Who’s afraid of the Black-Backed Gull?
Today I’m heading north to the most desolate coastline on Westray. Here, even the lichens and seaweeds and barnacles struggle to maintain …
Grass Snakes, King Curlews and their Lapwing attendants
Any patch of good weather means there’s a chance of cutting hay for silage. The people of Westray have perfected the art …
What’s better than seeing a Hen Harrier?
I always hope to see Hen Harriers. If I had to have a spirit animal it would be a Hen Harrier. They’re …
Flutterings
Coronavirus has destroyed my livelihood. I’ve had all my work cancelled for a year and will have absolutely no income. I’m also …
The Puffin experience and pint-sized love
It’s still a shock to me how small Puffins are. I spend 10 months of the year telling people that they’re the …
The first walk, Britain’s rarest bumblebee and a fattie cuttie
Arriving back on Westray means I want to experience it all at once. I want every sensation. I want to be at …
A welcome mat whodunnit
Arriving back in Orkney is always a pleasure. This time it’s different. Out of respect for those who always live on Westray …
The Hall of Einar Sunday Review #13
Hello and welcome to my Sunday Review. Every week I read great wildlife and nature books, see engrossing websites and hear wonderful …
Sparrowhawk
I can recognise a Sparrowhawk flying now: flap-flap-glide, flap-flap-glide. It’s a distinctive pattern. I saw one as a child from a train …
Return to the Long-Tailed Bushtits
You may have read my blogs about the Long-Tailed Bushtit family which took up a week of my life. Once they fledge …
A Teignmouth evening
I’ve been coming to Teignmouth and Shaldon in South Devon since I was a child. We would have two weeks holiday in …
Orchids
I’ve spent my life trying to explain my behaviour to curious onlookers. Whether I’m being asked what I’m doing by security guards …
Meadow Pipits at Emsworthy Mire
There’s been an eruption of Garden Chafers, Phyllopertha horticola, at Emsworthy Mire. The bracken is covered in them. The local Meadow Pipits …
Stonechats at Emsworthy Mire
I love Stonechats. I’ve spent a couple of very happy days with them: This time I’m just passing through and get a …
Reed Warblers
There’s a tiny patch of reeds alongside a drainage channel. It follows an A-road dual carriageway. There’s a pedestrian bridge over the …
NA3? Over our dead bodies
When I’m in Devon I live right in the centre of town but close to some wonderful green spaces. Large areas of …
Dryad’s Saddle
The Dryad’s Saddle fungus is one I remember from my childhood. It can grow huge. It has a beautiful scaly skin and …
Counting your Ducklings
There are three sets of Mallard ducklings on my local river. It’s a struggle to keep track of them. For a start, …
The Cormorant at the Quay
As I walk down to the town Quay I see a Cormorant surface with a huge fish. I start running towards it …
Walking the Hunters’ Path
A trip to Castle Drogo seemed like a great idea. Parking at the Fingle Bridge Inn we take the top path along …
The Hall of Einar Sunday Review #12
Hello and welcome to my Sunday Review. Every week I read great wildlife and nature books, see engrossing websites and hear wonderful …
Willow Warblers at Emsworthy Mire
There it is again; that fluttering movement from something no bigger than a leaf on the breeze. I track the quiver of …
Return to Challacombe Farm
I’ve been to Challacombe Farm before. It’s teeming with animals for food and fun
When you know it’s summer
The seasons turn, circle by circle. Bud becomes flower becomes fruit, ripening in the long days. Photography is expressing your view of …
Robin
I’ve only ever been on one photography course. It was a one day event for band photography, held in Bristol. It was …
Blackbirds with a brood
This handsome male blackbird has the right idea. Nutritious invertebrates are what a growing chick needs to make bone and sinew and …
Circles within circles
Do you ever feel that your life is a series of endlessly repeating circles-within-circles going nowhere? I’ve just had a shave, washed …
The Hall of Einar Sunday Review #11
Hello and welcome to my Sunday Review. Every week I read great wildlife and nature books, see engrossing websites and hear wonderful …
KillJays
Jays are incredible birds. Members of the crow family, they have beautiful pink plumage, a crest, striking blue and black wings, a …
Thirsty House Martins
Eating flying insects to live must give you a thirst, surely? When you spend all day crunching flies and taking them to …