Red kites, great spotted woodpeckers and pink-footed geese are only a few of the birds doing brilliantly in the British Isles right now. Mark Cocker celebrates their success stories and looks at what might be learnt from them

PHOTOS, LETTERS, TWEETS, QUESTIONS – HAVE YOUR SAY

Britain’s seabird colonies are among the most spectacular in the world and you can experience them from the sea or land. Read on to find out where you can enjoy these incredible wildlife encounters

Mike’s local area has become a difficult place to watch gulls, but it makes up for their lack in other ways

AMELIA arrives home from her half-day at work. She has the week’s shopping and quickly squirrels everything away, leaving just her children’s magazines on the kitchen table. Seeing she only has three-

DECEMBER 2025