By large, birders are a nice bunch and bad behaviour and poor etiquette among devotees is, thankfully, rather scarce - though this does not mean it does not occur. Many of those boasting a penchant for the hobby will have witnessed such behaviour, the practice of tape luring birds during the breeding season for example, … Continue reading Birders Behaving Badly
Farewell university, once again
Well, that's that then. Today, after four months of fieldwork, data analysis, frustration, sublime locations and sensational wildlife, I submitted my MSc thesis. The title: a comparison of monitoring techniques used to assess Atlantic Puffin breeding density. Truth be told, I am rather glad to see the back of the lengthy document. Not because I disliked writing … Continue reading Farewell university, once again
North of England Curlew Festival: Some Thoughts
This Saturday past, myself, Sacha and Matt had the pleasure to attend the first and hopefully, annual, North of England Curlew Festival. Taking place at Bolton Castle, the event comprised a series of intriguing talks - regarding everything from Curlew conservation to fundraising and research - as well as activities designed to bring guests closer to … Continue reading North of England Curlew Festival: Some Thoughts
Here’s why I, personally, watch birds
My attention was recently drawn to an interesting article authored for The Conversation by the esteemed and eloquent Dr Robert Lambert. Centred on the logic behind birding (or twitching, if you prefer), I found the piece highly interesting, both as a birder who spends a great deal of his time observing our feathered friends and as an … Continue reading Here’s why I, personally, watch birds
Top 10 Facts: The Tawny Owl
I heard a Tawny Owl last night. A nocturnal foray to my local store interrupted by an eerie, frightfully abrupt, yet oddly soothing shriek from the branches of a Sycamore in the local churchyard. A sound which I hear often, both in the countryside and closer to home, amid the houses of Bedlington, that never … Continue reading Top 10 Facts: The Tawny Owl
