The City Nature Challenge is an annual 4-day bio-blitz where people collaborate to share their observations of nature in the city. With the Keeping it Wild team we spent the day recording all the species of plants, animals, and insects on Woodthorpe Meadow Nature Reserve. It was wonderful witnessing young enthusiasts eagerly scouring the nature reserve, unearthing insects beneath rocks, and working collaboratively to find out which species we’d photographed.  

Stepping into Woodthorpe Meadow felt like entering a paradise as I was surrounded by a tapestry of nature’s wonders. Every corner held a new discovery, several species stood out, captivating my senses, and igniting my curiosity. From the intricate web of the cucumber spider to the delicate beauty of cow parsley and cowslips, each organism was part of the meadows cycle. Yet it was the grey patched mining bee and the yellow rattle that truly stole the spotlight.