Watch your step and help rare breeding birds

  • Over half of England’s most threatened breeding birds nest on or near the ground.
  • The pandemic is making the public more aware of nature in their local area. Four out of every 10 people asked, said they’ve spotted wildlife they have never noticed before near their homes over the last 12 months.
  • As we return to the countryside around Surrey and Sussex, watching your step can help protect breeding birds and other wildlife.

People have been noticing nature much more during lockdown, as garden birds and other wildlife have helped lift spirits and connect us to the world outside. A recent YouGov survey, commissioned by the RSPB, showed that 41% of participants reported seeing wildlife near their homes that they had never noticed before over the last 12 months.

Almost half of the UK population (44%) have said they have tried to attract nature to their gardens during lockdown but as restrictions ease, the RSPB is keen to highlight that many of our threatened species don’t use gardens and nest boxes when raising young.

Over half of England’s most threatened breeding bird species nest on, or near to the ground; including curlew, little tern, nightjar and lapwing.

“If you ask people where bird’s nest, they are likely say a tree, hedge or nest box. It’s an image we’ve all grown up with but for some of our most threatened species it’s simply not true. Almost every natural habitat in the English countryside can be home to ground nesting birds and many of these species are under increasing pressure due habitat loss, predators and climate change. Yet we can all help protect them from disturbance by simply following The Countryside Code and keeping to footpaths.” Sara Humphrey, Communications ManagerAcross Sussex, chalk downland and heathlands are home to a huge variety of specialist species, including rare ground nesting birds such as skylark, corn bunting, woodlark and nightjar. For these species, the breeding season can last longer than you might think, with corn buntings still raising chicks in September.

These are often popular places to walk, cycle, horse ride and picnic too. By keeping yourself and your animals to the footpaths you can help to keep chicks safe. Fire risk can also be very high on heathlands, so pack a picnic rather than a BBQ and take any litter home.

In West Sussex, coastal and wetland areas can be home to ground nesting birds; little tern, ringed plover and oystercatcher often make homes near the tide’s edge. As vulnerable chicks are easy prey for lots of predators, dogs running through nesting sites can be very stressful for breeding birds. By sticking to paths, watching for signage and keeping dogs on leads in these habitats, you can help give chicks the best chance of survival.

Birds nesting on the ground are at higher risk from predators, which is why the nests and eggs they contain are often extremely well camouflaged. This makes them very hard to see and avoid.

“A skylark egg can be as small as 17mm across, that’s around the width of a 5p piece. When those eggs hatch, the vulnerable chicks can be just as well camouflaged. If disturbed, a chick’s instinct is often to stay quiet and avoid detection, so if you hear an adult bird calling out in distress or see one trying to catch your attention, back away carefully to help protect nests from harm.” Mike Shurmer, Head of Species for RSPB England.

The RSPB’s conservation scientists have developed methods to help protect nesting birds from environmental threats including climate change, wildfire and sea level rise, which can be delivered through managing landscapes for wildlife. They have seen fantastic results for species including roseate tern and stone curlew; but to protect ground nesting birds across the countryside, everyone can play a part by watching where they step, keeping dogs on leads and following The Countryside Code.

The RSPB works closely with partners and communities to protect wildlife across their network of over 200+ UK nature reserves and in the wider countryside. To find out more about RSPB reserves and projects near you, or to help fund the vital work the charity does to protect wildlife, visit www.rspb.org.uk



Guildford Walking for Health

Guildford Walking for Health

If the last year has taught us anything, getting out of the house for a stroll can do wonders for one’s mental health and general mood.

Guildford Walking for Health have been such an important source of support for many over the years helping them make new friends, get out of the house for a bit and improving general fitness for people.

The group is made up of volunteers who have a great knowledge of the local area as well as the trails that they walk. They ensure the walks are fun as well as teaching people about the local wildlife and local trees and shrubs within the area.

The groups have various levels of fitness and they ensure there is always someone who will walk at a slower pace if needed. The group support local businesses wherever they can, if its for a tea and cake break or popping into local shops for supplies for the walks.

Guildford Walking for Health has helped a lot of people make new friends as well as improving mental health for their walkers as well.

They are back starting on the 29th of March, the walks will be split into groups of 6 people to keep in line with the government guidelines. For more information, please see

https://www.walkingforhealth.org.uk/walkfinder/guildford-walking-for-health

“Walking for Health… what a lifesaver! I was in the depths of depression after losing 2 members of my family and was prescribed anti-depressants… I was then introduced to Walking for Health …what a simple, inexpensive (actually free) enjoyable cure! My leader Annelize Kidd is an amazing inspiring lady and really makes you feel you will overcome your problems by ‘Talking and Walking’ and how true this is.  I feel so much better mentally and of course physically fitter in the process.  This should be a number one NHS prescription — it’s good for mind, body and spirit. I for one can’t praise it enough.” Jo Jo from Guildford.

“The walks are not only helping me to recover from prostate cancer but also beat loneliness as I was recently widowed.  They are a lifeline for many and are such a friendly group of people.  I would strongly recommend them.” Michael 

“Walking in a group is great for you mentally and physically. You get to socialise, meet and chat with other people which helps to combat loneliness. You get to exercise with others and know you will not be walking alone, so you feel safe and have support.” Ginny

“Walking for Health has transformed my life.  It took me back into the community from growing isolation and mental health problems.  Without it my battle would be much tougher.” Lynne

For more information contact Annelize Kidd on

07554 423010 or email Guildfordwfh@outlook.com



itsu recipes with Gok Wan



How to transform your outdoor space with stunning garden sculpture

With the arrival of spring comes the perfect time to get out in the garden and make the most of your outdoor space. One way to completely transform your garden for 2021 is to invest in a garden sculpture. With so many styles and sizes to choose from, Ian Hay, Art Director at the Saul Hay Gallery (www.saulhayfineart.co.uk) shares his tops tips:

  • Think about WHY you want a sculpture – When it comes to buying sculpture for your garden, ask yourself, what do you want the sculpture to bring to the space? Is it to offer sharp, bold contrast to the living elements of the garden, or blend in with natural forms? Is it to make a statement or bring in a surprising element that will inject fun and intrigue?
  • Make an impact – I believe that garden sculpture should be impactful but never too dominant or it can jar with the overall view of the garden. You can choose sculpture that adds contrasts to the natural forms and colours of the garden by introducing bold colours and geometric shapes.
  • Use your sculpture as a guiding post – Sculpture has the power to create perspective that leads the eye through the overall garden design and helps to tie the whole space together – dividing sections and creating structure.
  • Work out how much space you have – When it comes to buying sculpture, so much depends on space. But if you’ve got a small garden, don’t be put off. Sculptural pieces can range from 30cm to a few metres in height so there are options for everyone. My advice is not to overcrowd the garden as you will lose the impact of individual sculptures – and that’s true if you’ve got a big or small garden. Make sure you choose work of the right scale and size for your space.
  • Ask a specialist – When it comes to buying fine art sculpture that is truly unique, approach a specialist gallery who will not only show outdoor sculpture but can offer advice on selecting the right work for your requirements. Sculptural works can be purchased ‘off the peg’ or can be specially commissioned just for you, to fit your space, taste and budget.
  • Choose your materials – The range is huge – you have marble, stone, stainless steel, painted steel, Corten steel, bronze, aluminium, wood, ceramics and of course the combinations of two or more of these media. Make sure you have a look at similar sculptures in the materials so you know what the final product will look like.
  • Choose your style – When it comes to style, think about if you want something that is lifelike or abstract. Both work well in gardens. Lifelike animal representations are particularly popular while brightly colour pure abstraction can bring a complete contrast to the space and stand out. It’s all down to personal choice and I’d recommend visiting galleries who sell sculpture and doing a lot of research online to work out what you’d like best.
  • Buy works of popular artists – Artists that do very well at the Saul Hay Gallery include the international renowned wildlife sculptor, David Cemmick, Jo Risley, who works in various metals to produce semi-abstract works inspired by nature, and Gareth Griffith, the Welsh sculptor who creates colourful and eye-catching works of art intended to catch people’s attention and draw them closer.
  • Trust your instincts – My main piece of advice when buying sculpture is to trust your taste and stick to your vision for the garden. Be ambitious and try not to compromise as you are building a garden to enjoy for many years to come.

The Surrey Sculpture Society’s virtual exhibition is on now – surreysculpture.org.uk



Put paid to scientist stereotypes with 10 women trailblazers

Asked to depict a scientist, too many children draw a white man with ‘mad professor’ hair. Former primary school teacher Abby Harper of education resource experts PlanBee says, why not show them that science and technology has always been the domain of brilliant, creative women.

10 women trailblazers in science

Mary Anning: geology rocks
Anning was a palaeontologist and a fossil collector. She was born in 1799 in Lyme Regis, Dorset. She collected fossils with her father. When he died, Mary sold them to help her mother pay off debts. Among the fossils Anning discovered were:
● A 5.2 meter-long skeleton of an Ichthyosaur, the first to be found.
● A Plesiosaurus skeleton initially considered too good to be genuine.

An interesting fact about Mary Anning
Even though she found lots of fossils and was an expert in the subject, she was often not credited with her finds. Women were not allowed to be members of the Geological Society of London until 1904, 57 years after she died. Anning is now starting to get the recognition she deserves: a statue of her is to be erected in Lyme Regis after a successful campaign by 13-year-old local teenager Evie Swire, and a film about the life of Anning, ‘Ammonite’, starring Kate Winslet, is due out later this year.

Ada Lovelace: switched-on programmer
The daughter of poet Lord Byron and Annabella Milbanke, Lovelace was born in 1815 in London. She became interested in Charles Babbage’s machines, which were designed to calculate mathematical tables mechanically, removing the errors that can appear when calculations are done by humans. Although Babbage’s machines were never built, Lovelace’s notes are an important part of early computer programs.

An interesting fact about Ada Lovelace
She has a computer programming language named after her: Ada.

Marie Curie: prized Nobel laureate
Marie Curie was a Polish-born physicist and chemist. She is well known for working with her husband Pierre as they discovered the radioactive elements Polonium and Radium. In 1903 Curie became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize for her involvement in research on radiation. In 1911, she became the first person to win a second Nobel Prize, this time for her work towards the discovery of Polonium and Radium. It is believed she died from the effects of long-term radiation exposure.

An interesting fact about Marie Curie
One of Curie’s daughters, Irène Joliot-Curie, also won a joint Nobel Prize in Chemistry with her husband – for their discovery of artificial radioactivity.

Rosalind Franklin: DNA discoverer
Franklin was an English chemist whose work was essential to understand the complex structure of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), the molecule in the cells of all living things that contains the genetic code. The code can determine things like skin, hair and eye colour as well as other traits which we inherit from our parents.
Franklin took the first X-ray picture showing that the DNA molecule was shaped like a double helix. This photo was used by other scientists to discover the structure of DNA, without clearly naming her as a contributor. The work that led to the discovery of the double-helix structure of DNA was awarded a Nobel Prize in 1962 – but the award went three men, and Franklin’s work went unacknowledged.

An interesting fact about Rosalind Franklin
Australian astronomer John Broughton discovered an asteroid and named it ‘9241 Rosfraklin’ in tribute to Franklin.

Jane Goodall: primate pioneer
Born in London, Dame Jane Goodall is considered the world’s foremost expert on chimpanzees and is best known for her life-long study of chimpanzees and their social interactions in Tanzania. Through hours and hours of careful watching, sketching and note-taking, Goodall was one of the first to observe a chimpanzee using tools to fish termites from their mounds. She was also one of the first to observe chimpanzees hunting for meat and gnawing on animal bones, debunking the theory that chimps were herbivores.

An interesting fact about Jane Goodall
Instead of numbering the chimpanzees as was the custom at the time, Goodall named the chimps. David Greybeard was one of the first she named. Others included Gigi, Mr McGregor, Goliath, Flo and Frodo who eventually kicked Goodall out of the troop when he became the leader.

Mae C. Jemison: out of this world
Mae Carol Jemison became the first black woman to travel into space in 1992. Born in the US, Jemison graduated from university with a degree in chemical engineering before earning her medical degree. Jemison was part of the 1992 STS-47 mission during which she orbited the Earth 127 times! She was in space for almost 200 hours during which she conducted experiments on the effects of weightlessness on herself and the crew.

An interesting fact about Mae C. Jemison
Jemison is a huge Star Trek fan. Whilst she was in space, she would often open communications by saying “Hailing frequencies open” which is a quote from the show. She even appeared on an episode of Star Trek in 1993.

Maggie Aderin-Pocock: star quality
Maggie Aderin-Pocock was born in north London in 1968. She is a space scientist and has a passion for sharing and educating both adults and children about space and other areas of science.
She co-presents “The Sky at Night” as well as appearing on many children’s TV shows too!

An interesting fact about Maggie Aderin-Pocock
Aderin-Pocock was diagnosed with dyslexia at age eight. She struggled at school but was passionate about science.

Mary Somerville: astronomical achiever
Somerville was a Scottish scientist who studied mathematics and astronomy. She was jointly admitted as the first female member of the Royal Astronomical Society. Her work focused on the sun’s radiation effects on Earth’s substances and many have agreed that her later works and books lead to the discovery of the planet Neptune. She was passionate about supporting women in education and fighting for their civil rights. At one point she was Ada Lovelace’s tutor and friend.

An interesting fact about Mary Somerville
She features on the new Scottish £10 note.

Sarah Gilbert: Covid vaccine hero
Sarah Gilbert is a British vaccinologist and professor of vaccinology at Oxford University. She specialises in the development of flu vaccines and has been working on new ways to create vaccines for over 10 years. During the 2020 COVID19 pandemic, she co-developed a much-needed vaccine with the Oxford Vaccine Group.

An interesting fact about Sarah Gilbert
Gilbert would often work from very early in the morning (4am) to late at night.

Elizabeth Garrett Anderson: medical marvel
Elizabeth Garret Anderson was the first woman in Britain to qualify as a physician and a surgeon. Born in London, Garret was initially taught by her mother, as there was no school nearby. When she was sent to boarding school at age 13, Garrett was upset by the lack of science and mathematics at her all-girl boarding school. It is said that Garrett was inspired by an entry in the English Woman’s Journal which talked about the first female doctor in the US, Elisabeth Blackwell. This spurred Garret into meeting with Blackwell and opening up the path to medical careers for women. Through private study, Anderson obtained a certificate in anatomy and physiology. She finally obtained her licence to practise medicine in 1865.

An interesting fact about Elizabeth Garrett Anderson
Garrett was not allowed to work in a hospital, so in 1865 she opened her own practice in London.