The Nature Escape

Black Redstart

Today, I find myself wandering through a landscape that is as unexpected as it is richly rewarding for wildlife. Centre Parcs in northern France, though bustling with families and holiday-makers, sits within a mosaic of lakes, woodland and open spaces that brim with migrating birds in early spring. As the sun sinks low over the still, glasslike water, the place becomes utterly transformed. The loudest thing left is nature itself. Standing at the water’s edge, swallows slice across the lake in agile arcs, their silhouettes whipping past at eye level. Having arrived earlier here than back home, they skim the surface with precision, calling sharply whenever danger threatens. Above them, common terns weave and dive, striking the water with a force you can hear before you see. Their long migration from Europe to the southern tip of Africa and back is written into every wingbeat. As I wander from the lakeside into the quiet woodland paths, the evening chorus gathers strength. Blackcaps dominate the soundscape, their scratchy, fluting song lifting into an unmistakable flourish. Blue tits, chaffinches and blackbirds thread themselves between the verses, while a great spotted woodpecker announces its presence from high in the canopy. Even here, amidst the holiday cabins, this is a genuine spring woodland soundtrack. In the upper reaches of the site, the character of the birdlife shifts. Cherry trees blush pink in the late light, and from the rooftops and lampposts come the sharp, scratchy notes of black redstarts. Here, they are common neighbours, perching boldly on buildings, hawking insects in agile bursts, and revealing the warm glow of their red-rust tails when they twist in the air. Their presence is a constant reminder that this is mainland Europe, where they thrive in towns and villages just as naturally as robins do at home. But the bird that defines this place for me is the serin. Small, bright yellow, almost canary-like, they fill the car park pines and low bushes with their fast, jangling song – a rapid, metallic cascade unlike anything regularly heard in Britain. Once your ear tunes into it, you realise they are everywhere: singing high in the trees, chasing one another across the tarmac, feeding quietly on the ground. Their vibrancy seems to electrify the whole setting. And then, as if to complete the scene, a cuckoo calls – only twice, but unmistakably. A brief, perfect note of spring, drifting across the site as the sun drops below the horizon. This unlikely pocket of nature, nestled within a holiday resort, is a reminder that wildness persists in the most surprising places. In the shifting light of a French evening, surrounded by returning migrants and the vibrant song of serin and black redstart, I’m reminded once again of why paying attention to the natural world – wherever we find ourselves – is endlessly rewarding.

Curlew

Today, I'm revisiting a place of profound personal significance: the Lower Derwent Valley, located just east of York in North Yorkshire, England. This area, encompassing sites like Wheldrake Ings, is where my passion for ornithology and conservation took root nearly three decades ago. The Lower Derwent Valley is renowned for its diverse habitats, including wet meadows, pastures, and woodlands. These environments are particularly vital during winter months when flooding creates ideal conditions for large congregations of wildfowl. Breeding waders also thrive here. As I settle into the hide at Wheldrake Ings, part of the National Nature Reserve managed by Natural England, the landscape unfolds before me: * Curlew: The evocative call of the curlew resonates across the meadows. Recognizable by their long, down-curved bills and sleek brown bodies, curlews are a symbol of the British countryside. The Lower Derwent Valley serves as a stronghold for these birds, which have faced declines in other regions. * Shelduck: These striking birds are unmistakable with their dark green heads, bright red beaks, and contrasting white and black plumage. Their presence is a testament to the area's suitability for wildfowl. * Wigeon: These medium-sized ducks are winter visitors in significant numbers. Males are distinguished by their orangey-buff heads, grey sides, and a distinctive creamy crown stripe. Their characteristic whistling calls add to the soundscape of the wetlands. * Teal: Among the smallest of the dabbling ducks, male teals boast a striking green eye-stripe set against a chestnut head. They often congregate in flocks, dabbling in the shallow waters of the scrapes. * Lapwing: Also known as "peewits" due to their distinctive calls, lapwings display an iridescent green sheen on their backs and possess a unique crest. Their numbers have declined nationally, making their presence here particularly heartening. Reflecting on my journey, it was here, along a path bordered by a hedge and a small stream, that I first encountered a barn owl in the wild. That mesmerizing sight ignited a lifelong passion, leading me to study at York University and dedicate years to researching and conserving these magnificent birds. The Lower Derwent Valley, with its rich biodiversity and timeless landscapes, continues to inspire and reaffirm the importance of preserving such natural treasures. Credits: * Curlew - xeno-canto.org - Eetu Paljakka * Curlew - xeno-canto.org - Paul Kelly * Wigeon - xeno-canto.org - David Bissett * Teal - xeno-canto.org - David Darrell-Lambert * Buzzard - xeno-canto.org - Working group for animal ecology and planning Ltd. * Lapwing - xeno-canto.org - Eetu Paljakka * Curlew by David Pinder from Pixabay

Goldcrest

Join Dr Nick Askew on a serene springtime walk through the woodlands bordering the River Nene in Northamptonshire, UK. In this inaugural episode of The Nature Escape, Nick shares his observations and insights as he reconnects with nature during his lunchtime stroll. Highlights of the Episode: Spring Awakening: Experience the rejuvenation of the natural world as plants bloom and animals become more active. Birdsong and Identification: Learn to recognize various bird calls, including those of blackbirds, song thrushes, chiffchaffs, and the elusive goldcrest—the smallest bird in Europe. Goldcrest Spotlight: Discover fascinating facts about the goldcrest, such as its minuscule size (weighing only 5-6 grams) and distinctive golden crown. Signs of Badger Activity: Observe evidence of badgers in the area, including freshly dug setts and latrines, indicating their presence and territorial behavior. Butterfly Sighting: Witness the season's first brimstone butterfly, a vibrant sign of spring's arrival. Throughout the episode, Nick emphasizes the importance of listening to nature, using tools like the Merlin app to identify bird songs, and appreciating the subtle cues that signal seasonal transitions. Whether you're an avid birdwatcher or a casual nature enthusiast, this episode offers a peaceful escape into the wonders of the British countryside. Tune in and let the sounds of nature guide your senses. Credits * Image by Kev [https://pixabay.com/users/theotherkev-9436196/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=5944857] from Pixabay [https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=5944857] * Goldcrest - Ulf Elman xeno-canto.org * Willow Warbler - Arjun Dutta xeno-canto.org * Blue Tit - Paul Kelly xeno-canto.org * Long-tailed tit - Jarek Matusiak xeno-canto.org * Fieldfare - Jarek Matusiak xeno-canto.org * Redwing - Susanne Kuijpers xeno-canto.org * Chiffchaff - Vincent Pourchaire xeno-canto.org