Northants gleanings 2

It’s been good to visit some local sites over the last few days and check up on how spring is progressing. At the airfield on the Beds/Northants border it felt more like winter than spring. But I heard and saw my first UK Whitethroat of 2016 and there were two migrant Wheatears too, so it…

Birdtrack – still great

I haven’t mentioned Birdtrack for a while – but if you read these blogs carefully then you’ll realise that I am still using it religiously otherwise I’d never have the stats for my birding at my local patch so much to hand. I have downloaded the new, and greatly improved, iPhone Birdtrack app (it’s free)…

Good news for wildlife – bad news for driven grouse shooting?

The news that the European Commission is starting infraction proceedings against the UK, presumably for lack of action in England, over upland management issues, revealed on Martin Harper’s blog today is very welcome. It’s very welcome because it shows that the EU is a force for environmental good (but we knew that anyway) – although…

Freudian slip minister?

Environment Minister Rory Stewart encourages everyone to visit their nearest National Park or public woodland this Bank Holiday weekend. The minister says: ‘The UK’s National Parks, forests and woodlands are right at the heart of our national identity. These spaces belong to each and every one of us, and I’d challenge anyone visiting to enjoy…