Time to Go wild about Britain You don’t have to swan off to foreign climes to get among some of nature’s most beautiful sights, reports Nigel Roe
Nothing feels better than getting out in the natural world – especially after months cooped up at home during lockdown.
But you don’t have to head to the Antarctic or South American jungles to find amazing wildlife – there’s plenty to see here at home.
Check out these top UK spots if you long to have a wild time over the next 12 months.
Loch Garten, Abernethy, Strathspey Ynys-hir, Machynlleth, Powys
Woodland birds are the real stars of the show here. The oak forests teem with life in spring and summer when warblers and other species arrive back from their winter holidays in warmer climes.
Keep your eyes peeled for the beautiful black and white pied flycatchers that nest in boxes among the oaks – if you are really lucky you might see a lesser-spotted woodpecker, the smallest of our three species.
There’s a good mix of habitats for you to explore, including pools and peat bogs that harbour species such as slow worm and common lizard.
If you visit in the colder months, watch out for the Greenland white-fronted geese on the salt marshes – the only overwintering population in the whole of Wales and England.
■■More info: rspb.org.uk
Isle of Mull, Argyll and Bute
Mums and dads will recognise the island’s brightly-painted capital Tobermory from CBeebies show Balamory – but it’s best known among wildlife watchers for its white-tailed eagles.
They were reintroduced on the nearby island of Rum in the 1970s and spread here around a decade later. There are now around 20 breeding pairs and local skippers will be more than happy to take you to see their regular haunts.
In summer you should look out for the basking sharks, whales and dolphins that feed in the rich waters offshore, and along the rocky coasts keep your eyes peeled for otters.
Mull’s a great place to visit any