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Periods of cold, clear, settled weather are such a treat at this time of year. It feels like spring is on its way when you find a sheltered sunny spot but, when you feel the full force of the cold wind, you quickly realise that its still very much...
This winter has thrown up three special bird species for the "patch" – though, alas, no waxwings this time around! Crossbills, a grey phalarope and most recently two common cranes have found sanctuary in the area.
• Crossbills...
As the weather continues to hold the East Devon countryside in an icy grip there is a little warming cheer to raise the spirits of any countryside visitor at this time. While the winter chill is something of a shock to us, our relatively mild climate...
Look at all this snow! Or, in case we’ve had a much-needed thaw by the time this article gets printed, remember all that snow!It was one thing to get a white Christmas for me this year, cold weather and frozen rain is to be expected in the far-flung North....
WHEN you get to the top of the highest peaks and take a look across the vast white landscape that is the World’s largest ski area – The Trois Vallees – it is hard to believe that’s it’s been created in little more than a generation or two.
Turn the...
There wasn't a speck of frost anywhere this morning - not on house roofs, grass or the road outside my house.
But, to my horror, I discovered a layer of ice had formed over my pond.
I gently broke the ice, so there were holes to allow oxygen to reach...
It seems ominously prescient that in the week that global leaders are meeting in Copenhagen to discuss the climate change agenda, the UK comes out of a period of weather that would make Noah shudder.
Rain has hammered much of the country, and especially...
Sid vale Carnival Club recently held their annual “Christmas Social” to thank all its supporters, everyone from Sponsors, to our neighbours at our float building site.
On display at the Social evening were a fantastic total of 35 trophies, won during...
When it comes to wildlife, setting yourself specific targets only leads to disappointment. Focus your attentions on a single subject and you limit your chances of striking lucky, and no matter how much experience, feildcraft or knowledge you have, so...
A few years ago, I reported back from an introductory meeting of the Finding Sanctuary Project. In the intervening time much progress has been made and I caught up with the project last week to see how things are developing.
There are seldom...
Last week I was fortunate enough to lead a number of groups from Brixington Primary School on sessions to explore the school environment gleaning inspiration for creative writing. This was part of an intriguing venture they are calling “Real men Read”,...
There are times when you are required to recognise a fabulous achievement and give recognition to those who deserve it. This is just such a time, and this column is the perfect space for just such an acknowledgement.
All too often conservationists...
Beauty, as we all know, lies squarely in the eye of the beholder. Good news for those of us who wouldn’t grace the pages of ‘Hello’ or ‘Tatler’ when it comes to attracting a partner! But enough of such self-deprecation, we’re talking weird wildlife this...
So much of being successful in life comes down to being in the right place at the right time. I have been fortunate enough to be largely at that place at that time, and I recognise just how fortuitous I am in that regard. However, there are times...
The thing with sharing one’s enthusiasm about the natural world, is that those profound “Wow” moments are often all-too brief and lose something of their impact through interpretation. The mental picture and the associated story may well be vivid and...
As much as I love to hear from people who enjoy reading my weekly waffle, it’s even better to receive news from people about wildlife they have come across. When the wildlife in question is a personal favourite I really do find it difficult to not jump...
Some encounters are hard to forget, especially those which feature someone or something special. It probably won’t come as much of a surprise to those of you who have read one of these columns before, that my best loved, most cherished encounters normally...
It’s been a week of colour in the East Devon countryside as we finally enjoyed a little balmy weather; I hope you were all able to enjoy it?
Firstly to a National super star which was found at Seaton Marshes. It was a meteoric rise to fame from...
There was once a time when the equipment needed to capture really decent wildlife photos was very specialist, very hard to get hold of and very expensive. Even if you were willing to invest in your hobby, the chance of snapping that elusive prize-winning...
This is the week that our wild winter residents make their long-awaited return. Yes, it may seem crass to be talking about the winter so soon after the gloomy, wet and thoroughly disappointing “summer” we’ve enjoyed this year, but facts are facts and...
Seaton Marshes’ annual fun-fest was another barn-storming success this year. Although the weather wasn’t as balmy as 2008, the rain held off and over 600 people enjoyed a wetland experience. Events ranged from the elaborate such as bushcraft skills, where...
Good news everyone, this weekend will be wet and wild. For once I’m not referring to the weather either! For the last few weeks the climate has been decidedly changeable, and we have indeed put up with a few wet and wild days, but in this instance I’m...
Last week’s article focussed on a real passion of mine, snakes. For all you ophidiophobes I apologise, as it is once again to this group which I turn in this week’s column.
Heathland is a habitat which is globally rarer than rainforest. Typified...
Samuel L Jackson may have to deal with the perils of giant snakes on an aeroplane, but I’m sure even he would have blanched at the prospect of finding reptiles this past week, so dreadful has the weather been. Last week was Heath Week 2009 and may I take...
Sometimes, in the course of carrying out my duties to bring East Devon’s stunning wildlife and people together, I find myself in a variety of very peculiar positions indeed. Last weekend was definitely one such occasion.
Eleven o’clock on Sunday...