I’m a poor naturalist but a half-decent ornithologist and birdwatcher. I haven’t seen many birds this year – certainly in terms of number of species. Although I know of many who do (overwhelmingly males) I do not keep a bird list for the year. Some of my friends and acquaintances would be able to reel…
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Thoughts on 2020 (2) – coronavirus
Let’s hear it for the virus – a remarkable product of evolution by natural selection. A small chunk of RNA in a protein coat that has changed our lives dramatically, and ended many too. You have to admire it, or rather the process of evolution that has shaped it and made it so effective. I’ve…
Thoughts on 2020 (1) – Driven Grouse Shooting
You have to feel sorry for the grouse shooters, don’t you? Well maybe not. 2020 was another awful year for those involved in grouse shooting, and one which brought the end of driven grouse shooting closer. For those of us determined to see an end to this damaging hobby, it represented a great leap forward….
Guest blog – Swift Bricks by Dick Newell
Lifetime bird watcher and over 60 years an RSPB member, Dick Newell, retired from the software industry, now devotes time to devising ways to help Swifts, which led recently to the BTO giving a Marsh Award for Innovative Ornithology to Action for Swifts. actionforswifts.com documents a large number of case studies, designs and ideas. Swift Bricks…
Reminder – these were this blog’s books of 2020
Comments Off on Reminder – these were this blog’s books of 2020
This appeared in mid-November – in time for you to use it as a reminder and perhaps a guide to Christmas presents but too early to catch every 2020 book. You can’t win them all! I’ve reviewed over 40 books here this year – a record. Here’s where I reveal my shortlist of eight books…