​In January 2024, our Young Nature Watch activity took on a different guise: we set a competition for our members, to photograph a flower, au naturel between 30th December and 2nd January. This was in conjunction with the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland’s annual flower hunt.
 
We were delighted to receive several entries from around the area. These were collated and submitted to BSBI as a group entry.
 
The winner of the under 10’s competition was Rose McLean for her super photo of some catkins, trembling in the breeze and shedding their pollen. Well done, Rose, we shall be in contact soon to hand over your prize, and thank you to all those who entered.

​Emma Procter

Our next event is a make your own garden bird box workshop, at 10 am on Saturday the 17th of February, Hinton Hall. There are three different models of boxes from which you can choose: small hole (25mm), medium hole (32 mm) and square opening, all of which are chosen by different types of birds to nest in.

You will build your own bird box (or boxes) during the day, and find out which is the best location where you can place it to observe birds safely. You will be able to take your box home and decorate as you wish before placing it in your favourite outside space. As in previous occasions, the society will subsidise half the cost of the materials, so you will be asked for a donation of £7 per nest box to cover the remainder. 

If you would like to join, please get in touch by the 4th of February, indicating how many people will be attending in your group and how many boxes you would like to build, and if you have any preference as to the type of hole, so we can order the necessary number of kits.