Words about wildlife & nature conservation
A useful guide for making the most of winter birding this year. Winter is a fantastic time for UK birders, as the most interesting species flock together in spectacular numbers. … Continue reading The Best UK Locations for Winter Bird Spotting
Britain’s seabird colonies represent a spectacle like no other: bustling, raucous municipalities where a multitude of species congregate to form a single, far larger, living being. An avian city, cramped … Continue reading Cuddy ducks, clowns and stench of guano
I’ve had very little time this week for my usual outdoor pursuits, largely owing to a growing workload and a multitude of mounting side projects. That said, yesterday I managed … Continue reading Nature Notes #3
I don’t know about you, but whenever I talk to a birder with decades of experience I leave the conversation with two feelings. First: admiration, for their ability to confidently … Continue reading Advice from a not so Expert Birder, a guest post by Liam Thompson
Spring has sprung, at long last. And all about my local area, the sapphire blooms of English bluebell mingle with the garish, Simpson-yellow of lesser celandine and the pristine white … Continue reading Nature Notes #2
In every way, the Magnificent Frigatebird lives up to its name. This bird does not produce any of the waterproofing oils that other sea-faring birds possess; a submerged frigatebird will … Continue reading Magnificent Frigatebird – Sabrina Salome
Uncharacteristically, I haven’t managed many far-flung ventures of late – the combined result of some drastic life changes, a busy schedule and the build-up of myriad more menial tasks. This, … Continue reading Northumberland’s Wild Interior
I dislike our tendency to name storms and weather fronts almost as much as I dislike our habit of blowing such things entirely out of proportion in this country. Often … Continue reading Newcastle Diaries: the eye of the beast
The Pyrrhuloxia is a desert bird similar in appearance and closely related to the Northern Cardinal. The name Pyrrhuloxia denotes one of the ways to distinguish these two species, being … Continue reading Pyrrhuloxia – Sabrina Salome
“Meet what might be Kruger National Park’s most photogenic bird: The Lilac-breasted Roller. These birds are more than just a pretty face and bright colors. If caught in the right … Continue reading Lilac-breasted Roller – Sabrina Salome
Bakethin, located a short-way upstream of Kielder Reservoir, is unique among nature reserves in Northumberland. Here, among the hulking frames of aged firs and a forest floor dominated by mossy … Continue reading Winter walking at Bakethin
Another year and another early start for yet another fine Northumberland Bird Race. Our team total of 106 species observed during the event, despite being very much down from the … Continue reading Northumberland Winter Birdrace 2018
Excluding those closest to me, not many people will know that for seven years now I have been living with a severe hearing impairment. Partial deafness caused as a result … Continue reading The gift of birdsong
Now, this is a post for the avian-inclined individuals out there… For those of you who didn’t know, I set myself a challenge at the start of 2017. One which … Continue reading Birding in Northumberland 2017: the highlights
For those of you who have not yet attended the annual British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) conference, you should. At your earliest convenience. The event itself, educational, uplifting, serious yet … Continue reading BTO Conference 2017: first thoughts
The distribution, numbers and behaviour of birds in the UK are changing because of a changing climate according to a new report. Many rare breeding birds are at a high risk of … Continue reading Report reveals the impact of climate change on UK birds
