Life and wildlife during lockdown by Mya Bambrick

Emma Chaplin
, 08 July 2020
Life and wildlife during lockdown by Mya Bambrick
Great Tit feeding young © Mya Bambrick

We interviewed Crawley-based Mya Bambrick a year ago about her wildlife photography. She's been writing a regular bird blog, so we caught up with her to ask how things have been going since lockdown.

Mya bambrick

What a strange few months. The coronavirus pandemic has changed all our lives over these weeks and for many, increased their connection to nature. It’s been clear that now more than ever, that nature and the outdoors is so vital for everyone’s mental health. This is why green spaces are so important for everyone to be able to access. For me personally, I’ve been at home most of the time doing my A-level work, among reading books, watching virtual talks, creating a virtual wildlife quiz for young people, and making the most of my very small garden. 

MB web2

Great Crested Grebe on nest at Tilgate Park

My garden has become increasingly important to me during this time. I spend most mornings sat out there, watching the birds on the feeders and those flying overhead. It’s been really interesting to create a list of the species I see in and from my garden, bearing in mind I live in a town and the garden backs onto a main road. I’ve had up to five Buzzards and a Kestrel overhead, a flock of Starling, a Nuthatch family, Goldfinch, and Long-tailed Tits. 

These species may not be the rarest or the most interesting to some, but for me it’s been exciting to see them in my garden and bringing their young here too. They’ve also given me a subject to photograph right on my doorstep.

To me, the initial lockdown was hard as I hate being indoors all the time, but as restrictions have eased, I have discovered new local areas which are great places for wildlife. It’s given me time to appreciate the more common species, and also to share my passion through short vlogs, which I have posted on my social media (@MyaBambrick1). 

MB web 4

Juvenile Long-tailed Tit 

I hope as we come out of this terrible time, more people will have engaged with nature that's on their own doorstep and feel more passionate about conserving it for the future. 

MB web 3

Swallow



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