Wilder Kent Blog

Have you heard an extra harmony in the dawn chorus recently? You might be hearing the passerines (songbirds) that have been migrating north to breed after spending the winter feeding in warmer climates.

We are into full nesting season including the birds who nest on the ground or very low down in scrub, which is over half of Britain’s breeding species including the stonechat, robin, blackbird, skylark, yellow hammer, tree pipit and chiff chaff, not to mention the migrants such as whitethroats who will arrive from the South in May.

Whether you’ve been recently introduced to the idea of birdwatching through something like the Big Garden Birdwatch, or you already know your robin from your nuthatch, it’s a great hobby to pick up in the winter months.

Asked to picture an ancient woodland, our minds conjure thickets of gnarled, towering trees where you could easily slip off the path and find yourself amongst the fellowship on the way to Mordor or perhaps come face to face with a witch. The truth is, though our imaginations may run wild when out amongst nature, it may not be so far off.

The mysterious nightjar has fascinated humans for generations and their presence can be an indicator of healthy heathland ecosystems. Learn all about them here.

In the last fifty years, both nightingales and turtle doves have suffered a population decline of over 90%. The usual threats of habitat degradation and climate change are partly to blame, but these two species are also at risk from a few more specific challenges.

Rob Smith heads to Moat Farm Kent to visit a farmer who's lucky enough to live in a stronghold of a rare and elusive bird species - the nightingale. Find out the facts about Nightingales, listen to their beautiful song and learn how Michael Bax makes sure they have the right habitat to keep coming back year after year.

Welcome to a special episode of Talk on the Wild Side dedicated to just one subject, or rather just one place: the Knepp Estate in Sussex...