Did you read this blog by Findlay Wilde? I’ve got my cards. I’m wondering to whom they should be sent…
Category: Uncategorized
North York Moors
There are indications that many intensive grouse-shooting estates are undertaking more heather (and in some cases Sphagnum) burning this year because they feel that the Walshaw Moor net is closing in on them. Here are some examples of what heather burning actually looks like from the North York Moors. Does this burning follow the heather…
Blue Planet 2 – programme 3
Coral reefs – you can’t go wrong with coral reefs and I enjoyed this programme more than the two preceding ones. Why was that? I’m really not sure. Manta rays, spawning groupers, another grouper working with an octopus to catch their prey and saddleback clown fish. All terrific. And all potentially to be lost from…
Bitterns up, Corncrakes down
Two species which have been conservation success stories, and ones for which the RSPB has led the species recoveries, have had very different recent fates. Bitterns continue to go up in numbers (yes, they’re booming!) and Corncrakes are declining. In 1997 there were just 11 male Bitterns making their booming calls from reedbeds in the…
A week today
Prince Charles, van Cutsem and the forests
Much though my gossippy side would love a juicy scandal over the monarchy, grouse moor owners and huge amounts of money I can’t get too het up over the revelations over Prince Charles’s Duchy of Cornwall investing a small amount of his pile of money in rainforest carbon. Having once been on Today to account…
Government in a mess – not news
Priti Patel must be for the chop – surely? And under other circumstances then no-one would find such a senior role in Cabinet for the bright buffoon Boris – surely? Liam Fox is an embarrassment. David Davis is struggling in his role – but then who wouldn’t? All are Brexiteers by the way. And Michael…
Not at all cool at Coul
You read about this proposed development here back in August 2016 but things are moving on. Media release from Buglife, Plantlife, Marine Conservation Society, Butterfly Conservation, RSPB and Scottish Wildlife Trust. Sutherland golf course proposals more environmentally damaging than Trump’s Aberdeenshire course warn conservationists Unique Coul Links would be destroyed An alliance…
Blue Planet 2 – programme 2
Blue Planet 2 hasn’t yet really gripped me. I’m not sure why not. The filming is amazing. The creatures are amazing. It must be me. Yesterday’s programme was fascinating as it revealed lots of species that have never been filmed before and which therefore were new to almost everyone. There were quite a lot of…
Our friends in the north
Yesterday I was part of a large group of birders gathered at Parkgate on the Dee Estuary and waiting for high tide. These high tides can sometimes cause spectacular flooding of the entire saltmarsh causing small mammals and all birds to flee from the rising water. Yesterday wasn’t a very spectacular show but we had…