An online project highlighting the best that nature has to offer across Deeside has celebrated its first year.
The Dee Watch blog was launched by the Dee Catchment Partnership in 2019, and has now marked its first 12 months.
Using the wealth of knowledge on offer from the region’s many ranger services, the diary aims to help north-east residents discover the best times of year to spot the region’s charismatic wildlife and spectacular plants.
Natural wonders highlighted in the blog so far include a huge variety of colourful butterflies, secretive bats, majestic larger animals like deer and even some fascinating fungi.
Susan Cooksley, the manager of the Dee Catchment Partnership, said: “When we started Dee Watch a year ago, nobody could have predicted that a microscopic virus would soon have such an impact on everyone’s lives.
“We hope that Dee Watch has provided some interest during these 12 months, and made people more aware of our fantastic wildlife – as well as gaining some insight into how we can all do something to mitigate the enormous, ongoing decline in biodiversity which is not just a loss for us, but also for generations to come.
“We have a shared responsibility to act now to reverse those declines.”
The blog has recently moved to a new website for the partnership, www.deepartnership.org, which also features hundreds of photos and videos captured by professional photographers and rangers from across the Deeside region.
Ms Cooksley added: “The launch of our new website is a huge milestone for the partnership and I’m delighted with the finished product.”