We hope you’ve had a great start to your 2022, many of you have been out in the last week spotting some fabulous wildlife. We’ll kick this week’s blog off with sighting in mid-Derbyshire of a mistle thrush which can easily be mistaken for its similar looking relative, the song thrush, but can be told apart as it is larger and greyer.

Moving south an otter was reported, this large mammal has grey-brown fur except for on its chest and throat were its fur is paler. A number of birds of various shapes and sizes were also recorded in South Derbyshire, including the aptly named male blackcap (the females sport a ginger cap) and a marsh tit; which despite their name live in woodland and parks. Also spotted was the house sparrow, one of the most widespread bird across most of the world, originating in Europe and Asia they now live on every continent except Antartica. We’ll finish with a sighting of a buzzard, which eat carrion, small birds and mammals and when these aren't available they’ll resort to large insects and earthworms.

Like myself you may not have got around to disposing of your real Christmas tree yet, one option to recycle your old tree is to create a mini beast hotel in your garden, more details and ideas can be found at https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/blog/re-purposing-your-real-christmas-tree.

We are looking forward to reading about your wildlife sightings across Derbyshire. To submit your own sighting and be featured in a future blog go to www.derbyshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/wildlife/record-sighting.

Thank you to Chris Staley, Myasotis, Graham Megson, Michael Williams and Rhiannon for submitting their wildlife sightings.