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

SVEN-ERIK ARNDT/ARTERRA/UNIVERSAL/GETTY ● There was a mallard duck ...

Karen Youngs is on the lookout for nature’s collectibles during a sunny spring walk

One of the rich joys of birding is that there are birds everywhere, including gardens and parks. Just get out and walk around, there’s no need to be quiet or furtive. Become familiar with your feather

Think you know hen weekends? Think again. Kat Shovlin’s hen hotels are redefining luxury mini-breaks for Britain’s most pampered chickens

Adrian Thomas outlines the simplest and most effective ways to help accommodate these important guests