Sunrise over water meadows from the Avon Valley long distance footpath close to Hampshire Hatches Ringwood Hampshire England UK
Ringwood sign Hampshire England
Roe deer Capreolus capreolus Avon Valley near Ringwood Hampshire England
Signpost for the Avon Valley footpath Bickerley Green Ringwood Hampshire England UK
European robin Erithacus rubecula perched in garden trellis Ringwood, Hampshire, England

A Ringwood Native, Mike has always known that his home town parish, set between the New Forest and incorporating part of the Avon Valley, is fabulous for wildlife.  With a migration flyway and important wintering area to the west and extensive heaths and woodlands to the east, just about anything can turn up ……. and sometimes does!  The wildlife locally can at times be quite surprising.  A Red Fox suddenly started to appear in the garden a few years ago and it seemed to be very approachable.  It even spent some time asleep on our neighbour's flat roof and when it woke up, it was photographed by their satellite dish.  Sadly it disappeared after about three weeks of gracing us with its presence. Since then, we have occasionally heard foxes on clear January nights when they are seeking mates, but unfortunately none have returned to visit us as far as we know.

Birds also visit gardens locally with occasional rarities turning up as the talk shows.

There are a couple of reasons for Mike working on a very local talk.  Firstly, he can relate to and has seen many wildlife changes that have taken place during his long interest in nature as they have done over recent years.  Secondly, he could walk to all of the various locations and habitats to greatly reduce his 'car miles' thus helping the environment.

As usual, this is a light and informative presentation fully illustrated with Mike's own photography.

If you would like to book this or any other of my talks, please telephone me or send me an email.  Sending an email can be done via my 'contact me' page.

White-tailed bumblebee Bombus lucorum approaching the flowers of Viper's bugloss Ringwood Hampshire England UK
Red fox Vulpes vulpes young female sat beside satellite dish on flat roof of house extension
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos female and ducklings crossing road Peak District National Park Derbyshire England
Marsh marigold Caltha palustris in water meadows Ringwood Hampshire England UK