News and features
Looking After Nature . . . so nature can look after you
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What is woodland management?
Woodland management and is beneficial to the health of the woodland. Find out why you might see our rangers trimming branches or removing trees.
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Floriography: the meaning of flowers
Find out more about the messages hidden inside some of our favourites.
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3 reasons why you should put a nest box in your garden
Setting up nest boxes in your garden or on a balcony is a simple way to help birds whether you’re in the middle of the city or the countryside.
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How can wildlife corridors help with habitat fragmentation?
Learn more about what wildlife corridors are, why they’re so important, and how you can help us create them.
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Conserving our Wild: Titchfield Haven and the wider landscape
Hear from Andy and Jim at Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve about ongoing nature recovery projects at the site.
Watch now our video about Titchfield Haven and the wider landscape -
Conserving our Wild: Species recovery at Titchfield Haven
Join Susan and Jim at Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve to hear about the successful re-establishment of water vole, avocet, and marsh harrier populations in the area.
Watch now our video about Species recovery at Titchfield Haven -
Your Countryside wrapped: Hampshire Countryside Service’s highlights 2024
Join us as we take a look back at some of our favourite bits of 2024.
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Why are mistletoe, holly and ivy popular at Christmas?
Discover how plants like mistletoe, holly, and ivy became associated with Christmas, and what the history behind them is.
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Conserving our Wild: field crickets – a nature recovery project
Hear about how field crickets were successfully reintroduced and why you’ll hear so many of them on Shortheath Common.
Watch now our video about field crickets -
Myths about animals in Hampshire’s countryside
If you want to know how to speak to bees, what different colour butterflies mean, or how to get mice to leave your home, we’re here to help
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Conserving our Wild: Little Terns
We hear from Nature Recovery Officer, Andy Davidson, about the little terns who call Lymington and Keyhaven Local Nature Reserve their home.
Watch now our video about little terns -
How to spot bats in Hampshire
Knowing how and when to spot bats can be difficult, so here are some of our top tips.
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Roseate terns hatched in Hampshire
Find out more about roseate terns and Hampshire’s newest arrivals.
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Find a coastal walk in Hampshire
In Hampshire, we’re lucky to have 230 miles of beautiful coastline, so we’re sharing four of our favourite coastal walks for you to try.
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Conserving our Wild: the importance of pollinators
Join Karima as she visits Buriton to find out what Hampshire County Council are doing to encourage pollinators in the county.
Watch now our video about pollinators -
A guide to the wildlife of Ashford Hangers National Nature Reserve
Situated in the east of Hampshire, Ashford Hangers National Nature Reserve is a woodland of beech, ash, and yew trees.
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A guide to the wildlife of Martin Down National Nature Reserve
Martin Down National Nature Reserve is one of the largest expanses of continuous chalk downland in the UK.
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A guide to the wildlife of Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve
Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve's variety of habitats make it an ideal home for wildlife.
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A guide to the wildlife of Castle Bottom National Nature Reserve
Castle Bottom National Nature Reserve is home to one of the most important valley mires in southern England.
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Three ways to celebrate the summer solstice in Hampshire
Here are our favourite ways to mark the occasion in Hampshire.
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A guide to the wildlife of Butser Hill National Nature Reserve
Butser Hill National Nature Reserve's chalky grassland makes an ideal home for wildlife.
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Dawn chorus at River Hamble Country Park
Immerse yourself in the melodies of nature with a calming recording of the dawn chorus at River Hamble Country Park in Hampshire. A picturesque stretch of woodland located along the banks of the River Hamble, the park is home to a diverse collection of wildlife.
Watch now our video of the dawn chorus at River Hamble Country Park -
A beginner’s guide to Hampshire’s garden birds
We’ve written a handy guide to the five most common birds you’re likely to spot in your Hampshire garden.
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Why are hedgerows so important and what are County Farms Service doing to protect and restore them?
Find out what hedgerows are, why they’re important, and what we’re doing to help.
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Why do leaves change colour and fall from trees?
Discover why leaves change colour and trees lose their leaves.
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Wildlife in Rivers
Hampshire’s rivers are home to lots of incredible wildlife such as water voles, otters and white-clawed crayfish. Hear about the work being done to protect them and how you can help us too.
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What is flying ant day and why does it happen?
If you’ve ever wondered what flying ant day is and why it happens, we’ve got some answers for you.
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Butterfly Conservation UK
Hear from Butterfly Conservation UK on this episode of Looking After Nature.
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Pollinator Q&A session with our rangers
Hear from our Pollinator Project Officer Karima who joins us on this episode of Looking After Nature.
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Biodiversity in Hampshire’s rivers
Find out more about Hampshire’s river residents.
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Hampshire Swifts
Karima sits down with Catharine from Hampshire Swifts to talk about the beloved bird, and what you can do to help their declining population
Listen now to Hampshire Swifts -
What to put in your garden bird feeders
Top tips on how best to feed the birds in your garden
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Busting Countryside Myths
Can cows tell when it’s about to rain? Do toads give you warts? Join Andy and Ben as they explore popular myths about nature.
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How to spot the first signs of spring
To help you know what to expect and when, we’ve created a month-by-month guide so you can spot the signs that spring has finally sprung.
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Fantastic Frog Facts with Froglife
Karima is joined by Kathy from the national wildlife charity Froglife.
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5 reasons to get outside this winter
Advice from Hampshire Countryside Service about the benefits of getting out and about this season.
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Spend time with family in Hampshire’s countryside this winter
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A Walk Along the River Itchen
Join Carly and Andy at the River Itchen to speak to Abbie from the Rights Of Way team in the Parish of Itchen Stoke and Ovington.
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5 fun ideas to keep children entertained on winter walks
During the wet and chilly winter season, it can be tricky to keep the little ones entertained on those bracing countryside walks
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5 Hampshire walks for wintry weather
The colder months have arrived, bringing with them changes in landscape, wildlife and weather
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Pollinators at Martin Down
Join Carly and Andy as they visit Martin Down National Nature Reserve to meet the site manager, Mike.
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Take part in a wildlife friendly beach clean!
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How to make your beach clean wildlife friendly
Removing litter from beaches is a great way to support wildlife as they are fantastic coastal habitats for many creatures including crabs, birds, and seals. Ranger Julie, from Bird Aware Solent has some great tips for making your beach clean wildlife friendly.
Watch now our video about how to make your beach clean wildlife friendly -
A beginner’s guide to tree planting: what, how, where, when and why
Tree planting is one way we can all come together to make a big impact on mitigating the effects of climate change.
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Hidden Walks of Hampshire: Rare wildlife on the Upper River Test
Gemma is joined by Maggie, the Community Catchments Officer at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. They guide us on a countryside walk to the Millennium Meadow, an old water meadow based in Whitchurch, a quaint village in Hampshire between Basingstoke and Andover. You’ll learn about the importance of chalk streams as they explore insect life on the Upper River Test and encounter one of the UK’s most endangered species - water voles.
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5 reasons to get kids involved in farmyard fun
There are plenty of reasons to head over to your local farm and see your favourite furry friends.
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A beginner’s guide to bumblebee-spotting
The UK has 24 species of bumblebee, but there are eight main types you’re likely to see out and about.
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Rights of Way: Path Wardens and Volunteers
Carly and Gemma meet Judy who is a volunteer and path warden who helps looking after public rights of way.
Listen now to Path Wardens and Volunteers podcast -
Great days out in Hampshire this summer
Make the most of those precious summer days and enjoy nature at its peak with these great activities!
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Celebrating Hampshire’s National Nature Reserves
Plan your visit to one of the wonderful National Nature Reserves.
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Video: How to build a bird box
Attract more wildlife to your garden with your own bird box.
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Video: A beginner’s guide to birdwatching
If you’ve recently caught the birdwatching bug or you’re looking to get involved now spring is around the corner, we have a few handy tips for you to make the most of your new hobby.
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8 ways to bring nature into your New Year’s resolution
Instead of trying to stick to a list of New Year’s resolutions, why don’t you try to aim for one way to bring nature into your life?
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Attract animals to your garden with your own log pile
Log piles are the perfect hiding place for many bugs and insects, providing a feast for animals such as hedgehogs and frogs.
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5 simple ways you can help the environment today
Here is our list of five simple changes to make today to start living a more environmentally friendly lifestyle.
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Top tips for going on a seashore safari
A seashore safari is a great opportunity to explore your local shoreline, spot some amazing wildlife and connect with nature.
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A local beekeeper answers your questions
Ever wondered what it's like to be a beekeeper? We caught up with a local beekeeper to find out! We asked him your questions and learnt more about the day in the life of a beekeeper.
Watch now our video of a local beekeeper answering your questions -
Top tips for perfect plants from Sir Harold Hillier Gardens
Adding some plants to your garden is not only a great way to brighten up your home but also a fantastic way to support our pollinators.
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Farming
We’re back with July’s podcast and we’re coming to you from Itchen Farm, Compton.
Listen now -
Video tutorial: How to build your own garden pond
A fantastic way to attract all sorts of wildlife to your garden is to build your own pond.
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Pollinators
For June we’ve headed out to Martin Down National Nature Reserve near Fordingbridge.
Listen now -
5 common UK pollinators and tips on how to attract them
There are over 1,500 species of insect pollinators in the UK. Here are five common pollinators you’re likely to spot in your garden this summer:
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Hedgerows
We’re finally back out in the wild! For May, we’re coming to you from Abbotstone Down near Alresford.
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Trees and Seeds at Queen Elizabeth Country Park
Join Carly and Andy as they visit Queen Elizabeth Country Park to meet Ashlea, one of our brilliant rangers.
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4 tips to make your garden more wildlife friendly
Are you keen to encourage more nature into your garden or outdoor space?
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Heathlands
April is here and so is the seventh episode of the Looking After Nature podcast.
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How to make your own bug hotel
Join Education Ranger Lottie as she shows us how to make a bug hotel.
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Bird Aware Solent
This month joining Carly and Andy we have David Long and Mark Appleton from the Bird Aware team.
Listen now -
A beginner’s guide to birdwatching: top tips to help you get started
One of the beauties of birdwatching is that it can be done from anywhere. You often don’t even need to leave your home – just stepping out into the garden or looking out the window can be enough to catch a glimpse
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Conservation Grazing
Joining Carly and Andy for this episode was Rob Groves who is the senior farm ranger at Manor Farm.
Listen now -
Restoring a Cold War underground monitoring post at Lepe Country Park
In 1962, a Stone Point Royal Observer Corps post was installed at Lepe Country Park. In this video, we learn about the history of the underground post and how a grant was spent on restoring it to its former glory.
Watch our video about restoring a monitoring post now -
How to connect with nature in your local area this winter
This winter, we’re likely to all be staying local when it comes to getting outdoors. When you know an area well, it can be easy to take it for granted but often there’s plenty to uncover if you take a moment to do so.
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Basingstoke Canal
This episode comes from the glorious Basingstoke Canal where we heard from the Canal Manager, Fiona Shipp.
Listen now to Basingstoke Canal podcast -
Slow Ways
This episode features an interview with Dan Raven-Ellison who is the founder of the fascinating Slow Ways project.
Listen now to Slow Ways podcast -
Let there be light: how to fight the winter slump by getting outside
Heading out into the great outdoors offers a whole host of benefits to our mind and bodies.
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Lymington and Keyhaven
This month’s episode comes to you from Lymington and Keyhaven Marshes Nature Reserve.
Listen now to Lymington and Keyhaven podcast -
Video: Build your own hedgehog home!
As we head deeper into autumn we may feel like hibernating. However, getting out in the colder weather has many benefits to our mental health. Some species do have to hide away until the spring though and one of those are hedgehogs
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Top spots for walks in Hampshire this autumn
Autumn brings with it some of our favourite walking conditions: beautiful low sun, stunning colours and tempting piles of crunchy leaves.
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Everything Trees!
The first full length episode of our Looking After Nature podcast is here.
Listen now to Everything Trees! podcast -
6 super fun ways to enjoy Hampshire’s countryside this summer
This summer marks a great opportunity to explore and appreciate our nearby surroundings.
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Nature journaling: what it is and how can you get involved
We’re encouraging our readers to enjoy the countryside as a temporary refuge from our everyday lives. One way to fully embrace nature is through keeping a nature journal.
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Get a sense of nature this spring
We’ve created a senses-based challenge which can be fun for the whole family.
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Your guide to forest bathing
You’ve probably heard of forest bathing – it’s a hot topic right now – and if you haven’t then you’re about to!
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How to keep fit in the countryside
Did you know that our parks and countryside offer all sorts of training ‘equipment’?
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Why going outdoors in winter is good for mind, body and soul
Research shows that even a short time walking in nature during the chillier months has many benefits for mind, body and soul.
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Top spots for winter walks in Hampshire
A lovely, long walk on a cold day is one of my favourite winter activities.
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3 ways to help hibernating hedgehogs
Here are three ways we can all help our prickly pals get a restful winter sleep.
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Bird Aware Solent
This episode comes to you from Hook with Warsash nature reserve.
Listen now to Bird Aware Solent podcast -
Top spots for summer walks in Hampshire
There’s nothing quite like British summertime – when the weather’s good, of course. When the sun’s out and it’s lovely and warm, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be than the Hampshire countryside
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Your 5-step guide to pollination
This year all us rangers at the Hampshire Countryside Service are each making a pledge to do something to help our pollinators
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Make a pledge to save our pollinators
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Top spots for spring walks in Hampshire
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Mad About Moths!
We have a bonus episode here for all you who signed up to our #PollinatorPledge!
Listen now -
Wildlife Gardening
For August, we’re coming to you from the Sensory Garden at Lepe Country Park to discuss all things wildlife gardening.
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Marine Wildlife
For September’s episode, we were joined by Rachel and Ben from the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.
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Ancient Trees
October’s podcast episode is here and we’re right on the Hampshire-Berkshire border for this one.
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Trees and Climate Change
Carly and Andy are joined by James Lovegrove from our ‘Trees and Woodland’ team.
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Garden Birdwatching
Carly and Andy met up with ranger Tara to discuss the type of birds you might see from your garden.
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Signs of Spring
February’s podcast is here and we have a familiar face (or voice!) joining us, Jo Heath, the former head of Hampshire Countryside Service.
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Dog Control
For our latest episode, Carly and Andy headed down to River Hamble Country Park.
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A Wander Around Whitchurch
We visit to Whitchurch where Andy and Carly meet Jonathan Woods, the strategic manager for the Hampshire Countryside Service.
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England Coast Path
Join Carly on a visit to Wicor Recreation Ground in Portchester to meet Allison, England Coast Path Project Manager.
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Rights of Way: British Horse Society
Carly and Gemma meet Petronella from the British Horse Society to see how people and horses can safely use rights of way paths.
Listen now to British Horse Society podcast -
Rights of Way: Ramblers
Carly and Gemma meet members of the Ramblers, a charity that promote walking for health and pleasure.
Listen now to Ramblers podcast -
Rights of Way: Walking With The Wounded
Carly and Gemma meet members from the Walking With The Wounded charity. They do some great work in helping us maintain the rights of way paths.
Listen now to Walking With The Wounded podcast -
Rights of Way: Parish Council
We head to Hurstbourne Tarrant to meet Mark, a parish councillor who has helped maintain the footpaths in the area.
Listen now to Parish Council podcasts -
Ticks - what are they and how can you prevent them?
This video tells you everything you need to know about ticks and how you can keep yourself and your animals safe while outside enjoying the countryside.
Watch now our video about preventing ticks