Stormies on the Shiants

Calling Storm Petrels have been recorded for the very first time on the Shiants this summer, an important milestone for the Shiant Isles Recovery Project, which is working to make the islands suitable for these small seabirds to nest. The characteristic ‘churring’ call was heard from burrows, an encouraging sign that the project is working….

Brighton and #Lab17

Yesterday, on a sunny day, I went to sunny Brighton for a Labour conference fringe event organised by the Labour Animal Rights Group.  Thank you to them for inviting me and giving me the chance to talk about driven grouse shooting to a friendly enthusiastic audience.  Dominic Dyer chaired events with his usual style and…

A week in Yorkshire

Last week I was, kind of, on holiday in mostly sunny Yorkshire. It was good fun. It started with the film premiere in Hebden Bridge which was very enjoyable (I know how to let my hair down when on holiday!). Sunday – a boat trip out from Bridlington on the Yorkshire Belle – Arctic, Great…

Can I travel anywhere with a clear conscience?

Countries are like people – none is perfect and none is absolutely beyond redemption (one hopes). Only in the oldest and simplest of western films (and I like westerns), the most tribal of politics and the most intolerant of minds are people good or bad with no shades of grey in between.  You’re not perfect…

Wild food (3) – Hazel Nuts by Ian Carter

This is one of my favourite wild foods and between early August and October (in a good year), I don’t go for many local walks without risking my teeth and cracking open at least one or two. The Hazel would have been one of the first trees to recolonise Britain following the last ice age…