Category: Nature Notes

It happens every time. Whenever I’m stuck for a Nature Notes topic, a fellow naturalist – friend, family, WNS member – contacts me with an observation and a “perhaps you can use this.” It...

When I was a young medical student, I soon realised every person I met had an interesting story to tell. It was often the older members of society who had the best tales. Likewise...

Is it too late to wish you a very “Happy New Year?” I hope not, since it is the subject of this month’s Nature Notes. Why choose a date seven days after Christmas to...

A splatter of blood and bird poo on the glass, a heap of dusky feathers on the front lawn: all there was to show that a sparrow-hawk had chased a pigeon to its death...

Christmas dinner wouldn’t be the same without Brussels sprouts. Love them or loathe them, one thing you cannot say about the humble sprout is that it’s boring. At least not botanically speaking!    ...

Now more than ever we crave stories with a happy ending. Over the years I have collected a number of these – none long enough for a Nature Note but all ecologically interesting. Recently...

November is traditionally when I put our garden “to bed” for the winter, and this year is no different. The garden has been my sanctuary over the past eight months, where I often wander,...

A month ago I wrote of the animals that can be picked up on a remote camera set up overnight, especially mammals like badgers, foxes, mice and voles which are mainly nocturnal. However, by...

Although arthritis and Lockdown keep me tethered, I’m lucky in my family. The younger, still very active members keep me supplied with stories, observations and, often, photos to go with them. Stepson Rob and...

There is nothing better on a fine autumn day than to be out walking. Arriving home mid-afternoon before darkness descends, I immediately light the fire, put on the kettle and reach for the biscuit...