ORCHARD: A YEAR IN ENGLANDS EDEN

Orchards are so rich in biodiversity; they eclipse most recognised conservation areas. As the seasons turn, a wealth of animals and plants are revealed: bees apartment-hunting in April; spotted flycatchers migrating in May; redstarts, hedgehogs and owls nesting in June; an explosion of life in the summer; and the harvest and homespun cider-making in the autumn. If we can bring new life to England’s orchards - favouring organic methods and harvesting with a balanced ecosystem in mind - we can nurture hope for the future.