Butcher's Broom - 4 April 2017
7th Apr 2017Butcher's Broom (Ruscus aculeatus) is a rather strange native plant which you can find growing along the River Walk. It is an evergreen low-growing, stiff, spiky shrub...
Early Butterflies Blog - 20th March 2017
20th Mar 2017Wednesday March 15 was a warm, sunny day which resulted in the sight of several early butterflies on the wing. Newly hatched Brimstones in lovely bright yellow...
Tree-Climbing Birds - 15th March 2017
15th Mar 2017If you see a bird clambering up a tree trunk or upside down along a branch, it will be one of three species: a great spotted woodpecker, a nuthatch or a treecreeper.
Winter Bird Survey - 20th February 2017
20th Feb 2017Although this is still a quiet time of year at Exbury there are encouraging signs that spring is on the way. Before the season gets into full swing, however, it's worth taking stock of the winter.
Winter Update - 15th February 2017
15th Feb 2017As any keen gardener will know, winter is one of the busiest times of the gardener’s year. With over 200 acres of fabulous woodland garden to maintain, Exbury is no different...
The Champion Tree - 8th February 2017
8th Feb 2017We have a fantatic collection of Conifers from all over the world...
Signs of Autumn - 30th September 2016
30th Sep 2016The year is moving along and there are now definite signs of autumn in the Gardens. Some trees have begun to shed their leaves, as can be seen...
Autumn Butterflies - September 2016
19th Sep 2016There are quite a number of butterflies around at present. Beautiful fresh-looking Red Admirals are nectaring on flowers or basking in the sun...
Hawkers - September 2016
13th Sep 2016September is the month for hawkers. Hawkers are medium to large dragonflies with a restless hawking flight...
More About Dragonflies - September 2016
1st Sep 2016There are various different groups of dragonflies, not all of which are called "dragonfly". There are darters and hawkers and chasers as well as plain "dragonflies"...
Dragonflies - August 2016
26th Aug 2016At this time of the year most of the damselflies are over, but there are plenty of dragonflies still around. In fact, this year, they seem to have emerged quite late...
Gatekeeper Butterflies - July 2016
28th Jul 2016On Daffodil Meadow Gatekeeper butterflies are at their peak. These small bright orangey-brown butterflies are often the last of the browns to emerge...
Update on House Martins - June 2016
29th Jun 2016The House Martins at their colony on the water tower are well into their nesting season. Of the eight nests which I am watching...
Lime Tree - June 2016
17th Jun 2016There is a magnificent lime tree on the main drive near Exbury House. From a distance it appears to be in full flower...
Wildflowers in May & early June - 6th June 2016
6th Jun 2016Wildflowers are beginning to come into their own. A delicate-looking white umbellifer is flowering in profusion in Daffodil Meadow.
House Martins - May 2016
25th May 2016The house martins at their colony on Exbury Water Tower have been busy since their return in early May. The numbers have built up gradually, with nest reconstruction their first job.
Spring Wildflowers - 29th April 2016
29th Apr 2016"I know a bank where the wildflowers grow...." , to misquote the Bard, and this is the time to come and see them.
Animal Signs: Hedgehogs and Kestrels - 23rd April 2016
23rd Apr 2016Hedgehogs have been in the news recently, with conservationists asking gardeners to provide gaps in their fences to allow hedgehogs to roam around looking for food.
Lichens - 11th April 2016
11th Apr 2016What is a lichen? It is a composite organism consisting of a fungus and one or more algae. The fungus provides the body, and the algae produce nutrients through photosynthesis.
Birdsong - 27th March 2016
27th Mar 2016Birdsong is gathering pace as the resident species claim their territories, look for partners and prepare for the breeding season.
First Butterfly - 17th March 2016
17th Mar 2016It is always exciting when the first spring butterflies are sighted. On a mild and sunny morning in mid-March I saw three Brimstone butterflies, two males and one female...
Goshawk - 20th February 2016
20th Feb 2016In late January a dead bird of prey was picked up in the Winter Garden by some of the gardeners who were working there.
Bird Boxes - 27th January 2016
27th Jan 2016Birds are not the only creatures attracted to nest boxes: spiders, woodlice, beetles and all manner of other creepy crawlies take refuge there, often making it their winter home.
