Gannet missile technology
As I child I read a book called Magic of the Senses by Vitus B. Droscher, a popular science exploration of the …
Flying Wren
I’ve enjoyed the Wrens at Einar this year. They’ve been a joy. Their lives are led in a sheltered garden, full of …
A Common Tern in the Bay of Tafts
There’s a Tern hunting for fish at the Bay of Tafts. It’s a beautiful day and visibility is good. Amazingly there’s someone …
Feather bed
The encyclopaedia says there are four seasons in temperate latitudes. Billy Connolly, however, said, “There are two seasons in Scotland; June and winter”. …
Absolute scenes
Absolute scenes here today at Einar as the Wrens fledged. I’ve been watching the parents bringing invertebrates into one of my ‘useful …
Great Yellow Bumblebee – Bombus distinguendus
This time I know what I’m looking for. I’m a man on a mission to find one of Britain’s rarest bumblebees. I’ve …
The shock of an Owl
I’m standing in the garden of Einar, against a stone wall, taking photographs of Swallows. They’re great to practise on because they’re …
Bottles
There’s a piece of marshland I regularly trespass on. It’s between a river and a railway and accessible only by climbing down …
Sparkly Puffin
Humans and Puffins. We share a love of sunlight on turquoise ocean. And sparkles. We both love sparkles. I’ve just added another …
Wall Pennywort
Umbilicus rupestris is a great scientific name for Wall Pennywort. Its alternative name is Navelwort. I prefer the name Bellybutton plant, but …
No
Farming near a town must be very stressful. It’s not just the dogs being walked near sheep. Although that’s stressful enough. There’s …
Buzzard chick
I’ve cycled out to The Wood again. I’m collecting my trail camera (more of which, later) and want to check on the …
Bee Orchid
I’ve seen Bee Orchids before. I went all the way to Brixham to search for them and was successful. They were a …
Bluebells
Bluebells are a woodland species. Here, on Dartmoor, there are fields of them. It used to be forest but we cut all …
Warbling in the reeds
I’m having a wander through the reeds in the heat of the sun. I can hear the robotic call of the Reed …
Goldmoss
I’m cycling around villages in South Devon when I see an old stone wall completely covered in intense yellow-gold flowers. It looks …
In search of the Iron Age and a pint of beer
I’m incredibly excited that there are Iron Age hill forts nearby. Of course there are, there are hundreds of them. Who knew? …
The Third Ladybird Book of British Birds – #11 The Blackcap
I’m currently reading the third volume of the Ladybird Book of British Birds and their nests from the 1950s. Times have changed: …
Red sauce, brown sauce or no sauce at all?
There’s Blackbird activity in the town centre. This female has a beak full of worms. It’s suggested to me that they might …
Home Sparrows
House sparrows have accompanied human domestication. They’ve followed our agricultural practices. They’ve lived in our homes and they’ve eaten our spilled grain. …
Evening song
Sometimes you’ve just got to stop and listen to nature.
Goosegrass
Sticky Willie. Cleavers. Goosegrass. All great names for an extraordinary plant. Here it is is a pool of sunlight in a South …
The Buzzard’s call
I’ve finally found the active Buzzard’s nest deep in The Wood.
The Third Ladybird Book of British Birds – #10 The Tree Sparrow
I’m currently reading the third volume of the Ladybird Book of British Birds and their nests from the 1950s. Times have changed. …
Something to hoot about
My friend Paul made and put up an owl box in one of the large trees which border his property. He chose …
St George is late to the rescue
Have you noticed the weather. There’s a possibility that you’re reading this in the UK, so it’s likely that you’re similarly obsessed …
Cuckoos and Meadow Pipits – an ancient battle
I decide to get up at dawn and go to Dartmoor. I’ve decided that before and stayed in bed. This time I …
Green Hairstreak
The Green Hairstreak is a green butterfly. Saying it’s green really does do it a disservice, though. Just look at that colour! …
The Swan’s nest
I’m walking through a narrow walkway in the reeds, looking for Reed Warbler’s nests, when I come across a Swan-made clearing in …
The Third Ladybird Book of British Birds – #9 The House Sparrow
I’m currently reading the third volume of the Ladybird Book of British Birds and their nests from the 1950s. Times have changed: …