‘Butterfly watching’; there is, believe it or not, several books with this title, a subject slightly ethereal and to most folks eliciting the response “what?”. Colourful in passing, intriguing even and increasingly uncommon (this year is a good one, last year abysmal) most people appreciate a butterfly fly by and welcome them in their gardens. But actually, standing and closely observing their detail, and behaviour,… Read More »Butterfly Watching
This story begins at twilight on the cobbled streets of Hexham Christmas Eve 2018. A crescent moon hung above the Abbey which was draped in silver fairy lights as I, along with the last of the Christmas shoppers made my way amongst the low hum of anticipation. Everything was perfect. Well at least I thought it was, I had forgotten a Christmas card for my… Read More »The Holy Ghost
One of the greatest pleasures of the natural world is that there is always so much to find out; it’s also one of the biggest frustrations. For those starting out the mountain can seem enormous as you try to get to grips with the difference between a small tortoiseshell and painted lady butterfly, or between a chaffinch and bullfinch. For those with many years behind… Read More »Recording Nature
If there is one thing that has come out of the last few months it has been the chance to rediscover my own patch. Now I accept that I am lucky to live in a small village, with open countryside all around, and many did not have that luxury, but, watching the spring turn slowly into summer while spending most of that time within a… Read More »No lockdown for Nature
