Dragonflies are out and about in all their glory across Britain now so keep your eyes peeled for them. This one comes from the collection I made for The Lost Gardens of Heligan, called Voices from the Lost Gardens. With many thanks to Steve Jones, Author and Dragonfly expert @aparthenop on Instagram.  If you want to hear the special bonus segment about their mating sequence, send us an email. Messages from the Wild on iTunes Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl Feedback to: annabel@messagesfromthewild.com

Bluebells are at their peak across Britain now and they love to be admired but they really suffer as a whole if any of them are trampled on. This one comes from the collection I made for The Lost Gardens of Heligan, called Voices from the Lost Gardens. With many thanks to Nicola Bradley, Head Gardener at the Lost Gardens as she really brings these beautiful flowers to life. She's the perfect Bluebell. Messages from the Wild on iTunes Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl Feedback to: annabel@messagesfromthewild.com

An alternative to the traditional Christmas tree but perhaps more quintessentially British, The Oak.  This Oak lives at the Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall and comes from the collection I made for them last year: Voices from the Lost Gardens. With many thanks to the wonderful Dame Judi Dench, who really could not have been a more perfect Oak.

A perfect winter warmer, this one comes from the collection I made for The Lost Gardens of Heligan, called Voices from the Lost Gardens. Jimmy Docherty really makes me laugh and he knows his stuff too - farmer, entomologist, television presenter and I would add comedian.  Visit Jimmy’s Farm and support the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.

This interview comes from a collection called Voices from the Ocean. It is such an important series as we really know so little about the ocean. It comes to us with thanks to Gallifrey Foundation and Mission Blue, finding experts from all over the world to give us their time and energy so that we can be entertained whilst being educated. “With knowing, comes caring, and with caring there’s hope, that we can find an enduring place for ourselves within the natural systems that support us. But first, we have to know.” Dr Sylvia Earle And with many thanks to Marine Biologist, Lucy Woodall of Nekton  How to respect and protect seahorses Seahorses help protect seagrasses, seaweeds and coral reefs. They are important predators for bottom-dwelling organisms. But, they are often caught just to be sold as souvenir pets. Don’t buy seahorses. Don’t pollute the ocean with plastics and chemicals. Demand protection for seahorse habitats. Messages from the Wild on iTunes Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl Feedback to: annabel@messagesfromthewild.com

This is not a good time of year for hedgehogs in Britain so please take a couple of minutes to listen to this public service announcement from one. And please pass it on as far and wide as possible. Thank you.  With many thanks to Yvonne Cox, Founder of Hedgehog Rescue, South Gloucestershire www.hedgehogrescue.info Feedback to: annabel@messagesfromthewild.com

With many thanks to Dr George McGavin, Zoologist, Broadcaster, Author www.georgemcgavin.com @georgecmcgavin   Messages from the Wild on iTunes Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl Feedback to: annabel@messagesfromthewild.com

With many thanks to Matt Brierley, wildlife filmmaker www.sharksindeepwater.com @mattbrierley   Messages from the Wild on iTunes Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl Feedback to: annabel@messagesfromthewild.com

This is for Max, a Spider Ambassador, which we should all be really. Maybe once you've heard this fascinating House Spider, you may want to become one, it certainly changed my view of them.    with many thanks to Peter Smithers, Honorary Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society Entomologist, University of Plymouth     Messages from the Wild on iTunes Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl Feedback to: annabel@messagesfromthewild.com

Plants have a message too and as it's Spring, I thought it would be a good time to give the dandelion a voice. A favourite of the Ashy Mining Bee.   with many thanks Alex Morss Ecologist and Author www.alexmorss.co.uk   @morss_alex    Messages from the Wild on iTunes Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl Feedback to: annabel@messagesfromthewild.com

Some slugs are useful. And funny.   with many thanks to Dr Ben Rowson Senior Curator: Invertebrate Biodiversity (Terrestrial Mollusca), National Museum Cardiff https://museum.wales/cardiff/    Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl Feedback to: annabel@messagesfromthewild.com

Messages from the Wild podcast has been hibernating (for good reason) but as spring has arrived in Europe now is the time to hear from the Ashy Mining Bee who will be out and about pollinating and building her nest in the ground in relative peace and quiet.   with many thanks to Rhian Rowson Natural History Curator, Bristol Museum, Galleries and Archives www.bristolmuseums.org.uk   Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl Feedback to: annabel@messagesfromthewild.com

With many thanks to Dr George McGavin, Zoologist, Broadcaster, Author    That ends the First Season of Messages from the Wild. Please send any requests for animals you'd particularly like to hear from for the next season....coming soon. And please send feedback. Thank you for listening. Happy Christmas. Annabel  Subscribe to Messages from the Wild on iTunes Feedback to annabel@annabelross.com  Many thanks to Anna for her wonderful illustrations www.fiverr.com/annabazyl

With many thanks to Peter Rock, Urban Gull Expert, Research Associate, University of Bristol   Coming up next...The Highland Midge   Subscribe to Messages from the Wild on iTunes Feedback to annabel@annabelross.com  Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl

With thanks to Mark Pajak, Spider Expert, Bristol Museum and Art Galleries    Twitter: @markyspider   Coming up next...The Lesser Black Backed Gull   Subscribe to Messages from the Wild on iTunes Feedback to annabel@annabelross.com  Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl

With many thanks to David Dewsbury, Wildlife Enthusiast and Researcher, Forest of Dean   Coming up next...The Purse Web Spider   Subscribe to Messages from the Wild on iTunes Feedback to annabel@annabelross.com  Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl

With many thanks to Dr Amoret Whitaker, Senior Lecturer (University of Winchester) Scientific Associate (Natural History Museum, London)   coming up next...The Great Crested Newt   Subscribe to Messages from the Wild on iTunes Feedback to annabel@annabelross.com  Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl

With many thanks to David Brown, Bat Specialist, Avon Bat Group   Coming up next...The Blow Fly   Subscribe to Messages from the Wild on iTunes Feedback to annabel@annabelross.com  Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl

With thanks to Ray Barnett, Head of Collections and Archives, Bristol Museum and Art Galleries ray.barnett@bristol.gov.uk | www.bristolmuseums.org.uk   Coming up next...The Greater Horseshoe Bat   Subscribe to Messages from the Wild on iTunes Feedback to annabel@annabelross.com  Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl

With many thanks to Dr George McGavin, Zoologist, Broadcaster, Author    Coming up next...The Earwig   Subscribe to Messages from the Wild on iTunes Feedback to annabel@annabelross.com  Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl