The Grey Heron and the frankfurter sausage
I’m in London for a conference. It’s a whole day event, but I’m speaking at the end of the day, so I …
Rock Pipits on breakwater beach
This is the view from Brixham’s Breakwater Beach on a pleasant day. There’s the insistent calling and elegant undulating flight of two …
What’s wrong with ‘Managing deer for climate, communities and conservation’?
A new document has just been published campaigning for new laws to kill deer in Scotland. It’s from a large coalition of organisations. They …
Ruddy Turnstone portraits
After the shock of getting so close to Ruddy Turnstones I decided to try some portrait photography. Here’s my first approach: They …
Ruddy Turnstones at Brixham breakwater #3
I’ve been enjoying filming the Ruddy Turnstones in Brixham. I hope these tiny films have given you some insight into their lives. …
Ruddy Turnstones at Brixham breakwater #2
I never expected to get quite so close to Ruddy Turnstones in Brixham. I certainly never expected them to act like pigeons.
Ruddy Turnstones at Brixham Breakwater #1
I set off before dawn to see what wildlife I could find at Brixham breakwater in South Devon. I was delighted with …
Purple Sandpipers at Brixham Breakwater
I’ve lived in Devon for thirty years and yet hardly ever been to Brixham. It’s meant to be beautiful. It’s just that …
Why do people hate Greta Thunberg?
I’ve noticed something consistent in all my social media feeds; a deep-seated hatred of Greta Thunberg. She’s the 17 year old young …
The Shag and the Pouting at Brixham breakwater
There’s a Shag off Brixham breakwater. It’s popped up out of the water quite close to me. I love it when they …
Mistle Thrushes and mistletoe
There’s a Grey Squirrel barking in alarm in this Devon churchyard. I’ve not heard one bark like that before. “Must be a …
Gran Canaria – the outtakes
It’s been an incredible few days in Gran Canaria with my son. We’ve laughed and smiled at so many great experiences. The …
Barranco de Barafonso
My son has another photograph he’d like to take. He’s researched it all and knows the route we’ll be taking and we’re …
Pipit on parade
Many of the plants on Gran Canaria have given up on having leaves. Some have evolved to simply have stems and spikes, …
The dunes of Maspalomas
My son has a specific photograph in mind and he wants to get it. He’s a very driven young man. The location’s …
Canary Islands Chiffchaff on the balcony
We’re in Gran Canaria for a few days and we’ve moved to Agaete, a coastal town. There’s a wonderful walk to Puerto …
Pipit
We can see Tenerife in the distance. The peak, Teide, is 3718 meters high. No wonder it’s visible above the clouds. Peeping nearby …
Incoming!
We’ve diverted from our route slightly to visit Roque Bentayga on Gran Canaria. Looking down into the ravine, it’s great to see …
A Canary Islands Robin deep in the prehistoric Laurel forest
A quick check reveals there’s a stretch of original Laurisilva forest on our route through Gran Canaria. That’s exciting. How often do …
Bertholet’s Pipit on Gran Canaria
Clear skies, winding roads, sea spray; what’s not to like? We’re driving on the GC-200 through Parque Natural Tamadaba on Gran Canaria. …
Sunset at Mirador del Balcón
My son suggests a place he really wants to go in Gran Canaria. It’s a viewpoint over the ocean at the end …
Canary Island Pine
Driving around Gran Canaria is such a thrill. Or it is when I get used to being on the ‘wrong’ side of …
Dawn at the Cave House
It’s dawn at the Cave House on Gran Canaria. We’ve set the alarm for a few minutes before dawn and my son …
The Cave House and the Grey Shrike
We leave Artenara and drive to Acusa Seca. My son’s booked a cave house for us for the night. It’s a house. …
Canary Islands Kestrels
My son asks me if I fancy going on a long-weekend holiday to the Canary Islands. I say yes. I have no …
Pygmy Cormorant
There’s a Pygmy Cormorant, Microcarbo pygmaeus, in the water. It looks as pleased to be here as we are. The light is …
Great Tits
The colours are beautiful behind this Great Tit, Parus major. They have beautiful glossy caps and shining black eyes. They are the …
The Horse Egret
There are two white horses together with their attendants at Lago di Alviano. This is a Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis, riding a …
Marsh Tits
Marsh Tits must make a tasty morsel. The only ones which have survived are constantly wary of their environment. This one is …
Blue Tits #2
I’m delighted to be spending time with Blue Tits in the forest here at Lago di Alviano. These don’t have metal rings …