I AM often asked, especially by young naturalists, where the best place to view wildlife is.

I always tell them to start looking where they are – close to home.

Even in the towns, there is plenty to see. I was in Clitheroe on May 25 and swifts were screaming overhead.

I then went to Waddin-gton to meet some friends who were exploring East Lancashire for the first time.

Despite the dull weather, the place looked a joy, with the little stream bubbling on its way on to meet the River Ribble.

There were birds and flowers everywhere. Grey wagtails and dippers were feeding their young. Blackbirds and greenfin-ches were singing and the Coronation Gardens looked at their best. They were planted in 1953 to celebrate the start of the present Queen’s reign.

Several years ago I wrote a book called Wildlife in Towns and to complete this I had to visit the heart of many cities and towns of England. There was wildlife everywhere, especially in the parks and alongside the rivers and canals.

Perhaps I should have written a second book called Wildlife in Villages. If so, one of the best places to start would be Waddington.

There are lots of other fine examples in our patch, including Pendleton and West Bradford in the Ribble Valley, Pleasington and Withnell Fold, near Blackburn, and places like Edenfield, Wycoller and Trawden.

Wherever you decide to watch wildlife, you will not be disappointed.