If song were solid…

It was the snails that got me thinking… On my walks at Stanwick Lakes, at least on those fairly early in the morning, I am sometimes struck by the trails of snails, and the occasional slug, across the gritty tracks.  Although almost all the molluscs are departed one can see where they have been on…

But me no buts

I haven’t seen many butterflies yet this year –  a few Peacocks, lots of lovely Brimstones and some very welcome Small Tortoiseshells.  But I am keeping my fingers crossed for a sunny, warm summer with lots of butterflies on the wing. Last year, do you remember?, consisted of a grotty spring and then a fine…

Spring – time for the British to kill some raptors

As well as those dozen dead Red Kites and four Buzzards in Ross-shire there has been a poisoned Peregrine found in southern Scotland and a Buzzard trapped in the Peak District. What is it with some land managers in this country? It’s spring, time to kill off some wildlife. At least these examples have come…

Malmesbury revisited

The last time I was in Malmesbury there was a Fieldfare looking over the building site; this time there was a Chiffchaff.  Whether the Chiffchaff’s song was celebrating the activity on the site of what will be a new Waitrose store is difficult to know, but there was certainly a lot going on with around…

FoI request to Defra

Dear Defra   Did a Minister see and approve the Defra response to John Armitage’s e-petition on the licensing of grouse moors? If so, which Minister?