I’ve been sketching in Newton Abbot again. There are still many historic places despite the widespread destruction of our heritage. The Pharmacy Cafe is one of them. Originally Bibbings the Pharmacist, it’s now a tea rooms with a fabulous selection of cakes. Here’s what they say of their history: Pharmaceutical …
A memory of last summer with the Arctic Terns of Westray. There were so few chicks in this colony that the remaining …
There’s a tiny orange fungus on this wet rotting wood. I recognise it from my childhood. It can only be Dacrymyces deliquescens. …
The Redshank, Tringa totanus, is a Eurasian wader. It’s classified as part of a large family called Scolopacidae. It’s related to the sandpipers, …
You’ve probably noticed that I love a good flypast. Here are two Great Crested Grebes going at speed down the River Exe. …
Have I mentioned that I love Black-Tailed Godwits before? Well, yes I have. And with good reason. What I must do now …
I’ve been sketching in Newton Abbot again. This time it’s my local record shop, Phoenix Sounds. I love the vinyl they have …
This Black-Tailed Godwit is giving me strong muckymouth pie vibes. As a child I loved muckymouth pie. It’s a pastry-encased treat filled …
Boomtown Fair is an immersive music festival and more. I loved attending, espceially since there are so many paid actors and performers …
I thought it would be a bit of fun to ask an artificial intelligence website to “Write about the Great Skua in …
Brent Geese are small Geese, only just bigger than a large duck. On the River Exe we have the dark-bellied Brent Geese …
Smew are described as compact diving ducks with delicate bills. Personally I’d call them dinky. The males are stunning bridal white with …
I’ve been sketching in Newton Abbot again. This time it’s the Indulgence Tea Rooms in Devon Square. Here’s what they have to …
Even if it’s a common species it’s well worth appreciating. I remember going to Australia (I had half a day’s work there …
Have I posted too many photographs of Smew? No, I didn’t think so.
There’s a piece of driftwood and a pool of water in the extended mud at the centre of the River Exe at …
There are Avocets on the River Exe and it’s a thrill to see them. Just look at that ridiculous curved beak. It’s …
I love a landing shot. This Black-Tailed Godwit was just about to touchdown in the shallow water at Seaton Wetlands. It looks …
I’ve been sketching again in Newton Abbot, in Devon, this time it’s Newton Abbot Bowling Club in Courtenay Park. The Club was …
There’s a Carrion Crow on a marker buoy in Poole Harbour. It looks so intensely black in this light. I love how …
The Black-Tailed Godwits at Seaton Wetlands have been pairing up before their journey north to Iceland for a summer of raising a …
If you ever think that a bird is a dull colour, take a closer look. The pattern of the plumage of this …
I love seeing Marsh Harriers hunting. I’ve yet to see one kill anything yet, though. Surely it’s just a matter of time? …
I’ve been sketching again in Newton Abbot, this time it’s the replica of John Lethbridge’s Diving Engine in Newton Abbot Museum. John Lethbridge …
The Black-Tailed Godwits at RSPB Radipole in Weymouth are getting their breeding colours ready for a summer of fun and frolics in …
I love getting a close view of a Redshank. They’re such expert alarm-callers that they were refereed to as ‘the Warden of …
We’re on a cruise in Poole Harbour with Birds of Poole Harbour. We’re hoping to see one of the White-Tailed Eagles which …
Hello and welcome to my Sunday Recommendation. Thanks for joining me. Every week I read great wildlife and nature books, stumble upon …
I have a habit of shooting first and asking ID questions later. It’s a good habit to have. This is a classic …
Two Black-Tailed Godwits are interacting at Seaton Wetlands. It’s fascinating. The one on the left is the male. He’s dominant, flying and …