蜜芽传媒

When Brett Westwood began a wildlife diary aged 15, little did he think that he'd still be writing notes, nearly 40 years later about the same local patch in North Worcestershire.

In this series Brett returns, diaries in hand, to five different habitats in his local patch and compares notes from the past with the landscape and wildlife of today.

There are genuine shocks and revelations.

Since Brett started visiting his local patch, the landscape in the valley has changed more radically than any other area - not as a result of management, but of nature taking its course.

The valley is a sandstone dip between two horse pastures and its steep sides have deterred any cropping or grazing.

As a teenager, this is where Brett soaked in the scents of basil and thyme which carpeted the banks. Young hawthorn saplings attracted whinchats and tree pipits. Turtle doves nested here in summer.

Instead, fieldfares and redwings roost in the thorns in winter and in summer chiffchaffs and blackcaps are commoner than ever.

Wildlife Sound Recordist: Chris Watson

Producer: Sarah Blunt

First broadcast on 蜜芽传媒 Radio 4 in January 2015.

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