Urban Wild

Urban Wild Wildlife enthusiast posting nature films & pictures of urban wild spaces & parks mostly in Reading UK Welcome to my page!

I'm a filmmaker and photographer who enjoys the natural world. During spring 2020, unable to work due to pandemic lockdown restrictions, I decided to take my camera with me when out exercising in my local area. I live on the edge of a housing estate in a large town, but I’m fortunate that I have some very beautiful open green spaces and an abundance of wildlife all within walking distance or a sho

rt cycle ride from my home. As I wandered through parks and other familiar places I also ventured off the paths well-trodden to explore some lesser-known areas, recording some of the beautiful things I saw along the way. In the height of the pandemic, there was so much change and uncertainty about the future it became a treat to escape from television, social media and the continuous onslaught of bad news. Outside in these wild spaces there was the age-old certainty that mother nature would continue to do her thing, and I felt grounded and comforted by this. The birds still sang their songs blissfully unaware of people problems; and if anything, I think they sang a little louder in those few weeks when the world came to a halt. The skies were clearer and the air felt cleaner - or perhaps, unencumbered by the pressure and pace of the everyday living I’d become accustomed to, I was learning how to really listen. It also become clear to me how important these spaces are, not only for the wonderful creatures and plant life contained within and around them, but for our own mental wellbeing. As our concrete world continues to expand we need to ensure that these wildlife habitats are looked after and protected. I felt sad at the amount of litter I came across on some of my walks, an issue which needs addressing. When out and about let's leave nothing but our footprints, and take nothing away except for beautiful pictures and memories. I’m not a wildlife expert, just someone who feels privileged to be able to get out and enjoy nature, and I thought it would be nice to set up this page to share some of my films and pictures for anyone who'd like to join me on my journeys and maybe inspire others to explore and look after the natural world. I hope you enjoy watching these 'urban wild snapshots' as much as I enjoy making them.

Had a lovely walk along the canal this evening. Quite mild out compared with how it's felt the last few weeks.
25/01/2025

Had a lovely walk along the canal this evening. Quite mild out compared with how it's felt the last few weeks.

Two more shots taken from Pincents hill at the weekend. Winter branches and a majestic bird of prey both illuminated red...
13/01/2025

Two more shots taken from Pincents hill at the weekend. Winter branches and a majestic bird of prey both illuminated red in the glow of the setting sun. The moon gently rising on the opposite horizon.

Second walk of the day took me to Pincents Hill in Tilehurst. Watched the sunset, which was stunning this evening!
11/01/2025

Second walk of the day took me to Pincents Hill in Tilehurst. Watched the sunset, which was stunning this evening!

Another beautiful, sparkly morning in Southcote and beyond. The water has receded and turned to ice. It was quite amazin...
11/01/2025

Another beautiful, sparkly morning in Southcote and beyond. The water has receded and turned to ice. It was quite amazing to stand and listen to ice sheets cracking on either side of the footpath between the water pumping station and the canal. As the ice warmed and broke away from the trees and vegetation, there were surprisingly loud cracking sounds. Quite cool—excuse the pun!

I woke up early this morning, looked out the window and saw hoarfrost coating everything in a frosty blanket. Normally, ...
10/01/2025

I woke up early this morning, looked out the window and saw hoarfrost coating everything in a frosty blanket. Normally, I’d grab my camera and head out, but the footpaths near my home are slippy with black ice. So, here are some pictures of hoarfrost I captured at Prospect Park in January 23. Hoarfrost forms when moisture in the air freezes on cold surfaces which are already at or below freezing, creating delicate icy crystals that transform the landscape into a winter wonderland.

Linear Park Southcote was flooded this afternoon, and yes that's a swan in the distance! I didn't get very far in either...
07/01/2025

Linear Park Southcote was flooded this afternoon, and yes that's a swan in the distance! I didn't get very far in either direction today as the brook had breached its banks and cut off parts of the footpath. Will be wearing wellies tomorrow.

The Robin wasn't rockin on this cold day.
07/01/2025

The Robin wasn't rockin on this cold day.

Spotted this Red Kite in someone's back garden between two houses. Whipped out the camera and got a quick shot before it...
04/01/2025

Spotted this Red Kite in someone's back garden between two houses. Whipped out the camera and got a quick shot before it flew away. Hope whoever lives there didn't think I was a spy! 😄

Fire and Ice at the Holy Brook today! What a beautiful sunrise.
03/01/2025

Fire and Ice at the Holy Brook today! What a beautiful sunrise.

I hope you all had a Joyful Christmas, and as we step into 2025 I wish you a wild and wonderful year ahead!  This mornin...
03/01/2025

I hope you all had a Joyful Christmas, and as we step into 2025 I wish you a wild and wonderful year ahead!
This morning I took a dawn walk in the frost and watched the sun rise over Linear Park Southcote and the Holy Brook. It was one of those mornings where there was something beautiful to photograph at every turn.

Parakeet on the branch of a poplar tree! We have a small flock of these colourful and very noisy birds visiting Southcot...
28/11/2024

Parakeet on the branch of a poplar tree! We have a small flock of these colourful and very noisy birds visiting Southcote in Reading, daily. Fascinating to watch them but I hope they don't interfere with our native bird population. The ring-necked parakeet is an invasive species which seems to be growing in numbers here in the South.

Picture of a young squirrel taken at Prospect Park today.  I loved how its bushy tail was backlit by the low sunshine.
26/11/2024

Picture of a young squirrel taken at Prospect Park today. I loved how its bushy tail was backlit by the low sunshine.

More soggy squirrels squirreling at Prospect Park yesterday.
20/11/2024

More soggy squirrels squirreling at Prospect Park yesterday.

Adorable little squirrel foraging in the sleet today.
19/11/2024

Adorable little squirrel foraging in the sleet today.

02/11/2024

A short nature film using shots from two late afternoon walks in Reading during early October. Look out for the fox who made a surprise appearance!

Fox at dusk this evening...must remember to keep my shutter on silent. He heard the click of my camera :  )
27/10/2024

Fox at dusk this evening...must remember to keep my shutter on silent. He heard the click of my camera : )

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