidden, often shy and skulking, birds. There are the bitterns, beautifully camouflaged herons that blend in with yellow and…

Jos Ashpole

There are lots of things to love about autumn: golden leaves, hedgerows full of fruit and fabulous fungi. And let’s not forget misty mornings where dew reveals bewelled spiders’ webs! They seem to be everywhere – in our gardens and hedgerows, on street signs and even on and in our homes.

Spiders get a lot of negative press and particularly around Halloween they’re associated with ghosts, ghouls…

Did you know that around 12 million of the pumpkins we carve for Halloween in Britain don’t actually get eaten? That’s a MASSIVE amount of food waste.

Here are three ways to make the most of your Jack-o’-lantern…

For an easy, tasty snack you can roast the seeds, adding whatever flavours you fancy.

Stage One: Separate your seeds!

The RSPB’s Catering Development Manager Chris…

www.youtube.com/watch

RSPB Scotland's David Hunt shares his experience of the magic of the Inner Forth and how its changing tides draw him in.

Read RSPB Scotland's blog for the latest news 

https://youtu.be/j0zByBpvdnw

You’ve sent in so many fantastic photos we wanted to showcase our favourites! In this video we present the cream of the Nature’s Home inbox over the past few weeks, and chat about the wildlife in your pictures.

Find out how to spot a kingfisher, how to tell a great white egret from a little egret and which gull is most likely to turn up in an inland garden.

www.youtube.com/watch

Corncrakes need crofters and farmers help to thrive in their strongholds in North and West Scotland.

Skye’s Waternish peninsula is just one place that RSPB Scotland is working with crofters to make farming support corncrakes as much as possible.

In the future National Lottery players will also help support corncrakes through our recently launched Corncrake Calling project – Enhancing Scotland…

www.youtube.com/watch

RSPB Northern Ireland staff and volunteers share what a revived world looks like to them and why they have signed the petition to make changes to protect nature and our world.

Join the Revive our World campaign

Wondering where your garden birds have gone, or whether to clean out your nestbox?

Charlotte Ambrose from the RSPB’s Wildlife Enquiries team answers the common questions asked about nature in October, and also reveals what “putty pecking” is…

Find out more about giving nature a home in your garden