Most people will never have given a seconds thought to Peat Bogs, or perhaps even know what they are. Until very recently I was one of those people, however a days hard work with the Dartmoor Youth Rangers has opened my eyes to their importance, and how vital it is that we protect and restoreContinue reading “Peat Bogs and Dartmoor”
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Welcome Back to Birdfair
Hello and welcome back to Global Birdfair 2024: the final day. Can’t stop, we’ve got an appointment with Leica for a nature walk. Bye! Just kidding, but we did have to move quite rapidly for that Leica nature walk. Anyway, Harry Read, handy with a camera, was leading another nature walk alongside Elle Kaye, birderContinue reading “Welcome Back to Birdfair”
Saturday at Global Birdfair
The wind howled in Rutland, England’s smallest county, but the weather was pleasant enough. Compared to last year, anything could be an improvement from the vast thunderstorms and the heavy rain outbursts, which punctuated 2023’s edition at some of the most inopportune times. It took nothing away from the event, which was incredible, but itContinue reading “Saturday at Global Birdfair”
Birdcamp Brilliance: A Symphony of Feathers and Fun
In order to reach Hawes End, it took a fair amount of staying power to negotiate the meandering lanes that snaked across the fells of the Lake District. Sheep, pheasants and wood pigeons constantly appeared on the road, and the sun beat down on the meadows and fields that lay at the feet of theseContinue reading “Birdcamp Brilliance: A Symphony of Feathers and Fun”
BTO Birdcamp: Avian Enjoyment Awaits
Next week I shall be setting off up the country towards the Cumbrian wonders of the Lake District, packed and ready to go for a weekend to remember. The BTO Birdcamp, part of a youth programme designed to inspire young people and create a desire to learn more about the avian world. And I’ve beenContinue reading “BTO Birdcamp: Avian Enjoyment Awaits”
Black Ops and Beaver Bombing (by Tim Kendall and Fiona Matthews)
On a warm Spring evening a few weeks ago, I was sat inside Grace and Favour Home listening to a book talk, organised by Leslie at First Draft Books. The book was of a peculiar title; Black Ops and Beaver Bombing. The former was certainly an unexpected mention for a book on Britain’s mammals, butContinue reading “Black Ops and Beaver Bombing (by Tim Kendall and Fiona Matthews)”
Cuckoo Cacophony
Spring at Emsworthy Mire was exactly how I remembered it, bringing on a wave of younger nostalgia; crisp wind, stone wall snaked valley and parachuting Meadow Pipits wherever you looked. Following one plunge into the heather, was as exhilarating for me as it must be for him, so small, yet powerfully prepared against the airContinue reading “Cuckoo Cacophony”
Final Thursday
The final morning dawned bright and early, and the frantic packing governed those last precious few hours we could afford at the Grant Arms Hotel. Breakfast was a frantic affair packed with goodbyes, beginning with Dawn and Pete strolling towards us. It would be the last time we saw them for what would probably beContinue reading “Final Thursday”
The Final Countdown
We awoke early on our final full day, a grey but dry Wednesday morning ready to welcome us. Unlike previous days, breakfast was a bit more of a feature in the day, with a few special encounters coming to call. So as we prepared for the morning’s outing to Spey Bay, we reflected on theContinue reading “The Final Countdown”
A Terrific Tuesday
Here we go again! Another day at the Grant Arms began earlier than even the previous morning, with alarms set with one goal in mind; Black Grouse. And while the building still slept in the dawn air, we set off onto Dava Moor. The moor was huge, with heather and intermittent trees stunted with theContinue reading “A Terrific Tuesday”
The Bovey Birder 