Many people regard the Common Starling as a rather common bird, swarming garden bird baths before anybody else can get a look-in, and crowding out electricity pylons on many an evening. But one thing they do sets them apart from all other birds and animals. They produce one of nature’s most awe-inspiring, beautiful, confusing phenomena.Continue reading “Murmatory Mutterings: The Science Behind Murmurations”
Tag Archives: nature
Birds: Brilliant and Bizarre Exhibit
This weekend’s journey to London had began with a birdy purpose. That purpose was to visit the Natural History Museum’s new exhibit – ‘Birds: Brilliant and Bizarre’. The Museum has partnered with the RSPB to create an unforgettable experience, its main aim to showcase how amazing our natural world is. Both adjectives mentioned in theContinue reading “Birds: Brilliant and Bizarre Exhibit”
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”
A Scottish Sunday
Sunday was an early arisal, in order to get to know the breakfast routine for the duration of our stay. As we rapidly got ready for the day ahead, I couldn’t help but remember the amazing events of the previous afternoon. Meeting everybody right off the bat made me feel welcome immediately, and there wereContinue reading “A Scottish Sunday”
A Scottish Saturday
As we left the warmth of the airport, the wind hit us with a freezing flurry. It desperately attempted to wrench bags and papers from our hands as we walked through the car park. My first impressions of Inverness were slightly biased, given the chill and blustery air, but I’m sure it would have beenContinue reading “A Scottish Saturday”
THE GRANT ARMS HOTEL
The Cairngorms National Park is about as picturesque as you can find in the UK, with some of the landscape almost untouched (emphasis on almost) by human hands. Many birds and wildlife that cannot be found anywhere else in the UK is found here, such as Capercaillie and Crested Tit (to name a few). AndContinue reading “THE GRANT ARMS HOTEL”
Wild New Forest Camp: Friday
Last weekend I embarked on a brilliant trip to the New Forest on the Wild New Forest Wildlife Camp, sponsored by the Cameron Bespolka Trust. It was truly incredible, spread from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon, and featured bird-ringing, visits to the coast and nocturnal walks. It is usually held at Cameron’s Cottage, another residentialContinue reading “Wild New Forest Camp: Friday”
Turning of the Tables
Up the hill in Hennock, the garden had us all in heavy coats and jumpers. But it was a still evening, and the sun was suspended low in the sky. It was cloudy. Very cloudy. We could barely see the sun. Yet that didn’t discourage some, and a recurring cascade of notes erupted from deepContinue reading “Turning of the Tables”
The Bovey Birder 