About Me

Hi all!

I am Rachelle.  I have just completed a MSc in Species Identification and Survey Skills. It was the best thing I have ever done and I have loved every moment of it!

[caption id="attachment_90" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Long-eared owl at the Hawk Conservancy Trust[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_93" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Bird ringing: Long-tailed tit[/caption]

I am in love with and fascinated by the natural world. Having lived in Greater London all my life a lot of people would assume I don't have much contact with it, and indeed this is something I have complained about in the past being a great admirer of the open countryside, beautiful woodlands, pristine lakes and rolling mountains of places like the Lake District or the Scottish Highlands.

[caption id="attachment_91" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Ben Nevis, Scotland[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_122" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Scafell Pike, Lake District[/caption]

But over the past few years I have discovered more and more of the hidden, and not so hidden, wildlife gems of London. It is amazing what you can find even just a few feet away from your front door.

I live on a busy main road with a small back garden half of which consists of concrete slabs. But with a few bird feeders, some potted herbs and a small patch at the bottom left to grow wild it is a mini adventure park for wildlife (and for me!).

My main passion is birds but recently I have become fascinated with insects, particularly moths. As well the common (but never dull!) birds I have seen this year so far I have also enjoyed Waxwings opposite South Ealing Tube Station, Bearded Tits in Hyde Park, and a Grasshopper Warbler at Staines Moor, all rarer birds that I would not have expected to find in the middle of London! Anyone can enjoy and discover wildlife no matter where you live, all you need is the interest and enthusiasm.

[caption id="attachment_126" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Waxwing in South Ealing[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_127" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Female bearded tit in Hyde Park[/caption]

A 3 minute walk from my front door and there is Oak Avenue Nature Reserve. A 5 minute cycle down the road and there is Bushy Park, one of the several Royal Parks around London and an important area of acid grassland. An equal distance in the other direction is Kempton Nature Reserve, a small hidden area of wetland which is a alive with wildlife all year round. Within Cycling distance there is Bedfont Lakes Country Park, Staines and Stanwell Moor, Staines Reservoir, Richmond Park, Putney Heath, Barnes Common, London Wildfowl and Wetland Centre, Hounslow Heath and lots more I have yet to investigate. The very location of these wildlife havens, right in the middle of a busy urban setting, makes them all the more magical!

[caption id="attachment_124" align="aligncenter" width="418"] With Jack in Bushy Park[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_87" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Norbury Park[/caption]

I have to admit I am not a city girl, ultimately my dream is to one day move away from here, perhaps up to the Scottish Highlands, but for now I am kept sane discovering and exploring all that London's wildlife has to offer; which, as it so happens, is a hell of a lot more than I ever expected!

I would like to share these discoveries and adventures with you, with the hope that you can be inspired to make and share your own, not matter where you live or who you are.

[caption id="attachment_94" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Cheers![/caption]