Sunday book review – Gone by Michael Blencowe

This is a book about extinct animals – I’m personally interested in extinctions and so I thought I might enjoy this book, but, obviously it would depend on the way the author handled the subject and the quality of the writing. I did enjoy this book. Eleven species are given their own chapters; two mammals…

Tim Melling – Spoonbills

Tim writes: these two Spoonbills flew over me at St Aidan’s RSPB reserve in West Yorkshire in September.  Spoonbills fly with their necks outstretched unlike herons and egrets that tuck their necks in while flying.  This is an adult on the left plus a juvenile with black wing tips and I was pleased to catch…

Press release – Langholm Initiative

South of Scotland’s biggest community buyout completes The South of Scotland’s largest community buyout has been legally completed following one of the most ambitious community fundraising campaigns ever seen and paving the way for the creation of a vast new nature reserve in Dumfries and Galloway. The landmark agreement of £3.8 million for 5,200 acres…

Blackbird chorus

I was awake before 3am, and it was raining. But at 5am the rain had ceased and I listened to the dawn chorus – a Blackbird chorus. It was simply wonderful. A free treat. Not of our making, and not for us, but nonetheless something we can enjoy. I seem to be going to bed…