
Smew two
The Smew in The Regent’s Park in London are a thrill to get close to, even if they are in shadow: Here’s one in sunshine rather than shadow: They’re just as stunning, whatever the light.
The Smew in The Regent’s Park in London are a thrill to get close to, even if they are in shadow: Here’s one in sunshine rather than shadow: They’re just as stunning, whatever the light.
It’s been a dream of mine to see a Little Owl again, ever since I looked after a juvenile one when I …
Lumpfish grow to be large fish, sometimes washed up on the beaches of Westray. To see them as tiny fish, brought in …
Do you know that feeling of going somewhere every day and being so familiar with it that you don’t see something special …
There are signs of life everywhere on Westray. In this case it’s signs of life from 380 million years ago from species …
The rich eggy-yellow heads of Gannets are a constant delight as they sweep past the cliffs of Noup Head. The crisp white …
The Arctic Terns which breed on Westray come back with a constant procession of fish and then parade them up and down …
Sea Slaters are giant nocturnal woodlice. They are common in crevices and rock pools and under stones along the coast of Westray. …
Arctic Terns live their lives in a rush. They’ve got to get their family ready for a journey from pole to pole …
Do you know that feeling of going somewhere every day and being so familiar with it that you don’t see something special …
Kingfishers are vulnerable to predators. Apart from cats, rats, stoats, weasels and mink, there’s the threat of death from the air from …
A trip to London for half a day’s work means I can pack my camera, change out of my suit into outdoors …
Give Black Guillemots a respectful distance and they carry on their lives as normal, including displaying their fresh catch for all to …
It’s not just the River Irk which meanders through Chadderton Hall Park. It’s the path too. Having a simple meander to the …
As a child I remember walking alongside the cobbled streets of Oldham. Some streets had been roughly covered in tarmac and I …
Do you know that feeling of going somewhere every day and being so familiar with it that you don’t see something special …
The coast of Westray is a great place to see the skeletons of birds. In particular, there are skulls littered across the …
If patience is a virtue, Kingfishers are very virtuous birds. This one sat watching for ripples and underwater silhouettes for five minutes. …
I’ve often wondered what kelp-burning pits looked like on Westray. There was a huge industry here, exporting the ash from burning seaplants …
I love to see a Kingfisher, Alcedo atthis. This female is stunning even though she’s far away in the reeds. And she’s …
I watched an Arctic Tern colony struggle to raise chicks over the last summer. There was plenty of food, although maybe not …
Do you know that feeling of going somewhere every day and being so familiar with it that you don’t see something special …
What happens when your colony collapses, your numbers are too low and you can’t protect your chicks from predators? What if there’s …
Britain is full of decaying infrastructure. Whether it’s disused railway lines, abandoned after Dr Beeching’s report, or stagnant canals filling slowly with …
I’m having a trip to Stover Country Park in cold weather when I’m delighted to see there are Goosanders on the lake. …
Hartshead Pike is a familiar landmark to anyone from Oldham or Ashton. It’s a monument on top of a hill with commanding …
This Nuthatch had a lot to say at Stover Country Park. The noise they make is just like an insistent car alarm. …
Do you know that feeling of going somewhere every day and being so familiar with it that you don’t see something special …
I’m fascinated by Goosander. Just take a look at the ‘teeth’ on this beak. They first bred in the UK in 1871 …
The crow family clearly has more than mourning clothes in its genetic wardrobe. This pink Jay with electric blue wing flashes is …