Nature Notes - in Local Life St Albans

Local nature correspondent Rupert Evershed encourages those of us with an outside space to feed the birds - not just in winter months but all year round.

Nature correspondent Rupert Evershed records sighting of his 100th bird in this area - the yellow browed warbler.

Nature correspondent Rupert Evershed encourages us to be patient and let nature take its course.

As we headed from 'free-to-roam' summer 2020 into the second lockdown, nature correspondent Rupert Evershed asked when autumn really begins.

With more people taking country walks during the pandemic, a nationwide survey shows, not surprisingly, that interest in wildlife has increased significantly.

Nature correspondent Rupert Evershed describes the wide variety of creatures, sounds and images that nature offers us in the summer months.

A look back to the summer months when the Swift, master of the skies and unrivalled in its dexterity but with a song that sounds like a scream, drew the attention of nature correspondent Rupert Evershed.

Rupert Evershed discovers new visitors as migrating common scoters pass over his garden - and this is just one of many species that travel by night.

Nature correspondent Rupert Evershed thinks aloud about the important role of nature, especially in our mental health.

Nature correspondent Rupert Evershed encourages us to check out the ducks, especially when the weather is grey...

Nature correspondent Rupert Evershed reminds us that scary wildlife is not just limited to Halloween.

Nature correspondent Rupert Evershed is on the lookout for these 'Little Brown Jobs' that make up much of Britain's bird population.

Local nature expert Rupert Evershed is in search of butterflies but above all he wants to find The Purple Emperor.

Nature correspondent Rupert Evershed looks for timely lessons for all in Isabella Tree's book 'Wilding' which describes the impact of efforts to restore nature to Knepp Farm in West Sussex.

Nature correspondent Rupert Evershed focuses on the importance of - and threat to - the insect species.

No, it's a wren - one of the smallest British birds but also one of the noisiest, as Rupert Evershed explains.

This month, local nature correspondent Rupert Evershed tells the story of the return of the egrets and suggests a visit to Heron Watch, which can now be joined at Verulamium Lake every weekend from 11am to 3pm until 12 May.

As the twilight faded and light gave way to the dark, the creatures of the night began to stir...

Local nature correspondent Rupert Evershed encourages us to look more closely at  what at first appear like lumps of mud in newly ploughed fields - sometimes they have feathers or fur!  (From 2018 archive.)

As we head away from Christmas and towards the Spring, Rupert Evershed reminds us of the ever-present robin - always looking over the gardener's shoulder for worms.  (From 2016 Nature Notes archive.)

If you go down to the woods today, Rupert Evershed suggests you may first experience the silence of winter.   But soon, the sounds of wildlife will appear as small birds make their way through the woodland.

You may think you're watching them, but you can be sure they're also watching you, says natural history expert Rupert Evershed.

Rupert Evershed returns to the gravel pits at Tyttenhangar - whose future hangs in the balance following the announcement that neighbouring Hertsmere Borough Council's Local Plan includes this key natural habitat.   Those under threat include a nationally important colony of tree sparrows.

Rupert Evershed has been exploring the gravel pits at Tyttenhangar, just south of St Albans, where he recorded the 204th different species of bird seen at this location.

Rupert Evershed takes a look at the much maligned wasp and suggests it is more than just a pest.

The Herts Advertiser's nature correspondent, Rupert Evershed, looks at the changing season as we move from summer to autumn, with a focus on birds and butterflies.

The Herts Advertiser's natural history correspondent, Rupert Evershed, tells us about concerns for the cuckoo and how individual birds are being tracked as they migrate.

It's been thirty years since local nature observer, writer and correspondent Rupert Evershed was last visited by a Spotted Flycatcher.  They had once been annual visitors so he was delighted to see them back again - even though now as migrants rather than nesting birds and also, sadly, on the 'red list' as an endangered species. (Photo copyright and used by courtesy of Rupert Evershed)

Local naturalist and correspondent Rupert Evershed (see podcast series: Local Life - Nature Notes) believes that experiencing nature's variety is as good as a rest.  His recent experience of land and sea birds around The Scilly Isles included discoveries about the house sparrow and the magpie, but also an encounter with the rarely seen tiny seabird Wilson's Storm Petrel, as well as dolphins, gannets and shearwaters.   Now, back home, we move on from summer to autumn!

Local nature correspondent Rupert Evershed asks a simple seasonal question - but the answer might not be the one you expect.

Nature correspondent Rupert Evershed calls for support in the campaign to save Tyttenhanger Gravel Pits - home to a wide range of birds and other wildlife - from potential loss if the Bowmans Cross development proposed by Hertsmere Borough Council is approved.  Consultation closes on 6th December.