Spring into Notts with Verdant Wildlife

It almost feels too soon to entertain the idea of spring following the recent unseasonal weather, but it is equally hard not to get excited and optimistic following a quick Q&A with resident Wildlife expert Andrew of Verdant Wildlife to talk nature, nest boxes and brand new walks! Tell us about what you have coming up for spring. Spring is an exciting time of year, you can really feel that all the wildlife is just waiting for the weather to improve so they can get going and I feel just the same. I have some new things happening this year such as Dawn Chorus Walks, Evening Wildlife Walks and even some Urban Wildlife Walks along with the usual North Notts Wildlife Safaris, which give people a day out experiencing the best of Nottinghamshire wildlife in every season. I also have some exciting plans to get families out into the countryside during the summer holidays but I’m keeping those secret for now. Tell us a little more about your ‘Dawn Chorus Walk’ at Creswell Crags. I’m really excited about the Dawn Chorus Walk at Creswell Crags [pictured] on Sunday 12^thMay. It’s an early start (6am) and we’ll head off into the woods to listen to the amazing dawn chorus. If you have never experienced an English woodland alive with the sound of bird song then you are in for a treat. And as with most of our tours there is a food-related element too – bacon sandwiches to look forward to at the end. Book direct through Creswell Crags. We hear Verdant Wildlife has set up a nest box cam! What are you hoping to share with your followers? I have set up and installed a nest box camera in a bird box in the garden at Verdant Towers. So far a pair of blue tits and a pair of great tits have been investigating it but neither has committed to building a nest yet. Hopefully once they do I can put the footage onto my web page and Facebook with an explanation of what is happening – sort of a mini Springwatch. What flora and fauna can we look forward to in Nottinghamshire in springtime? Are there migratory birds visiting at this time of year? It’s hard to believe with the current weather but spring is definitely on the way. I have already seen frog spawn in my local pond and there are signs of bluebells poking through the soil. The summer migratory birds will have left their wintering grounds in Africa and already be well on their way to their summer breeding grounds in Nottinghamshire. Sand martins, swallows and house martins should be arriving in the next couple of weeks and then birds like swifts will appear later in May.  Then there are all the summer warblers such as chiffchaff, willow warbler, sedge warbler, reed warbler to name but a few, not to mention rarer birds such as tree pipit, wood lark and the fabulous and mysterious nightjar. [Can you tell I am excited!] Where are the best places to visit in Notts in spring for a wildlife safari? Phew, we are spoilt for choice in Nottinghamshire. If you're visiting Nottingham or the south of the county then the obvious first choice would be Attenborough Nature Reserve, or if you are in the North of the county then head along to the Idle Valley Nature Reserve. As I have already mentioned the woodlands will soon be alive with bird song and wild flowers so any of the many woodlands we have in Notts are well worth a visit (Sherwood Forest, Clumber Park and Bunny Woods being the obvious choices but there are many more smaller woods to choose from).  There are also meadows for butterflies and other insects, waterways for dragonflies and damselflies – I could go on but I think you get the idea. And if you don’t fancy leaving the city, we have plans for some Urban Wildlife Walks right in the heart of Nottingham –but more of this at a later date! Book your place on a tour with Verdant Wildlife. Tours can be tailored to suit you, and are available all year round.