A Nature Walk and a Natter

A nature walk with young children is guaranteed to feel really special. Those were my thoughts, anyway, after our walk around Bovey Heathfield. A few days ago, I was lucky enough to be asked to help lead a nature walk for young families, organised by Better Places and the Devon Wildlife Trust. It was myContinue reading “A Nature Walk and a Natter”

Mountain Management in Mallorca

The Black (or Cinereous) Vulture is Europe’s largest raptor, and an iconic species in Mallorca. It thrives in the northwest mountain range, the Serra de Tramuntana, and has recently been showing signs of expansion in its breeding range, putting the exclamation point on an awe-inspiring conservation success story that brought the birds back from the brinkContinue reading “Mountain Management in Mallorca”

The Forgotten Generation?

Gen Z and birding are, according to certain outdated stereotypes, not a common mix. Birding is traditionally a hobby for older people. A common misconception is that a lot of time and money is needed to fund such a hobby. But this could not be further from the truth, and there are many young GenContinue reading “The Forgotten Generation?”

Nature Writing Retreat

A couple of weeks ago, I headed off to a secluded spot in the New Forest, concealed behind a gate, a long gravel track and huge amounts of healthy trees. Organised by the dynamic duo of Emily Hunt and Andrew Millham, with support from the incredible Cameron Bespolka Trust and an all-star panel of esteemedContinue reading “Nature Writing Retreat”

Bashing for Butterflies!

DISCLAIMER: You’re probably wondering about the origins of the title of this one. I won’t give too much away, but I will say that no butterflies, or any creatures for that matter, were harmed in the making of this blog. Bracken. That was the reason I stood upon the crest of the hill at PepperdonContinue reading “Bashing for Butterflies!”

A Sunny Sunday at Birdfair

On Sunday, about two weeks ago, we returned to Global Birdfair, following an action-packed Saturday. We were in the heart of England’s smallest county, Rutland, on the south shore of the aptly named Rutland Water. The Global Birdfair is a celebration of all things nature, from birds to bugs and everything in between, but itContinue reading “A Sunny Sunday at Birdfair”

Phantoms at Dusk: In search of Nightjars

On Saturday night, we went straight from a swimming gala to Brimpt Woods, managed by Forestry England. Brimpts Wood is very close to Dartmeet, where the two branches of the River Dart meet. The West branch flows alongside the Woods, increasing the diversity of species in the area. I would be doing a nightjar surveyContinue reading “Phantoms at Dusk: In search of Nightjars”

Flight of the Barn Doors

Mallorca so far had been incredible, with so many birds, insects and plants already having been seen just from our villa! On top of the birding, it had been great to have time off from the stress of daily life back home, and I was really getting into the swing of just being relaxed. ButContinue reading “Flight of the Barn Doors”