Ruined
Ruin Lizards. No, that’s not an instruction. Ruins are where these Italian Wall Lizards live. In Italy there are civilisations’ worth of …
Forester
There’s a bright blue iridescent moth flying in the middle of the day in the south of Italy. I have no idea …
Bertoloni’s Bee Orchid
Bee Orchids are the rubber sex doll of the plant world. I can’t really believe I’ve just written that sentence. Please forgive me.
Spotting chafers
We’re walking in the heat through pungent herbs, surrounded by butterflies and day-flying moths with Lesser Kestrels overhead. We’re in Matera in …
Longhorn on the Giant Fennel
Out in the countryside in Matera in Italy, the dry heat and the scent of herbs surrounds us. I particularly love the …
Undercarriage down, preparing to land
Seeing a Swallowtail butterfly in Italy is always a shock. They are just so big: The Parco della Murgia Materana is full …
Spiderbombing
I don’t know how long photobombing has been ‘a thing’. Spoiling someone’s photograph by appearing in it unexpectedly must have appeared very …
The Lesser Kestrels of Matera #10
When a Lesser Kestrel lands on a wire outside our bedroom window I know what I want to do. I want to …
The Lesser Kestrels of Matera #9
There are Lesser Kestrels before breakfast, Lesser Kestrels on the way to breakfast, a break from Lesser Kestrels for breakfast and then Lesser Kestrels after breakfast. In Matera, there are Lesser Kestrels everywhere.
The Lesser Kestrels of Matera #8
It’s five o’clock in the morning and she’s calling immediately outside our window. I think she wants her mate. The tone is …
The Lesser Kestrels of Matera #7
We’re having close encounters of the wildlife kind: There are Lesser Kestrels all over Matera. I’m sure the locals must become immune …
The Lesser Kestrels of Matera #6
Matera. Just look at it. Isn’t it magnificent? What a city! The ancient heart of the stone city of Matera is where …
The Lesser Kestrels of Matera #5
We’ve just been on a brief trip to one of my favourite places. It’s Matera, in the south of Italy. It’s the …
The Great Grey Shrike of Emsworthy Mire
I hear that there’s a Great Grey Shrike on Emsworthy Mire on Dartmoor. I’ve never been a ‘birder’ and I really dislike …
Spotted Flycatcher
I know that bird! Without even seeing it properly, I know its behaviour. It’s a Spotted Flycatcher: It’s hidden behind a largish …
Strikingly handsome
Aren’t they just?
The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and the one-eyed Fox of Villa Pamphilj
We’ve just arrived at Villa Doria Pamphilj in Rome. I don’t see Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers very often but I’ve got used to …
Hooded Crows at Villa Pamphilj
We’re at the park in Rome and there are Hooded Crows galore here. It’s fabulous light, though a little late in the …
A Wood Duck would duck
There’s a Wood Duck in the park at Villa Doria Pamphilj. I’ve not seen one before. I won’t forget seeing one: Aren’t …
The Stonechat family of Trendlebere Down #5
I’ve had a wonderful time watching the Stonechats on Trendlebere Down. I’ve spent a couple of afternoons with them, observing them at …
The Stonechat family of Trendlebere Down #4
It’s a glorious day on Dartmoor. My favourite little characters are busy feeding and avoiding death by predator: This family of Stonechats …
The Stonechat family of Trendlebere Down #3
If there’s an hour to spare I want to be with my new, adoptive family. There’s Mr Stonechat: And there’s Mrs Stonechat: …
The Stonechat family of Trendlebere Down #2
Last April I was determined to spend some quality time with my local Stonechats and get some photographs while I was with …
The Stonechat family of Trendlebere Down #1
I may have become slightly obsessed. I’ve just spent a couple of afternoons up on Trendlebere Down on the east of Dartmoor. …
I can’t remember what these are called
Can you? From a lovely walk in Alkrington Woods Nature Reserve.
Butterbur
There’s a plant I recognise from my childhood here at Daisy Nook Country Park. I remember seeing it a little further up …
Flied Piecatchers
Every April and May these tiny birds fly from West Africa to ancient woodlands in Wales and the west of England. Pied …
Cherry Blossom
Seasons come and seasons go. The cycles of life are relentless. Time to sit or stand and wonder at the natural world …
“Sentinel angel sitting high in glory.”
We are heading to Exeter when I mention how much I’ve always wanted to see the Exeter Peregrines to my son. “They …
Blink and you miss it
Spring. It’s already sprung. Blink and you might miss it. That’s even more reason to get out and see what the natural …