Madingley Toad Rescue

Had an absolutely brilliant night in Madingley yesterday. Whilst it not be everyone's cup of tea, rescuing toads from the verges and transporting them in comfort (or in buckets, as the case was) to the lake across the road proved to be a most satisfying project. We saved about thirty toads, both tiny males chirping crossly, and the larger females who are expected to carry their mate on their back down to the water.

In true journalist style we were told that had we been there just two nights earlier we'd have seen the pub car park bursting with around 400 lusty amphibians. Still, I was just as happy with thirty.

kestrels

My April column will focus on the kestrel, but to get you warmed up, here's a quiz I've made: http://www.gotoquiz.com/kestrel_true_or_false_quiz

lost heron

Can't believe how fast this year is going.... and that I haven't seen the heron across the river in weeks. I'm not sure whether all the rowers have spooked him, but the view is strangely empty without him there.

In other wildlife news I saw a watervole having a paddle in the rain last sunday, in the brook near the Botanical Gardens.

Also, please vote for my blog here and I win cereal!

Redwings

The more I learn about birds, the more I begin to see them. I was utterly buoyed up by a blurry sighting of a redwing across the river...and yet on my way to Tescos yesterday I found an entire flock gorging themselves on rowan berries, about a metre away from the footpath. Everyone else seemed oblivious, but I stood a while, enjoying their expressive 'eyebrows' and the scarlet flashes of armpit (wingpit?)

birds, culture and conservation symposium

Last friday I attended this fascinating event in Oxford, run by Paul Jepson and the lovely Mark Cocker. I went home feeling physically heavier as a result of all the new information weighing down my brain! Not to be overly dramatic, or anything...

It really was a great idea for an event though, a sounding board for ideas in poetry, art, philosophy and science, culminating in a discussion about the future of conservation.

I particularly enjoyed Jeremy Mynott who spoke most impressively without any notes. I'm really looking forward to going birding with him in the spring.

Yesterday I was given some writing to do for the RSPB - essentially writing copy - which I've spent this morning on. It's actually a rather lovely task to edit the letters from volunteers, you get a sense of what being a part of an organisation means to individuals and it can be quite moving.

But enough sentimentality, the weather is foul and my heron is all puffed up in fury across the river.

Herons

No matter how many I see, every sighting of a heron gives me goosebumps.

They are utterly distinctive against the river banks, so tall and yet delicate enough to have been crafted from wire. I also enjoy how such a still creature can occasionally jerk into action, like a clockwork toy, at the suggestion of a fish beneath the water's surface.

At London Zoo yesterday (one of my favourite haunts) the real stars for once were not the crowd-pleasing penguins, but instead the savvy heron who, spotting his opportunity for a free lunch, had swooped down into the enclosure, and was sidling up to the keeper and his bucket of fish. The heron obviously thought that, like fishing, he only needed to move slowly enough that the keeper wouldn't see him. He seemed unaware of his tall stature, and his sharp, angular contrast to the chubby little birds beneath him.

I would have given him the whole bucket.

Spiders

I just wrote my gb wildlife column for October, on spiders. I love doing those columns, because I learn so much in the process. For example- did you know a spider's web with a radius of 3cm could stop a Boeing 747 in full flight?? Amazing stuff.

I have a new respect for the spider living above the towel rail now. He looks so pleased with his web, but I don't think it's occurred to him that there aren't many insects to catch indoors. At least, I hope there aren't!

Used a quote from the lovely people at Buglife. They sent me something a few hours after I emailed them, which was ever so kind. I personally think everyone should become a member.