Five tips to spot wildlife on your Autumn Walk

Autumn is a great time to be spotting wildlife, and it's simpler than you might think find your inner Chris Packham...

1. Take A Break

Instead of racing through on your walk, take it steady and rest for a while to look around.  Not just to make sure you don't tread on anything, but also to keep your eyes open for footprint trails.  If you are stopping for any length of time, make sure you're layered up to keep warm.

2. Blend into your Environment

Leave that red fleece behind, turn your mobile phone onto silent and zip your car keys away in your pockets.  Blending in is the name of the game when trying to spot wildlife - so dark coloured clothing and hinding away into the shadows helps your chances.  Also, if you are snacking, try to avoid crunchy snacks which make loud noises in the quiet of the landscape.

3. Rhythm of the Rain

Don't just be a fair-weather walker - getting out in the rain will mean you'll see all the insects and worms who love wet weather.  And they then bring out more birds... Who then bring out bigger birds...

4. Dawn or dusk

Picking the right time greatly increases your chances of wildlife viewing - and the best times are either at dawn or at dusk.  With a bit of research you'll be able to identify animals favourite drinking spots, shelters and hind-outs.  And don't forget to bring a torch to light your way - a head torch is a great idea to keep hands free.

5. Remember to put it back

It's so important not to disturb things, especially during breeding seasons - and if you do, replace it.

And remember also to take a camera - and post some top pics to our Facebook page please!

What wildlife have you spotted on Autumn walks - please let us know.

Podcast Edition 008 - Show Notes

listen to ‘Edition 008 - Wastwater Photography, the National 3 Peaks and Cameron McNeish’ on Audioboo

Edition 8 of the Walks Around Britain podcast features an insight into the inspiration behind Wastwater Photography, Mark Brigham tells us about his National Three Peaks adventure and walking expert Cameron McNeish explains how he got into walking and writing - and about his new National Trail in Scotland.


Wastwater Photography

Mark Gilligan is cited as one of the worlds top Landscape Photographers.
A multi award winning member of both the British Institute of Professional Photography and the Royal Photographic Society, Mark is a features writer for many magazines such as 'Lake District Life', 'Lancashire Life', 'TGO', 'Country Walking' and 'Cumbria'.

On the podcast, Mark talks about his love of the Lakes and in particular Wast Water.

To find out more and to see Mark's stunning photography, visit his website here.



National Three Peaks

The Three Peaks Challenge involves climbing the three highest peaks in England, Wales and Scotland within 24 hours.  It is a misconception the challenge takes in the three highest peaks in Britain - it doesn't - over 100 peaks in Scotland are higher than Scafell Pike, and 56 higher than Snowdon.

Having said that, it is a considerable challenge, and one rated up there with several higher mountains by people who have attempted many.

Mark Brigham joined Andrew to chat about his National Three Peaks adventure last year.

Photo - http://www.livefortheoutdoors.com

Cameron McNeish

There isn't much in the outdoor world Cameron McNeish hasn't done.  He's edited magazines, written books, presented television and DVD programmes, after dinner speaking, lecturing and being an adviser to various outdoor organisations.

But before all of that, he is a passionate wilderness hiker, backpacker and mountain walker - and it is this fact - as he points out - which makes him different to other presenters.  And spot the lovely mention of Nick Crane...

To find out about Cameron's ever growing range of DVDs and books, visit the Mountain Media site - and say we sent ya!

Hope you enjoyed this month's podcast.  Please let us know your comments and suggestions.

Podcast Edition 003 - Show Notes

listen to ‘Edition 003 - Wales Coastal Path, National Parks' Photo Competition, May Walking Festivals and Mike Harding & Fiona Reynolds at Kinder 80’ on Audioboo

The third edition of the Walks Around Britain podcast features Angela Charlton, Director of Ramblers Cymru talking about the Wales Coastal Path, a great photographic competition in the UK's National Parks, 2 walking festivals in May and interviews with Dame Fiona Reynolds and Mike Harding at Kinder 80.


Wales Coast Path

On 5th May, the whole of the 870 miles of the coast of Wales - from the outskirts of Chester in the north to Chepstow in the south - will be opened to walkers.  Angela Charlton from Ramblers Cymru explains on the podcast all about the history and the background behind the path - and if you want to find out more, there's the official Wales Coast Path website and the Ramblers Wales website.


Walking Festivals

The 2 walking festivals we featured are the Rutland Walking Festival and the Suffolk Walking Festival.

To find out more walking festivals in Britain, have a look at our Great British Walking Festival calendar.


Winning Landscapes


The photographic competition mentioned on the podcast is open until the 10th May - upload your photo and find out about the terms and conditions at the website.

Dan Santillo's dramatic and expressive photography of the Gower and the Brecon Beacons is here.




Kinder 80

The 80th anniversary of the Mass Trespass on Kinder Scout was held at the Moorland Centre at Edale on the 24th April 2012.  Andrew talked to Dame Fiona Renyolds, Director General of the National Trust and the singer, songwriter, broadcaster and walker Mike Harding.









To find out more about the Kinder Mass Trespass visit the official site here - and there's Andrew's post on this very blog here.





So, that's the third edition then! If you've any comments or suggestions, please e-mail them, tweet or facebook them. Or use the "Send us a Voice Message" tab on the right of the blog to let us know your thoughts via audio.

New National Park Photography Competition

Many people take a digital still camera with them whilst going out walking – and many more have cameras built into their mobile phones.

So a new competition launched on last Thursday (12^th April) will be of great interest.

The UKs National Parks have launched a photo competition with a special prize – submit your winning landscape taken in a UK National Park and you could win a pair of boots.

There are 15 National Parks in the UK - Brecon Beacons, The Broads, Cairngorms, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Lake District, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs, New Forest, Northumberland, North York Moors, Peak District, Pembrokeshire Coast, Snowdonia, South Downs and the Yorkshire Dales.  They cover some fantastic scenery and a broad range of landscapes from rolling green meadows to mountains and rocky coastal cliffs.

The idea is that if views could compete in the Olympics, views from the UK National Parks would be up there on the podium.

The competition will be judged by TV adventurer Ben Fogle President of the Campaign for National Parks (CNP), Kathryn Cook from the UK Association of National Park Authorities (UK ANPA) and Emily Carr from its partner organisation, outdoor gear specialist Merrell.

Ben Fogle said:  "The UK's National Parks offer some truly gold medal-winning views, which is why I think the UK National Parks team's idea to seek out fans' best photos is a great idea. I look forward to seeing some stunning views and to judging the winning landscape in May."

The winning image will be picked from a shortlist of up to 10 photographs and the lucky winner will get to pick one pair of footwear from Merrell’s excellent spring/summer 2012 collection.

The competition has already started and closes at noon on May 10^th.  To upload your image, visit the Competition page on the National Park’s website here

Our website has some handy hints and tips for taking better landscape photographs - visit our page here.

Our May podcast will feature professional photographer Dan Santillo's top tips to help you too!  You can subscribe to our podcast on iTunes here.