Suburban – #CannedWildlife

A Greener Childhood

Mar 10, 2021Mar 10, 2021Posted in BBC, Conservation, Countryside, Environmental, Greenbelt, Literature, Natural History, WoodlandTagged 30 Days Wild, A Focus On Nature, Adam O'Hare, AFON, BBC Midlands Today, BBC Wildlife, Birding, Birds, Birmingham, Conservation, Countryfile, Countryside, CPRE, Encounter, Environment, Environmental, Frankley, Garden, Green Birmingham, National Trust, Natural England, Natural History, Nature, Nature On Screen, New Frankley, Outdoors, RSPB, Semirural, Spring, Springwatch, Suburban, Suburbia, The Wildlife Trust, West Midlands, Wild Garden, Wildlife, Wildlife TrustsLeave a comment

. . .I remember more countryside, more greenspaces, more woodland, more birdsong, more sightings of wildlife, such as rabbits, foxes and badgers.

Sunny days. Less pollution, less superficial ideas and materialism.

Fun was exploring and adventures outdoors; the new park, or going to a country park – for the first time.

Everyone cared about nature, everyone wanted to see it, talk about it.

The environment is for all ages, all stages of life.

I remember a greener childhood. . .

#GardeningForNature

Sep 15, 2020Sep 17, 2020Posted in Amphibians, BBC, Conservation, Countryside, Encounters, Environmental, Farm, Film, Garden, Greenbelt, Insects, Local, Mammals, Natural History, Nature Reserve, Nest, Plants, TV, Video, VlogTagged #MyWildLife, #WildTime, A Focus On Nature, Adam Canning, Adam O'Hare, AFON, BBC Midlands Today, BBC Wildlife, Birds, Birmingham, Conservation, Countryfile, Countryside, Environment, Environmental, Film, Frankley, Garden, Green Birmingham, My Wild Life, Natural History, Nature, Nature On Screen, New Frankley, Outdoors, Random Acts of Wildness, RSPB, Semirural, Springwatch, Suburban, The Wildlife Trust, Video, Vlog, West Midlands, Wild June, Wild Time, Wildlife, Wildlife Trusts, Wildlife VlogLeave a comment

Many of us have experienced a heightened love for our gardens, wildlife and green space this year. Ajay Tegala and Adam O’Hare are two such people, both passionate about encouraging nature. Wildlife Presenter & Countryside Ranger, Ajay is based in Cambridgeshire and Communicator & Filmmaker, Adam is based in Birmingham.

Together they made the mini-series of videos entitled Gardening for Nature, sharing what they have been doing to encourage wildlife into their gardens, along with contributions from other like-minded people (such as Joshua Styles); also enthusiastic about providing homes for nature alongside our own.

“During lockdown, lots of my friends and relatives were sending me pictures and stories of their gardens and their local wildlife,”
says Ajay.

“It was clear how much local green spaces and nature were benefitting so many people”.
At the same time, Adam was also making short films in his garden 100 miles away.

They decided to put together a series of three short videos [5 to 6 minutes each] about what simple steps you can take to encourage nature to come closer to our doorsteps, and how rewarding it can be.

“It was quite unique that we were based in completely different parts of the country, but had similar approaches to managing our gardens with nature very much in mind”.
Adam visited a micro-farm near his Birmingham home. He also teamed up with plant enthusiast and internet sensation, Joshua Styles – via video call – to identify some of the plants growing near his home.

“It was a labour of love, sharing our gardens and local wildlife over the internet.”
Now, you too can see their passion for wildlife and how they have attracted wildlife into their gardens!

Part 1 went online Monday 14th September (at 7pm)

Part 2 goes live online Wednesday 16th September at 7pm

Part 3 goes live / online Friday 18th September at 7pm

Warmest regards,
#GardeningForNature x

House Sparrows Trail CAM

Jul 4, 2020Posted in Birds, Environmental, Film, Garden, Local, Natural History, Video, VlogTagged #MyWildLife, #NowForNature, #TheTimeIsNow, #WilderFuture, #WildTime, A Focus On Nature, Adam Canning, Adam O'Hare, AFON, BBC, BBC Countryfile, BBC Earth, BBC Gardeners' World, BBC Midlands Today, BBC Wildlife, Bill Oddie, Birder, Birders, Birding, Birds, Birdwatching, Birmingham, BTO, BTO Garden BirdWatch, Camera Trap, Creative Conservation, DEFRA, Earth Capture, Earth on Location, Environment, Environmental, Film, Frankley, Garden, Garden BirdWatch, Gay Birders, Green Birmingham, House Sparrows, Made in Birmingham, My Wild Life, Natural England, Natural History, Nature On Screen, New Frankley, Now for Nature, Ornithology, Outdoors, RSPB, Semirural, Springwatch, Springwatch 2020, Suburban, Suburbia, Summer, Summer 2020, The Wildlife Trust, The Wildlife Trusts, Trail Camera, Video, Vlog, West Midlands, Wild Garden, Wild Time, Wilder Future, Wildlife, Wildlife Filmmaker, Wildlife Filmmakers, Wildlife From My Window, Wildlife Garden, Wildlife Trusts, Wildlife Vlog, WildlifeKate, WLT Bigger Picture, World Land TrustLeave a comment

Last night I popped my Trail CAM in one of the trees at the bottom of the garden. Below is what it managed to capture this morning 😊

Thanks for visiting! 💚

Day 27 – 30 Days Wild

Jun 27, 2020Jun 29, 2020Posted in Birds, Challenge, Encounters, Environmental, Film, Garden, Local, Mammals, Video, VlogTagged #30DaysWild, #MyWildLife, #WildTime, 30 Days Wild, A Focus On Nature, Adam Canning, Adam O'Hare, AFON, BBC Earth, BBC Gardeners' World, BBC Midlands Today, BBC Wildlife, Big Garden Birdwatch, Birder, Birding, Birds, Birdwatching, Birmingham, Blackbird, BTO Garden BirdWatch, Challenge, Earth Capture, Encounter, Environmental, Feeding Birds, Film, Frankley, Garden, Garden BirdWatch, Gay Birders, Green Birmingham, Huawei, June, Made in Birmingham, My Wild Life, Natural England, Natural History, Nature, Nature On Screen, New Frankley, Ornithology, Outdoors, Random Acts of Wildness, RSPB, Semirural, Simon King, Springwatch, Suburban, Suburbia, Summer, Summer 2020, The Wildlife Trust, Video, Vlog, West Midlands, Wild Garden, Wild June, Wild Time, Wildlife, Wildlife Filmmakers, Wildlife From My Window, Wildlife Garden, Wildlife Trusts, Wildlife Vlog, WLT Bigger Picture, World Land TrustLeave a comment

Was chilling out in the garden, when I heard a Blackbird singing close & loud, it then got closer – so I filmed it 😆

Thanks for visiting! 💚

Day 25 + 26 – 30 Days Wild

Jun 26, 2020Jul 4, 2020Posted in BBC, Birds, Challenge, Conservation, Encounters, Environmental, Film, Garden, Natural History, Nature Reserve, TV, Video, VlogTagged #30DaysWild, #MyWildLife, #WildTime, 30 Days Wild, A Focus On Nature, Adam Canning, Adam O'Hare, AFON, BBC, BBC Earth, BBC Gardeners' World, BBC Midlands Today, BBC Wildlife, Big Garden Birdwatch, Bill Oddie, Birder, Birders, Birding, Birds, Birdsong, Birdwatching, Birmingham, BTO, BTO Garden BirdWatch, Camera Trap, Challenge, Conservation, David Lindo, Dawn Chorus, Dunnock, Earth Capture, Earth on Location, Encounter, Environment, Environmental, Feeding Birds, Film, Frankley, Garden, Garden BirdWatch, Gay Birders, Green Birmingham, Green Space, Greenbelt, House Sparrows, June, Made in Birmingham, Meadow, My Wild Life, Natural England, Natural History, Nature, Nature On Screen, Nature Reserve, New Frankley, Ornithology, Outdoors, Random Acts of Wildness, Rewildling, Robin, RSPB, Semirural, Simon King, Springwatch, Springwatch 2020, Suburban, Suburbia, Summer, Summer 2020, The Urban Birder, The Wildlife Trust, Trail Camera, Video, Vlog, West Midlands, Wild Garden, Wild June, Wild Time, Wildlife, Wildlife Filmmakers, Wildlife VlogLeave a comment

My new toy arrived, a 4K video-recording 20MP photo-taking Trail CAM! 💖

Late in the afternoon I set it up in our new Wildlife Corner of the garden.

This morning I reviewed the footage that was recorded from yesterday afternoon, the evening & from this morning. I am over the moon with what the Trail CAM managed to capture! 💚

Thanks for visiting! ☺️

Day 24 – 30 Days Wild

Jun 24, 2020Jun 24, 2020Posted in Challenge, Encounters, Environmental, Film, Insects, Natural History, TV, Video, VlogTagged #30DaysWild, #MyWildLife, #WildTime, 30 Days Wild, A Bugs Life, A Focus On Nature, Action For Insects, Adam Canning, Adam O'Hare, AFON, Antz, BBC Earth, BBC Midlands Today, BBC Wildlife, Birmingham City Council, Black Ants, Bugs, Challenge, Chris Packham, Copulation, Courtship, DEFRA, Earth Capture, Earth on Location, Encounter, Entomology, Environmental, Eruption, Film, Flying Ants, Frankley, Green Birmingham, Huawei, Insects, Invasion, Invertebrates, Iridescence, June, Made in Birmingham, Migration, My Wild Life, National Insect Week, Natural England, Natural History, Nature, Nature On Screen, New Frankley, Random Acts of Wildness, RSPB, Semirural, Springwatch, Suburban, Suburbia, Summer, Summer 2020, The Wildlife Trust, Video, Visual Migration, Vlog, West Midlands, Wild June, Wild Time, Wildlife, Wildlife At My Window, Wildlife Filmmakers, Wildlife From My Window, Wildlife Trusts, Wildlife VlogLeave a comment

My kitchen was overran with Flying Ants & the non-flying ones 🐜 🐜 🐜 It was like a plague! I am not kidding.

So of course I had to document it. It was somewhat nightmarish! 👇🏻

Thanks for visiting! 💚

Day 23 – 30 Days Wild

Jun 23, 2020Jun 23, 2020Posted in Challenge, Conservation, Encounters, Environmental, Film, Garden, Insects, Natural History, Nest, TV, Video, VlogTagged #MyAutumn, #MyWildLife, #NowForNature, #TheTimeIsNow, #WilderFuture, #WildTime, 30 Days Wild, A Focus On Nature, A Fork-tailed Flower Bee (Anthophora furcata), Action For Insects, Adam Canning, Adam O'Hare, AFON, BBC Earth, BBC Gardeners' World, BBC Midlands Today, BBC Wildlife, Bees, Birmingham, Bugs, Challenge, DEFRA, Earth Capture, Encounter, Entomology, Environmental, Film, Frankley, Garden, Green Birmingham, Huawei, Insects, Invertebrates, June, Made in Birmingham, My Wild Life, National Insect Week, Natural England, Natural History, Nature, Nature On Screen, Nature Reserve, Nest, Nest Building, Nesting, New Frankley, Now for Nature, Outdoors, Random Acts of Wildness, RSPB, Semirural, Springwatch, Suburban, Suburbia, Summer, Summer 2020, The Wildlife Trust, Video, Vlog, West Midlands, Wild Garden, Wild June, Wild Time, Wilder Future, Wildlife, Wildlife Filmmakers, Wildlife From My Window, Wildlife Garden, Wildlife Trusts, Wildlife Vlog, WLT Bigger Picture, World Land TrustLeave a comment

I am delighted & amazed at what I am discovering in the garden lately. Today I was pottering about & I could hear a munching / crunching sound coming from the gate.

At first I thought it may have been a Wasp, but I couldn’t see it. Then after looking the gate up & down I noticed a wee Bee in a crevice! 🐝

A Fork-tailed Flower Bee (Anthophora furcata).

Thanks for visiting! 💚

Day 22 – 30 Days Wild

Jun 22, 2020Posted in Challenge, Conservation, Countryside, Encounters, Environmental, Film, Greenbelt, Insects, Local, Natural History, Nature Reserve, Video, Vlog, WalkTagged #30DaysWild, #MyWildLife, #NowForNature, #TheTimeIsNow, #WilderFuture, #WildTime, 30 Days Wild, A Focus On Nature, Action For Insects, Adam Canning, Adam O'Hare, AFON, BBC Countryfile, BBC Earth, BBC Midlands Today, BBC Wildlife, Birmingham, Bugs, Butterflies, Challenge, Conservation, Countryfile, Countryside, CPRE, Days Out, DEFRA, Earth Capture, Encounter, Entomology, Environment, Environmental, Film, Frankley, Get Your Boots On, Green Belt, Green Birmingham, Green Space, Greenbelt, Huawei, Invertebrates, June, Made in Birmingham, Meadow, My Wild Life, National Insect Week, Natural England, Natural History, Nature On Screen, Nature Reserve, New Frankley, Now for Nature, Outdoors, Park, Random Acts of Wildness, RSPB, Semirural, Springwatch, Suburban, Suburbia, Summer, The Campaign for Rural England, The Countryside Charity, The Wild Side, The Wildlife Trust, Video, Vlog, Walk, West Midlands, Wild June, Wild Time, Wilder Future, Wildlife, Wildlife Filmmakers, Wildlife Trusts, Wildlife VlogLeave a comment

It’s the beginning of National Insect Week, so there was only one thing for it! Get out & film (video below) some cool Insects!

I was happy to find some obliging Butterflies 🦋

Thanks for visiting 💚

Day 20 + 21 – 30 Days Wild

Jun 21, 2020Jun 22, 2020Posted in BBC, Challenge, Conservation, Environmental, Film, Fungi, Greenbelt, Interview, Natural History, TV, Video, VlogTagged #30DaysWild, #WilderFuture, #WildTime, 30 Days Wild, A Focus On Nature, Adam Canning, Adam O'Hare, AFON, BBC Countryfile, BBC Earth, BBC Wildlife, Big Wild Quiz, Birders, Birmingham, Broadcast, Challenge, Collaboration, Conservation, Conservationists, Countryfile, Countryside, David Oakes, Days Out, Earth Capture, Environment, Environmental, Exporation, Film, Fly Agaric, Frankley, Fungi, Get Your Boots On, Green Belt, Green Birmingham, Green Space, Greenbelt, Huawei, June, Made in Birmingham, Meadow, My Wild Life, Natural England, Natural History, Nature, Nature On Screen, Nest, New Frankley, Now for Nature, Outdoors, Park, Presenting, Random Acts of Wildness, River, River Rea, RSPB, Semirural, Sophie Pavelle, Spring, Springwatch, Springwatch 2020, Suburban, Suburbia, Summer, The Campaign for Rural England, The Countryside Charity, The Wild Side, The Wildlife Trust, Trees, Video, Virtual Quiz, Vlog, Walk, West Midlands, Wild June, Wild Time, Wild Webcam, Wilder Future, Wildflower, Wildflowers, Wildlife Filmmakers, Wildlife From My Window, Wildlife Trusts, Wildlife TV Presenter, Wildlife VlogLeave a comment

Yesterday I had a wee trip to my local town & I documented how green the journey there is 🏞️

Today I celebrated Father’s Day with some of my family & we had a BBQ, which my Brother-in-law & I tended to 🙂

When the evening arrived, it was time to prepare for the Big Wild Quiz, hosted by Sophie Pavelle and David Oakes. Which kicked off just after 7pm, it was great fun & a laugh! 💚

You can see my score in the comments 😆

Thanks for visiting! 👍🏻

Day 18 – 30 Days Wild

Jun 18, 2020Jun 18, 2020Posted in Birds, Canal, Challenge, Conservation, Environmental, Film, Greenbelt, Local, Natural History, Nature Reserve, River, TV, Video, Vlog, WalkTagged #30DaysWild, #MyWildLife, #NowForNature, #TheTimeIsNow, #WilderFuture, #WildTime, 30 Days Wild, A Focus On Nature, Adam Canning, Adam O'Hare, AFON, BBC Countryfile, BBC Earth, BBC Midlands Today, BBC Wildlife, Birdsong, Birmingham, Challenge, Conservation, Conservationists, Countryfile, CPRE, Days Out, DEFRA, Earth Capture, Environment, Environmental, Film, Frankley, Gay Birders, Get Your Boots On, Green Belt, Green Birmingham, Green Space, Greenbelt, Huawei, June, Made in Birmingham, My Wild Life, National Trust, Natural England, Natural History, Nature, Nature On Screen, Nature Reserve, New Frankley, Now for Nature, Ornithology, Outdoors, Random Acts of Wildness, Rewildling, River, River Rea, RSPB, Semirural, Spring, Springwatch, Suburban, Suburbia, The Campaign for Rural England, The Conservation Volunteers, The Countryside Charity, The Wildlife Trust, Video, Vlog, West Midlands, Wetlands, Wild June, Wild Time, Wilder Future, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Wildlife, Wildlife Filmmakers, Wildlife Trusts, Wildlife VlogLeave a comment

At the end of May I became an Ambassador for The Rivers Trust, so I decided to go sit next to a stretch of the River Rea, on the edge of Gannow Wood.

Thanks for visiting! 🏞️