Nature springs into action (From St Helens Star)

Nature springs into action across St Helens

4:43pm Friday 8th May 2009 in Pictures

SPRING has truly arrived and up to now I think we’ve had more good weather in the last few weeks than we had in the whole of last year. Sorry if you feel I may be tempting providence!

Since last month’s feature we have seen spring unfolding before our very eyes on a daily basis. This is one of the most exciting times of the year and I feel it will take more than just one publication to cover.

What can we hope to see? Well, the list is endless when you stop and think about it. I thought that this month, rather than feature one subject, I would provide you with a summary of what you are likely to find in our parks and green open spaces.

I would suggest you visit one or more of the borough’s many locations, Taylor Park, Sherdley Park, Sankey Valley, Carr Mill and Newton-le-Willows.

To gain the best from your visit I would also suggest that you attempt to contact the visitor centre for an update on what can be seen and where. These guys are a hive of information.

I am sure we have all seen the grass getting greener by the week, the birds having their courtships and building their nests, trees coming into leaf and the beautiful blossoms and flowers coming alive.

Throughout the borough of St Helens, in fact throughout the country, you will be able to witness many aspects of mother nature fast at work. Many of the parks in the borough invariably have large ponds or lakes where it is quite possible, if you keep your eyes peeled, to see nesting mute swans, coots, moorhens, mallards, and grebe, just to mention but a few. Some already are proud parents.

The rhodedendrons are also starting to come into flower. What a spectacle of colour. Throughout the past month a few of the species which I have been watching and working with are mute swans, moorhens and lambs. It is wonderful to watch them frolicking around in the fields.

What have you been up to, what have you seen and where? Why not drop me a line?

The easiest and cheapest way to study and possibly get some excellent photographs of your local wildlife is in your own home, such as your garden or even a window box.

I myself have had, apart from the many different birds, squirrels, frogs and field mice in my garden. For more detailed information and advice, just drop me a line.

Next issue?

Because this time of the year is so important to the natural world I’m looking at an extra feature this month, perhaps in a couple of weeks, to focus on a couple of my very special friends; a pair of mute swans who are currently sitting on four eggs.

Finally, this column now its own space on the Star’s website, please visit and use it on www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/nature.

Don’t forget, any specific questions or suggestions, please contact me via either the Star’s offices at 23a Hardshaw Street, St Helens. or directly via the ‘contact’ page on my own website www.fotographicimages.co.uk