Yesterday's mystery bird was... the reed bunting! 🐦 During the breeding season, males can be spotted perched high on reeds, rushes or scrub, voicing their simple, three-note territorial call.

🐦️ Which bird can you hear? Let us know in the comments! Answer revealed tomorrow... 👀

🦋 The wild flowers are blooming, chalkhill blue butterflies have finally arrived, small blue butterflies are breeding, and Volunteer Warden @mickdjones.bsky.social recently counted 62 caterpillars of the rare striped lychnis moth on dark mullein plants, extending its distribution in the Chilterns.

Dancersend is BBOWT's oldest nature reserve, and one of the first ever reserves in the UK. 🌱 15 years ago we reseeded former arable fields at the Extension, as well as creating large scrapes to provide bare earth as a refuge for rare chalk grassland plants and insects. We can declare it a success!

📸 Vicky Hall, Ben Hall/2020VISION, Jon Hawkins - Surrey Hills Photography, John Bridges

📸 Peter Smith, Alex Cruikshank, Nigel Carter, Jon Hawkins - Surrey Hills Photography

📸 Paul Hobson, Vicky Hall, Vaugn Matthews, Ross Hoddinott/2020VISION

What exactly is a heathland? 🌿 This Heath week, get to know some of the wonderful wildlife you may spot on your next visit! Where can you go? 🦎 - Greenham and Crookham Commons - Snelsmore Common - Wildmoor Heath - Discover more at bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves

🎉 We are excited to launch the BBOWT Volunteer Awards for 2026! Please nominate volunteers who work on BBOWT sites, supporting work behind the scenes, or taking action for nature in their local community. 👉 Nominate here: buff.ly/ggcQqq7

Make a difference for nature: bbowt.org.uk/join-us You can: 🌳 Restore wildlife across your landscape 🌇 Bring nature into towns and cities 🦋 Protect threatened species on your local Wildlife Trust reserves

🙌 A new cross-party group of MPs and peers fighting for chalk streams has launched! We are excited to be working with Sarah Green, MP for Chesham and Amersham, who has been elected as Chair, and all the members of the new All-Party Parliamentary Group.

❤️🖤 The six-spot burnet moth is a day-flying moth that flies with a slow, fluttering pattern. Look for it alighting on knapweeds and thistles in grassy places - it's glossy black, with six red spots on each forewing.

These are just a few examples of flowers to plant in your garden to see some stunning moths, but other nectar-rich plants will also do the trick! 🌼 Visit wildaboutgardens.org.uk to download the 'Gardening for moths' guide.

We may not get hummingbirds in the UK, but you could still be treated to a hovering hawk-moth! The hummingbird hawk-moth is a small, day-flying moth, which visits the UK from Southern Europe each summer.

People were inspired by Phil’s vision, listening attentively to his story of how he had been inspired by swifts as a child. Thanks to the support of a growing community of likeminded people, Phil has been able to see his dream take shape.

One person’s childhood vision has grown into a movement taking Crowthorne by storm! 🪶 A record 38 people turned up for the village swift walk, and we had to add two extra dates to keep up with the demand!

🐇 Who doesn’t love spotting rabbits hopping through long grass during a walk in the countryside? They were first introduced to the UK by the Normans for food and fur but are now a common sight for many.

To start off National Moth Week, discover some moths you may find whilst out and about this summer! ✏️ Illustrations by Prisha

This male southern migrant hawker was spotted hanging out at Whitecross Green Wood! This dazzling dragonfly, also known as the blue-eyed hawker, is a recent arrival to Britain. 📸 Phil Townsend, Volunteer Warden at Aston Clinton Ragpits

💙 Viper’s-bugloss is a vibrant blue flower that blooms in late spring and summer, but where did it get its curious name? 👉 Discover more wildlife this July: buff.ly/KBuszOf

🪲 Staff from BBOWT's Landscape Recovery and Land Management teams, and the Future Nature WTC Land and Farm Advice Service had a great day out with local farmer facilitators, hearing about the Farming Insects project in the Chilterns. 📸 Charlotte Newberry

🦆🍇 After receiving group feedback, the Parish Council made sure that the board was simple, accessible and informative. We were approached by a resident with a bag of grapes - she said that she had no idea that bread isn’t great for ducks, and learned about the healthier alternatives via the board!

A local wildlife success story! 🐸 We had a wonderful walk around Lent Green Lane pond, in collaboration with the Friends of the Pond residents group, and Simply Walk. 📸 Barbara Polonara

Some new grey wagtails have entered the world! 🩶💛 With thanks to our friend Henry for sending us his fantastic trailcam footage from Waterstock Local Wildlife Site.

The meadows at Gallows Bridge Farm are full of colour! Which wildflowers can you spot in these photos? 📸 Chloe Bradford

🪹 As its name suggests, the house martin can be spotted nesting in the eaves of houses in our towns and villages! Its intricate mud nests take days to build, and as drier springs make mud harder to come by, installing aritifical nest cups is a crucial way to support the declining population.

🦋 Thanks to the wonderful work of the West Berkshire Volunteers and Land Management Team, two boards have been installed at Snelsmore and Greenham Commons for engraved butterfly plaques. 📸 Adrian Wallington

🦋 Have you seen many butterflies yet this summer? Here are just a few to look out for along woodland rides and hedgerows!

Wrens are opportunistic nesters! This pair have nested in the used bale twine at Chimney Meadows Nature Reserve. A great example of how not being too tidy can be good for wildlife 🪹 📸 Louise King

We’re hiring - Fen Futures Project Officer 🌿 Join our team and help restore some of our rarest wetland habitats. You'll deliver an exciting project focused on conserving endangered invertebrates of lowland alkaline fens, including the Southern Damselfly. Apply now: www.bbowt.org.uk/jobs/fen-fut...