Every so often, I come across the remains of a buzzard kill. The edge of our stream seems to be a favoured spot. We have a pair of buzzards who nest locally, and their favourite prey seems to be the wood pigeon. I’ve heard the chick(s) calling for…
Category: natural history
“Loveliest of trees, the cherry now Is hung with bloom along the bough, And stands about the woodland ride Wearing white for Eastertide.”– A E Housman – A Shropshire Lad One of my favourite snatches of poetry, dedicated to the wild cherry or gean (Prunus avium), and not…
I’ve noticed the grazing marks of limpets on the sea defences before, but today was struck by the small grazed areas higher up. On inspection, these proved to be small bubbles in the concrete that were colonised by tiny periwinkles, several in each bubble, and each with its…
This year, a beach-themed advent calendar. As I spend a lot of time at the edge of the sea, this was a natural collection.
This is an ongoing project that I hope may form the basis of my ARPS submission in a year or two. I’ve always been attracted by the slow fireworks of unfurling ferns every spring – the lime green, russet and silver colours are very enticing. But the colours…
It can sometimes seem a long haul through the darkness of winter, but come the early spring, my spirits start to lift as nature begins to stir. From the first primroses and snowdrops onwards, there’s something to look forward to, and one of the most eagerly-anticipated is bluebell time.…
There’s a popular belief (in rural areas, at least – I doubt town or city dwellers notice it!) that the blooming of the blackthorn in March and early April heralds a cold spell called the “blackthorn winter”. March is often cold, so I suspect it’s a coincidence that…
Foraging season has started promptly this year: it’s just March and the wild garlic is already big enough to pick. I’ve just collected a bagful to bring home and wash ready for some culinary delights. Later in the year, the local woods will be carpeted in a pungent…