Nature diary: Sit back, enjoy the show

Published on Wednesday 3 June 2009 13:52

It's all go at the moment as Springwatch continues to inspire me. Each time we return there seem to be more exciting wildlife spectacles to bring to you, and Chris and I are loving following the trials and tribulations of the soap opera that is nature. Thankfully it is slightly drier than last year and we haven't had our umbrellas up all the time – let's hope it continues…

Some of the best wildlife happenings can be spotted in our own garden and there'll be no shortage of crawling, wriggling, hopping, fluttering and flying this month.

To celebrate all that's wild in our gardens and following the hugely successful 30th anniversary of the Big Garden Birdwatch last winter, the RSPB launches its brand-new summer survey this week.

"Make Your Nature Count" is a long-awaited opportunity to record the wildlife visiting your gardens in the summertime, with thousands of you saying that 12 months is simply too long to wait to get a chance to do it again.

So, from Monday until next Sunday, 14 June, the RSPB is asking you to pick just one hour, note the birds and other wildlife you see in your garden, and send in your results. This will give an important snapshot of how wildlife is doing in the summer and give you the perfect excuse to sit back with a cuppa and enjoy that show first-hand.

To find out more about how to take part and where to send your results, visit www.rspb. org.uk/naturecount

I'm probably going to please quite a few people with my next tip as June is a great month NOT to spend too much time tidying and trimming in your gardens. As well as late-nesting birds still raising their young, those that have had their chicks will be on a constant search for food and keeping our lawns a bit longer and plants and bushes a bit more unruly will mean lots more insect food. Keep up your feeding too – the winter frosts might be long gone but birds could do with our help all year round.

Happy gardening.

• For information on wildlife gardening and nature reserves visit www.rspb.org.uk

• For the latest news on Scotland's wildlife go to www.visitscotland.com/wildlife For accommodation details go to www.visitscotland.com