Starling in the Meadow
As I arrive in Broken Tower Meadow in Rome a group of Starlings scatter from their fossicking in the meadow. This one …
A hunting Hobby
I can see a bird of prey high in the sky. I don’t recognise it, so I train my lens on it …
Eastern Dappled White Butterfly
There are butterflies galore in Broken Tower Meadow, il Pratone di Torre Spaccata. Here’s one. I think it’s the Eastern Dappled White, …
Transparent Burnet Moth
There’s what looks like a Transparent Burnet moth, Zygaena purpuralis in the park. The larvae feed on wild thyme, which is exactly …
There’s a beetle-shaped hole in our lives
In the UK the species Trichodes alvearius and another, the Bee-Eating Beetle, Trichodes apiarius, “Have not been seen since the 19th century and are likely to be extinct.”
“Gruccione!”
We’re walking in Broken Tower Meadow, il Pratone di Torre Spaccata when the Puffin Whisperer says “Gruccione”. I recognise the name. It’s …
I’m a big fan of garden pests
Whenever I search the Internet for an invertebrate, unless it’s rare, there’s always a result which is “How do I get rid …
Thousands of orchids as far as the eye can see
Walking around il Pratone di Torre Spaccata in Rome we spot a Long-Lipped Tongue Orchid, Serapias vomeracea. Then we spot another, and …
‘Shrike’ she shrieks!
We’re walking in il Pratone di Torre Spaccata (Broken Tower Meadow) in Rome when I hear the Puffin Whisperer shout ‘Shrike!’ That’s …
What sort of a name is Zitting Cisticola?
I’m in Italy for a couple of weeks and, although I’ve got work to do, I’m having a few trips out to …
Wrens’ nest
Last year I found a Wren’s nest, high in a tree in a wasteland in Rome. It was in an old hole, …
Gheppio
In Italian, the Common Kestrel is known as Gheppio, which is from the Latin, originally from the Ancient Greek for vulture. This …
Journeying south to spring and north to winter
I’ve spend a large part of my adult life travelling from the south of England, and more lately from the South West …
The Red-tailed Chimneysweep
There’s a beautiful male Black Redstart in the Pratone di Torre Spaccata here in Rome. Unfortunately, this whole area is due to …
Common Kestrels in the Pratone
There’s a stretch of the abandoned land which serves as the natural world here in Rome which I love. I’ve returned here …
Flutterbyes
Here’s a flying Swallowtail butterfly, Papilio machaon: It’s a little tattered but beautiful all the same: Here’s a perfect example of how …
Have you ever seen a photograph like this?
I’ve seen a lot of photographs of butterflies but never one like this. It’s not just that it’s a shot of a …
The habits of Monks
The meadow here in Rome is full to bursting with thistles with huge flower heads. The sight is as gorgeous as walking …
A Great Green Bush Cricket on a Long-Lipped Tongue Orchid
I’m wandering around a meadow in Rome looking for a fresh Long-Lipped Tongue Orchid, Serapias vomeracea. I’m surrounded by hundreds of them …
Murmur
Urban Starlings. Winter. Rome. A park. All the perfect ingredients.
Five and a half yards make a perch
The female Kestrel of the pair is perched in front of me. I’ve only got this close by sitting on a tiny …
More Black Redstarts
Are you tired of seeing my photographs of Black Redstarts yet? I’m beginning to feel like one of those 1970s dads with …
Urban Kestrels
I’ve been enjoying the company of the local Common Kestrels here in Rome. I’ve watched them hunt, be chased by the resident …
More Black Redstarts
It’s time for another trip to the nearest waste ground, which counts as the natural world these days, to see the Black …
Monk Parakeets
These Parakeets are meant to be in South America. They’re quite at home in the parks of Rome. They appear to appreciate …
Cornacchia
There’s a Hooded Crow flying past us in this wasteland in Rome. Their Italian name is Cornacchia. I wonder what trinket or …