Wonders of the Webcam: wildlife watching come rain or shine

Have you ever got so involved in something on the computer, so engrossed that you lost track of the time? Have you ever lost hours chatting online? Or spent ages trying to get to level two million on a game? (Sorry? Oh the levels don't go that high? Are you sure?) I certainly have, well not the games so much, I'm fairly hopeless to be honest. The children's games on the BBC or RSPB websites are challenge enough for me!

Anyway, the UK, being the UK, comes with its fair share of inclement weather (no, really, it's true!) and for many people wildlife watching is a fair-weather pastime. Let me be the first to say, there is nothing at all wrong with that. Sitting for hours in a draughty hide with the wind not only sneaking in through the cracks but blowing so hard through the open windows that you can't breathe isn't for everyone. Digging yourself down into the sand with a scope or lying flat on the grass on a cliff top to get glimpses of wildlife fill some people with absolute horror. But fear not, there are other ways you can indulge your passion for wildlife and if you would truly love to while away the hours constructively on your PC, it is time you discovered - WEBCAMS!

I found out, a number of years ago, that there are some absolutely amazing webcams around the world. For me, they help fill a wildlife gap for times when even I don't want to venture out and places too far for me to travel to. There are webcams in Australia, South Africa and America as well as in the UK.

Of course, you are never going to beat physically getting out there and spending time looking for the wildlife in your area, particularly now as we head further into the year and there will be endless sights and sounds for you to bask in, but, if you find an evening where the wind is driving or a lunchtime when you just need cheering up, believe me that wildlife webcams are a treat.

So fingers crossed for stunning weather, but maybe just the odd shower too that sends us indoors for a bit of a surf.

Some of my favourites:

www.africam.com/wildlife/index.php The Nkhoro Pan one is pretty amazing.

www.jamesreserve.edu/webcams.lasso?CameraID=Cam02 This one is eight hours behind us so is a great one to watch in the evenings. I even bought a guidebook on North American birds so I could identify what I saw. Many happy hours have passed watching this one.

www.rspb.org.uk/webcams/feeders/abernethy.asp Brilliant for seeing the rare crested tit and red squirrels.

www.gowildlifewatching.co.uk/Wildlife%20Webcams.html This is a new one to me but looks interesting.

The breeding season is starting and the Forestry Commission and the RSPB do more amazing webcams: check out the ospreys in Loch Garten from around April or May.

Dates for your diary

As Easter approaches there are going to be lots of wildlife events being run by your local wildlife trusts, WWT, RSPB and perhaps even by your local council. Check out their websites and see what's on.

www.rspb.org.uk and click for RSPB events in April and May
www.wwt.org.uk
www.wildlifetrusts.org/

Just a reminder that the Marine & Coastal Access Bill has received Royal Assent and so is now an Act.

The Wildlife Trusts, among other organisations, have a series of Living Seas Projects under way. You can find out more information on what they are and how they are progressing here.

BBC Springwatch starts May 31st.

Have fun whether you are inside or out in the sun!

Fiona Sharp

Wildlife Correspondent

Redwing photo (c) Gary Barlow 2010

Chaffinch photo (c) Becca Sharp 2010

Ladybird photo (c) Jilly Graham 2010

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