June 2017 , I posted the first blog on Wildonline . Fast forward three and a half years , over 800 posts and a few million views , the blog is still going strong. Articles in my local paper and interviews on local radio have followed.

The blog vaguely follows my wildlife photography journey over the past few years. Nothing beats being out and about with a camera in hand , watching local wildlife and I think this has become more important this year. Having a garden with visiting wildlife has been priceless during the long periods of lock down . But I have always dreamed of having my very own patch of wilderness.

And after eighteen months of negotiations, and thanks largely to the efforts of my wife Anne, at long last the dream is about to become a reality. We have negotiated a lease for a small parcel of wildflower meadow , surrounded by woodland and farmland . The small plot is in a lovely setting within the rolling hills of the Marlborough downs in North Wiltshire.

The plot extends to just one and a half acres of wildflower meadow. The real exciting part is we have permission to build a hide and two ponds. I will be joined in this new adventure by my good friend and fellow blogger / wildlife photography Graham Stewart, who lives close to the plot of land.

Our mission is to build the hide and ponds . Restore the meadow and hedgerow and create a wildlife haven. So welcome to the Wild flower meadow.

WILDLIFE – PIED WAGTAIL

The Pied Wagtail, known for its frantic tail-wagging and black-and-white plumage, is a common sight in car parks and city centers. While most are year-round residents in the UK, some migrate to the Mediterranean and Africa during winter. Adult males defend territories, while young and female wagtails forage in groups during winter. They primarily feed…

by phans66 April 29, 2024

WILDLIFE – BLACKBIRD

BLACKBIRD Turdus merula Words and pictures by Peter Hanscomb The Blackbird , Turdus merula is a member of the thrush family and can be found throughout Britain and mainland Europe. Easily recognisably , the male with it’s glossy black plumage , bright yellow eye and yellow-orange bill is a firm garden favourite and can also…

by phans66 April 27, 2024

WILDLIFE – SLOW WORM

SLOW WORM – Anguis fragilis With long, smooth, shiny, grey or brown bodies, slow worms look very similar to a small snakes and can grow up to 50cm long. In fact the Slow worm is a legless lizard , and are quite harmless to humans. Slow worms like humid conditions and emerge from their hiding…

by phans66 April 25, 2024