Malta and the Spring Massacre

Chris Packham and team have done a great job in publicising events on Malta over the last 10 days.  This was a self-funded project done for the love of birds.  And what a great example it has been of the use of celebrity to promote a cause. If you haven’t seen the videos from Malta…

Oscar Dewhurst – White-bellied Parrot

Oscar writes: Since 19 February I’ve been in Peru, staying at Los Amigos Biological Research Station. One of my favourite places here is the canopy tower which stretches 60m up into the air. One evening a group of White-bellied Parrots landed in a brazil nut tree before heading off to roost. Nikon D300s, Nikon 600mm…

Saturday cartoon by Ralph Underhill

Mark writes: wouldn’t it be interesting to know what is in our politicians’ minds? There are some politicians who don’t seem to be able to open their mouths without putting their feet in them.  After they have perpetrated too many foot-in-mouths they seem to disappear from the scene.  Is there a cupboard in Whitehall which…

I’m no saint…

…although that was my Mum’s maiden name, so it was closer than you might think. Today is St Mark’s Day. This is the day when you might see some St Mark’s Flies.  They are big hairy things that are a bit annoying. But there are no flies on me.

Guest Blog – It’s a marathon not a sprint by Alastair Driver

Alastair Driver has the honour of inclusion in Who’s Who for “distinction and influence” in the field of environmental conservation and is one of the most experienced river and wetland conservationists in the UK, with a growing international reputation in the field of catchment management. He became the first ever Conservation Officer for the Thames…

Chris Packham on Malta

Every evening, at 9pm, another video is posted about the Malta Massacre on Migration.  The three so far have been very moving.  What will tonight’s video reveal? I wonder what our hunters think of the situation in Malta? They seem quite quiet on the subject…  

Spring rolls on…

Yesterday’s walk at Stanwick Lakes showed that spring is moving on. Instead of the air being filled with Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler songs it was the newly arrived Whitethroats, Garden Warblers and Reed Warblers that seemed to be in best voice. I think I could probably tell you what time of year it is, quite…

St George’s Day

It was on 23 April 1889 that the first Little Owl nest was found in the UK – at Lilford Hall, not far from where I now live.  The 4th Baron Lilford had introduced the non-native Little Owl into the UK (others were trying too) and it was his gamekeeper who found that first nest…