Changes on Natural England Board

The current Natural England board is: Andy Clements – stands down 13 July 2020 Teresa Dent – stands down 13 July 2020 Simon Lyster – stands down 13 July 2020 Michael Winter – stands down 20 August 2020 Catherine Dugmore Sue Hartley Henry Robinson And so get your hankies out to wish a tearful farewell…

Cuckoos – good year or bad year?

My farmer friend Duncan told me he hadn’t yet heard a Cuckoo this year when I saw him this morning – and I told him that, for the first time since 2014, I’d heard one from the garden. Such are the sharing of bird observations that happen all over and which tend to form a…

Down on the farm…

This morning, early, I paid a visit to the workplace of one of my favourite farmers: Duncan Farrington’s place down the road from me, the home of the Mellow Yellow range. Those who have read the last chapter of A Message from Martha might have guessed what my visit was about, and yes, I was…

Guest blog – Wool-carder Bee by Jane V. Adams

Jane is a naturalist, photographer and nature writer living in Dorset. Her work has appeared in books, anthologies and blogs for charities such as The Wildlife Trusts and the International Bee Research Association. When she’s not exploring Dorset’s lanes and countryside she can be found lying on her stomach watching insects in her garden. Jane’s…

Countryfile last night

Last night’s Countryfile programme was great on butterflies and better than usual on crimes against birds of prey. You can watch the whole entertaining programme here and the raptor slot started at about 10:20 into the show (the butterflies before were really great!). Tom Heap was the presenter of this item and he’s pretty good,…