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This month’s (Mar) HDM Flashback contains several pages of fascinating photographs of Barmston Drain, though the dates are not given on some, including a smashing full-page pic of a pair of Swans near to the Orchard Park section. Some other interesting comments include the fact that a ‘vigilante’ group of local residents was formed in the Sculcoates area of the drain after a young boy tragically fell in and drown (1971) and a rather grim one of…

Enjoyed a chat with John and Anne at the Pearson Park wildlife garden recently – I believe that Yorkshire Wildlife Trust have taken it over and there’s certainly a lot of plans underway. I got a lesson in bird nest-box building and this couple are an example of the many people who are the unsung heroes of the the wildlife world – they are dedicated people that put in many hours to improving the environment and our appreciation of our British wildlife…

Thanks, Mike. Yes, sadly, our smaller birds are very vulnerable in prolonged cold weather. The only thing we can really do to help the little birds through the cold weather is to provide food and a supply of drinking/bathing water (they bathe daily – even in the coldest weather, as this helps keep their feathers in good condition which helps them keep warm). High energy/fat feed such as peanuts, sunflower seeds and fat balls are ideal. I’ve been…

With few leaves on the trees this is a good time of the yaer to keep an eye out for owls – they’ve very little cover. I am always on the lookout for Tawny Owls, especialy when walking through parks and cemeteries. I’ve haerd them and had reports that there are one or two in my local cemetery and, on Sunday, I spotted one. Sadl;y, it was dead. It was on the cemetery floor and didn’t look like it had been there long. Nor did it look like it had been…

Kal-El – Look forward to seeing them – I’m currently trying to get some pics of small birds in flight and have not even had to leave the house – more later!