Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway: Hawthorns, rowans and rose hips are bent double under the weight of their crop – a fine prize for any migrant redwings or fieldfares

Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway: Turning the garden native a few years ago has transformed it – but just as astonishing is how I can now document its progress

Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway: It’s a day of seeing those who are keen not to be seen – not least a magnificent snake, lured out from hibernation

Luing, Inner Hebrides: I’ve been coming here for 50 years and you can get surprise appearances even on the two-minute ferry from the mainland

Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway: Autumn activity is in full swing – particular overhead, as the migrants arrive from colder climes, bringing in a beautiful rarity too

Abbeyleix Bog, County Laois, Ireland: I was sceptical about whether this valuable but struggling habitat would be restored in my lifetime. I’m delighted to be proved wrong

Dumfries, Scotland: It’s strange to think sequoias are more numerous here than in their homeland California. This one, down the road from me, is captivating company

Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway: The woodland has come alive with jays, woodpeckers, nuthatches and the rest – but it’s the reptilian grey heron that stands out

Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway: The flock is a swirling black snowglobe, a thousand strong

Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway: After I exposed fresh earth with some hedgerow ‘laying’, they set to work with a feat of remarkable engineering

Dalbeattie, Dumfries and Galloway: This part of Scotland has two populations, and their growing numbers mean they are likely to meet soon

Galloway Forest, Dumfries and Galloway: They’re my favourite British mammal, and a local group is hoping to help numbers by installing dens and trail cameras

Kilfeaghan, County Down: Kilfeaghan, County Down: Today is one of those days when the natural world is so captivating that I forget my camera and just watch

Solway Firth, Dumfries and Galloway: This hollow in a field, usually full of water, is now carpeted with a strange, fibrous white substance