Conservation – a glossary #1
Conservation sounds like it should be a good thing, a thing with which everyone agrees. We all want to conserve the natural …
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 …
Edward Everard
I worked in Bristol for several years and frequently diverted my route across the city to see the Edward Everard building. Everard …
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 …
A Tivoli view
I loved our trip to Tivoli. This view through the ancient doorways of the Renaissance masterpiece is particularly effective, especially when you …
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: …
Pied piping Wagtails
There’s a noisy Pied Wagtail family on the River Lemon in South Devon. I’m enjoying their fluttering, wagging, calling and feeding antics. …
Dartford Warblers on Aylesbeare Common
A trip to the Exeter Vaccination Centre was my morning appointment. It’s only seven minutes by car from there to RSPB Aylesbeare …
Noise to weight ratio
Wrens have one of the highest noise to weight ratios amongst birds. I know some people like that.
Buzzard over Dartmoor
I’m hidden in the bushes waiting for Cuckoos when I see a Buzzard heading straight towards me up the hill. It veers …
Orange Redstarts and purple Bluebells
“When will I have time for Redstarts?” I asked a few weeks ago. Well, today is the answer. I’m at Emsworthy Mire …
The Third Ladybird Book of British Birds – #8 The Whitethroat
I’m currently reading the third volume of the Ladybird Book of British Birds and their nests from the 1950s. Times have changed: …
An inability to cope with nature
Social media has polarised society. We’ve never had such a glorious opportunity to engage with people we fundamentally disagree with. It makes …
Greenfinch
Greenfinches still seem exotic to me.
A Mining Bee volcano spoil heap
A trip to Emsworthy Mire is always a good day, even when the weather isn’t nice. Today it’s lovely weather and the …