After a couple of failed attempts we finally made it over to Skomer on Saturday, our first time aboard the Dale Princess for at least two years. Given that all sailings had been cancelled on the days either side of our trip it perhaps wasn’t surprising that a long queue Read more…
Today is officially the first day of summer (that’s why it’s cold, windy and raining) and it also marks the next phase for my Patchwork Challenge. Last week I managed to find my final outstanding spring migrants (those I expect at least) with two calling Cuckoos on Tuesday and a Read more…
Monday saw us bidding farewell to Emma’s parents but with no particular desire to leave the Peak District ourselves we headed North to Monsal Head. A world renowned beauty spot, and with good reason, its elevated position gives sweeping views across the River Wye at a point where the peculiarities Read more…
Day two of our Peak District trip saw us exploring one of the dales for which this area is so well known. Narrow, steep sided valleys cut deep through limestone by water erosion, they feel upon first entry very much like stepping back into some forgotten world. Cut off from Read more…
Say what you like about bankers but their penchant for taking the occasional long weekend means that we’ve just returned from three very enjoyable days in the Peak District. Our base of operations was a cottage on the outskirts of Wirksworth (currently on the market for £1.25 million if you’re Read more…
Of all the aspects of our house the garden is perhaps the one element that I find most pleasing. Its development from a few shrubs to wildlife hotspot has been unplanned and, to a certain extent, beginners luck, but it seems that this year we are really starting to reap Read more…
Another two weeks on patch and, despite only managing a couple of visits, my recent run of success has continued unabated. Before we get to that though a few updates including the fact that Emma saw no less than four Shelducks flying over the valley early one morning. Quite what Read more…
The past few months have been an almost non-stop whirlwind of great walks and excellent birds with some fantastic scenery thrown in for good measure. Alas such freedom was never likely to last and commitments over the last fortnight and coming month are likely to mean that my outings and Read more…
We headed off to Gower last Saturday to walk one of the less well trodden routes that the peninsula has to offer. Concentrated on the quieter, though no less impressive, northern coast I first explored this area while surveying for the recent Bird Atlas and found it so rewarding that Read more…
Some would call it dedication, others sheer madness, but having stayed awake all night to watch the general election drama unfold I was out on Garreg Lwyd later that afternoon after just a few hours sleep. Conditions were far from ideal with strong winds, heavy rain and poor visibility making Read more…