Blog posts by year and monthApril 2009
Posts (9)
Tune in to the dawn chorus
Get set for the world's wildest wake-up call. Sunday is International Dawn Chorus Day so make sure you set your alarm, drag yourself out of bed and get involved! The dawn chorus reaches its peak during the end of April and beginning of May as the songs of the UK's resident bird species ar...
Mother duck's a media darling
Our colleagues at BBC Broadcast Centre in London's White City have been in touch to tell us about a mother duck who's something of a media darling. The mallard has laid a clutch of eggs in a large flowerpot on a fifth floor balcony at the BBC's Media Village where programmes such as the One S...
Blooming bluebells
May is usually the best time of year to see bluebells - but carpets of these striking bell-shaped deep blue flowers are already bursting into life across many areas of Wales.
Make the most of the cuckoo's call
After spending winter in Africa the cuckoo is expected to start arriving back in Britain from this week on. The cuckoo has one of nature's most recognisable sounds - a truly unmistakable signal of spring. But wildlife experts reckon we should make the most of its distinctive two-note call wh...
Rare birds caught on camera
Unusual footage of one of the United Kingdom's rarest birds has been captured on Anglesey. Although the west coast of Wales is a renowned hotspot for choughs, these crow-like creatures with their distinctive crimson-coloured beaks and legs are still scarce in the UK.
Ospreys updates
Wales could soon have it's second pair of breeding ospreys after a male osprey was spotted setting up home on a man-made nest at Cors Dyfi reserve in Powys over the Easter weekend. Lucky visitors to the new site near Machynlleth were able to see the bird carrying out maintenance work on the nest and bringing back fish from the River Dyfi. Fingers crossed a mate will arrive soon. In the meantime, if you want to keep up to date with all the latest news from the neighbouring Glaslyn ospreys, check out the RSPB's special online diary. Here project offficer Geraint Williams of RSPB Cymru will be posting regular updates throughout the season about Wales' only pair of breeding ospreys and their new brood. The birds have attracted thousands of visitors to the site at Glaslyn near Porthmadog since they first arrived in 2004. Now the pair are developing a growing online following too with fans signing up to leave messages and receive blow by blow accounts straight to their computer. Remember you can also see the latest pictures from the nest via the osprey webcam on BBC North West Wales.
Do rabbits lay eggs?
Ever wondered why rabbits are associated with Easter? According to ancient European folklore our familiar egg-laden Easter bunny was in fact originally a hare - an ancient symbol of new life and fertility due, just like the rabbit, to its prolific breeding and also its madcap springtime mat...
Urban nature
It's always difficult in urban areas to get inspiration for where to visit for any kind of nature fix. Of course Wales has more than its fair share of amazing countryside, but for a lot of us living in towns and cities it's hard to find somewhere local for nature lovers. Big thumbs up, then, for Dyffryn Gardens in the Vale of Glamorgan, just about seven miles from Cardiff city centre.
Keep an eye on the clock
Want to catch a glimpse of the world's fastest and deadliest predator? Peregrine falcons, which can reach spectacular speeds as they stoop to catch their prey, are usually associated with remote crags and cliffs. However, these days you don't necessarliy need to pull on a stout pair of hik...
